Creating a sampleset for GrandOrgue is a BIG investment in time and dedication. But it's certainly doable by anyone with enough time and resources to spend. I'll try to explain how I go about when I create samplesets. There are many ways to do things and not necessarily just right or wrong, but different choices to make.
First of all comes planning! In selecting the source instrument for the sampleset take a few things into consideration. Is it an instrument worth sampling, will the end product be interesting enough to spend lots of hours on? The condition of the instrument and availability? Whatever your reasons are for wanting to sample the organ, you have to be strongly motivated for the task ahead. I cannot stress enough that you should if possible select a small instrument to begin with, or just parts of a larger one so you can experiment and gain experience.
There are a few things you'll need to have:
- Access to the instrument (sampling takes lots of time!)
- Recording equipment
- Computer and software for audio processing
I'll give an overview of the general plan I'll follow when I create sampleset and a more in-depth description with all details on separate pages for every phase.
- Recording of the samples
- Cutting the recording into octaves for every stop
- Noise reduction
- Resampling, Bit-depth conversion, Cutting into individual notes
- Tuning
- Looping and releases
- Organ definition file creation
To the interested reader I should point out that there are excellent information on the Jeux d'Orgues "For organ soundbank designers" Forum that I recommend. What I know I've learned from others (mainly from Graham Goode) and by experience.