What, for the organist, is special about tracker action?
It is the most rewarding sort of action to play, because the organist controls the pallet-valve directly, and hence has a true command of articulation, in both attack and release. With tracker action the organist has control over both micro-articulation (as in ornaments) and macro-articulation (as in exploiting the effects of flexible wind). Nothing of the sort is possible with an electric or electro-pneumatic action, where the key is simply a switch, completely without subtlety. A well-regulated tracker action repeats better than any electric action, with the possible exception of a brand-new Pitman action, and then only if the latter is very well made. And even with the best Pitman chests there is no control over the onset of speech. However, it is not only the feel of the mechanical action, with its startling immediacy and instant response that the organist wants to experience, but also the actual speech and blend of the pipes which have been scaled and voiced in the timeless manner
