We love Mellotron! We use an M4000D, two Mellotron Micro's and an old school, all original M400 with 4 tape racks (and some Mellotron Apps for iPad & iPhone). You can never have too much Mellotron.
Katsunori UJIIE - I enjoy all of your reviews, the only trouble is that I think you make every instrument sound great! You seem to know just what to play for each sound.
I have the M4000D (the bigger one). For years, I dreamed of being able to recreate the sounds of the Mellotron and now I CAN! It's a wonderful machine and has two keys more than the M400 to give a full 3-octave range.
Wonderful and best demonstration for the mellotron unique and beautiful sounds ( the female/male/choir!!!), And the super advantage getting by playing them both the M4000D + the Mini both together. Thanks 🙏
If you can't afford one of these the Casio WK-7500 has some really nice mellotron-like sounds that are pretty good, especially considering the $400 price.
Oh wow such a lovely looking instrument......despite the price tag it's limitations ( if they are like the original ) still makes it highly desirable... I know I'd love one! Limitations are a good thing.......they push you in directions you wouldn't always go in....
Love the sound of Mellotron. I found about the special machine, through listening to King Crimsons, and 10'cc. It has such a beautiful and unique sound, far better than samplers and hybrid synths. メロトロンの音は本当に気持ち良いですね。キングクリムゾンや１０’ccを聞いて知りました。綺麗で本当に特別な音が出ますね、サンプラーやハイブリッドシンセよりも全然良い音ですね。
The original Mellotron of the early 1960s was the first sampling keyboard, if you will, albeit an electromechanical one. The sounds are stored on tape which makes it possible to record custom sounds and use them in the studio or live. Maximum recording/"sampling" time per tape segment is 8 seconds, afterwards the tape gets automatically rewinded, the same happens when a key is lifted. A complex system of frames, rewinders, springs and reels takes care of a smooth attack, sustain and release. The technical specs and limitations of the Mellotron give it an inimitable sound that is still sough-after by musicians all over the globe. One of the many happy accidents of the machine is the low flywheel mass which leads to sounds that are never 100% accurate. The timing and depth of this effect is pretty much unpredictable, that's the problem of many software-based Mellotron emulations, they sound good but nowhere near as vibrant as the real thing. The Mellotron M4000D comes very close to the original, at least it's way better than any software I've tried so far, and it saves you the horrors of tape jams, worn-out tape heads, creaking mechanics, changing frames, etc.
If you want something similar (including most of the master tape samples and rhythms in a much more flexible instrument), get the Nord Wave 2. You can layer up to four Mellotron/Camberlin samples (with its own independent FX if you want) and they sound amazing!
excellent demo. I think Ujie always find the most musical possibilities for every keyboard he tries out. BTW I think you should do a Yamaha Tyros 5 Demo.
Respect to Streetly Electronics, lived in Streetly man n boy, only found out about these being a Streetly invention. If anyone from Streetly electronics reads this, please give me a job in ur factory?
With T Rex Pedals bringing out a new Tape Based analog delay I wonder if it would be possible somehow for Mellotron to start incorporating tapes into this but with tape the size of the T Rex replicator ones.
He used church organ & a Hammond C3 for the title track from CTTE... used Mellotron for his strings, as in "Heart of the Sunrise" on Fragile. I'm wondering what actual voice/s he used for strings? I have yet to figure out what he did to get that particular string sound. It's a fantastic instrument and I appreciate this video!
