Mellotron

The Mellotron 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. They tend to give music a creepy, otherworldly vibe. Half the reason I like it so much is because of the tape; I think analog tape colors instruments in a really interesting way. It is this effect that makes it sound so peculiar. It is rather limited compared to later synths and other related instruments, but it's rarely, if ever, duplicated well. 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.

The Mellotron Mark VI is the most up to date version of this classic analog keyboard. For those who don't know, the Mellotron was the first keyboard instrument to sample real instrument sounds and have them playback using tape loops and a traditional keyboard. You can switch out the tapes on this one, giving you an endless variety of different Mellotron tones. The Mark VI is the one that has been made for the longest amount of time and continues to be in production. It was the first Mellotron that was remade and is essentially an M400 model if you're comparing it to original Mellotrons. Of course they don't make too many of them as they are very expensive. The keyboard is fully polyphonic... UTILIZATION The configuration of the Mellotron Mark VI isn't too difficult to follow at all. There are three settings to choose from on here (labeled A, B and C), which correspond to strings, choir, and flutes, depending on what reel you have in there. It gives you general parameters for tone, volume, and pitch, the latter for adjusting the tuning essentially. It also has either a low or high speed switch which changes the speed of the tapes. I don't know anything about the manual for the Mellotron Mark VI... SOUNDS The sound of the Mellotron Mark VI is absolutely that of a real live Mellotron. This isn't a less than the original reissue or anything of the like - it's the real deal. All of the sounds are awesome in their own way, as it's a totally unique instrument that was really ahead of it's time. You can get software emulations of these sorts of sounds, but there's definitely nothing like the real thing. Mellotrons were used all the time in the 60's and 70's, often to replace studio musicians, but now it's almost solely used to get that classic Mellotron sound... OVERALL OPINION The Mellotron Mark VI is really your best bet for owning a working Mellotron in the present day. There are certainly some original Mellotrons out there, but they're incredibly rare and I would imagine that many of them have issues. Since the Mark VI is so new, it's a pristine version of this classic keyboard. It's certainly expensive, but if you've got a professional studio where you want to have every vintage keyboard available, it's great to know that there's an option out there in the Mellotron Mark VI. This is truly a spectacular instrument!

The Mellotron Mark II is an analog synthesizer that is one of the first of its kind. It works like this: when you hit a key, it triggers off a sample in the form of a real analog tape. It has a number of different types of sounds, including samples of strings and flute. The Mellotron was a huge step in technology and has become revered because of it. It is a fully polyphonic keyboard and has a built in speaker. UTILIZATION The configuration of the Mellotron Mark II is pretty easy to follow, and all of the knobs and buttons are laid out smartly. It is easy to choose between the different sounds, and each sound can manipulated further, depending on how you set these parameters. I don't have a manual for the Mellotron Mark II, but is pretty easy to use and you shouldn't really need it if you don't have one. Since these are hard to find and are pretty old, a manual will be pretty hard to come by anyway. SOUNDS The sound quality of the Mellotron Mark II is unique, even though it emulates real instruments, like strings, flute, and brass. What you get is somewhere in the middle of a sample and the real thing, combining for a unique sounds that are identifiable with the Mellotron. This was used mostly in the 1960's by rock bands, but has maintained a place in music and is still used today. Overall, an awesome sounding instrument that is unique to itself. OVERALL OPINION I've only been using the Mellotron Mark II for about two years, but I have really become obsessed with it and use it whenever I get the chance. I use mostly the string sounds, but all of the sounds are great. This was used all over famous recordings by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and the Zombies, which is a big reason that I have come to love the sound of this so much. The Mellotron Mark II is pretty rare these days, and if you can find one, they are pretty expensive. This is why I would recommend finding a professional studio when you want to use the Mellotron Mark II. There are also some pretty good plug-ins that emulate these tones, but theres nothing like the real thing. Overall, the Mellotron Mark II is a classic instrument that all music lovers should experience in one way or another.