I Put A Cassette Player On A Toy Piano And Now It’s My Favorite Instrument

[@MANYTHINGSNOTSOMANYTHINGS]

I used to think Simon was just a crazy dude who did crazy stuff. Now I realise they're just the point where engineers and artists overlap.

[@GogaBolz]

Bauhaus!

[@synaesmedia]

I like the way that Simon comes across as the craziest circuit bender on KZbin. All tattoos and drunken swearing. And yet always ends up making the most cute, pretty songs of any of them. It's like "Listen to this harsh noise I've discovered... oh look, I've turned it into another sweet song about cats".

[@cho03]

@@synaesmedia I think he's pretty on par with 'look mum no computer'

[@DJKr15py]

@@cho03 look mum no computer generally makes slightly more conventional music, but he's also a bit more intense.

[@air7148]

wintergatan

[@Hainbach]

This is the prettiest thing you ever built. Love it!

[@albertopeixoto]

You guys make such a beautiful corner of KZbin, the Tinkering Musicians Club.

[@stephpicher]

At about 7:00 in I thought of you ("Hainbach would love this instrument"). So I checked and sure enough, here you were! EDIT: At 10:55 it sounds even more Hainbachian. :)

[@reggiep75]

@@stephpicher - Hainbachian is a term that must be written into history to signify musical art, craft, tinkering and half speed & quarter speed audio ventures.

[@shamardaniel4819]

Exactly!!🤩

[@atonegames]

You guys are both awesome!

[@DFDuck55]

In the early 1970s I made a tape delay for my guitar from two cassette recorders. I used the record head to record it then the play head ouf the second deck to play it. The play head was on a slider so I could adjust the delay time. I took the tape apart and spliced it back in a very short loop so it went around and around so it would work for long periods of time. My guitar amp back then I made from a 2 tube amp out of a record player, and my distortion pedal was made from a 1 tube record player amp, and the on/off foot button from a vacuum cleaner. The good old days :>

[@womp3571]

you're very crafty!! im not surrounded by any of these things so i couldnt imagine making those on my own in my youth.

[@bradnaylor35]

Simon's creative process is super inspiring. Nothing else on youtube is quite like this. Also, I want (need) one of these.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

I remember when I first learned about home electronics and built a few little projects. It made me feel like a mad scientist. I just don't have the time these days. I wish I did. But watching Magpie gives me a little bit of that same feeling.

[@JSlackArt]

Yeah I agree it takes me back to my early days of recording and plugging anything and everything in, we all could learn a lot from him, and dance a little along the way

[@Drugaddict22]

There's a couple of videos doing this thing too,nothing new.

[@ExcessDenied0]

@@Drugaddict22 I don't think the joy in this really comes from seeing something that's never been done before. It's more so the way he comes up with these fairly impulsive ideas and sees them through to finished playable things, which he then actually uses to make music. It has a great creative flow, and puts a lot of the fun at the center of the process. It's pretty wonderful to see anyone create something that makes them happy. It's a great reminder that we can make music and put effort into our ideas for no reason other than that it's fun.

[@JSlackArt]

@@ExcessDenied0 totally is about the process if you enter anything with that mind frame, been there done that, that attitude will permeate your endeavor, and guess what? It will be boring uninspired, conventional, none of which can be found in Simon's music, maybe he's on to something, maybe he knows how to stoke that creative fire. Who cares it's not an original idea but Simon somehow makes it his, he owns the space in and around that cool little toy piano. And perhaps that's way more important then originality

[@bla_blub]

Wow, I've never seen a "Building it" section on KZbin before, that didn't have annoying music running in the background. So refreshing :) The piano is amazing, too :D

[@12DAMDO]

you should look up the furby organ

[@svartsjokolade]

Look up "tchiks guitars" too. It reminded me of his builds, very relaxing.

