NEW 2025 Optigan Disc - BIG BEAT & POLYRIMBA

video upload by optigandotcom

"https://www.quilterlabs.com/collectio...

BIG BEAT is the latest in our series of excavatons into the Optigan Archives in search of material that was left on the cutting room floor. The working title for this disc was “Motown 1 - Big Beat.” Previously only heard on the song “How Do You Feel?” by Optiganally Yours. The keyboard sound is also sourced from the Optigan Archives- we mixed several different solo trombone and trumpet scales to form a brass section. A version of this sound previously appeared on our Orchestron "Brass Ensemble" disc.
Special note: This groove was recorded at a slower tempo than usual, so turn your Optigan's Tempo knob down to achieve concert pitch."

NEW 2025 Panoptigon Disc - POLYRIMBA

video upload by optigandotcom

"Now available at https://www.quilterlabs.com/collectio...

POLYRIMBA is based on the 5-against-3 polyrhythm. The basic sound is the classic DX7 Marimba preset. Individual notes are steady pulses with accents in counts of 5 or 3. Holding down chords creates an ever-shifting series of syncopated rhythmic patterns. If you count these in 4/4, you'll perceive longer rhythmic cycles that won't repeat for 15 bars. Adding delay will create even more complex patterns. Also, try it with the Panoptigon’s hall reverb turned up, and the main volume knob turned all the way down, to get an interesting ambient pad sound.

POLYRIMBA can only be played on Panoptigon, and is not compatible with Optigan or Orchestron.

Conceived, arranged, and mastered by Pea Hicks
Disc design and mastering by Robert Becker
Jacket label art direction and layout by Michael Buchmiller

Important Note:

All discs are subject to the following licensing arrangement.
You MAY use any and all sounds on our Optigan/Orchestron discs to create derivative works for commercial or private use without any further licensing fee beyond the original purchase price of the discs. No credit to optigan.com is required. If your Optigan/Orchestron resides in a commercial studio which you operate, this license also extends to your clients.
You MAY NOT simply copy the sound contents of the discs and distribute the material directly as sample loops, either commercially or privately.
You MAY NOT make physical copies of the actual discs themselves, other than for private use/experimentation.

Compatibility
Panoptigon disc players"

NEW 2025 Panoptigon Disc - POLYVOX

video upload by optigandotcom

"Now available exclusively at https://www.quilterlabs.com/collectio...

POLYVOX is the famous Vox Humana preset from a classic 1970s polyphonic synth. We simply gave it a different name to avoid confusion with the vintage Optigan disc of the same title. Try it with the Panoptigon’s hall reverb turned up, and the main volume knob turned all the way down, to simulate a slow attack rate.

POLYVOX can only be played on Panoptigon, and is not compatible with Optigan or Orchestron.

Recorded and mastered by Alex Ball @AlexBallMusic
Edited and mastered for Panoptigon by Pea Hicks
Disc design and mastering by Robert Becker

Important Note:

All discs are subject to the following licensing arrangement.
You MAY use any and all sounds on our Optigan/Orchestron discs to create derivative works for commercial or private use without any further licensing fee beyond the original purchase price of the discs. No credit to optigan.com is required. If your Optigan/Orchestron resides in a commercial studio which you operate, this license also extends to your clients.
You MAY NOT simply copy the sound contents of the discs and distribute the material directly as sample loops, either commercially or privately.
You MAY NOT make physical copies of the actual discs themselves, other than for private use/experimentation.

Compatibility
Panoptigon disc players"

NEW 2025 Optigan Disc - PIZZICATO POP

video upload by optigandotcom

"Now available exclusively at https://www.quilterlabs.com/collectio...

PIZZICATO POP is the latest in our series of excavatons into the Optigan Archives in search of material that was left on the cutting room floor. The working title for this disc was “Contemporary #107.” It was recorded in 1970 during the intial Optigan sessions in Cologne, Germany, with pizzicato string overdubs being added sometime later. Previously only heard on the song 'Hope In Your Eyes' by Optiganally Yours ( • Optiganally Yours - HOPE IN YOUR EYES... [furtherbelow] . The keyboard sound is also from the Optigan Archives- an experiment that combines a Hammond B3 with a hand-played tremolo on an RMI Rocksichord.

Chords:
Pop combo with pizzicato strings.