Before I can make any judgment, I would have to look INSIDE that thing. Is there anything mechanical left in there? That's what has made the sound of the original one so amazingly unique. But I wouldn't be surprised if the M4000D is just a mere so-called "rompler"...(sound presets stored in roms, modifiable by effects and whatnot; synths in consumer price range commonly have their sounds made that way)
+pianoman74 . Uhhhhhhh No......P man it's ALL digitial no more tape thingy's ,however if you really wan't to see what's inside of it look for it's service manual on PDF online or perhaps someone might be selling a hard copy on E-bay.
mmmm unlikely its proberly the way the mic is picking up the machanical noise as spill from his vocal mic, in my opinion if your going to post a video on such as youtube best to conect a direct signal feed to your computer sound card/audio interface. i use a beringer minimixer conected to the audeo in on my computer along with any other audio i want to go to my computer cheers
Do your Mellotron a favor and use FX amplifiers with effects and reverb. Fender has a few good amps. Don't forget the sustain and volume pedals either. Rock on.
+Nordogz and Kurzweil, and any sampler of the past 20 years. Great insight! Wow! Too bad the Nord doesn't have poly-at or fully length keys, or visual interface or .... not a mellotron ;-)
Um, I disagree. It has the full wooden keybed of the tape based mellotron, built in same factory, same case materials and finish, and same type of hands-on interface. By definition, it *is* a Mellotron, built in the mellotron factory and sold by Mellotron, dumbass.
There are two free albums, you can download, of the mellotron. These both are of classical music, and all well known pieces! You think, the mellotron, cant handle it? Listen too these albums! It will make you totally rethink, what a mellotron can really do.
Never had any glitches myself while using it. Maybe you need a computer that's been made in the last 5 years or so. And a decent MIDI converter like the Roland Duo-Capture, that I use. People who disparage computer-based synths are just living in the past at this point.
I've played a real Mellotron, and it was the clunkiest, most awkward keyboard, that I've ever used. And keeping one working is a full-time job. They made some great music in the 1960's, but, nostalgia aside, this was really obsolete technology.
Its suppose to clip. He was demonstrating velocity. This ain't yo daddy's Mellon you know. If you're familiar with the original like my old ass, you don't need an kanji/ English translation to understand it. I do love his enthusiasm. Would it be in bad taste to imply that his sisters probably built it?? Sorry then. Loved the viddie. Wasn't a thing about it I didn't like. Except not owning one. Domo Donor Arigato
It seems to me that you don't have any clue about the original instrument. It also did clip...you had to press the keys and kept them like that otherwise it would also clip!
I just don't understand the appeal of this AS AN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT in a modern setting. It's not like a Hammond, Rhodes, or Wurlitzer, etc., which surpass the label of imitations to actually creating their own niche. These are literally lo-fi samples that could be produced in ANY sampler for FAR less money, if you just need that nostalgic sound. To each their own.
If this were an actual recreation with tape, I could see why it'd be useful given the nuances of analog/physical mediums. But yes, since it's just a digital recreation the only reason I can see for it is stage presence.
You are paying more for the unit itself, which is meant to keep the feeling and playability of the original without the issues of maintaining the Tape.
fonarte You think they'd get rid of the Endless sustain tape loop restriction along with those stupid key pops. I don't understand why people want their instruments to have limitations. C'mon people the original unit sounded great, but it's limitations subtracted from the sound not added to it!
Jacinth David Key pops have charm. Take an instrument like the harpsichord; I love the sound of its plucking. Not all the limitations detract from the sound, either. Tape as an analog medium adds in some rich charm to the signal. With all that said, it'd be nice if in the OS you could choose to make the unit not perform like the original.
Its suppose to clip. He was demonstrating velocity. This ain't yo daddy's Mellon you know. If you're familiar with the original like my old ass, you don't need an kanji/ English translation to understand it. I do love his enthusiasm. Would it be in bad taste to imply that his sisters probably built it?? Sorry then. Loved the viddie. Wasn't a thing about it I didn't like. Except not owning one. Domo Donor Arigato
![Waldorf Zarenbourg Demo&Review [English Captions]](/img/n.gif)
We love Mellotron! We use an M4000D, two Mellotron Micro's and an old school, all original M400 with 4 tape racks (and some Mellotron Apps for iPad & iPhone). You can never have too much Mellotron.
The sweetest sounds ever created by a keybord. Mellotron rocks!!!
