Mellotronists

I would like some opinions on this unit as a tron emulator.

I have a Vintage Keys II and some of the ASR-10 samples and like them 
for what they are, but I heard this unit was good too. I haven't gotten 
into the virtual trons, etc.. I prefer hardware synths/samplers myself.

I would be interested if anyone has one for sale too. I think it came 
out in 1996.

I don't think I will find a real one for a price I can afford, plus the 
tech problems involved. However, I DO believe in real vintage 
instruments, but the ones I get running again are Hammonds. Hammond 
techs are easier to find, although mine lives a couple of states away.

I tell all the guys on the Hammond lists, if you think YOU have it bad, 
read the repair posts on Mellotrons and count your blessings! ;-)

I also have an ARP Odyssey that needs some TLC, one dead osc., other 
than that fully functional. I hear Wes Taggart from northern Ohio is a 
good tech, but I don't see him post much on the synth lists anymore and 
do not know if he still does repairs.

Linda

At 08:49 AM 12/19/2003 -0500, Linda Dachtyl wrote:
>I would like some opinions on this unit as a tron emulator.

http://www.kleonard.com/kltunes/tunes.htm - scroll to the bottom of that 
page for an audible comparison.

>I don't think I will find a real one for a price I can afford, plus the
>tech problems involved.

Anyone disagree that Mellotron tech problems are over-hyped, especially 
with the M400?  Get a machine set up properly, and it runs for years---#805 
will outlast all of my synths, I'm sure.  I think the bad reputation is 
largely based on the moanings of performers in the 70s who fell victim to 
the stupid CMC-10 motor controller and then failed to perform any kind of 
maintenance or adjustments on their machines (in addition to banging them 
around on tour).

Replacement parts are available (with more being remanufactured in recent 
years and more coming up as well), and once you know how to keep them 
adjusted, you're set for a while.  Yes, occasionally you'll get a very 
stubborn machine, but eventually things can be worked out (or so I've been 
told ;-) ).

I wouldn't touch a Mark II or M300, though, without a LOT of help, although 
there are folks on this list who work miracles with them.  There are also 
some very competent folks on this list who do some awesome stuff with M400s 
as well.  (I'm not one of those people...I just try to help where I can.)

...kl...
M400 #805 - just a motor, preamp, and a lot of empty space
M400 #1037 - [needs a motor and SMS to fill the empty space...damn bank!]
EMI E4 #103S - [still just visiting, still one of the stubborn ones]

* Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:  http://www.kleonard.com
* Get Outdoors New England:  http://www.GONewEngland.org
 >> Mystery writer Rick Blechta Shoots Straight in the Dark:
 >>   http://www.rickblechta.com/Pages/SSitD.html -> Special Promotion!

Thanks for the audio link.  I listened to it before awhile ago and that 
got me thinking about the Roland.

Linda

On Dec 19, 2003, at 3:54 PM, Ken Leonard wrote:

> At 08:49 AM 12/19/2003 -0500, Linda Dachtyl wrote:
>> I would like some opinions on this unit as a tron emulator.
>
> http://www.kleonard.com/kltunes/tunes.htm - scroll to the bottom of 
> that page for an audible comparison.
>
>> I don't think I will find a real one for a price I can afford, plus 
>> the
>> tech problems involved.
>
> Anyone disagree that Mellotron tech problems are over-hyped, 
> especially with the M400?  Get a machine set up properly, and it runs 
> for years---#805 will outlast all of my synths, I'm sure.  I think the 
> bad reputation is largely based on the moanings of performers in the 
> 70s who fell victim to the stupid CMC-10 motor controller and then 
> failed to perform any kind of maintenance or adjustments on their 
> machines (in addition to banging them around on tour).
>
> Replacement parts are available (with more being remanufactured in 
> recent years and more coming up as well), and once you know how to 
> keep them adjusted, you're set for a while.  Yes, occasionally you'll 
> get a very stubborn machine, but eventually things can be worked out 
> (or so I've been told ;-) ).
>
> I wouldn't touch a Mark II or M300, though, without a LOT of help, 
> although there are folks on this list who work miracles with them.  
> There are also some very competent folks on this list who do some 
> awesome stuff with M400s as well.  (I'm not one of those people...I 
> just try to help where I can.)
>
> ...kl...
> M400 #805 - just a motor, preamp, and a lot of empty space
> M400 #1037 - [needs a motor and SMS to fill the empty space...damn 
> bank!]
> EMI E4 #103S - [still just visiting, still one of the stubborn ones]

At 04:27 PM 12/19/2003 -0500, Linda Dachtyl wrote:
>Thanks for the audio link.  I listened to it before awhile ago and that
>got me thinking about the Roland.

Ahh, OK.  Well, the Roland does some good things by making the sound very 
consistent when compared to the real deal, and it has some nice patches 
with decent attacks---some really nice patches to my ears if you're not 
looking for the exact sampled 'tron sound---as evidenced toward the end of 
my sound snippet.

But, of course, the M-VS1 is very limited on sample memory, so there's a 
lot of pitch stretching, and you can play the 'tron way out of its range (I 
have heard some EM artists do this on recordings---those recordings get 
played once, I hurl, I stop listening).  Even under medium scrutiny, to me 
the M-VS1 doesn't stand up as a good 'tron replacement---use in a pinch and 
stay in the appropriate range if you do use it.  But because so many of the 
M-VS1's other patches are decent (including the ones that use the 'tron 
samples), I don't consider it to be a bad unit, especially if they're going 
cheap on EBay or if you get that particular sample card (Keyboard of the 
60's/70's, I think) for your JV-series synth cheap.  IMHO, of course, and 
I've not compared it to the similar EMU offering of that period or any 
other current offering.

People out here are more likely to go with the Pinder CD or the M-Tron, it 
seems (see the archives---recent discussion on that), to get that 'tronless 
'tron sound.

...kl...
M400 #805 - played more than once
M400 #1037 - [not playable]
EMI E4 #103S - [pitch dropping]

* Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:  http://www.kleonard.com
* Get Outdoors New England:  http://www.GONewEngland.org
 >> Mystery writer Rick Blechta Shoots Straight in the Dark:
 >>   http://www.rickblechta.com/Pages/SSitD.html -> Special Promotion!