To do that you need appropriate software. All of my sample sets are available for Hauptwerk pipe organ sampler. Some of them are also available for GrandOrgue software. Right after having the software you need a sample set – that is what I offer on this website. The smaller and the older brother of the main rear gallery organ (which is available as a sample set for Hauptwerk as well) is located in the Transept of the same St. Laurentis church in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and it is a top example of the European organbuilding of the mid twentieth century, in the years following the 2nd World War. Used for study and practice by professional and amateur organists, organ enthusiasts, and organ students, Hauptwerk is the world’s leading virtual pipe organ software providing high-resolution audio and unparalleled flexibility in MIDI interfacing with digital organ consoles and pro-audio applications.
In November of 2018, we merged with CLR Resources, now we are the sample producer offering the most American instruments for the Hauptwerk market. In the winter of 2020, we released a sample set of an historic American organ – the 1852 Simmons organ at Los Altos UMC, and Summer 2020 saw the release of the 1925 E.M. Skinner at Holy Trinity RC. Augustine’s Virtual Organs offers some of their sample sets for free, though only Hauptwerk ODFs are provided. Jeux d’orgues 2: Stiehr-Mockers is a nice free sample set available for a Hauptwerk, GrandOrgue, and a vast array of other general purpose sampler software.
A little list of the best hauptwerk sample sets based on various features, characteristics and overall quality (IMO).
X. Cavaillé-Coll organ Madeleine, Paris
The Cavaille-Coll Organ of the church of Sainte Madeleine in Paris is a large Cavaille-Coll masterpiece that was worked on several times after C-C, notably by Mutin and Gonzales. Pipeloops have captured the organ and the acoustics extremely well, and this organ would be higher up on the list but it only offers three “stops”, which are fonds 8, fonds 16_8_4, and Tutti on the manuals, making its playing limited, but nevertheless a source of great majesty for the pieces that are able to be played on it and at a very low cost, it makes it available to most.
IX. St. Eucaire, Metz
A relatively small organ at a low price that makes a grand tutti with smaller acoustics. The real organ lies in its beautiful solo stops that comprise a large amount on this small organ, making it an ideal practice instrument for many French romantic pieces. The organ was built by Mutin, so it is not exactly a Cavaille-Coll as were built by Cavaille-Coll himself, but is very similiar as it was built in the same spirit.
VIII. Freiberg Silbermann Organ (1735)
Hauptwerk Sample Set - Marcussen Organizer
A unique Silbermann organ due to the longer reverb but retaining its distinct “silver” German character. Ideal for practicing Bach and other Baroque composers.
VII. Zwolle, St. Michael
A perfect capture of the Schnitger sound, this sample set is ideal for practicing many baroque pieces, and its mild tone compared to Silbermann is guaranteed to sooth the ears and offer relaxing organ playing. The surround version offers a superb immersion in the gorgeous acoustics, similar to that of Kampen.
VI. Doesburg, Martinikerk Walcker Organ
The ideal capture of the acoustics is probably the first that captures the hearer, as the sample set really gives that immersion feeling in the acoustics, and the long reverb only adds to this effect. The smooth crescendo is something that is quite rare, but done very well on this organ, and the only downside might be the high price.
V. The Armley Schulze
Loved by a substantial portion of the Hauptwerk community, this sample set has been captured very well by Lavender audio, and the different combinations available with this organ allows the player to experiment and play many different types of compositions to their own liking.
IV. Haarlem
A masterpiece of an organ played by Mozart himself, this organ is one of the most famous in the world, and Voxus Organs have captured the intimacy of it as well as the great acoustics, making it ideal for the solo pieces such as BMV 727, or grand virtuoso pieces like K. 608.
III. Rotterdam Hoofdorgel
A Neo-baroque organ that still sounds amazing when playing Vierne on it. This really universal organ allows the player to practice almost the whole classical organ repertoire on it, and with its large number of solo stops and mixtures, it can be used not only for practicing but for performances, as one can choose between the front samples of the rear.
II. 1741 Bovenkerk Hinsz
An absolutely stunning organ to both look at and play, this Hinsz organ is like none other. Milan Digital Audio could not have done a better job of capturing this masterpiece, and no other producers have captured the acoustics like it. When one plays this organ, it is as if you were truly sitting in the nave. The baroque-romantic character allows a wide possibility of pieces to be played on it, and the beautiful solo stops like the vox humana to the overwhelming utti is sure to captivate both the performer and the listeners alike.
Hauptwerk Pipe Organ
I. Caen – St. Etienne
Hauptwerk Organs
According to Sonus Paradisi’s statistics, this is their most purchased sample set, and it would not be surprising if it was the most purchased sample set out of all. Virtually the only true and complete Cavaille-Coll sample set on the market, Caen has many features and characteristics that make it easily one of the most popular sample sets of all time. All other available “Cavaille-Coll” sample sets have been either created by Cavaille-Coll’s successors or were only modified by Cavaille-Coll. This organ on the other hand is pure Cavaille-Coll and has been kept almost perfectly in its original condition, making it very unique. Many famous French organists have performed on it, notably Marcel Dupre and Marie-Claire Alain. The surround format allows the player to adjust virtually where he sits in the Abbey, whether it be in the nave or at the organ console, allowing for this organ to be used as both a performance instrument and a practice instrument. This organ is sure to captivate audiences from its ecstatic Flute Harmonique to its brilliant tutti with an added 32′ Contre-Bombarde. The possibility of virtually adding chamades makes this organ even more appealing, likening it to the most famous organs of France, like that of Notre Dame de Paris or Sainte-Clotilde.