ALTUS pipe organs case study

Bringing world-class pipe organs to Nigerian churches: how Atdec monitor mounts enabled revolutionary virtual instrument technology

ALTUS pipe organs with Atdec monitor arms

Location: Nigeria

End user: Churches

Sector: OEM musical

When ALTUS set out to bring the world's finest pipe organs to churches across Nigeria through cutting-edge virtual technology, they faced a unique challenge: how to mount multiple touchscreen monitors in a way that would replicate the authentic experience of playing a traditional pipe organ console. The solution lay in an unexpected partnership with Atdec, whose precision-engineered monitor mounts proved perfectly suited to this innovative musical application. By deploying Atdec's single monitor arm AF-AT and single wall mount SD-WD, ALTUS successfully created immersive virtual pipe organ experiences that are now transforming worship and musical education across Nigeria, making legendary European pipe organs accessible to communities thousands of miles from their physical locations.

Atdec SD-WD wall mount connected to ALTUS pipe organ

Challenge

Traditional pipe organs represent centuries of musical heritage, with instruments crafted by renowned builders such as Cavaillé-Coll, Willis, and Walcker gracing the world's most prestigious concert halls and cathedrals. However, these magnificent instruments remain largely inaccessible to churches and educational institutions in Nigeria due to prohibitive costs, complex installation requirements, and ongoing maintenance challenges.

ALTUS recognised this gap and developed a solution using Hauptwerk technology – a sophisticated virtual pipe organ (VPO) software that creates highly detailed digital recreations of historic pipe organs. The technology offers unprecedented realism through advanced sampling and computing, but presented its own unique challenges.

Technical integration challenges

Multiple touchscreen monitors needed to be positioned precisely to replicate the layout of traditional organ consoles
Screens required stable, adjustable mounting to accommodate different user heights and playing positions
The mounting solution needed to withstand regular use whilst maintaining precise positioning
Integration had to be seamless enough to preserve the authentic playing experience

Atdec AF-AT-P monitor arm mounted to ALTUS organ

Operational requirements

Mounts needed to be robust enough for institutional use in churches and educational settings
Flexibility was essential to accommodate different monitor sizes and configurations
The solution had to be cost-effective for deployment across multiple locations
Installation and adjustment processes needed to be straightforward for local technicians

Solution

Atdec AF-AT Mounts

The AF-AT articulating arm mounts provided the precision positioning required for the primary control interfaces. These mounts offered full articulation capabilities, allowing screens to be positioned at optimal angles for organists whilst maintaining rock-solid stability during performance. The AF-AT's robust construction ensured reliable operation even with frequent adjustments and regular use. AF-AT is used where base-mounted.

Atdec SD-WD Mounts

SD-WD mounts were deployed in pairs (left and right positions) to create symmetrical monitor arrangements that mirror traditional organ console layouts. These mounts provided the structural integrity needed for touchscreens with regular interaction from users. The design offered clean aesthetics that complemented the sophisticated appearance of the virtual organ installations. SD-WD was used for rear-mounting.

Implementation strategy

The mounting solution was designed to accommodate the specific requirements of Hauptwerk software, which transforms touchscreen monitors into interactive control surfaces. Users can manipulate stops, couplers, pistons, and other console features directly on-screen, creating an authentic pipe organ experience. The Atdec mounts ensured that these critical interfaces remained stable and precisely positioned throughout performances.

The flexibility of the Atdec mounting systems allowed ALTUS to create custom configurations for different church environments whilst maintaining consistency in the user experience. This adaptability proved crucial for deployment across diverse architectural settings in Nigeria.

Atdec SD-WD installed on a pipe organ destined for Nigeria

Outcome

The partnership between ALTUS and Atdec has yielded remarkable results, transforming access to world-class pipe organ music across Nigeria:

Enhanced musical access: Churches throughout Nigeria now have access to virtual recreations of legendary pipe organs, including instruments from prestigious European builders. This has dramatically elevated the standard of worship music and provided organists with opportunities to experience instruments they could never access otherwise.

Educational impact: The stable, professional mounting solutions have enabled educational institutions to incorporate high-quality organ instruction into their programmes. Students can now learn on virtual recreations of historic instruments, gaining experience with different organ building traditions and tonal characteristics.

Community engagement: The reliable performance of the Atdec-mounted systems has built confidence in the technology, encouraging broader adoption within the global Hauptwerk VPO community. The success in Nigeria has demonstrated the viability of virtual pipe organ technology in diverse cultural and geographical contexts.

Technical excellence: The precision and reliability of the Atdec mounting systems have been crucial to the project's success. The mounts have maintained perfect positioning through countless hours of use, ensuring that the immersive experience remains consistent for all users.

Scalability achievement: The standardised mounting approach has facilitated rapid deployment across multiple locations, with the Atdec systems proving equally effective in different church architectures and acoustic environments.

Market expansion potential: The successful implementation has highlighted opportunities for similar applications within the broader VPO community, including other software platforms such as GrandOrgue and jOrgan. This opens new market segments for both ALTUS and Atdec's professional mounting solutions.

The project exemplifies how innovative thinking can transform traditional applications, with Atdec's engineering excellence playing a crucial role in bringing centuries-old musical traditions to new audiences through cutting-edge technology.

Atdec SD-WD installation on a pipe organ for Nigeria

Featured! The products used in this project.

Atdec AF-AT-P single swing arm on post

Atdec AF-AT-P single swing monitor arm on post