Documentation of the sound of a historical pipe organ

Abstract The problem of documenting and archiving the characteristic tone quality of the different pipe ranks of a historical organ is discussed. While the musical quality of a certain instrument may be represented by recording organ concerts, the characteristic timbre of the pipe ranks can be investigated by measuring and storing the spectra and attacks of the individual pipes belonging to the rank. The effect of room resonances on the pipe tones are also investigated. Finally, the experiences collected by the preparation of the first tone documentation in Naumburg are revised.