Mellotronists

See what a real Leslie will do to the sound of a clonewheel? Even a VK7 can
sound great!

 

 

From the VDGG website:

 

Hugh <http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/hugh.htm>  Banton was playing a
two keyboard and pedals setup that behaves exactly as though it were an
organ. The keyboards are a Roland VR760 and a Roland VK7, both of which have
'virtual Hammond' generators and organ drawbar control. On stage though
there was more elaborate amplification and volume than on Present
<http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/present.htm> , plus FX pedals. Also a
real Leslie was included at the back, and Hugh's personal sub cabinet.

 

For those who did not get the link for this incredible concert:

 

http://www.fabchannel.com/van_der_graaf_generator

 

Click on "Man-Erg" and listen through headphones... LOUD....

Absolutely!

I missed these gigs and I wish I hadn't, Hugh Banton is one of my biggest 
influences as an organist. The sound he gets from his modern gear is what 
you'd hope for from a 'classic' rig. Especially the bass rumble. What a 
fantastic racket! They're on such good form now, probably better than when 
they were 'lads'. That in itself is inspiring. I hope they do more, it would 
be daft to stop now when they have no difficulty filling nice venues with 
appreciative fans and are producing material that stands up with anything 
they've ever done. Outstanding.

You're right about the effect of a real Leslie on a clone. I used to think 
that a Leslie amounted to 50% of the 'classic' sound- it's more like 80%. I 
ran my Nord Lead through my Leslie 145 and the organ patches came to life. 
Try a Vox organ through one, it's magic.

So why do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then? I never did work 
that out.


>From: "David Jacques" <djacques@...>
>To: <CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com>,"Hammond XK3 Group" 
><Hammond_xk-3@yahoogroups.com>,"Hamplay List" 
><hamplay@...>,"Mellotron List" 
><Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>,<speakeasyvintage@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:11:29 -0700
>
>See what a real Leslie will do to the sound of a clonewheel? Even a VK7 can
>sound great!
>
>
>
>
>
>From the VDGG website:
>
>
>
>Hugh <http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/hugh.htm>  Banton was playing a
>two keyboard and pedals setup that behaves exactly as though it were an
>organ. The keyboards are a Roland VR760 and a Roland VK7, both of which 
>have
>'virtual Hammond' generators and organ drawbar control. On stage though
>there was more elaborate amplification and volume than on Present
><http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/present.htm> , plus FX pedals. Also 
>a
>real Leslie was included at the back, and Hugh's personal sub cabinet.
>
>
>
>For those who did not get the link for this incredible concert:
>
>
>
>http://www.fabchannel.com/van_der_graaf_generator
>
>
>
>Click on "Man-Erg" and listen through headphones... LOUD....
>
>
>


><< winmail.dat >>

_________________________________________________________________
Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile. 
https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/

I don't believe that they ever made it to the States. Their music is just
too elevated for the American taste. All of my friends thought I was crazy
digging on early Van der Graaf Generator albums. Hammill's dark music is
truly frightening on a primal level. Guess most Americans are afraid to
confront this. 

Hugh Banton is brilliant. Everyone is in great form. Although I love the
Piano/organ/drums setup, I just wonder what happened with David Jackson. He
toured with them in 06, but is now gone. Maybe we are all getting too old
for the road...

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Wallis [mailto:markstuartwallis@...] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 8:34 AM
To: djacques@...; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton

Absolutely!

I missed these gigs and I wish I hadn't, Hugh Banton is one of my biggest 
influences as an organist. The sound he gets from his modern gear is what 
you'd hope for from a 'classic' rig. Especially the bass rumble. What a 
fantastic racket! They're on such good form now, probably better than when 
they were 'lads'. That in itself is inspiring. I hope they do more, it would

be daft to stop now when they have no difficulty filling nice venues with 
appreciative fans and are producing material that stands up with anything 
they've ever done. Outstanding.

You're right about the effect of a real Leslie on a clone. I used to think 
that a Leslie amounted to 50% of the 'classic' sound- it's more like 80%. I 
ran my Nord Lead through my Leslie 145 and the organ patches came to life. 
Try a Vox organ through one, it's magic.

So why do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then? I never did work 
that out.


