http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dxzs_bYXrQ

Optigan.com has released Pianoscape – a new sound disk for the rare Optigan sample playback keyboard.

The Pianoscape Optigan disk retails for $99.99.

See the Optigan shop for order details.

via peahix:

The dusty old Winter spinet piano we recorded for this disc is the very same piano that Pea Hicks learned to play on, and is also the source of the photos on the jacket cover and in this video. This demo recording is just a quick improvisation to give you an idea of the overall sound possibilities of this disc. Toward the end, we’ve flipped the disc over so you can hear what it sounds like running backwards.

Here’s the blurb from the back of the jacket:

They said it couldn’t be done, but we’ve done it! We’ve brought the sound of a spinet piano to the Optigan Music Maker in a way that is both musically captivating and strangely haunting. You’ll enjoy creating your own piano soundscape by merely pressing a few buttons and playing a few keys.

Now we’re going to test your creativity! Try playing this music program disc with an of the Optigan Music Books. Give up? Next, try holding down as many of the keys as you can. Ah, that’s nice. Now it’s your turn to challenge your friends and family to create their own piano soundscape. Pianoscape!

Playing tips:

The attack of the keyboard piano tones are staggered across a 16th-note grid, such that by playing chords with your right hand, a windchime-like arpeggio effect is achieved. A drum loop is provided to help with your timing. The bass notes are staggered on a 1/2-note grid, and the chords on a 1/4-note grid.

Optigans equipped with a spring reverb will provide the most haunting sound, which is further enhanced by inserting the disc upside-down for backwards play.