Keys:
Hammond B3 with RMI Rocksichord

SFX:
1 - Riff 01
2 - Riff 02
3 - Riff 03
4 - Riff 04
5 - Drums

Mastered by Pea Hicks
Disc design and mastering by Robert Becker"

Optiganally Yours - HOPE IN YOUR EYES - Official Lyric Video

video upload by optigandotcom

The Optical Sampler Sound Kraftwerk Loved Modernized

video upload by HAINBACH

"When optical sound sample players came around in the form of the Mattel Optigan, Vako Orchestron and Chilton Talentmaker in the 70s, the reaction was luke-warm. The devices were not a commercial success and quickly disappeared. But one enterprising band from Germany took their lofi sound to heart. Kraftwerk employed the Orchestron in many songs, from Das Model to Uranium. Even today its finds fans - such as Kyle Dixon of Survive, who used the iconic "choir" in their Stranger Things soundtrack. He employed the modern adaption of this arcane technology, the Quilter Labs Panoptigon. I talk with Kyle in the video, show a bit what you can do with the Panoptigon, demo classic Kraftwerk patches and introduce my own disc for this fantastic instrument.

Music, Soundpack and thanks:
https://www.patreon.com/hainbach"

00:00 Kraftwerk Patches and Introduction
03:09 Disc Demos
05:40 Panoptigon Features
09:33 Kyle Dixon Interview
14:35 My Own Disc

Quilter - Panoptigon w/ 14 Discs

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This listing includes 14 disc's as follows:

-Harmonium
-Darksophone
-Organ
-Wurliscape
-Vibrascape
-Minimalism
-Guitarscape
-Flute
-Oscillations x 2
-Vocal Choir
-Singing Rhythm
-Glitchedelica
-Marimba
-Radioaktivox

The Panoptigon represents the culmination of years of research and development that carries an awesome vintage instrument into the modern era. Redesigned from the ground up, the Panoptigon empowers the artist with MIDI, modern effects, and a deeper and more thorough feature set than ever dreamed of before.

The original Optigan program discs came in many popular styles, and our new disc mastering system has enabled us to create and release never-issued discs from the master tapes rescued and preserved by Pea Hicks. In addition, we have mastered original discs, some of which go much further in exploiting the cyclical nature of the playback loop, resulting in loop libraries with endlessly entertaining combinations.

Maximum Polyphony: 60 Voices (Tracks) Current Draw: 650 mA , 24V Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.25 (133 mm) without cover 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.50 (140 mm) with cover Weight: 13.4 lbs. (6.08 kg) without cover 15.1 lbs. (6.85 kg) with cover Accessories: Dust cover, PS24 Power Supply

Connectors: MIDI (IN, THRU) Headphones (3.5mm) Audio Output x 2 (1/4" phone): LEFT-MONO SUM, RIGHT-TRS STEREO Output Impedance: 1 kOhm 24 VDC Power (5.5mm barrel, 2.5mm pin, tip positive) SYNC IN (3.5mm), SYNC OUT (3.5mm) Power Supply PS-24 (24 VDC, 3A)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

New Panoptigon Format Disc – GRAND PIANO

Panoptigon plays SILENT NIGHT Published on Dec 1, 2019 optigandotcom

"SILENT NIGHT recorded on Quilter Labs' PANOPTIGON, featuring the new Panoptigon format disc GRAND PIANO (available now!) as well as the Optigan format DARKSOPHONE and Orchestron format VOCAL CHOIR and SOLO FEMALE VOICE discs. Please see http://www.optigan.com for more information."

PANOPTIGON Format Disc Demo - GRAND PIANO

Published on Dec 10, 2019 optigandotcom

"Announcing a new disc for PANOPTIGON from Quilter Labs! This is the third disc in the new Panoptigon format, only playable on Panoptigon (https://optigan.com/product/panoptigon/).

https://optigan.com/product/panoptigo...

GRAND PIANO expands on the concept of our original Orchestron format Piano disc, in that it takes advantage of the full 60-note keyboard of the Panoptigon format, and also we've arranged more complex rhythmic figures for the individual notes, in 6/8 time. As with all of our discs featuring rhythmically articulated scale tones, GRAND PIANO is best used for playing sustained chords to produce rippling, arpeggiated patterns and textures. It's also great for playing in reverse for even more ambient effects.

GRAND PIANO can only be played on PANOPTIGON, and is NOT compatible with Optigan or Orchestron.

The raw piano recordings used on this disc are open-source samples available here: http://theremin.music.uiowa.edu/MIS.html"

Panoptigan Celeste Improvisation

Published on Sep 27, 2019

"A short improvisation using the Panoptigan and the Optigan Celeste disc.

The Panoptigan is a modern instrument designed by Quilter Labs to play Optigan, Orchestron and Panoptigan discs.
Just out of the frame the left, the keys on the MIDI keyboard control the loops that would have been on the "chord buttons" of the Optigan.

On the right side of the keyboard, the keys control the "special effect" buttons of the Optigan. There are also keys that control start/stop of the disc, and forward/reverse. In between is Orchestron cello.

I start the piece with the disc playing backwards, then switch to forwards.

No external audio processing added (though the Panoptigan has some great built-in effects).

Visual effects by Signal Culture.

Recorded at Carousel Recording, Brooklyn, NY

Panoptigan: https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php...

Discs: https://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php...

Signal Culture: http://signalculture.org/"

Panoptigon PIPE ORGAN II Disc plays Disneyland Haunted Mansion

Published on Sep 12, 2019 optigandotcom

https://optigan.com/product/panoptigo...

"Announcing a new disc for PANOPTIGON from Quilter Labs! This is the second disc in the new Panoptigon format, only playable on Panoptigon.

This time we've dug back into the Optigan/Orchestron master tape archive to bring you PIPE ORGAN II. This was an alternate registration (flute & diapason stops) of the Whitney Studios Pipe Organ heard on the Optigan "Majestic Pipe Organ" and Orchestron "Pipe Organ" discs. This particular pipe organ sound is being heard for the first time on this disc, and in a full 60-note scale instead of the more limited 37 note scale of the previous pipe organ sound.

Recordings of the Whitney Studios organ are heard every day as the musical backdrop to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride, so in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ride, we've tracked down a midi file of "Grim Grinning Ghosts" and played it w/ Pipe Organ II. And to keep the mood going, you'll also hear Bach's famous Toccata & Fugue in D Minor.

PIPE ORGAN II can only be played on PANOPTIGON, and is NOT compatible with Optigan or Orchestron."

Opitigan.com Site Makeover & Free Sheet Music Book Library Download Now Available

via Optigan.com

"Well, it took awhile, but the new look & feel of Optigan.com is here! There’s still some things that need to be finished, and I’m sure there will be a few kinks & bugs to be worked out, but much of the basic functionality is live. Please let us know if you find something screwy (I mean, other than the basic fact that this site is all about Optigans). Many thanks to RoseRed Creative for bringing the site into the 21st Century!

Now you can finally order Panoptigon directly from our Shoptigan store! If you’re outside the USA, we are currently the only way to get one, though the ordering process is slightly more complicated- please send us a request if you’d like to have one shipped outside the USA! Also, our entire library of discs for Optigan, Orchestron, & Panoptigon is now available on a continual basis, so no more waiting around to snag the titles you need to complete your collection!

To celebrate the launch of the new site, we have a freebie! After many years of requests for the entire library of Optigan Sheet Music Book available digitally, we finally got around to it! Here you can grab a zip file of PDF versions of all the original books, including variations! You can use these books in conjunction with your vintage Optigan, iOptigan, Panoptigon, or our Soundware. Have fun, and be sure to send us your renditions!"

QUILTER PANOPTIGON Now Available

Some pics and details via Noisebug, who also as it listed on Rerverb here. Be sure to check out the pics with the cool transparent brown dust cover.

"The Panoptigon represents the culmination of years of research and development that carries an awesome vintage instrument into the modern era. Redesigned from the ground up, the Panoptigon empowers the artist with MIDI, modern effects, and a deeper and more thorough feature set than ever dreamed of before.
The original Optigan program discs came in many popular styles, and our new disc mastering system has enabled us to create and release never-issued discs from the master tapes rescued and preserved by Pea Hicks. In addition, we have mastered original discs, some of which go much further in exploiting the cyclical nature of the playback loop, resulting in loop libraries with endlessly entertaining combinations.

Maximum Polyphony: 60 Voices (Tracks)
Current Draw: 650 mA , 24V
Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.25 (133 mm) without cover
17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.50 (140 mm) with cover
Weight: 13.4 lbs. (6.08 kg) without cover
15.1 lbs. (6.85 kg) with cover
Accessories: Dust cover, PS24 Power Supply, AC Cord, Disc Starter Pack, Owner's Manual
Connectors: MIDI (IN, THRU)
Headphones (3.5mm)
Audio Output x 2 (1/4" phone): LEFT-MONO SUM, RIGHT-TRS STEREO
Output Impedance: 1 kOhm
24 VDC Power (5.5mm barrel, 2.5mm pin, tip positive)
SYNC IN (3.5mm), SYNC OUT (3.5mm)
Power Supply PS-24 (24 VDC, 3A)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synthplex 2019 - Introducing the Panoptigon

Published on Apr 22, 2019 KeyboardMagazine

"Stephen Fortner checks out the new Optigan/Orchestron disc-playing hardware at Synthplex 2019."