>From: "David Jacques" <djacques@...>
>To: <CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com>,"Hammond XK3 Group" 
><Hammond_xk-3@yahoogroups.com>,"Hamplay List" 
><hamplay@...>,"Mellotron List" 
><Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>,<speakeasyvintage@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:11:29 -0700
>
>See what a real Leslie will do to the sound of a clonewheel? Even a VK7 can
>sound great!
>
>
>
>
>
>From the VDGG website:
>
>
>
>Hugh <http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/hugh.htm>  Banton was playing a
>two keyboard and pedals setup that behaves exactly as though it were an
>organ. The keyboards are a Roland VR760 and a Roland VK7, both of which 
>have
>'virtual Hammond' generators and organ drawbar control. On stage though
>there was more elaborate amplification and volume than on Present
><http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/present.htm> , plus FX pedals. Also 
>a
>real Leslie was included at the back, and Hugh's personal sub cabinet.
>
>
>
>For those who did not get the link for this incredible concert:
>
>
>
>http://www.fabchannel.com/van_der_graaf_generator
>
>
>
>Click on "Man-Erg" and listen through headphones... LOUD....
>
>
>


><< winmail.dat >>

_________________________________________________________________
Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile. 
https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/

By the way... Here are two links to an article explaining Hugh Banton's
early organ rigs.... Very interesting

http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/pawnhearts/hughsorgans1.jpg
http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/pawnhearts/hughsorgans2.jpg

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Wallis [mailto:markstuartwallis@...] 
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 8:34 AM
To: djacques@...; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton

Absolutely!

I missed these gigs and I wish I hadn't, Hugh Banton is one of my biggest 
influences as an organist. The sound he gets from his modern gear is what 
you'd hope for from a 'classic' rig. Especially the bass rumble. What a 
fantastic racket! They're on such good form now, probably better than when 
they were 'lads'. That in itself is inspiring. I hope they do more, it would

be daft to stop now when they have no difficulty filling nice venues with 
appreciative fans and are producing material that stands up with anything 
they've ever done. Outstanding.

You're right about the effect of a real Leslie on a clone. I used to think 
that a Leslie amounted to 50% of the 'classic' sound- it's more like 80%. I 
ran my Nord Lead through my Leslie 145 and the organ patches came to life. 
Try a Vox organ through one, it's magic.

So why do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then? I never did work 
that out.


>From: "David Jacques" <djacques@...>
>To: <CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com>,"Hammond XK3 Group" 
><Hammond_xk-3@yahoogroups.com>,"Hamplay List" 
><hamplay@...>,"Mellotron List" 
><Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>,<speakeasyvintage@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton
>Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:11:29 -0700
>
>See what a real Leslie will do to the sound of a clonewheel? Even a VK7 can
>sound great!
>
>
>
>
>
>From the VDGG website:
>
>
>
>Hugh <http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/hugh.htm>  Banton was playing a
>two keyboard and pedals setup that behaves exactly as though it were an
>organ. The keyboards are a Roland VR760 and a Roland VK7, both of which 
>have
>'virtual Hammond' generators and organ drawbar control. On stage though
>there was more elaborate amplification and volume than on Present
><http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/present.htm> , plus FX pedals. Also 
>a
>real Leslie was included at the back, and Hugh's personal sub cabinet.
>
>
>
>For those who did not get the link for this incredible concert:
>
>
>
>http://www.fabchannel.com/van_der_graaf_generator
>
>
>
>Click on "Man-Erg" and listen through headphones... LOUD....
>
>
>


><< winmail.dat >>

_________________________________________________________________
Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile. 
https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/

In the 70's I played with a band and we played a Vox Continental thru 
a leslie. Thought we were the only ones that would do that...but I 
guess not. The old sound of that "Paul Revere" Vox thru the Leslie 
was very cool.
Lee




