Vako Orchestron : vintage organ sampling session

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We got an email last week from one of our friends and sonic heroes, Eric Persing (of Spectrasonics). He had a project for us.

Located : one vintage Vako Orchestron polyphonic organ, the successor to the Optigan.

Our mission : head to a basement in ‘Stallis (West Allis for those of you outside the Milwaukee area) and record samples of this rare and coveted beast.

Happy to say, the fine gent who was brokering this gorgeous piece of synthesizer antiquity, Jim Davisson, could not have been nicer or more accomodating, and our recording session was a complete success. Jim had done a remarkable job of restoring the instrument after having finally convinced his long-time friend to sell it, and we were able to grab some super clean samples of the entire keyboard (and most of the limited soundset).

I know Eric has some surprises planned for the sounds, and he always does amazing work, so we’ll be super stoked to finally get Spectrasonics’ new software instruments (next year?)… until then, the only place you can hear this incredible bit of music technology history is in music produced right here at Burst Labs.

We’ll post an update when some of our latest tracks featuring the Orchestron are uploaded.

For those among you with two feet solidly planted in the world of music-technology-geekery, Jim has agreed to come by Burst HQ and talk about the history of the Orchestron and his restoration process. Check back here for an update soon. [dh]