Sound of Mellotron

[Anglagard1]

A white Hammond, Leslie, and Mellotron? God dwells in this room. 

[ElliottMascart]

the mellotron is the most prog instrument ever created!

[CainMega]

miiiiister crowley

[cweatherhill]

Wrong. The new Mellotron M4000D is digitally sampled from the original mellotron tape archive and I can assure you that it is magnificent. It even retains the notorious 8-second note duration. Its sounds are indistinguishable from those of its predecessors (and weighs just 33lbs).

[mobman47]

The first two chords you play sound almost EXACTLY like porcupine tree's Gravity eyelids :D (because they use a mellotron for that song I believe)

[2009korte]

sound : 40 dB. noise : 80 dB. fantastic ? lol ? no

[guitarguy940]

It would be excellent if you learned the intro to Watcher of the Skies by Genesis and posted a video of you playing it on that mellotron!

[therealpsp1mp]

this dudes attire is similar to carl sagan's.

nice playing, killer sound :D

[AFiestOfFriends]

Hm, is that a white Leslie and a chopped Hammond spinet behind the Mellotron?

[Beanicolee]

Jodå det lät som taget från helvetet

[wpDM34]

Bea ! lyssna till detta.

[navojoARISTOCRAT]

i want it!!!!!!!!!1

[ecqkch]

HOLLY SOUND

[noodleking456]

the begining sounds like ein deutsches requiem

[soogoonu]

cool piece of hardware but lucky me I'm not your neighbour

[dialaname]

this shit is EVILLLLLLLLLL

[yak2221]

wow...famous but nord 3 is possible to close this sound???

[praxedez666]

Sounds like My Bloody Valentine's "Loveless"

[sturoc0]

I do love the Mellotron on record but mind you it goes thru some pretty good processing to get there.

I have gotten some very good near Mellotron presets on my E-mu E6400 But I did do a lot of tweaking and stacking to get the Almighty sound. Also glad I don't have to worry about stretched tapes, worn heads, bad motor drives etc

[leerees]

To all you knocking digital music you do realise the mellotron is basically an analog version of a sampler. It's more to do with what the musicians of that time did with the mellotron that made it so great. Digital technology is not rubbish, however people just listen to processed pop music and assume that's all there is on offer. A band like the beatles would have killed to have the technology we have today, the fact that they used a mello tron says that.

[MyDadsMusic1]

@leerees Absolutely agree with you mate. we are really spoiled for choice these day when it comes down to sound-producing gear, creativity is the key!

[hayabusafmw]

man your not supposed to hold a note more than like 5 or 10 sec or it will damage the tape.... and those are rare as shit

[jaredini]

Your Hammond looks smart!

[DeltaGaryGordon]

sounds like John Paul Jones... The Rain Song

[thisiswebbmaster]

oooooo what song is that....

[Django5198]

Sounds to me like the music for the opening of Fearless Vampire Killers

[2112nico]

an epic underrated instrument! Yes, Genesis, King Crimson for the win!!

[Maxpow33r]

i only know this from Opeth :)

[davidtheguitarman]

with the keyboard, especially today, you can do everything

[sausagedogmcgee]

Odd that one of the most unique sounding instruments I've ever heard was intended to sound like an ordinary string section or choir.

[alldaytubin]

It makes the sound of an ethereal choir. Out of this world completely.

[anbreatnach]

Massive sound.....dig that white Leslie too.

[NotJustMusic]

John Frusciante's - 00Ghost27 sounds just the same. Amazing!

[12Pascal21]

It reminds so much "Watcher of the skies" from Genesis !!!

[ElZorroFox1]

Dramatic as always.

[Parkinson9999]

wonderful instrument, love that "oldschool" sound!

[Solvinden]

Really, really nice!! But still, I love my Gretsch!! (guitar)

[cbrandom]

@Solvinden COMPARE APPLES TO ORANGES MUCH?

[Solvinden]

@cbrandom No, guitars and melotrons.. ;-)

[Macariotron]

@MattHatter ...grand sentiments. Try paying for one! Shit, try *finding* one to buy!

Nothing against your opinion -- I agree.  But "digital effects" have put you and I closer to getting the old sound than we have any right to.