--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Wallis" 
<markstuartwallis@...> wrote:
>
> Absolutely!
> 
> I missed these gigs and I wish I hadn't, Hugh Banton is one of my 
biggest 
> influences as an organist. The sound he gets from his modern gear 
is what 
> you'd hope for from a 'classic' rig. Especially the bass rumble. 
What a 
> fantastic racket! They're on such good form now, probably better 
than when 
> they were 'lads'. That in itself is inspiring. I hope they do more, 
it would 
> be daft to stop now when they have no difficulty filling nice 
venues with 
> appreciative fans and are producing material that stands up with 
anything 
> they've ever done. Outstanding.
> 
> You're right about the effect of a real Leslie on a clone. I used 
to think 
> that a Leslie amounted to 50% of the 'classic' sound- it's more 
like 80%. I 
> ran my Nord Lead through my Leslie 145 and the organ patches came 
to life. 
> Try a Vox organ through one, it's magic.
> 
> So why do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then? I never 
did work 
> that out.
> 
> 
> >From: "David Jacques" <djacques@...>
> >To: <CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com>,"Hammond XK3 Group" 
> ><Hammond_xk-3@yahoogroups.com>,"Hamplay List" 
> ><hamplay@...>,"Mellotron List" 
> ><Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>,<speakeasyvintage@yahoogroups.com>
> >Subject: [Mellotronists] Hugh Banton
> >Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:11:29 -0700
> >
> >See what a real Leslie will do to the sound of a clonewheel? Even 
a VK7 can
> >sound great!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >From the VDGG website:
> >
> >
> >
> >Hugh <http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/hugh.htm>  Banton was 
playing a
> >two keyboard and pedals setup that behaves exactly as though it 
were an
> >organ. The keyboards are a Roland VR760 and a Roland VK7, both of 
which 
> >have
> >'virtual Hammond' generators and organ drawbar control. On stage 
though
> >there was more elaborate amplification and volume than on Present
> ><http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/present.htm> , plus FX 
pedals. Also 
> >a
> >real Leslie was included at the back, and Hugh's personal sub 
cabinet.

> >
> >
> >
> >For those who did not get the link for this incredible concert:
> >
> >
> >
> >http://www.fabchannel.com/van_der_graaf_generator
> >
> >
> >
> >Click on "Man-Erg" and listen through headphones... LOUD....
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 
> ><< winmail.dat >>
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> Txt a lot? Get Messenger FREE on your mobile. 
> https://livemessenger.mobile.uk.msn.com/
>

In a message dated 26/06/2007 16:44:10 GMT Standard Time,  
markstuartwallis@... writes:

So why  do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then?


Too complex a sound perhaps...
 
Norm

Just look who’s President. He was not elected by accident

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Wallis"
<markstuartwallis@...> wrote:
>

> 
> So why do Mellotrons always sound crap through them then? I never
did work 
> that out.
> 

Nor I...but I suspect it's probably got a lot to do with what Norm
says - too complex a sound - but it also seems to depend on what
combination of sound and Leslie setting you use. 

Something like MkII Brass with slow Leslie can sound rather luscious
if used sparingly (to my ears at least, but then I've always been a
bit partial to the odd psychedelic swirl here and there!), but the
combination of 3 Violins and fast Leslie sounds just plain nasty - a
classic case of 'gilding the lily' if ever there was one!

Tony S
M400S #581

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Swettenham" <tonkev66@...>
wrote:

> Something like MkII Brass with slow Leslie can sound rather luscious
> if used sparingly (to my ears at least, but then I've always been a
> bit partial to the odd psychedelic swirl here and there!)

I agree, but leave out the *sparingly*.  John Evan made some great
Leslie sounds on Benefit.  (clean / thick).  Goldie McJohn on Born To
Be Wild (dirty overdriven bass rotor).

MKII Brass (half speed?) with gobs of Goldie's Leslie processing. 
That would have to be great...Wouldn't it?

Clay

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "ceccles_ca" <ecclesreinson@...>
wrote:
>
> 
> I agree, but leave out the *sparingly*.  John Evan made some great
> Leslie sounds on Benefit.  (clean / thick). 

Indeed he did - he also made some gorgeous grinding Hammond/Leslie
sounds on tracks like "From Later" (which was one of the tracks on the
"Life Is A Long Song" maxi-single here in the UK). Not a million miles
from the sound Gary Wright often coaxed out of his Hammond/Leslie with
early Spooky Tooth.

> Goldie McJohn on Born To
> Be Wild (dirty overdriven bass rotor).

I've still got a soft spot for that - must admit I'm not keen on the
song because I've heard it done to death but I love that
Hammond/Leslie on the original!

While we're on the subject, one of my other favourite Hammond/Leslie
appearances is on the theme from the 70s kids' programme "Magpie"
(done by a late 60s Spencer Davis Group, apparently) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLy9BJdQIXE

> 
> MKII Brass (half speed?) with gobs of Goldie's Leslie processing. 
> That would have to be great...Wouldn't it?
> 

Actually that would work for me :) .


