Sound

Why do you hear pipes when a Rodgers organ plays, rather than artificial sound through speakers?

First, Rodgers takes its sound samples from selected pipe organs renowned for the quality of their tone, using a stereophonic process with multiple microphone locations. Then computer engineers process the samples through Rodgers' patented Parallel Digital Imaging. PDI technology is the creative force behind Rodgers sound, multiplying the performance and high definition, just like multiple computers working side by side. It manages the constant flow of subtle changes in room temperature, wind dynamics, playing techniques and other variable that affect winded pipes.

Inside the organ are dual generators that send each note through two audio channels at the same time. As a result, the audio system in a Rodgers organ plays each note from its own distinctive location in the sound field, just like ranks playing from their individual positions on a wind chest. Because of PDI technology, the stereophonic samples now respond the same way they did through winded pipes. Like pipes, Rodgers organ sound detunes slightly to reflect room temperature, sags momentarily if big chords require additional wind, and travels through space with the movement of swell shades.

Rodgers has a unique history of building pipe-only, digital-only and combination organs. No other digital organ builder has such a thorough understanding of how pipe organs work. Unlike monophonic digital organs, Rodgers stereo imaged organs sound like pipe organs because the audio system performs like a real pipe system.

To listen to organist Dan Miller playing Rodgers organs, click on the "Listen" pipe icon at the top of the page.