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.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mellotron
• kraftwerk
• sampler
• analog
• synth
• synthesizer
• vintage
• keyboard

[mets6891]

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

[peahix]

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

[chameleonday]

How many notes can be played at once?

[peahix]

all 37 of them. each key simply opens an audio gate allowing the corresponding soundtrack to be amplified. this isn't a synthesizer and there are no oscillators.

[mrstudebaker]

What's that organ riff you're playing at 2.26? It sounds familiar...

[peahix]

that's from philip glass' "einstein on the beach." no, glass didn't use an orchestron for that...

[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!

[Ashley1955]

I had an Orchestron. Bought it at the NAMM show in Chicago somewhere around 1976 or so. It was pretty cool for the time. Eventually the light reader (or whatever it was actually called) went out of alignment and I never could find anyone to fix it.

[DubsMood]

@mets6891 hahaha!

[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!

[MothraStrikes]

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

[89marsden]

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

[maxheadway]

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

[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

[FUHGI]

DEAD TECHNOLOGY ¡¡¡¡

[Mikemaniax]

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