The original solos on "Runaway", "Hats Off To Larry", "So Long Baby" and other early Del Shannon records were played, by Max Crook, on his "Musitron", which he built in the 1950's. The "Musitron" consisted of the keyboard from a clavioline, but Crook rebuilt ine inner workings. Max's "Musitron" was a forerunner of the synthesizer. During the '60s, Max & his friend Scott Ludwig (on his home-built "Sonocon") performed early experimental, electronic music. They were way ahead of their time.
@Delfan1961 You are absolutely correct! Max Crook is almost forgotten as an early pioneer in synthesized music. As far as I know, Max is still alive and living in the Nortwest somewhere, I think!
Musitron is a Clavioline, but many call somewhat different instruments by the same name. Arguably the original was used by Joe Meek in such as Telstar. The others are copies of the UK original.
@Cuzilla47 ...Max has been living in New Mexico since (I think) the 90's, but usually returns to Michigan, in August, for the Del Shannon-related festivities during Coopersville's "Summerfest". This year, Max's wife died recently and he didn't make the trip. You can find a link to his website among the links at Del Shannon's official website. He has some merchandise available, including a "hits" collection.
ive just bought two , one is standard Clavioline and the other is Consert , both with original cases , leads and Selmer stands ,, both have issues im hoping to fix soon as i get time from work , both in great condition , just most of the sounds dont work and vibrato , all keys work , volume paddles work fine , just most of the presets dont sound
A feller once told me an amusing story concerning a working man’s club Clavioline, and the death of King George 6, which was 6 Feb 1952. As the Clavioline was invented in France in the late 1940’s the tale is just plausible. Selmer weren’t the only manufacturers, apparently
Sweeet! I was reading about this instrument a couple of weeks back and I can't remember who it was, but someone was moving into a studio that Pink Floyd was moving out of and because Pink Floyd had to slim down, they rescued one of these machines from the rubbish bin. Pink Floyd was throwing it away to make room! Come on, Pink Floyd! What the heck!!!
@stephadelic ..Thankyou....it helps having (almost) the exact instrument that was used on the original recording....a modern sampler or synthesiser couldn't come close... J.D
@ jdhammond As much as I would like to agree with that statement, it simply isn't true. First of all, your example sounds nothing at all like the record. Now I have managed to duplicate the sound indistinguishable from the original using a Nord Electro 5D's Farfisa Model. I have the just 2' Stop out with V2 Vibrato and the Vibe Effect at 6.9 Hz for some extra 'Wobble.' I'm using the Rotary Speaker Effect with the Drive at .08, but Braked at just the right point in the rotation so the sound is piercing equally on all notes. (You have to listen for it and freeze at that precise moment where it sounds right.) I'm cutting 2.3db in the Bass, Boosting 7.1db at 1.6kHZ and adding 2.1db of Treble. Then I have Delay at 119 milliseconds at 4.5% Wet and Soft Stage Reverb at 5.4% Wet. It sounds exactly like the record.
Awesome. I didnt know this even existed. A Musitron ! I thought there was nothing before the Moog except the Hammond. This thing is great. An analog synthesizer !
Well played but ... sounds too nice to me. ;-) Just listened to the original again...I think there is some _very_ high-pitched harmonics that give the 'squeaky' effect. Yes, the original sound from Max Crook's "Musitron" *IS* squeaky. As if on a drawbar organ, you took a 2 2/3'' stop plus a 2' and maybe add an 1' and add some _decent_ distortion to it.
I know this was written ages ago but you are definately right in what you are saying.. You can tell that the Clavioline is the basis for the invention of the Musitron. I've read all I can about it and, most importantly, I listened. The Musitron is definately deeper and has a tremolo effect(which was a mechanical 'can' type) along with lots of reverb(originally made using garden gate springs. This sounds very thin and weedy. The distortion is an important part too as you say. I have a great passion for analogue equipment. The only problem with collecting it is the space it takes up. I use a 'Lesle' cabinet for playing guitar through but I have to use a pedal onstage.
Paul Evans Crook’s musitron was a Franken-musitron made from tons of spare parts, it’s completely one of a kind. I wish more than anything it was available to be bought in any music store because I’d definitely have one by now haha
That's one of the most awesome solo's in any song ever.
*@Thalonius P. Funk
*
Cool nickname, Dude...
absolutamente
The original solos on "Runaway", "Hats Off To Larry", "So Long Baby" and other early Del Shannon records were played, by Max Crook, on his "Musitron", which he built in the 1950's. The "Musitron" consisted of the keyboard from a clavioline, but Crook rebuilt ine inner workings. Max's "Musitron" was a forerunner of the synthesizer. During the '60s, Max & his friend Scott Ludwig (on his home-built "Sonocon") performed early experimental, electronic music. They were way ahead of their time.
Jim Bartlett reminds me of the Perrey & Kingsley origin story. I have to check out the Crook & Ludwig duo!
That's great info. It explains why this example doesn't sound anything like the solo from Runaway.
@@horowizard And also because the example is played in the wrong octave.
@@mc3067 The recording of the song, they sped it up slightly, shifting it from A minor to close to B flat minor.
@Delfan1961 You are absolutely correct! Max Crook is almost forgotten as an early pioneer in synthesized music. As far as I know, Max is still alive and living in the Nortwest somewhere, I think!
it's just awesome.
Excellent !