Katsunori UJIIE - I enjoy all of your reviews, the only trouble is that I think you make every instrument sound great! You seem to know just what to play for each sound.
I have the M4000D (the bigger one). For years, I dreamed of being able to recreate the sounds of the Mellotron and now I CAN! It's a wonderful machine and has two keys more than the M400 to give a full 3-octave range.
Wonderful and best demonstration for the mellotron unique and beautiful sounds ( the female/male/choir!!!), And the super advantage getting by playing them both the M4000D + the Mini both together.
Thanks 🙏
This guy has so much fun that I am actually having fun.
Great video.
Thank you ありがとうございました
If you can't afford one of these the Casio WK-7500 has some really nice mellotron-like sounds that are pretty good, especially considering the $400 price.
Oh wow such a lovely looking instrument......despite the price tag it's limitations ( if they are like the original ) still makes it highly desirable...
I know I'd love one! Limitations are a good thing.......they push you in directions you wouldn't always go in....
Now that is an amazing M4000D demo!
Love the sound of Mellotron. I found about the special machine, through listening to King Crimsons, and 10'cc. It has such a beautiful and unique sound, far better than samplers and hybrid synths. メロトロンの音は本当に気持ち良いですね。キングクリムゾンや１０’ccを聞いて知りました。綺麗で本当に特別な音が出ますね、サンプラーやハイブリッドシンセよりも全然良い音ですね。
Such great review. Thank you for the captions!
Classic sounds, magic.
English sub-title is available now !!
There is something about the sound though...it almost sounds more natural than most samplers...like if it's from an old film or something.
I started getting goosebumps around 11:35!
Your stuff is great! Good job musictrackjp.
The original Mellotron of the early 1960s was the first sampling keyboard, if you will, albeit an electromechanical one. The sounds are stored on tape which makes it possible to record custom sounds and use them in the studio or live. Maximum recording/"sampling" time per tape segment is 8 seconds, afterwards the tape gets automatically rewinded, the same happens when a key is lifted. A complex system of frames, rewinders, springs and reels takes care of a smooth attack, sustain and release.
The technical specs and limitations of the Mellotron give it an inimitable sound that is still sough-after by musicians all over the globe. One of the many happy accidents of the machine is the low flywheel mass which leads to sounds that are never 100% accurate. The timing and depth of this effect is pretty much unpredictable, that's the problem of many software-based Mellotron emulations, they sound good but nowhere near as vibrant as the real thing. The Mellotron M4000D comes very close to the original, at least it's way better than any software I've tried so far, and it saves you the horrors of tape jams, worn-out tape heads, creaking mechanics, changing frames, etc.
Chamberlin was the originator of this tape head concept. Mellotron illegally purchased the tapes from a shady Chamberlin rep.
If you want something similar (including most of the master tape samples and rhythms in a much more flexible instrument), get the Nord Wave 2. You can layer up to four Mellotron/Camberlin samples (with its own independent FX if you want) and they sound amazing!
いつも楽しみにしています。2段積みに感動。
Fantastic Demonstration and wonderful playing ☆☆☆☆☆ Greetings and Thank you from U.S.A
excellent demo. I think Ujie always find the most musical possibilities for every keyboard he tries out.
BTW I think you should do a Yamaha Tyros 5 Demo.
Nice demo. Arigato gozaimashtaka.
8:39 to about 9:05 can anybody give any insight to the scale/key/mode he is playing?? It's so hauntingly beautiful
Cool...hope you demonstrate some Moody Blues on this. Sounds great!
Superrrrrrr !!!
Oh those sounds bring back memory's, These sounds notting new about them just nice classic mellotron tones.
That's amazing! i love that sounds, bring to my mind good memories with Shingetsu.. ^^
Awesome sauce! Just bought one :-)
Thank you Katsunori ! (Didier D'agostino French teacher-drummer and composer /youtube-video)
Poetic sound.
