M-Tron (Mod) - 8 Voice Choir Example 2

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is not something you can do out-of-the-box with the M-Tron. This is an example of a simple yet tedious modification that can be made to the "Mixed Choir" bank, if you have the time, equipment and software, and inclination. When I first got the M-Tron, I was rather disappointed in the quality of the "Mixed Choir" patch. Not only was the tone dull and muddy, but the attack portion of each note almost invariably included the singers "scooping up" to their notes. I always got the impression that the high soprano was constipated or something. I've never heard this in real Mellotron tapes, so I assume that the set the M-Tron uses is a slightly different cut of the classic 8 Voice Choir than the one I was expecting.

I finally decided to make a SoundFont of the bank, at which point I was able to edit each individual sample by removing the attack portion. I compiled my SoundFont, loaded up a SoundFont host VST in Cubase, and applied my usual EQ and effects. Instant transformation! In every respect, now, it matches the classic sound used on so many recordings.

I apologize for posting an example of something that most will not be able to do, except that the results of my experiment were so good I couldn't resist. I also regret that I am obviously not at liberty to distribute this SoundFont to anybody. Please do not ask.

As for the examples, the first is some dry, chromatic chords (some groups use the 8 Voice Choir like this). If the second sounds familiar, then you're correct indeed: I did this one before, but I wanted to demonstrate the difference the attack portion training has made. The third example is a very affected version of the 8 Voice Choir, in which the attack and release have been lengthened considerably and in which the sound is bathed in hall reverb.

Effects and EQ are as usual; this is merely a mod of the standard "Mixed Choir" bank.

As ever, comments and suggestions are greatly welcomed!

-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
• m400
• voice
• choir
• mixed
• gforce
• vst
• genesis

[075MYCITY]

holy shit, you can make like a sick beat with the choir that starts at 0:29, with the notes you just used, wow

[Squonk06]

@075MYCITY That sequence is from "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" from 'Selling England By The Pound' by Genesis. They also reuse it at the end of the album in "Aisle Of Plenty."

[Grubenpony12]

Is that the Modell after the M 400? Sounds great!

[Squonk06]

Yes. All the chorus sets were introduced with the M400. My aim with this setting was to get as close to the M400 8 Choir sound as possible.

[M400fan]

...which is Tron choir!

[AngelicalOrABeat]

@sok98

you great! I was thinking the exact same thing

[weaponEX]

I didn't know you could do things like that to samples. I must check out this 'sound font' device!

Although you made the sounds much more pleasant and useful, I'm still sold on the original grubby version! I love how vintagey and retro the untamed sound is

[CaptainSiberia]

Fantastic!

[sok98]

awesome! i need to get this vst plug in... this effect sounds exactly like the ones used in Exit Music by Radiohead and 00 Ghost 27 by John Frusciante

[sega62s]

Hi Squonk06,

I would know if I can do the same modification to my Sampletron vst's.

And if so, can you give me a link on the internet so I learn all the ropes.

Thanks,

André