Allen Organ
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Allen Organ Company, formed in 1939 by Jerome Markowitz, is located in Macungie, Pennsylvania. It is one of the world's largest builders of electronic and digital organs. Allen introduced the world's first (IR-100 Award) digital musical instrument in 1971. In 2004, the Smithsonian Institution recognized the significance of this technology by acquiring the first Allen digital organ for its collection. Since 1939 Allen has installed electronic instruments world-wide. Today Allen builds classical digital and combination digital and pipe organs, as well as digital theatre organs. All are built in the United States.
Inspired by the Hammond organ, Jerome Markowitz was determined to build a better electronic organ, and that he did. Over the years, he built many home and church organs, and then in 1971 they introduced the first digital instrument. It was a risky decision. This is when the company went public. Much to the company's happiness, it took off, and Allen set the standard for digital organs.
The Quantum organ line uses an advanced real-time mathematical process called Convolution, whereby the acoustics of the sampled room become an integral part of the organ's sound. An 8-second stereo convolution reverb requires about 35 billion calculations per second, currently unobtainable for any musical instrument. With exclusive patented technology, Allen Quantum organs process this eight-second convolution reverb with about 400 million calculations per second. A digital organ that produces CD quality sound without convolution requires only about 100,000 calculations per second for each sound. Quantum organs include about 4,000 times that capacity to create convolution. The Heritage organ line incorporates this technology into custom designed instruments (on-line Heritage Designer).
[edit] See also
- Carlo Curley (who plays Allen organ)
- Aram Basmadjian (who plays Allen organ)
- Virgil Fox (who played an Allen on his Heavy Organ tours) Virgil Fox Allen Touring Organ
