SINGING MACHINE.

Patea Mail, 2 August 1882, Page 4

SINGING MACHINE.

Mr Baillie Hamilton has invented a musical novelty which bad a public trial at Harrow School, in England. Since then it has been used at Westminster Abbey, and is now placed permanently in Henry Vll’s Chapel. The instrument is appropriately entitled * the Vocalion,’ for it is ingeniously constructed on scientific principles in accordance with the laws by which the musical tones of the human voice are produced and modified. The vocalion resembles in form a small organ, and is constructed of Various dimensions, some having but row of keys (or manuals), others having two key-boards and pedals. From reeds being used it has been erroneously supposed that the vocalion is a species of harmonium. This is not the case. Reeds are used, and so they are in many of the stops of the organ, and in some of the instruments of ah orchestra. The tones of the vocalion are produced by parallel bands of brass, sometimes two, sometimes three to each note; and to these are attached wires or metal ligatures acting in sympathy or .constraint, assisting as well as regulating the speech of the note, the analogy with vocal laws being still further parried out by the cavities through which the tones emerge. It need scarcely be said that the sound is realised by wind from bellows, as in the organ. The tone is most peculiar, and becomes more liked the more it is heard. There is nothing metallic about it, the effect being something between that of a sympathetic human voice and the sighing sweetness of an jEolian harp. Although not calculated for the execution of extremely rapid music, it is fully capable of supporting a large number of voices, with which its tones are peculiarly suited to amalgamate ; indeed, there is a charming sostenuto effect, and something almost pathetic in the quality of tone, that renders it eminently fitted ■ for devotional use, in which respect it should prove a desirable acquisition where the expense of an organ cannot be afforded.—Daily News , April 17.