Specifications

RENAISSANCE 450 SECTION III
22.
ENSEMBLE REGISTRATIONS
continued:
The Pedal ensemble is created in much the same way as the manual ensembles,
starting at 16’ pitch instead of 8’. Be careful that the volume of the pedals is not
greater than that of the manuals. Although the manual to pedal couplers are useful in
bringing clarity to the pedal line, especially on softer registrations, avoid the
temptation to constantly rely on one or two 16’ stops along with a coupler. Please
note that the softest stops and flute mutations are normally not used with ensembles.
FULL ORGAN:
Due to the immense capabilities of the Allen Organ, every stop and coupler on the
instrument could be used simultaneously without distortion, if the organ is adjusted
properly. In good registration practice, however, the organist would not haphazardly
put on every stop on the instrument. For best results, listen and include only those
stops that really contribute to the fullness and brilliance of the ensemble. Eliminate
soft stops and solo stops that make no purposeful contribution.
This short treatment barely scratches the surface of the fascinating subject of organ
registration. For those interested in gaining further insight into this vital area of
organ playing, we recommend the following texts:
Audsley, George Ashdown.
Organ Stops and their Artistic Registration
.
Hialeah, FL: C.P.P. Belwin, 1985.
Irwin, Stevens.
Dictionary of Pipe Organ Stops.
2nd ed.
New York, NY: Macmillan Books, 1983.
Cherrington, Dr. Sally.
A Church Organist’s Primer.
Volumes I, II, & III.
Allen Organ Company. Video Materials, 1996/1997.
AOC P/N: 031-0047, 031-0065, 031-0112.