The Mellotron Group

I have just read the recent exchanges regarding Birotrons.

Some years ago I ventured onto this list because I was employed 
building the Birotrons in the mid seventies. I thought at the time I 
joined the list that the members may be interested in this slightly 
off topic diversion and indeed I was welcomed wholeheartedly by some 
members of the list, but berated quite rudely by others. My only 
crime: to have worked for Wakeman making these things and quoting the 
rationale behind the design *as seen at the time*. I was a little 
disappointed, but as this is a list that is primarily about another 
machine I understood why some would hold those attitudes. I make no 
judgement about this. It is what it is.

Now this debate has been re-ignited I feel I must make some comments 
based on actual experience and knowledge. I have no intention of 
commenting on the discussion as to the politeness or otherwise in the 
recent list exchanges, and I would not rush to make value judgements 
about things which have an amount of subjective value.

In response to specifics, I would also be very interested to know 
which Birotron Mike played, if I know this I may well be able to shed 
some light on it's history which may assist in understanding Mike's opinions.

I did not experience anyone at the time of construction criticising 
the action of the keyboard. I am not including those obvious 
supporters such as Wakeman (naturally) or any Birotronics staff, but 
a number of musicians passing through. Now this was a long time ago 
and these may not have been high calibre artists but nonetheless that 
is how it was. I have, however, seen criticism elsewhere more 
recently. I cannot lay my hands on it right now and cannot speak for 
it's veracity, which is why it would be interesting to explore Mike's 
experiences in more detail.

The noise of the tapes and the question of fidelity where largely an 
attribute of the way an engineer working for Wakeman decided to 
reduce the size of the instrument, the original having discrete 
players housed in the cabinet base. It was decided to put them 
vertically in the back of the machine with a common drive. It was 
some time before a new engineer checked the specification of 8 track 
cartridges and it was discovered that playing them vertically is not 
recommended. The inventor, Dave Biro, was not involved in this design 
change and should not be held responsible for the inadequacies 
pertaining. That being said, when properly set up and with the tape 
sets recorded specially for the machine, the fidelity would be good. 
Again, it would be interesting to know the details of the machine 
Mike played, and when - that may help in ascertaining as to whether 
it was in a good condition when played.

Frank has a disinterest in the machine and I'm sorry if my posting is 
boring for him or others who share that valid viewpoint. I would 
however question the comment regarding the failure of the Birotron. 
There where a number of reasons for its failure, and they where not 
limited to the quality of the machine, indeed this was not a major 
issue at the time. I will not tire the audience with the whole sad 
affair here but I can say that at the time there ware pledges and 
pre-orders for hundreds of machines. I, and the rest of the small 
team working on it, where quite surprised when work was halted 
and  it was many years before my interest re-emerged.

With regard to the number built, I can say with a high degree of 
confidence that with the exception of Dave Biro's own prototypes 
there where 15 built, two of which where further prototypes. Of the 
13 remaining the whereabouts of 5 is known. One is in my possession 
and being restored, a second is with a friend of mine who is also an 
ex-Birotrionics employee and is almost fully restored. A third is the 
one being sold on ebay. I know the history of these machines and the 
remaining 2. 1 further machine is  known to have been scrapped and 
parts used to restore the 2 mentioned previously, it unlikely that 
any others exist.

I hope this helps to put things into perspective. I have tried to be 
as objective as possible and should anyone wish to discuss further 
you may. of course, email me off list.


Regards,

Nic Lewis