The attack transients of some organ pipes

Using piecewise-periodic techniques, the attack transients of almost 200 different organ pipes from 33 ranks have been analyzed. Results for 44 pipes representing 10 ranks are discussed in detail in this paper. In addition to the steady-state parameters of frequency and amplitude, transient duration, overshoot, delay and stability are used to describe the attack transients, and it is shown how each pipe, rank, and family differs from the others in these respects. Norms for the four families, flutes, foundations, strings, and reeds, are proposed. Recognizing the importance of attack transients in characterizing musical sounds, these results provide a unique aid in the design of instruments, traditional or electronic, that generate pipe organ sounds. The technique of piecewise-periodic analysis can, in addition, be used on many other musical instruments and synthesizers as an aid in their design, manufacture, and operation.