Tony
M400S #581

I had a chance to play with a Motion Sound pro-3x amp.  It has a real
rotary horn (above 800 Hz) and a bass rotor simulator mix.  Good dual
rotor sound, nice size and price too.  (6.5"H  20"W  16.5"D  27lbs, $700)

http://www.motion-sound.com/rotary_amps.htm

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "ceccles_ca" <ecclesreinson@...> 
wrote:
>
> I had a chance to play with a Motion Sound pro-3x amp.  It has a real
> rotary horn (above 800 Hz) and a bass rotor simulator mix.  Good dual
> rotor sound, nice size and price too.  (6.5"H  20"W  16.5"D  27lbs, 
$700)
> 
> http://www.motion-sound.com/rotary_amps.htm
>

Motion Sound makes good stuff, and very portable too. I have a Pro-
145. It has more kick than a Leslie 145 and I can carry it myself. 
John Fisher, the owner, is also a great guy. He'll personally take 
your phone call if you have questions. Hmm...sounds familiar.

Bernie

I still have mine and agree with the assesment below.
Pete

ceccles_ca wrote:

> I had a chance to play with a Motion Sound pro-3x amp.  It has a real
> rotary horn (above 800 Hz) and a bass rotor simulator mix.  Good dual
> rotor sound, nice size and price too.  (6.5"H  20"W  16.5"D  27lbs, $700)
>
> http://www.motion-sound.com/rotary_amps.htm
>

15:20 GMT - Kasabian are on stage and the 'tron can be seen and clearly heard cutting through the mix, even on TV.

Hi

I also watched LIVE EARTH. 
KASABIAN might not use Mellotron. 
Perhaps, I think that it is handmade Mellotron Style MIDI Controller. 
http://www.geocities.jp/mellotronics/videoy.html#30
------------------------------------------------------------
Hirofumi Takamiya

Tokyo Mellotron Studio
http://www.geocities.jp/mellotronics/
------------------------------------------------------------

15:20 GMT - Kasabian are on stage and the 'tron can be seen and
clearly heard cutting through the mix, even on TV.

It looked like an M400, but too wide and the keyboard had a lot more
than 35 keys.  It is probably a FAKE-O-TRON midi controller / sampler
with M-Tron.

Hmm... I didn't see this but I happen to know some guys who tech'ed for 
Razorlight for a while. They used a Mellotron briefly for one song but 
switched to a mockup with midi controller fairly swiftly.

Samples? Fine, I understand. Pretend Mellotrons? Get a life. You've got 
knowledgeable techs, you might as well carry the real thing around. If I can 
drag mine around in a VW hatchback unassisted then the indulged princelings 
of rock have no excuse. I blame the parents. Bring Back National Service, 
etc..

Rah Rah Rah,

MSW/151

p.s. my Leslie 700 and Washburn Woodstock 12-string for sale on Ebay NOW!! 
;-)

>From: "ceccles_ca" <ecclesreinson@...>
>To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Mellotron on stage at Live Earth in London, 
>right now....
>Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:46:29 -0000
>
>15:20 GMT - Kasabian are on stage and the 'tron can be seen and
>clearly heard cutting through the mix, even on TV.
>
>It looked like an M400, but too wide and the keyboard had a lot more
>than 35 keys.  It is probably a FAKE-O-TRON midi controller / sampler
>with M-Tron.
>

_________________________________________________________________
Watch all 9 Live Earth concerts live on MSN.  http://liveearth.uk.msn.com

On 8 Jul 2007, at 12:17, Mark Wallis wrote:
>
>  Rah Rah Rah,
>

Did the Rah Band have one too then?

Cx

http://www.s-club.co.uk
        Sundae Club*
         PO Box 862
         Cheltenham
           GL52 2XT

I'll have you know, Sir, that I consider 'Clouds Across The Moon' a 
masterpiece.

;-)


>From: Colin Crawford <g-colin.crawford@...>
>To: "Mark Wallis" <markstuartwallis@...>
>CC: ecclesreinson@..., Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Mellotron on stage at Live Earth in 
>London, right now....
>Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:28:53 +0100
>
>
>On 8 Jul 2007, at 12:17, Mark Wallis wrote:
>>
>>  Rah Rah Rah,
>>
>
>Did the Rah Band have one too then?
>
>Cx
>
>http://www.s-club.co.uk
>        Sundae Club*
>         PO Box 862
>         Cheltenham
>           GL52 2XT

_________________________________________________________________
Win tickets to the sold out Live Earth concert!  http://liveearth.uk.msn.com

On 10 Jul 2007, at 11:44, Mark Wallis wrote:

> I'll have you know, Sir, that I consider 'Clouds Across The Moon' a
>  masterpiece.
>
>  ;-)

Me too!

Certainly no worse than ELO's "Time" album, and in a similar vein!

Cx



http://www.s-club.co.uk
        Sundae Club*
         PO Box 862
         Cheltenham
           GL52 2XT