Fw: Birotrons
2002-02-14 by Chris Dale
In May 1990 I was initially offered the Wakeman
Double Mellotron/Birotron as a package deal. I turned it down because of how
dire the conditions were of both instruments.
The Birotron *bits* went to Dave Kean in late 1990.
He must have re-assembled it.
Nevertheless:
Here is a list of info I have on Birotrons which I
amassed during research/restoration of the Wakeman/Yes Double
Tron:
Some of it is from the horses mouth (or horses ass
depending on your opinion)
-Birotron: 37 note keyboard based on 8 track tape
cartridges
-manufactured/betatested by Birotronics from
1975-78
-total number made according to adamant Wakeman is
35 (not 13)
-roughly same dimensions/weight as Chamberlin M1
(about 80 - 90 lbs)
-tabletop design similar to Chamberlin M1 (looks
like they may have used Chamberlin M1 as a reference point for
size)
-meant to replace Double Tron for Wakeman
after the close of "Going For The One" tour
- originally built by Dave Biro /design further
modified and funded by Rick Wakeman
-four sounds on each tape
-simulated attack and decay via 2 knobs on control
panel
-pitch control
-blank spaces to write down sounds on control panel
(similar to double mellotron)
-mechanically noisy due to constant tape movement
even when not being played
-spare tapes were to be sold in musical instrument
stores
-no motor torque problems compared to
mellotron
-fast key playing similar to Chamberlin
M1
-set 1 sounds were pipe
organ,flute,cello,violins
-set 2 sounds were mixed woodwind, mixed brass,
mixed choir, mixed strings
-sounds were mellotron sounds but looped for
Birotron use
-extensive severe betatests for durabililty with
most machines failing test (dropping from high places, leaving instrument in
humid environments etc.)
-Wakeman is rumoured to have destroyed one by
throwing it off stage in frustration.
-Wakeman had 4 machines - two went missing, two
were damaged beyond repair while touring
-Besides Wakeman, T Dream and Earthstar are only
original users of the machine
-Original sale price was to be around L1000 ($2000
U.S.)
-During Birotron funding crisis Streetly
Electronics examined machine for possibility of manufacturing it
themselves.
-In early 90's Les Bradley/Dave Kean sent a
deconstructed Birotron back to Dave Biro as a souvenir
-Only known classic era
recordings to feature Birotron
are:
Earthstar - Human's Only (+ another I can't
recall the name of)
Yes - Tormato/Yesshows
Wakeman - Criminal Record
mid 1990's commercial recordings (Dave Kean's
Birotron)
- Eleni Mandell (self titled?)
- Dave Kean's track "Lift" from Rime of the
Ancient Sampler
Sidenote: Spoke to Alan White and Chris Squire
about mellotrons/Birotrons during Yes Magnification tour and they remember the
instruments but not too fondly.
Hope this helps for Birotron info.
Chris Dale