Respect to Streetly Electronics, lived in Streetly man n boy, only found out about these being a Streetly invention.
If anyone from Streetly electronics reads this, please give me a job in ur factory?
Great intro!
im new to this. so my question is.. what other synth keyboards can exactly replicate Mellotron sounds?
Brilliant demo!
00:03 is this some sort of game soundtrack? Cuz sounds perfectly like one
it's a beatles song that he's rearranged
With T Rex Pedals bringing out a new Tape Based analog delay I wonder if it would be possible somehow for Mellotron to start incorporating tapes into this but with tape the size of the T Rex replicator ones.
Playing two manuals at a time shows that the keyboard isn't big enough. You need two to get these sounds. That's a lot of money! I love the Mellotron.
Is this what C418 used to create Far? Because it's one of few track actually using Mellotron. Chirp used it as well, in addition to Optigan.
Did Rick Wakeman use the Mellotron for organ sounds or did he use an organ (in Close to the Edge for example), especially live?
He used church organ & a Hammond C3 for the title track from CTTE... used Mellotron for his strings, as in "Heart of the Sunrise" on Fragile. I'm wondering what actual voice/s he used for strings? I have yet to figure out what he did to get that particular string sound. It's a fantastic instrument and I appreciate this video!
Before I can make any judgment, I would have to look INSIDE that thing. Is there anything mechanical left in there? That's what has made the sound of the original one so amazingly unique. But I wouldn't be surprised if the M4000D is just a mere so-called "rompler"...(sound presets stored in roms, modifiable by effects and whatnot; synths in consumer price range commonly have their sounds made that way)
+pianoman74 . Uhhhhhhh No......P man it's ALL digitial no more tape thingy's ,however if you really wan't to see what's inside of it look for it's service manual on PDF online or perhaps someone might be selling a hard copy on E-bay.
Don't be a snob, there's a reason these are more commonly used than a real mellotron nowadays... If you've ever toured you'd know why.
外部録音出来ますか？
Why do keys make such a loud sound when he presses them?
mmmm unlikely its proberly the way the mic is picking up the machanical noise as spill from his vocal mic, in my opinion if your going to post a video on such as youtube best to conect a direct signal feed to your computer sound card/audio interface. i use a beringer minimixer conected to the audeo in on my computer along with any other audio i want to go to my computer cheers
At the Beginning it reminded me of Legend Of Zelda :p
What is the names of his playing songs?
Allelujah
Do your Mellotron a favor and use FX amplifiers with effects and reverb. Fender has a few good amps. Don't forget the sustain and volume pedals either. Rock on.
I think I'll go listen to Watcher of the Skies, now....
Интересная машинка! Послушать бы в живую.
ну так оно и есть в живую. звук сюда пишут-то с выхода.
Wow... A prog rock symbol... Even Tony Banks used one!!!
なるほど。メロトロンの最高に良いサンプルを余すところなくサンプリングして積んだことにより、本物のメロトロンより完璧なメロトロンに仕上がっている。鍵盤を一挙に抑えた際に電圧が下がってピッチが不安定になる様を再現すれば良かったかも…。
mellotron samples are available for nord keyboards
+Nordogz and Kurzweil, and any sampler of the past 20 years. Great insight! Wow! Too bad the Nord doesn't have poly-at or fully length keys, or visual interface or .... not a mellotron ;-)
the m4000d isn't by definition a mellotron because it's not tape based. it's just a rompler with the sounds from the master tapes.
Um, I disagree. It has the full wooden keybed of the tape based mellotron, built in same factory, same case materials and finish, and same type of hands-on interface. By definition, it *is* a Mellotron, built in the mellotron factory and sold by Mellotron, dumbass.
Christopher Simmons the special part of a mellotron are the tapes.
Clean
Now how the heck are you gonna use that big ol' thing on a bus?
epic.
