Windchest module W3

SKU: 001202
Category: Organ
Manufacturers: Orgelpunkt

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Delivery time: ca. 3 weeks (DE - int. shipments may differ)

Available from: 01.03.2026 (Pre-orders possible)

Pcs.

Description

The next step in organ building: decentralized systems with tone hole masking and dynamic valve control. You can even program complex action functions yourself using Excel spreadsheets.

Building on the proven W1 & W2, the next generation W3 is now available.

The windchest module brings the intelligence of organ control directly to the pallets. The compact, robust housing can be mounted directly on the windchest. All components are integrated: power distribution and fusing take place on the circuit board. Only the power supply (12-24V) and an Ethernet bus line need to be connected. Instead of numerous multi-stranded organ cables, only a few power lines and prefabricated data cables need to be connected when the instrument is assembled at the installation site.

The windchest module is designed to be used with ribbon cables and crimp connectors, which have been tried and tested in communication electronics for decades. The connection to the module is made via connectors that are pressed onto the cable without any stripping or soldering. Two wires are already assigned for each magnet.

In addition to the ribbon scable ystem, connections for single wires are now also provided for all outputs and bus lines. This allows you to connect some or all of the output banks with organ cables or other types of wires as needed without expensive adapters or cumbersome terminal blocks. The outputs of a bank are available on a 12-pin connector (negative-switching). On a 2-pole terminal are the two separately fused positive common lines for 6 magnets each.
Please note: The optional connectors are not included in the delivery. You can oder the connectors with Cage clamp terminals separately in packaging units of 3 pieces each. This allows you to decide for which parts of the windchest you want to use the single-wire cabling (e.g. for remote facade chests).

Because the module remains on the windchest, you can completely pre-wire the chest inside your workshop; there is no additional workload for disassembly prior to transport. A MIDI keyboard is all that is needed. Pairs of C and C-sharp chests are connected via a network cable so that a complete divisions can be pre-voiced on the chests.

The intelligent control system makes the so-called tone holes disappear in an almost magical way. These holes occur when pipes on individual windchests are played by drawing multiple stops or coupling different Manuals using the same pipes. The intelligent windchest modules can mask tone holes using a patented process.

The Espressivo wind chest module is the ideal complement to the Espressivo contact system for keyboards. Since its market launch in 2013, it has largely replaced conventional electronic contact devices that work with light barriers.

Each time a key is pressed, the keyboard sends the speed at which the key was pressed. The W3 module can use this speed information to supply power to the valve magnets at different speeds. This innovative “dynamic valve control” enables subtle articulation effects in the otherwise often soulless electric action.

Dynamic valve control significantly reduces action noise, as it does not abruptly switch the magnets on and off at full voltage, but instead supplies the magnets with exactly the amount of energy required for precise pipe response using individually adjustable voltage levels and time ramps.

New in version W3:

In addition to the innovative dynamic valve control of all Espressivo windchest modules, the Espressivo system opens up new musical horizons with its innovative linear mode:

This operating mode is specially tailored to the newly developed L1 linear valves. In addition to the classic MIDI commands “NoteOn” and “NoteOff” at the beginning and end of a note, the keyboard sensors also provide continuous high-resolution information about the entire key movement. The W3 module can translate this data into variable output signals that change synchronously with the key movement. Linear valves enable organists to influence the wind supply to each pipe in a nuanced way via the Espressivo keyboard.

With the W3 module, the Espressivo action is future-proofed for further developments in linear technology.

Download the full technical Manual here.