Automatic Tubular Bells

[SavageInsight]

Need a video of these playing the song "Tubular Bells" by Oldfield

[KawhackitaRag]

Sure, they're fun looking with the arms swinging around, but you have to realize that Eugene DeKleist, J.P. Seeburg, North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works, Carl Frei, J.C. Deagan, and all the theatre pipe organ builders beat you guys to it over 75 years ago.

[KawhackitaRag]

Let me explain: in the 1890's, DeKleist built an automatic set of tubular chimes playing from a pinned cylinder. This used a pneumatic system between the keys reading the barrel and the hammers striking the tubes. The theatre photoplayers made by Seeburg and North Tonawanda (played by hand or by paper rolls) likewise had sets of tubular chimes in amongst the pipes and sound effects. Deagan automated their giant tower chimes with rolls, and finally, the pipe organ builders made sets of their own.

[bricology]

I have to agree with the others here. I came to hear what the actual instrument sounded like, not some heavy rhythm track that all but obliterates the sound of the tubular bells. Could you please post a version that lets us hear it? Thanks.

[mskogly]

What a horrible beat you have put over this video, sort of ruins the whole thing.

[Tolaemon]

If you are interested on chimes construction I highly recomend you the Wind Chimes Construction Message Group (at yahoo) where you will met a lot of people with experience on this subject.

Peace too.

[Tolaemon]

Hi Yangpu6. I finally end the site of the project, you will find more information about this device searching on google "tolaemon atb" ( I can't post links here ¿?)

I remember a project similar to the one you are talking about. Is not exactly the same, but is also built whith glass tubes and makes sounds when electric pulses discharge on them. You can find more information about this device searching "sparkophone" on Gooogle too.

[yangpu6]

I once was in Thailand teaching a high-court judge's son English. The judge took me to see one of the royal princesses play a crystal xzylophone (well that is what I call it). I could see it clearly.

I now muse whether crystals could vibrate and make sound with electric impulses. You have a cool project going on here!

Peace.

[bbqbluz]

bbqbluz

Can you set these up to play in a random fashion as do regular wind chimes? And without the background sounds?

[Tolaemon]

Yes, I'havent implemented this option but would be very simple. I would only have to send a random note sequence and it would play them. In fact it can play up to 6 simultaneos notes. It can also play chime chords (they sound nice). I'll try to post the video without music, and a sample of the chime chords. C U !

[bbqbluz]

That would be very interesting. As a hobby, I build windchimes. I'm in the midst of building a set with 3" OD tubes and a 1/4" sidewall. Should be pretty heavy, but have a wonderful sound.

[yangpu6]

Can you stop the other over-music? We really come here to listen to YOUR music. Thanks!

[Tolaemon]

In fact the sound is the musical scale ( C to B). I'm planning a better version. I'll post some songs when I build it.

[camb06]

so, that thing takes in MIDI, then plays the note that you key on a keyboard and it mechanically hits the appropriate bell?

Cool, I've never seen a digital to physical musical intrument. That's very interesting...

[Tolaemon]

Yes, the instrument is nearly finished. Now you can play a note, or various notes, on a "virtual keyboard" in the computer, and see how the Automatic Tubular Bells plays it on real time. Now it works through standard serial port (RS-232), but I'm installing the MIDI interface to allow controlling it from a MIDI keyboard or secuencer.