[ Ref. 130504 MMDigest, "Seek Multiplexer Unit for O-roll
 [ Orchestrion," by Jeff Bridges

Hi, Jeff -- If I misunderstood your question, forgive me.  "The
Orchestrion Builders Handbook," by Craig Brougher, would be a good
place to look for plans.

I am planning a build-up orchestrion using an O-roll frame.  They
seem the most versatile.  I plan on both xylophone and metal bells
that will alternate but also by bridging the cancel perforation,
it would be possible to have one of the two instruments play twice
in a row.  Same idea with an accordion and a set of pipes.

Making three or more instruments play using the same lock-and-cancel
valves gets a little more tricky, but two instruments is fairly easy.
The use of the mandolin lock and cancel to alternate percussions
works fairly well, too, but you have to try a variety to get the
proper musical flavor.

I mated a triangle with a cowbell.  That was questionable -- comical
but questionable!  It worked well for the 1920s pop music but not
so well on 1930s songs.   Wood block with castanets was pretty close.
Sleigh bells ("jingle bells") with tambourine would work for Christmas
music.

My feeling is it's best to leave the snare and bass drum alone.  The
only modification I would make is the addition of loud-soft expression
for both sets of drums.  It makes quite a difference.  Use all the
expression perforations given.  A full blown O-roll player is one of
the most interesting.

If you are brave enough, change the O-roll tracker bar to a 100-hole
tracker bar and do some arranging yourself.  All it takes is a small
punch to activate an extra lock and cancel valve.  If you do modify
the roll, it's best to do it in such a way that any other O-roll
player won't know the difference; only your machines will react to
the idiosyncrasies of the roll.  And _document_ what you are trying
to accomplish and keep it in the piano.

My two cents.  Good luck and have fun along the way!

Tim L'Amoureux
timlamour@aol.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]