Birotron stuff
2009-04-15 by Chris Dale
Okay, I can't seem to read any of these posts in order (I'm using Gmail, and the SOB's at Yahoo deactivated my account) so if anyone can help please let me know!
I'm not going to add to what appears to be an argument, so I'll just say my personal experience and knowledge of the Birotron is this:
-I had the opportunity to buy one of Wakeman's at the same time as the Double Mellotron and didn't.
Both were damaged and I received the Double Mellotron years later. The Birotron went to Dave Kean in 1991.
-The Double Mellotron may have had some unused Birotron recordings not used in the Birotron library. The idea of listing the sounds next to the track selector came from the Double Mellotron
-Dave Biro invented the instrument strictly for himself, and it was Wakeman's idea that it go into production.
-The original unit was Mellotron sized and ran 19 decks horizontally, and used existing Mellotron sounds. I've played the original keyboard to that machine and on that model it felt really nice.
-The B90 Birotron (which is the one you are all talking about) was a beta-test model (not a finished product) that had inherent problems (like the vertical decks ran by one long capstan) but it could be made to sound good - great depending on time / conditions of use. Pouring more and more money into that in the face of digital technology is what killed the instrument. Wakeman's divorce at the time was also a factor.
-Ryo's machine appears to be a dud, being sent to Tangerine Dream (but never used). They were sent two machines, and both were sent back for correction, and then sent out again. Then it went to Martin Newcombe's synth museum who sold it through an auction, where I declined to buy it and Ryo bought it. Streetly has had to fix it twice!!
It may be a "Gizmotron" or "Optigan" problem where the machine doesn't like the climate in a different area. I don't think it's representative of all Birotrons. The Chamberlins suffer the same misconception.
-I've played Dave Biro's B90 and the keyboard action on this one was fine. The track selector mechanism was a little stiff on track 4. I believe each B90 model is slightly different due to experiments during the production run. Behaviourally this would be especially true now considering the effects of age on the machine.
The Birotron received over 1000 orders (Lennon and McCartney placed orders) and lack of funding is what killed the machine - not lack of demand.
Wakeman says parts existed to make 35 machines, Birotronics MD Peter Robinson says parts to make 20 were on hand in the assembly area. They were not made sequentially - ex - 009 was built before 005 etc.
-There was no Birotron B90 woodwinds sound recorded - as listed in Mtron. That's a scam!! (or they haven't done their homework) I have lots of Mellotron / Chamberlin / Birotron literature. I'll have to dig it up.
-Having some Birotron tapes here playable on a completely restored and reconditioned Weltron/Fleetwood/Printzound 8 track tape player ---- I also know for a fact that every Birotron tape wasn't sampled for Mtron (but how would the customer know that right?)
-I purchased a Birotron "aftertype" from Dave Biro which is a sort of mock-up/prototype for the next model Birotron that would have corrected all the problems experienced in the B90. The tapes would have been in a horizontal "tape rack" and connected to a remote keyboard. It could have been a great machine. At this point Wakeman was out of the picture and it was funded by another company (who shall remain nameless but you've eaten their subsidiaries' food products!!)
-I've met and stayed with Dave Biro for a length of time and he was an absolute gentleman to me. He wasn't rude and was very giving and kind hearted beyond his means. I know he would defend his instrument though if attacked.
Rick Wakeman / Yes and former Birotronics executive Peter Robinson, were in each case, happy to talk about the Birotron (though funnily enough Alan White has the fondest memories of it second to Wakeman)
If (is it Will Davis?) is actually Dave Biro, knowing him as I do, I can personally guarantee that you will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, hear the complete beginning to end Birotron story from him on this list - even if apologies are made. He'll never share it if the exchange here is as bad as it *appears* to be, and that he'll probably request I say no more about Birotrons here as well.
Chris