Manikin Electronic Memotron user reviews ( 0/10) - 2 user reviews

• 11/29/11

  yoTrakkz's review "Vintage"

  Characteristics

  The Manikin Electronic Memotron is a pretty unique instrument, at least for its time. This instrument is a keyboard based instrument, it predates the modern synthesizer. The interesting thing about this instrument is that instead of the keys moving hammers that strike strings, the keys trigger tape players. Each key is assigned to a different length of tape, which is then played until it runs out (usually about 8 seconds). There are different kinds of tape samples (woodwinds, strings, voices) depending on the instrument. They can be customized to play different sorts of tape loops, as well. This is pretty old, and predates the PC, so no computer or MIDI controls. It's a polyphonic keyboard with limited range.

  Utilization

  This thing works well...when it works. These instruments are notorious for breaking. Having multiple tape loops inside the machine can be tricky. The initial setup is almost a disaster waiting to happen. Any user manual would have to be a sublimely complex piece of work. Simply put, this is a nightmare to get working when it breaks.

  Sounds

  The interesting thing about this instrument is how "unreal" it sounds. None of the samples that are played by the keyboard come out sounding quite like the the instrument they are supposed to emulate. However, the sounds produced by this machine are pretty interesting in their own right. They are all over David Bowie's "Space Oddity", the Moody Blues' album "Days of Future Passed", and countless progressive rock records by Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and others. It's simply a one of a kind instrument.

  Overall Opinion

  Hands down, the biggest problem with this thing is its maintenance, not to mention how expensive it would have to be nowadays. For the price, this thing is pretty outrageous. However, it's one of the coolest instruments in the world, and owning one would give you incredible bragging rights amongst musicians. If you are too poor or busy to buy one, and need the sounds, look into a good synthesizer that can emulate it well (sorry, haven't found one yet). Otherwise, get this and fall in love.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• 11/06/07

  franz-zetti's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  So ... that's ...
  
  
  
  I just received my Memotron (version 1.1), lacquered white metal face, blue screen ... a marvel of beauty.
  
  an ergonomic keyboard typed "synth".
  
  
  
  The connection is classic ... I would have liked a digital output, at least if not coaxial optical ... no one is perfect ...
  
  and yet it is the case with this machine ... the quality of the samples is the same as "mello" sometimes better! (See "studio collection")
  
  
  
  A nice looking from the manufacturer.
  
  
  
  Initially the beast is mute, it must be fed, and the manufacturer provided a CD of 12 presets (Vintage Collection) sounds picked up by the classic Genesis, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Moody Blues, Barclay J. Harvest, Yes, The Beatles ... which means we play in the big leagues ... between the choirs, the strings and violins ... the sound is there.
  
  
  
  What a thrill to play "Strawberry Fields Forever" ... or the "Court of the Crimson King" ... more than just sounds, it's atmosphere, which exists on any other synth or sampler (or VST).
  
  
  
  The excitement is even greater if you make the acquisition of two other CDs: "Studio Collection" and the fantastic "Berlin School" collection.
  
  
  
  The "Studio Collection" presets are reworked, more "clean" but very effectively are: the three violins, flute, 8 church choir and organ ... more beads, such as boys and female choir .. .
  
  
  
  the "Berlin School collection" is the icing on the cake ... 24 presets, the two monsters of the music in terms of 70 years: Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream ... Here ... I am the flute of liquefied ... "Ricochet" and "Rubycon" under my fingers, the fabulous 15 Choir TD reworked by 10cc in "I'm not in love" (which is actually a dub of 150 votes). .. and confusing "grand piano" I've heard and seen on UTube ...
  
  
  
  I think more than ever, today's music needs its sounds, in the case of Colt Play, Oasis, Blur, lenny Gravitz, Red Hot Chili Peppers ...
  
  
  
  So much for the sound ...
  
  
  
  The rest is the technique with the advantages and disadvantages:
  
  
  
  advantages:
  
  
  
  Interface-stable 100%
  
  Camera-compact and well finished
  
  Sound quality (same mellotron ... if not better!)
  
  Card Compact Flash (1GB minimum)
  
  -Mixing between two sounds (+ intensity of mixing)
  
  -Modification via built-in filter
  
  Effects (delay / reverb / chorus ...)
  
  Screen ergonomic
  
  -The best of the best: the ability to work the attack and release of each sound, and the pan
  
  Live-in: we move from CDs to the flash card without problems
  
  Seriously, the manufacturer
  
  -Very simple design (a quality that can sometimes become a default: see "less")
  
  -Ability to load presets of M-tronVST
  
  Cons:
  
  
  
  It should load the presets, each time the CD or card C. Flach in the MEMO (a 10 seconds)
  
  
  
  , While loading a sound ... we can not play another sound ...
  
  
  
  -If you change it a sound and saved in memory, when you Fill in ... the changes are saved but not
  
  initialized ... it is necessary to reconfirm the settings!!
  
  
  
  -If you transfer the presets (all 3 CDs / 776 Mb) on the Compact Flash card (2 GB) without subdirectories ...
  
  it will play the first 700 Mb
  
  
  
  -Price, cest an elitist machine, € 2,050 with 3 CDs. too much ... .. it's a whim for the same price you have a TI Polar ...
  
  
  
  -No button to eject the flash card ... very difficult to remove (by hand!)
  
  
  
  -Obligation to make subdirectories on computer. To avoid erasing the sounds of the same nomenclature ...
  
  we must rearrange the sounds on computer. : Folder for each CD and User folder (there is nothing to rename the sounds in the Memotron)
  
  Even with the "less" it's still an excellent camera.
  
  
  
  we must move with the times ... the mellotron was good ... and now live the Memotron!

  Utilization

  The word "simple" ... why make it complicated!!
  
  I think ... Perhaps a little too simple (especially at that price) ... I would say archaic .. the opposite of a "radical technology"!
  
  
  
  I think it is especially dedicated to the big studio or nostalgic mellotron ... in my case (but it hurts ... we can do things with € 2000)

  Sounds

  Top
  
  The firm has a research ... and the three CDs of presets are very high quality ...
  
  not a lot of presets ... but excellent 
  
  This is not the case of the M-Tron VST package ... (See forum) ... but the price is without compromise

  Overall Opinion

  to redo ... I sign with both hands ... or three !!!... but it's a crap at that price ...
  
  
  
  malgas few teething problems (too simple for my taste), I half maximum points, but there's nothing else on the market from the Mellotron, which is exceeded ...
  
  
  
  proof on UTube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WU1x_4yFD4 )
  
  ... You do the same with the mellotron you explode! Jordan Rudess sacred ... to see and review
  
  
  
  Mr. Thorsten thank you again! lower your prices .... but for me it's too late ... but for the following!!
  
  
  
  I put the maximum of point ... because he is nothing else equivalent and of equal quality (apart from the mellotron)
  
  
  
  to be continued
  
  
  
  now ... after a few months of use: it's still an excellent machine ...
  
  ... but it is better to wait a OCCAZ 1300/1400 ... I think that's the solution ....
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno