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Vako Orchestron Optical Disc Playback Sampler

Here's a demo of all 8 original discs that were made for the Vako Orchestron (we're now starting to make new discs- see http://www.blogtigan.wordpress.com). This keyboard, which is adapted from the Mattel Optigan, was introduced in 1975 by Dave VanKoevering. It was intended to be a competitor to the Mellotron, but it never really took off. Kraftwerk was a very early adopter of this instrument. I've included little examples of some of the well-known parts Kraftwerk used their Orchestron for back in the day.
My Orchestron is in fairly average working condition. You'll note that I had a bit of trouble with one of the high F keys. Also, note the substantial level of radio interference, which I've muted during disc changes.
Anyone interested in more information about the Orchestron and related instruments can find lots of stuff at my website, www.optigan.com.
Also, to purchase a sample CD with all the Orchestron sounds (as well as Optigan and Talentmaker sounds), please visit here:
http://www.optigan.com/shoptigan.html
Also, check out the new Optigan Archives Vol. 1 sample collection, featuring Orchestron sounds taken straight from the original studio master tapes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPO9uXPFRRQ
Sound was recorded direct to a Zoom H2.

Uploaded by: peahix
Tags for this video: mellotron kraftwerk sampler analog synth synthesizer vintage keyboard

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Array ( 3 years ago by siliconsandro)

A little question:
The only sound output is obtainable By loudspeaker or there is a kind of output plug onboard?
My junk studio can't lack this AWESOME unit!
Thanks for posting.
;)

what's the song ... ( 3 years ago by mets6891)

what's the song around 4:21 right after you insert the flute disk?

an aborted attempt ... ( 3 years ago by peahix)

an aborted attempt at "strawberry fields," though of course the beatles used a mellotron for that...

How is information ... ( 3 years ago by Lachlant1984)

How is information stored on the discs? Are they magnetic? Do they work like vinyl records? A very interesting device. Does the hardware that plays the discs make much noise? How durable are the Discs? Do they brak easily?

Array ( 3 years ago by roblegit1212)

Take 5,
Kraftwerk,
Philip Glass! .. . pretty cool

... he likes ... ( 3 years ago by melvis24)

... he likes Tschaikowsky.

The discs are " ... ( 3 years ago by honorarymember)

The discs are "optical", not magnetic. (Compared to optical/magnetic sound on film material.) The material the discs are made of actually ís graphical film. They are quite flexible, and they can't break. The noise is from the hardware as well as the discs.

I'll buy it off ... ( 3 years ago by mrbibio)

I'll buy it off you for a million punds...

This was a very ... ( 3 years ago by WakemanFan90)

This was a very interesting instrument, is there many left of it?
The pipe organ part is absolutely wonderful, what chords are you playing from 2:00 to 2:12?
thanks

Array ( 3 years ago by machinedrum)

lovely sound..
2:19 Philip Glass!!

beautiful ( 2 years ago by cyclissmo)

beautiful

I was doing a ... ( 2 years ago by Racemore)

I was doing a search for one and found this link.We had one in our band. Used it in some Pink Floyd songs. It was cool with the vocals.Let it go on the road with Hatchet but they didn't ever used it recording. It got pawned,got it out and it vanished . I was just thinking about using it in Come Away Melinda by the Uriah Heep. It would be perfect. Going to have to find one.

Nice work. keep it ... ( 2 years ago by SterlingSadler)

Nice work. keep it up. mean time come for social media marketing for esteembpo**com eoiys

Thank you very much ... ( 2 years ago by sitgesflorenci)

Thank you very much for this so revealing clip. I have a question: Do you remember the spectacular strings glissando in Trans Europe Express, that sounds before and at the end of the percussion solo moment in Metal on Metal and introducing the melody at the start? I don't see any wheel or some kind of similar tune for creating such effect. Can you make it with the Vako with just moving down the tune knob or in other way? Thank you very much for that nice video anyway :)

hah ive got one of ... ( 2 years ago by spoons275)

hah ive got one of them in my attic

Ooh. I like the bit ... ( 2 years ago by Mikemaniax)

Ooh. I like the bit of Philip Glass's Einstein on the Beach during the Pipe organ demo.

DEAD TECHNOLOGY ¡¡ ... ( 1 year ago by FUHGI)

DEAD TECHNOLOGY ¡¡¡¡

I am looking to ... ( 1 year ago by Screenery)

I am looking to buy a Vako Orchestron. If you have one for sale or know of any that might be for sale, please contact me at Screenery[AT]gmail[DOT]com.
Thanks,
Mitch

@sitgesflorenci ... ( 1 year ago by maxheadway)

@sitgesflorenci Knowing Kraftwerk, they probably modified the instrument themselves.

@sitgesflorenci ... ( 11 months ago by 89marsden)

@sitgesflorenci look carefully at the end of the video. You'll see the knob labelled pitch on the control panel :)

On the pipe organ, ... ( 11 months ago by MothraStrikes)

On the pipe organ, was that "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken"?

Ah, the days. I ... ( 11 months ago by OFR)

Ah, the days. I once found 4 of them, and over the years loved and used them a lot. Eventually they all got traded away, accidentally losing my last one. Never found another. I would say it's a VERY useful keyboard, in the middle of a mix, it sits well and sounds like a record!

I had the use of ... ( 2 weeks ago by wx44wx99)

I had the use of one in the early 80s. They were very cool in the studio, especially the choir and string discs, but playing it live was a disaster. There was a mechanical speed control and you never knew if you were going to be in tune when you started playing something!