[@crazyrobotlady3391]

For a few moments my classically trained musicians ear was assaulted with random noise, and the wow and flutter in the tape drove me crazy. All of that changed when you added all that synthesized stuff to it. It turned into something very unique and listenable. Thanks for posting.

[@hanshansen9759]

If you could manufacture and mass produce this, that would be great.

[@spencersmallbridge1496]

with sound on sound

[@MrMetalclay]

@@spencersmallbridge1496 like Joey pizza Slice ?

[@svenmikael]

This!!

[@BOULGERBEATS]

Instant Office Space Vibes x'D

[@elijahdage5523]

I like how the tape recorder automatically dampens the piano's tingyness. Very cool

[@mrbluelynxchannel5207]

9:10 This is an Early 2000's indie banger right here.

[@xdendordx]

I love the vocal hook at this part! Real MGMT vibes

[@Inflake]

No way this man just made the best lofi piano VST in real life 😭

[@jakewatson1757]

A great addition would be a 3rd mic coming out like a vocoder mic you can blend with the other mic’s to do piano/vocal loops at the same time 😎 inspiring build Simon!

[@demp11]

I think the decay is to short to hear words when vocoded but would be still interesting Edit: and actually harmonically probably a bit empty too but yea still interested

[@steveharrison3716]

You've reinvented the Mellotron for the 21st Century.

[@steadywatching7564]

The beginning sequence of this video is a step up. That was beautiful.

[@traildoggy]

I kind of feel like this should be a factory option for all pianos.

[@adrianokury]

The sensibility and care put in this project are amazing. Even down to the choice of colors to go with the original toy color. Fantastic job.

[@ruler_of_everything]

9:22 dude casually just went jack stauber out of nowhere

[@jenseiinferno8444]

this style of video is super nice, and the build video was super enjoyable. i was hooked the entire time! great work!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

I like...it's good. You have really honed your woodwork and electronics skills. Very impressive. The last jam was my favourite....noice.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Back to that idiosyncratic Simon the Magpie thing. Love it. I like your expensive weird pedals too but this type of thing is just so much more fun.

[@lijath]

"I really love how this instrument sounds!" *Proceeds to modify every setting in the DAW*

[@elitedestroyer0083]

This seems perfect for Lo-Fi and retrowave

[@EssentiallyEden]

Man deadass made vapour wave an instrument, respect ✊

[@Educationey]

It's essentially a Lo-fi piano. Amazing

[@hellodisdat]

Dude you're so good at creating ideas into reality its so refreshing and wild!!

[@youbeknowin]

Just found your channel through this video, i of course insta-subscribed and boy am I hooked already - great work my friend

[@bogbert7019]

Love love LOVE how it’s a little out of tune It adds so much to the wonky wobbliness of the sound

[@Fr33_K3y]

First video. Love the process. Made a solid, honest, tangible, and multi-periodical vibe. Want to build one myself. I used to be a carpenter and I am currently learning music production and sound design from the internet and just playing with various DAW and plug-in and XP farming, and reverse engineering. You might have influenced me a lot with this video good sr.💯 💛

[@peffken8834]

More better than I expected. Well done, and in the end - it always depends on what you and yourself make of it. "It's great piece of inspiration" Goal reached. I am with you there. Nice to participate in this moment.

[@RobotArmy3D]

This has got to be one of your best ones yet! please make more with it, also would be kind of cool to have some graffiti type of illustration all over the piano with those toy colours shining through! 😍

[@demp11]

I actually like that minimalistic style

[@CasioChaosTheory]

This is brilliant! Utterly unique and wonderful sounding creation. Simon ends 2021 on a high and brings us hope for 2022!

[@reggiep75]

02:26 - AMSR overload... my soul will never recover from this!! Play that little piano thru a massive amp to inject some anger.

[@xdendordx]

Fantastic jam at the end there, much like you this thing has a ton of character :))

[@RGudmetalhead]

Pretty instrument in terms of both looks and sound

[@davidburke8838]

I like the "This Old (Tony) Magpie" build montage. Just enough information to see what you did. Happy New Year!