Extremely jealous, wish I had one of these!
The video is blurry not because it's from the 1960s, but because it's from 2011.
Oh, I remember that song! It's the loud flute solo in Runaway by Del Shannon
That's not a flute. It's not a Clavioline either. It's a one off instrument called a monotron. Father of the synthesizer.
Don't you mean Musitron?
Musitron is a Clavioline, but many call somewhat different instruments by the same name. Arguably the original was used by Joe Meek in such as Telstar. The others are copies of the UK original.
Nice one... well remember the Watkins Copicat - and the blasted tape loops breaking at the worst possible moment!
@Cuzilla47 ...Max has been living in New Mexico since (I think) the 90's, but usually returns to Michigan, in August, for the Del Shannon-related festivities during Coopersville's "Summerfest". This year, Max's wife died recently and he didn't make the trip. You can find a link to his website among the links at Del Shannon's official website. He has some merchandise available, including a "hits" collection.
ive just bought two , one is standard Clavioline and the other is Consert , both with original cases , leads and Selmer stands ,, both have issues im hoping to fix soon as i get time from work , both in great condition , just most of the sounds dont work and vibrato , all keys work , volume paddles work fine , just most of the presets dont sound
NICE!
This video is super cool for some reason, its like a random guys youtube video but decades old
Unless this is just a super good filter 😅😅
A feller once told me an amusing story concerning a working man’s club Clavioline, and the death of King George 6, which was 6 Feb 1952. As the Clavioline was invented in France in the late 1940’s the tale is just plausible. Selmer weren’t the only manufacturers, apparently
♥️
Fucking Awesome..Thanks for the trip down memory lane...I think I just lost a few brain cells.
Sweeet! I was reading about this instrument a couple of weeks back and I can't remember who it was, but someone was moving into a studio that Pink Floyd was moving out of and because Pink Floyd had to slim down, they rescued one of these machines from the rubbish bin. Pink Floyd was throwing it away to make room! Come on, Pink Floyd! What the heck!!!
I've never heard Asian carp, but I'll take your word for it :-)
I wonder what buttons are pressed in on the front.
cool
I think you might be right.....I sort of did it quickly off the cuff, i know which bit you mean, but I've sold the instrument now!!!! ;-)
@stephadelic ..Thankyou....it helps having (almost) the exact instrument that was used on the original recording....a modern sampler or synthesiser couldn't come close... J.D
@
jdhammond
As much as I would like to agree with that statement, it simply isn't true. First of all, your example sounds nothing at all like the record. Now I have managed to duplicate the sound indistinguishable from the original using a Nord Electro 5D's Farfisa Model. I have the just 2' Stop out with V2 Vibrato and the Vibe Effect at 6.9 Hz for some extra 'Wobble.' I'm using the Rotary Speaker Effect with the Drive at .08, but Braked at just the right point in the rotation so the sound is piercing equally on all notes. (You have to listen for it and freeze at that precise moment where it sounds right.) I'm cutting 2.3db in the Bass, Boosting 7.1db at 1.6kHZ and adding 2.1db of Treble. Then I have Delay at 119 milliseconds at 4.5% Wet and Soft Stage Reverb at 5.4% Wet. It sounds exactly like the record.
@@horowizard alright let's hear it
A high quality sample WOULD. And "almost exact" isn't accurate, the keyboardist modified a clavioline into a custom sound, electronics not the same.
OMG WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THESE?
Awesome. I didnt know this even existed. A Musitron ! I thought there was nothing before the Moog except the Hammond. This thing is great. An analog synthesizer !
Does it go an octave higher?
good point-the original was an octave higher.
WHAW8!!!
Это оригинальное видео 1958-го года??) Сама песня тоже была написана в 1958-ом, а вышла в 60-61-ом?
Missing a note on the main riff.
great eye, penis.
Awesome, but is it in the right key?
Not even the same instrument for the most part. Really have to have the musitron, a synth or modern organ to do it properly.
Well played but ... sounds too nice to me. ;-) Just listened to the original again...I think there is some _very_ high-pitched harmonics that give the 'squeaky' effect. Yes, the original sound from Max Crook's "Musitron" *IS* squeaky. As if on a drawbar organ, you took a 2 2/3'' stop plus a 2' and maybe add an 1' and add some _decent_ distortion to it.
I know this was written ages ago but you are definately right in what you are saying.. You can tell that the Clavioline is the basis for the invention of the Musitron. I've read all I can about it and, most importantly, I listened. The Musitron is definately deeper and has a tremolo effect(which was a mechanical 'can' type) along with lots of reverb(originally made using garden gate springs. This sounds very thin and weedy. The distortion is an important part too as you say. I have a great passion for analogue equipment. The only problem with collecting it is the space it takes up. I use a 'Lesle' cabinet for playing guitar through but I have to use a pedal onstage.
Paul Evans Crook’s musitron was a Franken-musitron made from tons of spare parts, it’s completely one of a kind. I wish more than anything it was available to be bought in any music store because I’d definitely have one by now haha
I'm sorry about that....can you please post a video of yourself playing Runaway on a clavioline note perfect, then I can learn from your wisdom :-)
Not all the notes in the original solo and not the exact melody that was played but close enough.
nice, but you are playing it to low.
see what I mean. even 13 years ago people played differently. i hate this new era.
Sounds slightly wrong.
It's a really clavioline
❤