When
Central Church opened in 1976, it was equipped with a
custom built 4 manual Makin organ which was advertised
as being of cathedral specification. By the early
‘nineties, this was developing signs of 500 volt
electrostatic deterioration which the builders thought
would make the organ unserviceable in the medium long
term. In 1994 the decision was taken by the church to
commission a new instrument, albeit much smaller in
concept. Wyvern were eventually given the contract for
the new build and the new instrument was dedicated
early in 1996. The opening recital was given by Carlo
Curley on 30 March 1996 and the Organ Society visited
soon after. The system used by Wyvern for this instrument was
their version of the Bradford University development.
Unfortunately, by 2005 this was giving intermittent
shut-down problems resulting in an expensive (in
electronic terms!) re-systeming in 2008. The organ now
operates using the Wyvern WpX system which is used
under license from Phoenix. This is a complex digital
sound sampling system which has note-by-note voicing
parameters. The new system required a complete renewal
of the associated audio because the old amplifiers and
FR250 speakers could not handle the additional
information provided by WpX. The organ now uses 14
channels rated at 300w per channel. The fifty or so
M60 speakers are faithfully arranged in pipe organ
format with, for example, trumpet/tuba stops facing
outwards at the front and the swell speakers facing
backwards at the rear of the organ chamber. In between
these, the speakers for intermediate ranks (Great,
Pedal etc.) are positioned at various angles to
enhance sound distribution. The console is carried on
a very mobile plinth which can be positioned at any
location within the main worship area of the church.
The prestigious “Choir and Organ” magazine of
September 1996 featured this organ and the Wyvern web
site
( wyvernorgans.co.uk/technical/WpX ) currently
shows a photograph of the console as well as giving
information on the capabilities of the system. |
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