Hi Andy:
Yes I think you're probably right Andy.
And I wonder about the brief choir sound in Wonderous Stories and some of the sounds on Awaken too.
I don't think we're gonna find any pictures or film.
I wonder if TD tried to downplay having Birotrons because apparently other people were pissed off after they ordered and never received the instrument. 'Loop Mellotron'? Why?
Apparently it's uncredited on Klaus Schulze Mirage album too.
I haven't listened attentively to Tangram or White Eagle in a long time, but it's definitely Birotron on Force Majeure and Hyperborea. There's pitch bending choir and then some swelling strings. On Hyperborea the male choir sound is obvious. It sounds 10cc'ish - which makes sense because that I'm Not In Love sound was being copied by everyone back in 1975/76. And it's very odd to hear on a 1983 album.
But someone else had to point all this out to me. It seems the instrument's rarity prevents us from recognizing the sounds. Plus there's tons of other instruments present. I only recognized it because afterwards I went home and tried some of the playable 8 tracks, and then listened to the Earthstar records. Then it all clicked for me.
Tormato is not good example in my opinion.
On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Andy Thompson
<andy.thompson@virgin.net> wrote:
So, am I right in thinking that TD used a Birotron into the early '80s, possibly on several albums? Does that explain the 'odd' choir sound on Tangram and White Eagle, to name but two? I'm trying to locate some filmed or pictorial evidence, but no luck so far.
Andy T.