Console map

Setting the stops

The Grand Orgue of St. Sulpice is equipped with a single-level combination action system that operates separately on the Pedal, Recit, Positif, Solo, and Grand Orgue/Grand Choeur divisions. The system is quite ingenious given that the technology dates from the 1860s and is still perfectly functional. The memory elements are sophisticated pneumatic bellows that store the settings for each stop on the organ.

The “appel general” (General Presets) are used to recall stored stop settings for each of the divisions. These stop settings are recalled simply by pulling the appropriate knob of the corresponding keyboard. These preset controls are located on either the left or right side of the keyboards on the third row from the bottom (13) (16). For the stops indicated in red, it is also necessary to push the foot lever corresponding to the keyboard of interest (28) (31) (33).

To make use of the appel generals, simply follow these steps:
1) Select the first registration by pulling the appropriate stops while the appel généraux knob of the corresponding manuel is pushed in.
2) Pull the appel généraux of the corresponding manual. This will allow the combination of selected tops from the first registration to sound.
3) Push in the appel généraux of the corresponding manual. This sets the first registration.
4) Push in all the stops of the first registration, then pull the stops of the second registration. The first registration still sounds.
5) When you desire the second registration to sound, pull the corresponding appel généraux of the manual to be hear with the second registration.

Note that the appel general controls do not affect the high pressure Trompette Harmonique, all couplers, “jeux de combinaison” ventil pedals, the Recit tremolo, the Rossignol, and the Grèle. When many stops must be pulled, it is preferable to draw them together via the appel general controls.

Notes on the console map

  1. imitates rain or hail storm
  2. begins at 3e Do
  3. see the page Mixture specification
  4. see the page Mixture specification
  5. begins at 2e Do, single rank, undulates with the Violoncelle 8′
  6. “High pressure Trompette harmonique”, can also be drawn via the foot pedal (32)
  7. to be used with the Salicional 8′
  8. 1.Do : 4′ , 3.Mi : 8′ , 4.Mi : 16′
  9. idem (2)
  10. begins at 3e Do, first two octaves shared with the Bourdon 16′
  11. see the page Mixture specification
  12. 1. Do : 4′ , 4.Mi : 8′
  13. see “Setting the Stops” above
  14. begins at 3.Ré
  15. begins at 3.Ré
  16. see “Setting the Stops” above
  17. installed with the Principal 8′ (26) outside the case on the right and left, these two ranks provide some weight to the 8′ and 16′ foundations
  18. 1.Do : 2′ , 3.Do : 4′ , 4.Do : 8′
  19. idem (8)
  20. see the page Mixture specification
  21. see the page Mixture specification
  22. see the page Mixture specification
  23. begins at 3.Ré : 8′ , 4.Do : 16′
  24. 1.Do : 8′ , 3.Mi : 16′
  25. see “Setting the Stops” above
  26. installed with the Principal 16′ (17) outside the case on the right and left, these two ranks provide some weight to the 8′ and 16′ foundations
  27. couples the Grand-Choeur onto the Pedal as well as all the keyboards coupled to the Grand-Choeur
  28. activates all Pedal stops indicated in red
  29. the “octaves graves” (16′ couplers) also affect any keyboards already coupled: Réc/Pos; Solo, Réc, G.O to I; Grand-Choeur I to Grand-Orgue II and by the Couplers to the Pedal
  30. couples Grand-Choeur I to Grand-Orgue II even if the lever Grand-Choeur to I (33) is not pushed. (30) + G.O./I causes the Grand-Choeur to be played from I (without (33) being pressed down) and the Grand-Choeur on II. If Gr.Ch./I and G.O./I are not pushed, one could have Solo, Pos, Réc, on I and Gr.Ch. plus G.O. on II
  31. S, PO, R make the Solo, Positif, Récit stops in red speak
  32. “High pressure Trompette harmonique”, can also be drawn via the stop (6)
  33. couples the Grand-Choeur stops onto I
  34. with the Réc coupled to the Pos and Pos coupled to the Gr.Ch, the Récit becomes also coupled to the Grand-Chœur