[MattHatter]

@Macariotron: True. I'd probably have just as much luck finding and buying an original Moog!

[Mandraxicon]

ENVY!

[Alex85967]

YES !!!!!! FANTASTIC

[ironwolg]

it looks like a toilet with piano keys lol

[Bram25]

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I AM THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!

[arcticnoordpool]

what song are you playing?

[quixotic241]

this is a terrible recording

[decatlon14]

in what year was this instrument built and is this like the grandfather of syntetisers?

[MothershipOracle]

i now own a nord wave and have the choir,strings and flute on board...i recommend to all you prog keyboard players to go and get one- one big plus is their tops for gigging! -very light!

[Johnnywr]

...or "Big Brother" by David Bowie from the Diamond Dogs album 1974," Dancing with the moonlit Knight" by Genesis from 1973`s Selling England by the pound album.

[westpalmscott]

@Johnnywr The Strawbs were also one of the best Mellotron bands out there. Wakeman was in their line up for 2 albums. They still had great keyboard players after he left. Hero and Heroine has some really intense mellotron

[ulteriorgod1]

best example of this is Radiohead - Exit Music for a film

[Rrambler]

that was the first song by Radiohead i heard. i've loved them ever since

[Forsure3333]

How much does it cost???

[MoveOverCasanova]

@Forsure3333

from about 2000 - 6000 dollars, depending on model and history of the instrument -

If you should find one at all!

but there are great substitutes that sound just as beatifully ugly as the real thing!

[goofyrat]

this must be how john frusciante did the song "00 ghost 27"

[josecarlos1955]

sounds like the beggining of 'watcher of the skies' ?

[19JK79]

I'd rather say "Maid of Orleans" by OMD.

[fortinmyminorkix]

the beggining sounds like Fuse(a xero song)

[vonbrach]

Can you play in any key with it?

[Simpson654]

Actually, it is theoretically possible to produce the excact sound, but practically impossible. You can get close enough, but never there in practise, because you would have to simulate the universe in order to do so. However, you can't hear the difference even when you simulate only the output, and not the machine itself down to atomic level. MP3 is based on the fact that you can't hear the difference. Only the stuff that matters is there.

[AIKevorkian]

I don't think there is ANYTHING digital that can produce this real, haunting analog sound.

[Muzikman127]

you're listening to it....

[genxtargetmarket]

Spot on! Cracked me up.

[LeilaniLad]

@AIKevorkian Amusing considering it's not analog, it's the first sampling keyboard. It had recorded samples on strips of magnetic tape and heads ride along and play them as the keys are pressed.

[pauliewmusic]

@LeilaniLad It's still analog though. The sampled recordings and playback mechanism are analog.

[newworldodour]

@LeilaniLad what makes you think it's not analogue? Last time I checked the Mellotron's voices were recorded onto analogue tape as dats were not around then.. so how can it be digital??? ODD!!!

[newworldodour]

@AIKevorkian Agree completely, I don't think they'll ever be digital synhs that sound as good as the analogue ones in my collection along wit many more that don't, analogue will always be king.....

[evanrkg]

damn!  sounds like an entire orchestra... epic

[Popohio]

LOVE THAT SOUND D: Comes from deepest of hell

[cast390]

Sounds Demonic

[mostafal1994]

@cast390

Yeah, it does sound demonic (I'd rather say devilish). Have you listened to "The Devil's Triangle" by King Crimson? Now that's devilish.

[SheriffCarruthers]

I love that song man.

[mostafal1994]

Me too. The atmosphere that it creates is just indescribable.

[sabourinrock]

darn i want one so bad ...

[effeilensucre]

Watcher of the skies, baby!

[buciok]

Heck yes!

[artmaniac53]

Anglagard's main organ!

[davcar23]

It's allways interesting to know how they found a mellotron... so how did you find a mellotron?

[auggiedoggy]

Is there any way to reproduce the Mellotron sound. These k/b's were/are awesome.

[crispindogs4]

lol up till 40 sec it sounds like the theme to The Abyss!

[SephynnXx]

Mellotron is my favorite keyboard but, they are not 100% fantastic sounding until you really produce the sounds in a studio setting. A straight forward mellotron can sound dry and not as crisp but, alot of people do not realize that alot effects and tweeking is put into making them sound great on record. Ask Wakeman, Pinder, Banks, and anyone who has used the instrument. But with or without production they sound awesome. Very haunting and melodic...

[broadheadg]

if you like mellotron, listen this :

Harmonium - Histoires sans paroles

[mrgoodvibrations]

Fan of early GENESIS, I've always wanted one of these too, dream on. Does anyone make a modern reproduction,  the Choir voices always sound great. I agree w/ Harley ANALOG rules. The tape reels look like a hassle in installation and storage, not to mention damage/degaussing effects.

[CelticRaE19]

if only money were no object 'sigh' i wish

[moester46]

I would love to see Mike Pinder, former member of the Moody Blues, do a Mellotron demo.

[JCBudro16]

If I'm not mistaken, that would be the 8-Choir, 3-Strings, and Combined Brass tape set, the same one that Tony Banks used, correct?

[hogweed89]

I WANT A MELLOTRON!!!

[Keijz74]

Ghost in the machine.... Spooky!

[cdragotta]

These things are really archaic sample loop playback devices. They are totally unreliable.

If you like the sound, you can get that with simulated tape saturation/distortion, etc.

The tape loops get tangled, jammed and wear out, and you have to physically remove them and change them to get different sounds. I suppose it has a distinct quality, but...

[MattHatter]

Long live analog cdragotta! In my opinion, we have sacraficed creativity for convience in the music world. Yes, the Mellotron was known for being unreliable. The Moody Blues were well aware of that because it was their entire sound. I don't give a rat's ass how much some digital effect can make up for time, it just dosen't sound quite the same as the old records I love so much. There is a sound I MUST HAVE and the "new" ways just don't cut it!

[rcskins]

Right on! I have a mellotron and I can tell you there's nothing like. Forget digital, it's not the same. I mean would you rather have a digital Hammond B3 than the real thing? Of course not. Nothing is foolproof. I've seen plenty of digital devices crash and then the gig's over.

[HarleyJohansson]

totally. true. analog is where it's at.

[Shellewell]

@MattHatter there are keyboards out there with the entire mellotron catalogue of sounds on them, such as the memotron, m-tron software and the nord sample library where the sounds can be downloaded onto any nord electro 3/stage/wave and are completely true to the original tapes, imperfections in sound and all. but without breaking down or retuning with the same great sound so don't shun all modern alternatives because the sounds are still available just in different forms

[TheJesseMusic]

@MattHatter Exactly right! I also think that it's strange that music developed backwards, nowadays it's mostly computerized, autotuned and all the arrangements are as simple as it'll get.. It used to be complex licks with feeling, and kickass guitar solo's. Just listen to some early 70s fusion or jazz. Now you don't even need rhythm to compose music, just drag and drop a drum loop into a box in some music software program.

[Aspartamebraintumor]

Don't forget Serge Locrat of Harmonium!

[DavidVenneman]

Depuis l'automne !!! Histoires sans paroles !!!

[pianobass]

i love the sound of those things. synths and samplers these days sound much cleaner, but that midrange presence is what really makes me like the sound of a mellotron more. smooth highs, rich mids, full bass, in other words "mellow" :P

[kokakolakidd]

Mike Pinder, Tony Banks, Bob Fripp....where would prog rock have been without the surreal effect of mellotrons? All these guys used one religiously. Ever hear "The Devil's Triangle" on Crimson's "Poseidon" album? Haunting mellotron at its finest!

[Keijz74]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to listen to it now. See you!

[almostlost22]

How much do these cost?

[drunksingsheep]

$7,000!

[purenectar]

the sound is so atmospheric. can you get mellotron plug-ins?

[ThomasReuter1]

That sounds just like the song "Ghost" by John Frusciante. the beginning. He must have made it with this.

[Fik0n]

Could be, with alot of weird effects on it.

[saintpancake]

How can something sound so cheesy and so wonderful at the same time?

[Keijz74]

Intriguing sound indeed. I like the cello sound too. Very moody. If I was to make a movie on a musical ghost, I'd let it play the cello, with a Mellotron cello soundtrack.

[RediForKing]

Man the sound is awful but I love that

[AirHendrix91]

No HAWKWIND?

Are you kidding me?

[fystasjoppheng]

I read in a interview with Rick Wakeman that he was so frustated about the mellotrons unstability. One day he put two of them on a truck and drove them to a place where he put them in fire and burn them down.

I think he also mention to regret it...

[HDL2112]

dude... if i could have one of these... damn.

[lambro39]

there is a company in europe that has re-issued them

I'm out of touch now but do some homework and raise some cash, dont let this sound die out

[HDL2112]

definitely... I think the mellotron mk vi is the reissued one theres a few vids of it on youtube

[kipp0man]

Me too, that classic string mellotron intro from Banks definately made a fleeting appearance... great retro instrument, loved the video.

[jbarrick]

Hell, I'll sell you mine (an M400 just like this one) with Three Violins, Cello, and 8 voice choir for only 6,000.

[grandmaos]

id sooner kill someone than get that kind of money hahaha

[grandmaos]

fuckin sick i would kill for one of these

[KingTabor]

Watcher of the skies!

[CadillacL]

BEAUTIFUL sound.

[smcumber]

I hope you are recording beautiful music with this and it isn't simply sitting in your house.

[Paulywog282000]

many great musicians used this Instrument..such as...Led Zeppelin,King Crimson,Pink Floyd and Moody Blues

[lotuswight]

beatles

[racer500gp]

early Genesis!

[ChocloManx]

Yes, PFM and Gentle Giant

[NavinJohnson90]

Hey! Another GG fan!

[ChocloManx]

:D rawk

My favorite albums are gentle giant, acquiring the taste and octopus. Yours?

[Inghe]

I prefer the first album Gentle Giant and Aquiring the taste

Good sounds, beautiful mellotron!

[aihoschema]

Sounds like the famous 3 violins, 8 choir, brass tapeframe. I never was lucky enough to play an M400... Looks like a white Hammond P-100S with a white leslie 122 in the background. Just add an Arp ProSoloist and you are perfect for a 70's Genesis tribute band! Love this stuff!

[SenorSpode]

Moodies would work for me! They were enver the same when Mike Pinder left...

[JIF882]

ARP Odyssey would make good synth for IQ cover band. They early '80s neo-prog band. Their now-ex keyboardist Martin Offord used i on their 1st 2 albums. Along w/ mellotron 400

[d3p3ch3mod3]

damn sounds beautiful

[jspruance1980]

that sounds rad

[calumcroft]

ha, sounds well boards of canada esq

[Flankerton]

mellotron has the right to children

[calumcroft]

eh?

[Blackasylum3]

Music Has the Right to Children...it's a joke.

[vincentjacque]

Rhâââh lovely, le début fait penser à l'intro de "Watcher of the skies" de Genesis !!!

[MoGreensEye]

He's got that Blue Note album cover book on the organ back there.

[Aspartamebraintumor]

I didn't know what jealousy meant until I saw this video

[6DyerMaker9]

Pfm!

[spookymax89]

Isn't this the instrument used for Manson's Cryptorchid song?

[jolive91]

Yes! And the mellotron on that recording was John Lennon's mellotron, being played by Pogo.

[synthburn]

which supposedly now belongs to trent reznor

[rpbauer]

This reminds me of a piece of the score from James Cameron's 1989 underwater alien film "The Abyss."

[Nevin1343]

DUN DUN DUN!

[3747]

I like this sound very much!!

[allie87pinky]

how much do they cost

[mrchu17]

Around $7000 for a new one.

[acill71]

awsome sound very dark and mystic

[DruggyP]

you can always get a vst version

[Mikemaniax]

Do you have it running through that Leslie?

[gareebee]

I used to have an M400 (cello,3violin,flute) back in '75. Loved the sound. hated the bulk, unreliability and 8-second limit. Sold it for an Arp String Ensemble. Big mistake. Oh, well, I have those lovely 'tron sounds sampled into convenient lightweight gear. Long live the 'tron!

[mi268357]

like the voice of the (fallen) angels ;) love it.

[holythunderforce]

yes!

[audiotrax2000]

Haunting.....my favorite instrument of all time.

[tehtube]

Cool Crimson sound

[clavdig]

When are you rejoining YES?

[francogenio]

man. I'd kill to own one.

[janenil]

spacy souunds, love it.