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Memotron

Memotron

2005-05-30 by jonesalley

How about that it's a completely self-contained instrument with an authentic
design and layout, appears to have a decent build quality, seems easy to
load with sounds, has a nice thin profile for keyboard stands, full-sized
keys in the proper range, and the implied ability to create multi-layer and
split combinations for starters? Obviously, sound will be the crucial
element, but I find it difficult to imagine somebody would undertake an
obvious tribute to an instrument that has such unique sonic characteristics
without paying attention to that little detail! Mellotron folks, it's not
too late to build your own - remember what the DX7 did for Yamaha? Imagine
a Mark II version of this thing... how fun, cool, and easy would that be
onstage? Talk about a fantasy instrument - most of the pleasure combined
with portability and low maintenance, not to mention replaceability if the
worst would happen.

Re: [Mellotronists] Memotron

2005-05-31 by Jack Younger

Well...
     The other advantage is the ability to load sounds
from CD as opposed to floppys or other media, as more
information is available on CD format.  Many of the
'better' sounding samples are CD based.  
     Still, you'd have to pry the 'tron from my cold,
dead hands before I'd consider one of these little
toys.  Yet more fixing without previous breakage. 
Keep trying...
-Jack Younger
EMI 103s  "currently using sample CD's as coasters"

--- jonesalley <jonesalley@...> wrote:
> How about that it's a completely self-contained
> instrument with an authentic 
> design and layout, appears to have a decent build
> quality, seems easy to 
> load with sounds, has a nice thin profile for
> keyboard stands, full-sized 
> keys in the proper range, and the implied ability to
> create multi-layer and 
> split combinations for starters?  Obviously, sound
> will be the crucial 
> element, but I find it difficult to imagine somebody
> would undertake an 
> obvious tribute to an instrument that has such
> unique sonic characteristics 
> without paying attention to that little detail! 
> Mellotron folks, it's not 
> too late to build your own - remember what the DX7
> did for Yamaha?  Imagine 
> a Mark II version of this thing... how fun, cool,
> and easy would that be 
> onstage?  Talk about a fantasy instrument - most of
> the pleasure combined 
> with portability and low maintenance, not to mention
> replaceability if the 
> worst would happen.
> 


		
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Memotron

2006-01-26 by charel196

There's some new pics of Manikin Electronics Memotron on their site. I 
think the audio samples sound pretty cool...and I could see this as 
being useful in a live rig for immediate tron sound access, unlike my 
E4K which takes a while to load different banks. They should put two 
of these into a nice mahogany MK2 cabinet with pro sound sytem and efx.

RE: [Mellotronists] Memotron

2006-01-26 by David Jacques

I saw it at NAMM and was NOT impressed...
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of charel196
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 2:34 PM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Memotron

There's some new pics of Manikin Electronics Memotron on their site. I
think the audio samples sound pretty cool...and I could see this as
being useful in a live rig for immediate tron sound access, unlike my
E4K which takes a while to load different banks. They should put two
of these into a nice mahogany MK2 cabinet with pro sound sytem and efx.




Re: [Mellotronists] Memotron

2006-01-26 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/26/2006 6:40:40 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
djacques@... writes:

I saw it at  NAMM and was NOT impressed...


How about a few details? I am really curious.
 
Frank

Re: [Mellotronists] Memotron

2006-01-27 by tronbros@aol.com

It's just another sample replay machine and doesn't emulate a mellotron in  
any way.  Another approximation but now at a higher price!
 
M

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
_www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
www.mellotronics.com

US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ (mailto:JMoore6397) @...
US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@..._ 
(mailto:pjc56@...)

Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by charel196

What does THAT mean? I know it's not the "real thing" but I was 
commenting on it's usefulness in a live touring rig to replace a 
somewhat tempermental machine with tapes that break etc. Treasure 
the real trons...but leave them at home.
 And do I sense some professional jealousy from the tronbros? Yeah, 
it's competition. "Doesn't emulate a tron in any way"? Listen to the 
audio samples on their webpage. You probably would say that my E4K 
and Pinder CD Rom doesn't emulate a tron in any way...or my Emu VK6 
Vintage Synth which does pretty fair tron sounds(with some personal 
programming you get way better than the factory examples)
BY the way- I owned an M400 for 25 years and love the instrument but 
time marches on.(as do my aging back muscles)








--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "David Jacques" 
<djacques@c...> wrote:
>
> I saw it at NAMM and was NOT impressed...
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of charel196
>   Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 2:34 PM
>   To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>   Subject: [Mellotronists] Memotron
> 
> 
>   There's some new pics of Manikin Electronics Memotron on their 
site. I
>   think the audio samples sound pretty cool...and I could see this 
as
>   being useful in a live rig for immediate tron sound access, 
unlike my
>   E4K which takes a while to load different banks. They should put 
two
>   of these into a nice mahogany MK2 cabinet with pro sound sytem 
and efx.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
> --
>   YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> 
>     a..  Visit your group "Mellotronists" on the web.
> 
>     b..  To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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> 
>     c..  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms 
of
> Service.
> 
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> -------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
> --
>

Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by charel196

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, tronbros@a... wrote:
>
> It's just another sample replay machine and doesn't emulate a 
mellotron in  
> any way.  

pardon me but isn't the tron a sample replay machine:)?

