John Dubery's dispositions
Here is a selection of VPOs based on English pipe organs (and their close cousins in Australia) -
placed in a single parent directory (folder) on Google Drive HERE, with a subdirectory for each
disposition containing the actual download files.
Within each folder you may find:
zip files containing an alternative soundfont; these have sf2 in their name
zip files containing MIDI files; these have MIDI in their name
other zip files containing the base dispositions; this is what you probably want
In many folders there are multiple revisions of the disposition available (r1234 in the name indicates
revision 1234); pick the latest unless you have a reason to do otherwise.
Within a disposition zip file you will find a file with the same basic filename as the disposition except for
the ending .html; this describes the instrument(s) provided and gives some instructions/explanations
as needed.
1. Some small and mid-sized instruments for jorgan inspired by the writings of George Dixon
Subdirectory click here
For some years I have been fascinated by the design of small organs, i.e. how to get the maximum of variety
and effect from limited resources. Some of the writings and organ designs of George Dixon (1870-1950)
address this topic, and provide useful thoughts and ideas.
In the present jOrgan disposition I provide a selection of instruments based on Dixon's writings.
Included instruments range in size from small IIP to mid-size IIIP
Uses mostly recorded samples, the exceptions being a few nice ranks that use hybrid samples
A selection of MIDI files is provided
2. St Augustine’s, Neutral Bay NSW IIP
Subdirectory click here
An Australian organ but with definite English heritage. In St. Augustine's Church, Neutral Bay, NSW there is
a 2-manual, 14-rank organ built by Hill, Norman and Beard in 1929 and modified in 1981 by Walkers. I find it
an interesting instrument - clearly of its time but with some interesting features.
Implements both the 1929 and 1981 versions of the instrument
Uses recorded samples from the actual instrument
Alternate soundfonts are provided
3. St Stephen’s, Penrith NSW IIP
Subdirectory click here
An Australian organ but with definite English heritage. In St. Stephen's Church, Penrith, NSW there is a
2-manual, 14-rank organ built in 1874 and upgraded in 1906. I find it has a pleasant sound and suspect that
the Great at least has a longer history.
Uses recorded samples from the actual instrument
Alternate soundfonts are provided
4. A modestly stretched version of the organ of St Stephen’s, Penrith NSW
Subdirectory click here
Based on an Australian organ but with definite English heritage. In St. Stephen's Church, Penrith, NSW
there is a 2-manual, 14-rank organ built in 1874 and upgraded in 1906. I find it has a pleasant sound and
suspect that the Great at least has a longer history.
While I like the instrument, there are times when I wish it were a little bigger. So I have produced this
stretched version of the instrument which adds a rank from Chris Pearson's Golcar disposition
and duplexes a few additional stops
Uses recorded samples, mostly from the original instrument
5. Prudoe U.K. IIP
Subdirectory click here
Prudhoe is a village in Northumberland, England. In the Methodist Church there was a small 2-manual,
9-rank organ built in 1902 by Harrison and Harrison of Durham. It is similar to many instruments of its age
and size.
Uses recorded samples from the actual instrument
Alternate soundfonts are provided
6. A virtual rebuild of the organ of Golcar Providence Methodist Church IIIP
Subdirectory click here
While tinkering at Chris Pearson's jOrgan version of the organ of Golcar PMC, it occurred to me that a virtual
rebuild of the instrument could be done in the style of George Dixon.
Dixon did the design for an economical rebuild (well, relatively economical at least) of the organ of St. James,
West Hartlepool; his purpose was to increase the capabilities of the instrument without making it significantly
bigger or causing excessive expense.
Since the Golcar instrument is similar in many ways to the original state of the West Hartlepool instrument,
it seemed to me that a virtual rebuild of the Golcar organ similar in style to Dixon's rebuild of West
Hartlepool would be an interesting exercise - and should give an modest sized instrument of significant
capability. The present instrument is the result of that endeavour, and in my opinion it does not disappoint.
Uses recorded samples from the original instrument; some ranks are extended or otherwise adjusted
7. Small English IIIP romantic instruments
Subdirectory click here
A jOrgan representation of a selection of small 3 manual English organ from the late 19th century or
later. The inspiration behind this disposition was the web article Small three-manual British organs of
the Romantic Zenith by the late Julian Rhodes, which fired my curiosity about the possibilities of these small
(and very small) 3-manual instruments.
Uses a soundfont from another of my instruments that contains recorded samples
8. Casson IIP
Subdirectory click here
A jOrgan representation of a 2 manual Casson organ from late 19th century England, using sounds from the
St. Augustine's organ sampled by Nicholas Appleton.
Thomas Casson is a little-known but significant figure in the development of the British organ in the late 19th
century. He was a banker turned organ builder who developed clear principles regarding organ design and some
radical ideas regarding their implementation.
I built this disposition to allow exploration of some of his small and mid-size 2-manual dispositions and the
various techniques he pioneered - some of which caught on in the organ world and some of which fell by the
wayside. I have found it most enjoyable and interesting in use, I hope you do too.
Uses a soundfont from another of my instruments that contains recorded samples
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