[@demp11]

Man how do you make those Instruments so cool and beautiful at the same time… man im impressed

[@StephenMcLeod]

This is mega clever and very cool. It sounds great as well. Those building skills are impressive.

[@bruhmomento3181]

you should make a sample pack out of this. id def buy it

[@peterdonofrio1038]

oh man this is a real beauty 😍 Love it!

[@sssstarboardvenus]

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while! And I love how it looks, the yellow front kinda looks like a metasonix panel.

[@txikitofandango]

It's a beautiful machine, you make beautiful sounds and music with it, and this video, how you show what it does, is awesome too

[@blakeanderson5011]

Reminds me of the kinds of sounds Samiyam uses a lot (especially in the Sam Baker album). This thing is very cool and looks very well built. Good stuff m8

[@SatanSupimpa]

I feel like the Sleep Party People dude would love this instrument.

[@UnwelcomeGuestVideos]

This was incredibly soothing. Really loved the presentation on this and would be psyched to see more videos like it.

[@shawnlennon1947]

0:16 beatles "wild honey pie" you're the best magpie. great video.

[@bobbychaos]

Everything about this is awesome, and the colours are brilliant. So cool 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@kristopherdetar4346]

I did something similar with the grand piano version of this brand except I enhanced the soundboard with greater tension then adding electronic pick ups to wash through various effect pedals. You can create limitless sounds with this commonly thrown out kids toy piano.

[@afganno3385]

beautiful vibes you created, i take my hat off to you sir!

[@kengreen6901]

Jumping on the love pile here, sweet build Magpie! For those of us who don’t have the skill but want the sound: check the Warpman S8, get kids piano and record yourself- check it, you will see:) Don’t stop Magpie!

[@leaderoftheitu]

Coolest instrument from a maker ive seen in a long time, excellent work simon.

[@avory8517]

the sound of it when you slowed it down really has a melancholically weird feeling. like someone I once knew was laying on my shoulder and then I turn to look into the person they’ve become. or something idk I like it

[@ICantStopMakingNoise]

I connect with your "material selection process" deep in my soul.

[@BITRATE_MODE]

I'm pretty well in love with this thing, also that second jam you did was fantastic!

[@SomethingUnremarkable]

I really liked that first song a lot! We need a full version

[@MIKELiscrazy]

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a great movie and an excellent outro if I do say so myself!

[@chrismcdermott7766]

Really great. So satisfying to watch you build this. Congratulations. Sounds Great. I want one

[@glenesis]

You are too good at this, Magpie. Wonderful handiwork - and fantastic video production. Have a very very happy New year, my creator brother. Best regards from Glenn in New York, USA

[@CuSiSound]

One of the best build 'n' play videos I have seen for a while : )

[@m.j.nilsson]

This is strange and awesome! This is like something out of that old Doctor Snuggles cartoon

[@literallyshaking8019]

The song “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts used one of these little toy pianos in the studio recording. You can hear it on the songs hook in the background , and once you hear it, you can’t un-hear it

[@ARTofTY-TV]

Brilliant. At first I thought you were going to go a mellotron route but was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

[@masscast]

it sounds like it would be really nice for something like dreampop where you have a type of "suspension of disbelief" type of feel

[@CJTheAlchemist]

I love watching this guy make stuff

[@BlightVonDrake]

First half: Calm deconstruction/reconstruction ASMR. Second half: "IT FARTED!!!" Cool video dude, great tunes too!

[@maggiepie8810]

I think toy piano is the ultimate low-fi sound. ❤

[@DeathTrapProductions]

You outdid yourself with this one. This might be the best video you've ever done. It's fucking beautiful man.

[@corezone4250]

You can make bangers with anything. All you need is creativity, and this proves it.

[@brandonandalexander]

One of the best videos I've watched from you!

