swell box

noun

1. a chamber containing a set of pipes in a pipe organ or of reeds in a reed organ, and having movable slats or shutters that can be opened or closed to increase or diminish tonal volume.

Word History and Origins

Origin of swell box¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

The “back organ” is usually covered by a swell box, containing louvres or shutters similar to a Venetian blind, and divided into fortes corresponding with the bass and treble division of the registers.

From Project Gutenberg

The first type is much commoner than the second, and is indeed the one kind of crescendo that is possible in piano playing; but the second variety can be secured in the case of an organ with swell box, the human voice, and in both string and wind orchestral instruments.

From Project Gutenberg

The invention of the swell box by Jordan in 1713; 2.

From Project Gutenberg

The Swell organ, all the pipes of which are contained in a wooden box with Venetian shutters in front, the opening or closing of which modifies the tone; below the Swell box is placed 3.

From Project Gutenberg

The Unit organ in its entirety consists of a single instrument divided into five tonal families, each family being placed in its own independent Swell box.

From Project Gutenberg