Birotron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Birotron was an ill-fated tape replay keyboard conceived by Dave Biro of Meriden, Connecticut, USA, and funded by Rick Wakeman of the progressive-rock group Yes in the late 1970s.
The Birotron was a keyboard instrument that used 8-track cartridge tapes to play sounds whenever a key was pressed on the keyboard. It is similar in concept to the Chamberlin and Mellotron. The difference was that the Birotron used tape loops, which allowed it to have sounds playing indefinitely, a big change from the 8 seconds limit of the Mellotron.
Dave Biro invented this instrument and it was developed by Birotronics, Ltd. which made just 13 Birotrons, 4 of which were owned by Rick Wakeman who noted in an interview in 1999 that 2 were stolen and 2 were damaged beyond repair. Like the Mellotron, the Birotron "sampled" instruments and uses 8-track tapes for the various sounds. This was necessary before digital sampling became available. They were mainly used for strings, choirs, brass, and flutes; sounds not easily reproduced on the synthesizers of that era. Only 5 or 6 are known to still exist one of them being purchased by the Hard Rock Cafe. The last known price was $35,000 US in 1998. It is interesting to note that some dispute exists as to the exact number created. David Biro says only 13 were made, while Rick Wakeman claims 35. Since David Biro was the actual manufacturer his number is most likely more accurate but Rick Wakeman's claim is included for posterity.
This instrument was used on the Yes album Tormato and Wakeman's solo album Criminal Record.
