Mills Violano Virtuoso. A machine that plays the piano and violin at the same time.

[@andrewludwig9052]

Just about the coolest machine I have ever seen. I have been into Victrolas for many years never ran across this machine ty for a brilliant demonstration.

[@robertgoodale7204]

Restoring one right now. The action is currently disassembled, rebuilding the butts and replacing the hammers. Lots of works ahead!

[@VintageSlots]

Robert Goodale good luck with the project.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Violin part actually works like a Hurdy Gurdy because it has these bow Wheels which spin to bow the strings. On the neck of the Violin there are mechanical tangents that press on the strings to change their pitch.

[@jeffreymaki6098]

Very informative video on a piece of mechanical musical genius that hopefully will never be forgotten.

[@jackiem5844]

I saw this in person. It is lovely

[@ronaldmunger1183]

Wonderful! Great machine.

[@ronaross1]

I found this video to be well done and very informative. I didn’t know this kind of machine existed. Thank you.

[@VintageSlots]

Glad you liked it.

[@kennethwalczak3288]

Very nice machine for music. Worth considering for my collection.

[@dennisspinkshappyforbusker2523]

Amazing! Thats what I call fascinating.

[@tomklinar8848]

Thank you for sharing this video !

[@debrataylor1813]

This a totally awesome piece of machinery! I’d love to have one. I’m sure I couldn’t afford one though

[@SuperTrainStationH]

aaah it plays Phantom of the Opera!!! :D

[@ktoth29]

I think it would sound better on a Viola, this is playing in the screechy range of the violin

[@larryboysen5911]

I have the companion machine to the Violano...the Mills Magnetic Expression Piano. The machine operates on the same electrical principle...rather than the 44 note piano...it has 64 notes, with the same symmetrical string layout. There was also a "race horse" feature...which was a belt driven set of four mini race horse figurines. This was to get around certain gambling laws...was classified as a "musical instrument"!

[@jameswest8280]

I didn't know they had MIDI in 1910.

[@Xiao944]

He added MIDI System later

[@jameswest8280]

@@Xiao944 it was a joke.

[@jeffh626]

What is the value? How many doubles were made?

[@michaelplummer395]

i have one. Most think around 500 were produced and about 27 known to survive

[@jeffh626]

@@michaelplummer395 I know of one of the survivors.

[@andrzejlisek]

Very great machine, which simulates real violin including sound modulation. I heard machines with "violin" voice such as kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHq3m3qHi9enbpY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/enuTgnZsncdpns0 which has quite similar violin sound but substantially different violin sound emitting principle, where is not similar to any string instrument (violin, viola, cello).

[@michaelwhisman]

Doesn't sound like any violin I ever heard.

[@VintageSlots]

This particular machine was built in 1918.

[@robertgoodale7204]

I might suggest voicing the piano down, it is overwhelming the violin.

[@VintageSlots]

Not really possible to do.