Editing Orchestron (section)

== History ==
Vako Synthesizers Incorporated, founded by electronic instrument pioneer and former [[Moog Music|Moog]] technician and salesperson [[David Van Koevering]], started to build improved versions of the Optigan under the name Orchestron in 1975. Intended for professional use as an alternative to the [[Mellotron]] (hence the name Orchestron), it featured improved recorded sounds over the Optigan.<ref name="Lenhoff">{{cite book |last1=Lenhoff |first1=Alan |last2=Robertson |first2=David |title=Classic Keys: Keyboard sounds that launched rock music |date=2019 |publisher=University of North Texas Press |location=Denton, Texas, USA |isbn=9781574417760|pages=275-276}}</ref> The Optigan was an organ that played its sounds from light-scanned graphic waveforms encoded on film discs. The sounds with the highest fidelity were on the outer rings of these discs, and these outer rings were used for the Orchestron sounds to improve the sound. Although the Model A Orchestron is identical to the Optigan, the models B, C, and D follow the designs of the [[Chilton Talentmaker]]. The Talentmaker was taken out of the market after Optigan's manufacturer – Optigan Corporation, a subsidiary of toy company Mattel – threatened to sue Chilton because of patent infringements.

Some Orchestron models included [[Music sequencer|sequencer]]s and [[synthesizer]]s. These were the larger Model X and Phase 4 units, though very few of these made it past the prototype stage. While the same fidelity limitations of the Optigan applied to the Orchestron, these instruments were built to be more reliable and were used successfully in commercial recordings.<ref name=Lenhoff/>

The band [[Kraftwerk]] made heavy use of the Orchestron on their albums ''[[Radio-Activity]]'' (1975), ''[[Trans-Europe Express (album)|Trans Europe Express]]'' (1977) and ''[[The Man-Machine]]'' (1978).<ref>[https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2017/04/10/the-vako-orchestron-kraftwerks-secret-weapon/ 'The Vako Orchestron – Kraftwerk’s Secret Weapon']. April 2017. ''Synthtopia.''.</ref> It is a common misconception that the band [[Yes (band)|Yes]] used the Orchestron on their ''[[Relayer]]'' (1974) album. In fact, keyboardist [[Patrick Moraz]] did not acquire his until 1975.<ref>Unwin, Neville. (Home & Studio Recording - December 1985). [http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/patrick-moraz/8425 'Patrick Moraz']. ''mu:zine'' music magazine archive. </ref> Yes's USA Summer 1975 Tour programme (June-July 1975) is the first Yes tour programme to list the keyboard (specifically, '1 triple Orchestron', said to be the three-manual Model X designed for him), in Moraz's equipment list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forgotten-yesterdays.com/_graphics/memorabilia/1975_usa_relayer_tour_34727.pdf|title=1975 USA Relayer tour programme|accessdate=2024-06-09}}</ref>  However, the Orchestron was not a commercial success. An estimated total of 70-100 units were built before production ceased after a couple of years. Its rarity and popularity amongst low [[fidelity]] enthusiasts makes the Orchestron highly sought after.<ref>Blade, Zoë. [https://notebook.zoeblade.com/Fidelity.html 'Fidelity']. ''Zoë Blade's Notebook''</ref>