The Optigan engineers were way beyond their time. Absolutely everything which comes out that organ has that special vibe of lo-fi fun which is hard to describe. At least when played by Steve. If the Optigan would have that "Rhythm Record" from the Philicorda it would be even more amazong - because of the matchless brushwork (once heard and never back out of my mind) ;-)!
Steve made a demonstration video of the Optigan on this channel a couple of years ago. The big difference to a Mellotron is that each sound is a loop recorded optically onto a big flexidisc, so they can just keep playing forever.
The Optigan basically uses the same technology as the Vako Orchestron. They both use endless loop optical audio discs, unlike the Mellotron which uses fixed lengths of magnetic recording tape. With the Mellotron using fixed lengths of tape, which gives you about 8 seconds of running time per note, when you release a note the tape is quickly pulled back to its same starting point. So you always get the proper characteristic attack of each instrument. With the Optigan and Orchestron being endless audio loops, there is no defined attack. So, when you press a key the sound is full on. Being an endless loop Lo-Fi instrument with no defined attack, the quality of the instrument’s sound suffers.
The Optigan engineers were way beyond their time. Absolutely everything which comes out that organ has that special vibe of lo-fi fun which is hard to describe. At least when played by Steve. If the Optigan would have that "Rhythm Record" from the Philicorda it would be even more amazong - because of the matchless brushwork (once heard and never back out of my mind) ;-)!
I loved how the opening sounded like a Film Noir theme and then here comes that country beat. 😄
Just noodling, those were some toe tappers. Halloween sound!
Your Channel is a Gem Treasure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Glad I've found it 😊 Subscribed. 👍 Warmest Greetings from Germany ! 🍁🍂🍁🎹🐯🎶🎶🎶
Welcome aboard and thank you! :)
After a day of professional music production, listening to this was just awesome. Very intriguing sound, full of character.
Steve, that Optigan Percussive Ensemble section sounds very nice and realistic !!
Snappy sounds!
There were bits of this that made me think of the Tom Waits album The Black Rider. You must have just the right bullets...
Just listened to that album - not heard it before - it’s now one of my favourites! Thank you!
Was used in twin peaks season 3 👍
Cheers! I must check it out
Ladies and Gentlefolk. Wank Hilliams the Lesser!
🤔 does the optigan use similar technology to a mellotron? Trippy contraption. 🎧🎹
Steve made a demonstration video of the Optigan on this channel a couple of years ago. The big difference to a Mellotron is that each sound is a loop recorded optically onto a big flexidisc, so they can just keep playing forever.
The Optigan basically uses the same technology as the Vako Orchestron. They both use endless loop optical audio discs, unlike the Mellotron which uses fixed lengths of magnetic recording tape. With the Mellotron using fixed lengths of tape, which gives you about 8 seconds of running time per note, when you release a note the tape is quickly pulled back to its same starting point. So you always get the proper characteristic attack of each instrument. With the Optigan and Orchestron being endless audio loops, there is no defined attack. So, when you press a key the sound is full on. Being an endless loop Lo-Fi instrument with no defined attack, the quality of the instrument’s sound suffers.