Organ console

The game table is the part of the organ, are controlled centrally from which all the mechanisms of the instrument. It includes depending on how the organ especially the keyboards ( manuals and pedal ), the organ stops (or levers or knobs ) and a music stand (mostly with lighting). Furthermore you can find here the controls of the game aids such as coupling, blinds and roller rocker switch or for the combinations. Occasionally, also wind pressure gauges and voltmeter, see the table.

Technical plant

In mechanical organs of the gaming table is usually built directly on the organ (often referred to as a lockable toy chest in the bottom wall of the organ case ) to keep the game weight and the error rate of the organ as low as possible. This leads in most cases to the fact that the organist plays with his back or to the side of the church; we speak in these cases of vorderspielig and seitenspielig. The latter is more likely in smaller, single-manual organs spread with limited space. In rare cases, " behind -intensive " game systems are finding that the game table located behind the organ. The view of the church is mostly ensured by the mirror.

Only since the introduction of the pneumatic key action in the 19th century detached game tables overlooking direction in the space were built often. When using an electronic, electrical or electro- pneumatic action even mobile gaming tables are possible, which can be flexibly placed anywhere in the church. For organs outside of churches the organist was made the conductor in the orchestra visible through the electrically operated, portable game table. This, however, electric current was needed in the concert halls. Electrically powered concert organs sat down by the United States via England to Germany by. The first electric game table in Germany in 1903 by the company Voit built for the new Stadthalle in Heidelberg (with three manuals and pedal ). In 1993, this organ was restored. Large organs may well also have two game tables (mechanical gaming table directly on the instrument and electrical gaming table in the church), which are used depending on the purpose (worship or concert ). In churches with multiple organs, there is sometimes a main console, all organs can be played centrally from where.

At the gaming table, other equipment may be attached which are not directly serve the organ. So many organs with mirrors or a monitor in conjunction with a video camera fitted to allow the organist to contact the liturgical action. Lights and switches or rare phones are used for communication with other participants in worship. In Catholic churches, there is also often a device for controlling the song indicator in organ nearby.

Standardize

The dimensions of table games are very different. In contrast to the piano making no fixed standards have prevailed until now. Many organ builders use historical or historically influenced game table dimensions to give a historically voiced organ, a corresponding historical feel. So often differ gambling tables in the distances of the manuals, size of the keys on the keyboards and the pedal.

The union of the organ expert of Germany and the German Bund organ builders have introduced a new set of standards for organ consoles in June 2000. The VOD / BDO - 2000 standard to the technological developments in this area for the first time combine with ergonomic requirements and insights. An obligation of the organ builder to comply with the standard does not exist. As in the past, the recommendations apply only to newly built organs. In the listed instruments they are not enforced. Public purchasers of new buildings is recommended to make the standard for the basis of tenders.