NEW 2010 Optigan Disc - PIANOSCAPE

Now available for pre-order at http://www.optigan.com/shoptigan/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2... is our brand new Optigan disc: PIANOSCAPE! When we've reached 15 pre-orders, we'll go to press with the limited run of 25 discs.

The dusty old Winter spinet piano we recorded for this disc is the very same piano that Pea Hicks learned to play on, and is also the source of the photos on the jacket cover and in this video. This demo recording is just a quick improvisation to give you an idea of the overall sound possibilities of this disc. Toward the end, we've flipped the disc over so you can hear what it sounds like running backwards. Here's the blurb from the back of the jacket:
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They said it couldn't be done, but we've done it! We've brought the sound of a spinet piano to the Optigan Music Maker in a way that is both musically captivating and strangely haunting. You'll enjoy creating your own piano soundscape by merely pressing a few buttons and playing a few keys.

Now we're going to test your creativity! Try playing this music program disc with an of the Optigan Music Books. Give up? Next, try holding down as many of the keys as you can. Ah, that's nice. Now it's your turn to challenge your friends and family to create their own piano soundscape. Pianoscape!

Playing tips:
The attack of the keyboard piano tones are staggered across a 16th-note grid, such that by playing chords with your right hand, a windchime-like arpeggio effect is achieved. A drum loop is provided to help with your timing. The bass notes are staggered on a 1/2-note grid, and the chords on a 1/4-note grid.

Optigans equipped with a spring reverb will provide the most haunting sound, which is further enhanced by inserting the disc upside-down for backwards play.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• optigan
• orchestron
• talentmaker
• analog
• optical
• organ
• keyboard
• mellotron
• chamberlin
• piano

[AutomaticGainsay]

Great work, Pea. That sounds absolutely fantastic. I hate you for making me regret not having my Optigan. Let me know when you want to make the ARP 2600 or Minimoog Optigan disc. : )

[peahix]

@AutomaticGainsay thanks for the kind words!! a "synthesizer" optigan disc has always been in the back of my mind, but it would have to be some sort of unique take that uses the optigan's format/qualities to good effect, producing a sound that'd be hard to get by just using a synth. because, let's face it, most folks who have an optigan tend to have lots of synthesizers as well. if you have any particular ideas, lemmeno!

[mellotrongirl]

If only Renaldo & The Loaf had this disc 30 years ago. Any chance of redoing a Vox Humana for Optigan?

[Karlfalcon]

Sick.

[Bellyflops2]

The new crash test dummys cd has lots of Optigan on it of course it does not surpass the wonderful CD's peahix put out. Mr Wilson.

[alexriesenbeck]

Pea, this is unbelievable. If I had an Optigan, this would most likely be my favorite disc. It sounds like that piano was made for this! Keep up the great work.