"A Pitch Bender(LOL)"
There are two free albums, you can download, of the mellotron. These both are of classical music, and all well known pieces! You think, the mellotron, cant handle it? Listen too these albums! It will make you totally rethink, what a mellotron can really do.
whats the point you may as well by the Vst, the real deal played tape,s and even sound,s better on UA-cam,, this sounds like a toy to me,,,,
I hear clipping? >
Oh no! It was recorded too loud!
xnonsuchx
I am hoping it wasn't the instrument. I think surely something like this wasn't designed to accidentally sound like that
Seems to be pretty common on musictrackjp. They don't max out the instrument before setting the gain, so when voices stack, it clips.
I love it
GForce M-Tron Pro emulates a Mellotron just as well and is a lot cheaper.
Never had any glitches myself while using it. Maybe you need a computer that's been made in the last 5 years or so. And a decent MIDI converter like the Roland Duo-Capture, that I use. People who disparage computer-based synths are just living in the past at this point.
I've played a real Mellotron, and it was the clunkiest, most awkward keyboard, that I've ever used. And keeping one working is a full-time job. They made some great music in the 1960's, but, nostalgia aside, this was really obsolete technology.
Its suppose to clip. He was demonstrating velocity. This ain't yo daddy's Mellon you know. If you're familiar with the original like my old ass, you don't need an kanji/ English translation to understand it. I do love his enthusiasm. Would it be in bad taste to imply that his sisters probably built it?? Sorry then. Loved the viddie. Wasn't a thing about it I didn't like. Except not owning one. Domo Donor Arigato
8:15
clippiiiiiiiiiiiiing
we can only let Ujie get away with it
It seems to me that you don't have any clue about the original instrument. It also did clip...you had to press the keys and kept them like that otherwise it would also clip!
ME QUEDÓ TODO SUPER CLARO;
EXCEPTO TODO LO QUE DIJO EL SEÑOR QUE TOCA LOS TRONS !!
WTF 🤪🤪🤪
NO ENTIENDO UN CARAJO LO QUE DICE....🤷♂️🤣💦🤷♂️🤣💦
I just don't understand the appeal of this AS AN ENTIRE INSTRUMENT in a modern setting. It's not like a Hammond, Rhodes, or Wurlitzer, etc., which surpass the label of imitations to actually creating their own niche. These are literally lo-fi samples that could be produced in ANY sampler for FAR less money, if you just need that nostalgic sound. To each their own.
Jackie Chan
really can't think of something more stupid than this 2k5$ synth. you get the samples 10time cheaper on your PC for the exact 100% same sound...
If this were an actual recreation with tape, I could see why it'd be useful given the nuances of analog/physical mediums. But yes, since it's just a digital recreation the only reason I can see for it is stage presence.
You are paying more for the unit itself, which is meant to keep the feeling and playability of the original without the issues of maintaining the Tape.
fonarte You think they'd get rid of the Endless sustain tape loop restriction along with those stupid key pops. I don't understand why people want their instruments to have limitations. C'mon people the original unit sounded great, but it's limitations subtracted from the sound not added to it!
Jacinth David Key pops have charm. Take an instrument like the harpsichord; I love the sound of its plucking.
Not all the limitations detract from the sound, either. Tape as an analog medium adds in some rich charm to the signal.
With all that said, it'd be nice if in the OS you could choose to make the unit not perform like the original.
***** why couldn't you build a kontakt instruments with those limitations ?
This isn't a mellotron
goofyfoot2001 ??
No one cares. It's as close to a Mellotron as one can get without the ridiculous size, price and temperamental nature of the original.
It sounds horrible and clips
Its suppose to clip. He was demonstrating velocity. This ain't yo daddy's Mellon you know. If you're familiar with the original like my old ass, you don't need an kanji/ English translation to understand it. I do love his enthusiasm. Would it be in bad taste to imply that his sisters probably built it?? Sorry then. Loved the viddie. Wasn't a thing about it I didn't like. Except not owning one. Domo Donor Arigato
this was a rollercoaster