Text: When pure tones (sine waves) are sounded together, they combine to produce two additional tones whose frequencies are the sum and difference of the two original tones. For example, if the original frequencies are 32hz and 48hz, the resultant frequencies will be 80hz and 16 hz. While this effect occurs at all frequencies, it is most effective to the human ear at low frequencies. (This same acoustical principle is used by celestes to produce a different effect.) These stops use this acoustical effect to produce tones in the 32' and 64' octaves, using smaller (and thus less costly) pipes than would normally be necessary. One of these stops, labeled as 32' or 64' pitch, is comprised of two ranks which sound an octave and a twelfth above the desired pitch (that is, at the 1st & 2nd harmonics). For a 32' stop, the two ranks are 16' and 10 2/3'; for a 64' stop, the two ranks are 32' and 21 1/3'. In many cases both pitches are taken from the same rank of pipes, a fifth apart, as a further cost-saving measure. Because 5ths in the equal-tempered scale are not perfect fifths, the resultant tones will not be quite in tune, but it works because the human ear does not hear such low tones with enough accuracy to tell the difference. The name Gravissima is typically only used for a 64' stop. N.B. There are exactly two true 64' stops in existence. One is the Diaphone Profundo at Atlantic City; the other is a Contra Trombone at the Sydney Town Hall. Tonal Attributes In order to be effective, the pipes should be large scale flues, either open or stopped. Bourdons and Diapasons are most often used; reeds are almost never used. Usage This stop is a replacement for a true 32' or 64' stop. It is not as effective as a true stop, but is often the only economical way to obtain 32' tone in a modest instrument. It is almost invariably found in the pedal. Variants A single 5th sounding stop at 10 2/3' or 21 1/3' pitch is often provided to achieve the same effect. This has the advantage that it can be combined with a variety of octave sounding stops. See Grossquintenbass. Examples 32' examples are fairly common. 64' examples are rare, Julian Rhodes keeps a compilation by David Willey that lists about 40 examples (see Bibliography below). A few examples are listed here. Gravissima 64'; Woolsey Hall, Yale University, New Haven CT; Hutchings-Votey Organ Company. Gravissima 64'; Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, England; Hope-Jones. Gravissima 64'; Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool England; Willis. Gravissima 64'; Bremen Cathedral, Bremen, Germany (destroyed?); J. F. Schulze. Bibliography Audsley[1]: Gravissima; Vox Gravissima. Audsley[2]: I.XIII Gravissima. Bonavia-Hunt[1]: Acoustic Bass. Grove[1]: Gravissima; Resultant. Irwin[1]: Resultant. Locher[1]: Quint. Maclean[1]: Acoustic Bass, Gravissima. Skinner[1]: XII Acoustic Bass, Gravissima. Strony[1]: Resultant. Sumner[1]: Acoustic Bass; Gravissima. Wedgwood[1]: Acoustic Bass; Gravissima; Megalophone; Quintalophon; Tonitru. 64-Foot Pedal Stops, compiled by David Willey

See Also:

Source: