M-Tron - Mellotron MkII Strings Example 1 ("Violins 1")

This is my first video in a series I plan to make demonstrating GForce Software's M-Tron VSTi Virtual Mellotron. In this example, I kick things off with a little Rick Wakeman, and then progress to the classic "Seven Stones" solo from that Genesis song. On the M-Tron, this sound is the "Violins 1" tape bank.

Note that though I have heavily EQ'ed the sound (which is ear-piercingly shrill and fatiguing in its stock form), none of the effects I've applied to this demo (or any of the ones to follow) is outside the realm of something that could have been done in the 1960s/70s--in the interests of authenticity, all I did was apply some EQ, some plate reverb to fatten up the sound, and a light wash of hall reverb to even everything out.

Let me know what you think, or (for M-Tron users) if you have any tape banks you'd like to request I add to the demo queue short list!

-Squonk

P.S. Like what you've seen? Come visit me at my NEW WEBSITE!
http://ryderduncan.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• m-tron
• mtron
• mellotron
• mkII
• vsti
• vst
• gforce
• strings
• genesis
• rick
• wakeman
• seven
• stones
• nursery
• cryme

[Mordred478]

Ryan, growing up listening to Yes and Genesis, that quintessential Mellotron string sound was the soundtrack to my life. Thank you so much for the work you've done to re-create it. Now my question. I use a PC and am currently leaning towards using Cakewalk Sonar X1, though I could be persuaded to try Pro Tools or something else. Can I incorporate the M-Tron Virtual Mellotron's strings into what I create using Cakewalk or another DAW? Thanks.

[Squonk06]

@Mordred478 As long as your DAW supports VST (which is pretty much every major DAW these days) you should be fine. BTW, the version of the M-Tron I used in this video was replaced a while ago with the M-Tron Pro, which is basically the original instrument on steroids (virtually all the original sounds, a bunch of new ones, effects and volume/filter shaping). There are also a lot of nice expansion packs filled with even more samples--basically you'll never want for inspiration.

[skyclaw441]

What is this song that you're playing? It's haunting me. I started messing around with my keyboard today and I just started to figure this out off the top of my head. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.

[Squonk06]

The first song is Catherine Howard from 'The Six Wives of Henry XIII' by Rick Wakeman. The second is the 'Tron solo from "Seven Stones" from Genesis' 'Nursery Cryme' album.

[Squonk06]

My bad, that's "Henry VIII" and not "Henry XIII." I don't believe there was a Henry XIII. :)

[Mellotronaic]

Could you share your EQ settings to us?

[Squonk06]

As soon as I dig them up I'll list them in the Info section. :) I've used several different EQ settings across all my videos. As I recall, the one for this example had less high-end roll-off than the one I used specifically for "Starless." I'll try to list it in parametric terms, like I did for the 8 Choir.

[joelbourget]

lol Clocktown@ 0:56 - 1:00

[michealv12]

I have a Mellotron (model 400SM) for sale. I own 2. I picked up a Yamaha S90 that I'd like to use for strings etc. Any suggestions on some really good string patches I can add in?

[gunsmoke83460]

sampletron is best

[plutopia]

@TheRobo66 To run this your computer must have Asio drivers installed. can't get it to run on a Sony Vaio, despite installing Asio4all. Great if you can get it going though.

[TheRobo66]

How easy or difficult is it to load this software onto a pc and get it up and running and configured for keyboard use. are you using the keyboard through the usb socket? really rubbish at getting software up and running hence the questions.

[rfranklinw1]

KING CRIMSON

[M400fan]

Two classic solos, although Catherine Howard was actually recorded on an M400.