[@parkerrieke5700]

Absolutely genius! I hope you'd consider making a tutorial of sorts! I can roughly follow what you're doing, but the electronics component of this build would have me a bit confused.

[@avonneave2131]

Hey there Magpie, love your creativity, brilliant mate, hope you had a great Festive season and all the best regards for the rest of the New Year from here on the West Coast side of Australia 🌏🖖

[@SaltPyramids]

this is amazing. thank you for sharing!!! inspiring me to start building my own stuff

[@g-starthefirst]

Ok, that song at the end of this video is exactly the kind of music I would want in Dream Realm!

[@LousyFacelift]

Hahaha... amazing! The description is such an understatement to (simply) "put a tape player on a toy piano". Awesome work man, congrats on a funky new instrument and tons of respect!

[@NeboscloneStudio]

You should add a switch that kills the erase head, so you can do overdubs .. slow or fast or vice versa :)

[@xxx7917]

Easier said then done . You need it for bias , you can't just defeat it

[@IGD-974]

@@xxx7917 people bypass it all the time. It's how you get the "sound on sound" effect.

[@ashleycarvell7221]

The contact mic sounds so good!!!

[@md_vandenberg]

That thing sounds like an apocalypse. I love it.

[@dedicatedspuddler7641]

Very cool! I am inspired to revisit my toy piano.

[@final_animal]

Dayyyum, that vocal effect at 11:56! What is that, autotune+bitcrusher+reverb? Sounds great!

[@dabdanek]

Same question. Man what is this?

[@aaa-a-aaaaaa3144]

check out OVO by waves. gives similar vibes

[@dabdanek]

@@aaa-a-aaaaaa3144 Seems this is it. Thank you very much.

[@SlyceCaik]

hmm doesn't sound like bitcrusher to me, could just be distortion/saturation

[@johnhanover2229]

Flange, would be the chefs kiss.

[@paulbennell3313]

Yeah. Feeling that. Beautifully simple and effective.

[@double_slime]

the color of the piano is very, very wonderful.

[@natebambino]

BIG fan of the ASMR-esque intro segments

[@kittykat490]

I fuckin love the look of this thing and the sounds it makes are pretty awesome indeed!

[@theblipblox]

Great build video, Simon!

[@StitchTheFox]

This is probably the most relaxed I've seen someone make amazing music

[@TM1861]

Brilliant! Love this! Loved the song too!

[@333AMETHYST]

Mad scientist is the only way to describe Simon

[@buzzbabyjesus]

I never get tired of The Magpie.

[@joshuareynolds8334]

It's like you invented the parallel of a melatron

[@timrudd3318]

Ok, that was the most random thing to pop up in my feed in a while. But I'm glad I watched, pretty cool

[@pmteclas]

Very flowing process and it do a thing and you happy and very nice

[@schoeffler_oliver679]

Wonderful INSPIRATIONMASHINE!! Got it!!

[@Larry3000ich]

Best movie recommendation ever. I subscribed just for that ending of yours. You hooked me up with your personality, dude, keep doing great stuff!

[@queenhenryviii]

I gladly hand you my subscription, you wonky genius. Off this video alone. I wish I need how to work with electronics because I so desperately want to add this to my arsenal of sonic toys.

[@hotshot6923]

So you essentially made an analog midi. Nicely done, has interesting sound variables but honestly I clicked on the video thinking you made a piano that plays the sound from a cassette as notes converted to the piano

[@EgoCheap]

this is the best video i've seen in 2022 so far and it's not close.

[@upsidedown8512]

It's brilliant, you just built the real "kinetic toy" by native instruments.

[@MrThehideki]

I think you have really improved in your building! And i mean that in the best possible way!

[@bugmanuk]

Sterling job, Simon! Love it.

[@Ostap..Bender]

That what youtube was started for. Many years ago.

[@markschroeder5559]

Good find. Good tweaks.