A pipe organ consists many pipes. These pipes each have their own sound, usually imitating a musical instrument, such as a trumpet, flute or oboe. There are also voices that you will only find on an organ, such as the principals and the octaves. By pulling out stops, the organist can choose which organ pipes to use.
When the organist presses a key after pulling out a stop, a mechanism ensures that air flows from the wind supply into one or more pipes. Depending on the size, shape and material of the pipes, a wide variety of sounds can be produced. Principals give a sounding tone, while flutes sound more sweet. The mixtures (small, short pipes) sound high and clear, while a 16' trumpet sounds low and dark, because this register consists of long, wide pipes.
So, what makes the sound unique is the way the sound resonates in the pipes, which are all different lengths, making the note sound higher or lower. This principle is also used in our Kienle® pipe systems. Watch our Kienle®-Pipe Systems here! »