"For the glory of god! Stay tuned..."
TRANSFORMING ELECTRONIC AND PIPE ORGANS THROUGH HAUPTWERK™
Forté Organs renews instruments by preserving quality craftsmanship and replacing outdated electronics with authentic digital pipe voices.
About FORTÉ ORGANS
Bringing New Life to Exceptional Instruments
Forté Organs is a division of Fischer Pipe Organ Tuning that was founded to bridge classic pipe organ craftsmanship with today's digital precision. After decades in the pipe organ industry that include numerous rebuilds, updates and digital augmentations, we now specialize in upgrading existing electronic or pipe organs using Hauptwerk™ Virtual Organ software and commercial grade hardware.
Each project is rooted in stewardship of your existing instrument. We reuse your well-built console and rebuild its core using state-of-the-art MIDI components and professional grade audio equipment. The result is an organ that retains its heritage and familiar feel while offering realistic pipe sound reproduction, long term reliability and a host of modern control features.
Forté Organs was founded to help churches and musicians preserve the beauty of their existing instruments while embracing modern technology. After 45 years of working with pipe organs, I saw the need for a solution that blends heritage with technology providing a means to retain craftsmanship whild delivering authentic pipe sounds through cutting edge technology.
our Services
FortÉ Organs - Your Trusted organ upgrade partner
Our Method — Complete Electronics Replacement
Forté Organs offers full replacement of your existing electronic or electro-mechanical components for aging electronic or pipe organs. We retain the cabinet, pedal keyboard and bench. Often, keyboards and stop controls can also be retained. All components are connected using commercial grade hardware to interface to the Hauptwerk™ based computer.
Typical Scope of Work
- Custom MIDI integration for all keyboards and controls
- High‑resolution audio and channel design
- Touch‑screen interfaces or real moving‑stop controls
- Installation of illuminated tactile stops (optional)
- Pipe‑plus‑digital hybrid integration
-On‑site voicing for a precise match to your acoustics
- Documentation for future service and expansion
Whether you own an Allen, Rodgers, Galanti, Baldwin, or pipe organ, Forté Organs delivers a tailored solution that combines superior musicality with unmatched technical fidelity.
The Process
- Initial Contact and Assessment - We evaluate your existing organ and audio system and discuss your upgrade options
- Conversion - Once a plan is agreed on and a contract commenced, the organ will be converted. Existing components are removed and discarded as necessary and all new components are installed
- Once installed, the upgraded organ will be voiced to match the room acoustics. Online documentation is provided.
“Preserving heritage while embracing the future of the organ."
What does it cost?
Every project is customized to fit your musical and budgetary needs. While pricing varies with console type and audio design, our turnkey systems typically range as follows:
- Electronic console conversion - $12,000 - $25,000
- Installed Custom audio systems - Starting at $4,500
- Pipe-digital hybrid organ conversion - $35,000 +
We will travel anywhere in the USA - just pay our expenses at cost.
Our Portfolio
Asbury United Methodist, Erie, PA
The project at Asbury included a complete rebuilding of their existing pipe organ. A refurbished Allen organ was used to interface with the pipes. Eighteen digital ranks were added across eight channels of audio.
Grace United Methodist, Warren, PA
Hybrid three manual pipe organ conversion. Twelve digital ranks were added to the existing thirty two ranks of pipes. New tactile thumb pistons were installed. A custom interface was designed for this instrument.
Saint Paul Lutheran, Bishop, TX
Immaculate Conception, Willoughby, OH
Two manual Wicks pipe organ upgrade including dual touch screens. Existing controls were retained. Nine digital voices were added to augment the existing pipes.
Immaculate Conception, Willoughby, OH
Immaculate Conception, Willoughby, OH
Hybrid pipe-digital organ based on a 1976 M. P. Möller. New moving stop controls were installed and a new interface to control the pipes was integrated. Nine digital ranks only replace previously unified ranks.
Saint Boniface, Erie, PA
Two manual hybrid pipe organ originally built by Fischer Pipe Organ in 1988. Existing moving stop controls and keyboards were retained. Eleven digital ranks were used to replaced unified voices providing a unique voice for each stop. A Vox Celeste was added.
First United Methodist, Arkadelphia, AR
Three manual hybrid installation based on an existing Nichols and Simpson pipe organ. We were contracted to impliment the pipe interface for this Hauptwerk™ based Magnus organ.