Genuine all new samples from the world famous Wurlitzer Organ of the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool
Available for Yamaha Tyros3 (fitted with additional DIMMs) only - and can be used alone or with other T.T.T. Theatre organ samples
Blackpool Tower - Volume 1
The latest software package from 'Total Transformation Technology' (T.T.T.) is creating quite a stir in the ‘organ’ world... Doing what the company does best it has sampled some of the sounds of one of the world’s most famous theatre organs - the Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer.
Organ enthusiasts have long been captivated by this instrument. Indeed, the first organ was installed in 1929 - although this was to be replaced a few years later for one designed by the Tower Ballroom’s most famous resident organist, Reginald Dixon M.B.E. Reg Dixon was, in every sense, a ‘pop’ celebrity of his era - and his name became synonymous with that of the popular seaside resort he represented. His reign at the Blackpool organ lasted 40 years - and absences were few with just a short break during the war years when he served with the R.A.F. Today the organist’s position is shared between several players - chief amongst whom is Phil Kelsall.
The ‘Blackpool Tower’ Sample Collection
The samples in T.T.T.’s new software collection are of original piston settings from the Tower organ - as used by top Tower Ballroom organists over the years. They have been produced in conjunction with Tower organist Chris Hopkins with the additional help and advice of his colleague John Bowdler.
Content includes:
(Voice number / description)
- Voice 061: Piano + Quint & Tierce Couplers
- Voice 062: Tower Accompaniment Manual Registration
- Voice 063: Solo Manual - Piston 3
- Voice 064: Solo Manual - Piston 6 + Gt. 5 (coupled)
- Voice 065: Solo Manual - Piston 6 + Gt. 6 (coupled)
- Voice 066: Great Manual - Piston 2
- Voice 067: Great Manual - Piston 4
- Voice 068: Great Manual - Piston 5
- Voice 069: Tower Royale 1 (Hand registered combination)
- Voice 070: Tower Royale 2 (Hand registered combination)
See/hear a demonstration of the sounds on 'You Tube' - played by Tower organist John Bowdler who uses them with his Technics organ.
About the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer organ
Blackpool Tower’s 14 Rank Wurlitzer organ boasts some 1034 pipes, two Tibias (Main and Solo), three String ranks, two Tubas, a Diapason, Flute, Krumet, Saxophone, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura and English Horn. There are eight Ranks in the Main Chamber, six in the Solo and an unenclosed side Chamber contains the Xylophone, Crash Cymbal, Chrysoglott / Vibraphone and Action Current Power Unit. The Traps, Chimes, Glockenspiel and Tuned Sleigh Bells are in the Solo Chamber.
The Quint and Tierce couplers that give the Tower Wurlitzer its unique sound were added at the end of the 1940s. The couplers, which are believed to have originated in Reginald Foort’s ‘Travelling’ Organ (a 5/27 Moller) have since been added to many British theatre organ installations - such is the popularity of the sound they create.
After more than 70 years in the Tower Ballroom the organ is busier than ever. So much so, in fact, that it is often difficult to fit in the annual maintenance necessary to replace worn parts. Whilst all the original organ is there, in recent years the original Bechstein grand piano has been replaced by an electronic MIDI module - although the original is still there and capable of reconnection. An electronic piston setter is now employed to make changes of registration settings at the console a simple matter.
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