Panoptigon plays Optigan Surf Rock Disc

Published on Mar 21, 2019 optigandotcom

"Here's another demo improvisation on the Panoptigon, this time featuring the Optigan Surf Rock disc. Be sure to listen in stereo, as this one features the typical Optigan hard-panning between the chords/drums on the left and the keyboard on the right. Apart from the Panoptigon's onboard hall reverb, no other effects or EQ were applied."

Panoptigon Plays Optigan Symphonic Strings Disc

Published on Mar 20, 2019 optigandotcom

"Another Panoptigon demo, this time featuring the Optigan Symphonic Strings Disc. This demo features the onboard hall reverb, with no additional processing."

Panoptigon Plays Orchestron Vibraphone Disc

Published on Mar 19, 2019 optigandotcom

"Another Panoptigon demo, this time featuring the Orchestron Vibraphone disc played back at various manual pitch settings. The playback speed of the Panoptigon has a much wider range than a vintage Optigan or Orchestron. This demo features the onboard hall reverb and delay effects, with no additional processing. Also heard is the reverse mode."

Panoptigon OSCILLATIONS Disc Demo

Published on Mar 12, 2019 optigandotcom

"Here's a demo of the very first disc in the new PANOPTIGON disc format! Oscillations will be included in the basic 'starter set' of discs that comes with each Panoptigon. Panoptigon format discs will only be playable on Panoptigon- not on vintage Optigans or Orchestrons! We wanted to make a very basic, broadly-applicable sound akin to the Optigan "Big Organ & Drums" disc. This seemed a good opportunity to present a simple analog synthesizer type sound, since the Panoptigon disc format features 60 tracks, and is mapped to allow for a full 60 keys of chromatic tones. Think of it as a 'Super Orchestron' disc with essentially 5 octaves instead of 3. Various typical raw analog waveforms are mapped across the keys, with the notes slowly pulsing in and out in different phases, producing a breathing, organic effect that's particularly well-suited to all of the Panoptigon's onboard effects. Apart from the Panoptigon's hall reverb, no other effects or EQ were applied in this demo."

Panoptigon plays Ghost Riders In The Sky w/ Optigan Darksophone Disc

Published on Feb 15, 2019 optigandotcom

"Veteran indie rocker Pall Jenkins provided the spooky sounds for our Optigan Darksophone disc, and we thought it'd be fun to do a quick demo of this disc playing Ghost Riders In The Sky on the Panoptigon. The keyboard is split between two different melodic sounds- Marxophone and Musical Saw. Be sure to listen in stereo, as this one features the typical Optigan hard-panning between the chords/drums on the left and the keyboard on the right. Apart from the Panoptigon's onboard hall reverb, no other effects or EQ were applied."

Panoptigon plays Optigan Vox Humana Disc

Published on Feb 14, 2019 optigandotcom

"Another Panoptigon demo, this time featuring the rare vintage Optigan Vox Humana disc. The choir sound heard on this disc is the same as heard on the Orchestron Vocal Choir disc, famously used by Kraftwerk in the 70s. This demo features the onboard hall reverb effect, with no additional processing."

Panoptigon plays Orchestron Vibraphone & Drehorgel Discs

Published on Feb 14, 2019 optigandotcom

"Another Panoptigon demo, this time layering two of our Orchestron discs- Vibraphone & Drehorgel. This demo features the onboard hall reverb effect on the Vibraphone, with no additional processing."

Panoptigon plays Orchestron Piano Disc

Published on Feb 13, 2019 optigandotcom

"Another Panoptigon demo, for a rainy day in SoCal- this time an improvisation on our Orchestron Piano disc. This disc can't really be played like a typical piano sound you might find on most keyboards, due to the unique constant-looping playback characteristics of the Orchestron. We placed each individual note at a position on a 16th-note grid, which produces a sort of windchime effect when you hold down chords. This disc isn't very well suited to playing melodies, but you can always try! This demo features the onboard hall reverb, with no additional processing. Also heard are the reverse, vibrato, and pitch bend effects. You can find info about pre-ordering a Panoptigon (which comes with our remastered edition of this Vocal Choir disc) here: http://optigan.com/2019/01/panoptigon..."

NAMM 2019 Floor Walk and Awards Handout

Published on Feb 1, 2019 sonicstate

"Sunday AM is when we hand out the awards, and usually we just take the photos, this year we decided to combine a floor walk with the awards. Contrary to most award ceremonies, this one is not at all organized.."