Frequently asked questions
How to install the sample sets?
Hauptwerk
To install the sample set, simply select File/Install organ, temperament… in Hauptwerk’s main menu and select downloaded file. If a sample set comes in multiple files, install in the following order: first packages, then ODF.
GrandOrgue
For the older sample sets (Skrzatusz, Długa Kościelna, Melcer Chamber Music Hall, Cracow st. John Cantius, Szczecinek, Green Positiv, Lędziny St. Clement, Lipiny, Friesach, Strassburg, Giubiascio, Azzio), please follow the instructions below. For the newer sample sets, please read this page.
To use the sample set, you need to extract downloaded file and open the file with .organ extension. If you can’t extract downloaded file, please try to use 7-zip (for Windows). For best realism please uncheck option Release sample scaling, which is located on the first tab of Audio/Midi Settings.
GrandOrgue versions of sample sets usually comes in two versions, which vary in size of graphic interface. Sample set images are created prospectively to meet the requirements of displays with high resolutions. Legacy versions of GrandOrgue, contrary to Hauptwerk, had very poor image scaling algorithms, so resized graphic interface become uglier and illegible. Still, the size of the window doesn’t fit to display resolution after first load of the sample set, so if it exceeds you need to resize it somehow. Window size should be saved for next organ loads. That’s why I decided to make a version(s), which has smaller size (usually 70% of original), which should fit most of the modern displays.
The interface of every sample set for Hauptwerk contains tabs. Their counterpart in GrandOrgue are panels, which are accesible from main menu. This is the place where you find other pages of sample set, if they were provided.
Will there be GrandOrgue versions of newer sample sets?
I don’t plan to release new GrandOrgue versions. In my opinion the sound differences between Hauptwerk and GrandOrgue versions became too significant. It would be unfair to offer a sample set, which sounds quite differently from what is presented in the audio recordings presenting its capabilities.
Is there option to change the amount of reverb?
In general no, there isn’t. In multichannel sample sets you get more control over the sound, because you can mix different pair of microphones to get closer (more dry) or more distant sound (more wet). For stereo and multichannel sample sets to get impression of smaller space you can also try to use release truncation option for all of the ranks in Hauptwerk’s Load Rank, adjusting rank audio/memory options/routing… menu option.
Why some sample sets are free and some are paid?
For a long time I was sharing my sample sets absolutely free. I had a big dillema when I was considering to switch into commercial model for new sample sets. One of the reasons of my decision was previous fall of motivation to continue and desire to try something different. I will still release demo versions of paid sample sets, which are completely playable, in the entire keyboard scale, with no time or channel count limits. The only limitation is the number of playable stops. It may be strange that there are 13 completely free sample sets and just a few paid, even when some of free sets are much larger and maybe more impressive (like Friesach for example). I still want to share my work, which I’ve done before for free. Of course making this stuff paid would be unfair and reckless.
What computer do I need to play these sample sets?
Please look at general requirements for Hauptwerk software at its website. For smaller sample sets requirements are lower, than for larger ones. The most important factor is usually RAM memory. Memory requirements are listed for each instrument separately on their sites.
Why there is donate option if there are paid sample sets?
That option exists if you are using mostly my free stuff and want to support me for the work I’ve done before.
GrandOrgue downloads
GrandOrgue downloads for the newest sample sets can be found here.
Quick Start guide
Please read Quick Start guide explaining such aspects of Hauptwerk like polyphony, multichannel sample sets, performance issues, memory requirements.
Contact
If you want to contact me, feel free to write. If you are facing some problem, please write what software do you use (Hauptwerk or GrandOrgue).
Company Name: Piotr Grabowski Wirtualne Organy
Company VAT ID: PL6272766274
About
My name is Piotr Grabowski. I studied Sound Engineering at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. I’ve been developing Hauptwerk sample sets for many years. My first free sample set was the Skrzatusz Sample Set, followed by others (Długa Kościelna, Melcer Chamber Music Hall) as part of my thesis. Now, I work full-time, but I still try to find time to record new instruments and develop new sample sets.
Creating sample sets is more than just a profession – it’s my passion. It demands patience, time, precision, and deep technical knowledge, but the rewards go beyond the final product. Seeing my work appreciated by musicians and organ enthusiasts brings me immense joy. What makes this journey even more fulfilling are the opportunities to travel to fascinating places, discover hidden musical gems, and connect with wonderful people along the way.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me. I hope you’ll enjoy this work.