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by tronbros@aol.com

In a message dated 27/01/2006 16:33:34 GMT Standard Time,  
charel196@... writes:

It's  just another sample replay machine and doesn't emulate a 
mellotron  in  
> any way.  



Ah, Chuck, don't get so fretful!  The point is that as a  seasoned tron 
owner, you know that mellotrons have hard to define attributes  that means they 
never play the same thing the same way twice.  There are a  lot more elements at 
play and we have spent a long time defining them for our  own edification.  
Unless you model what a mellotron does then a sample  replay instrument is a 
compromise and that's what the Memotron is - a  compromise.  Jealousy really 
doesn't come into it at all!
 
Best,
 
Martin
 

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
_www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
www.mellotronics.com

US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ (mailto:JMoore6397) @...
US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@..._ 
(mailto:pjc56@...)

Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by charel196

Hi Martin  just a bit of light-hearted discussion:) My main point is 
that bands like the Flower Kings,Hackett,IQ, and others who still 
use tron sounds in a live rig might find this instrument useful for 
instant gratification and non-worrying about tech issues(at least 
until we hear how the Memotron holds up on the road)





> Ah, Chuck, don't get so fretful!  The point is that as a  seasoned 
tron 
> owner, you know that mellotrons have hard to define attributes  
that means they 
> never play the same thing the same way twice.  There are a  lot 
more elements at 
> play and we have spent a long time defining them for our  own 
edification.  
> Unless you model what a mellotron does then a sample  replay 
instrument is a 
> compromise and that's what the Memotron is - a  compromise.  
Jealousy really 
> doesn't come into it at all!
>  
> Best,
>  
> Martin
>  
> 
> STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
> _www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
> www.mellotronics.com
> 
> US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ 
(mailto:JMoore6397) @...
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@e..._ 
> (mailto:pjc56@e...)
>

RE: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by David Jacques

I heard the Memotron at Namm.There is something about it that does not say
"mellotron". It does not have that heart! In fact, decent samples run though
an Akai or Motif have much more authenticity than what I heard.

 

On another subject, this morning I was at the LA symphony and I had an
amazing tron flashback. As the strings were swelling during the Shostakovich
13th Babi Yar movement, I flashed back to freezing my ass off at the West
Palm Beach Rock Festival in 1969 and hearing Ian McDonald's Mellotron for
the first time. Damn was that an experience! I had one of those sense
flashbacks where I remembered everything. Not bad for 36 years later.
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of tronbros@...
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 8:56 AM
To: charel196@...; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

 

In a message dated 27/01/2006 16:33:34 GMT Standard Time,
charel196@... writes:

It's just another sample replay machine and doesn't emulate a 
mellotron in  
> any way.  

Ah, Chuck, don't get so fretful!  The point is that as a seasoned tron
owner, you know that mellotrons have hard to define attributes that means
they never play the same thing the same way twice.  There are a lot more
elements at play and we have spent a long time defining them for our own
edification.  Unless you model what a mellotron does then a sample replay
instrument is a compromise and that's what the Memotron is - a compromise.
Jealousy really doesn't come into it at all!

 

Best,

 

Martin

 


STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
www.mellotronics.co.uk <http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/> 
www.mellotronics.com
US East Coast Agent - Jimmy Moore JMoore6397@...
US West Coast Agent - Paul Cox pjc56@...

 

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RE: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by David Jacques

On other thing... The Memotron costs over $2000 USD. You could purchase some
great samples for a lot less than that. 
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of charel196
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 9:22 AM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

 

Hi Martin  just a bit of light-hearted discussion:) My main point is 
that bands like the Flower Kings,Hackett,IQ, and others who still 
use tron sounds in a live rig might find this instrument useful for 
instant gratification and non-worrying about tech issues(at least 
until we hear how the Memotron holds up on the road)





> Ah, Chuck, don't get so fretful!  The point is that as a  seasoned 
tron 
> owner, you know that mellotrons have hard to define attributes  
that means they 
> never play the same thing the same way twice.  There are a  lot 
more elements at 
> play and we have spent a long time defining them for our  own 
edification.  
> Unless you model what a mellotron does then a sample  replay 
instrument is a 
> compromise and that's what the Memotron is - a  compromise.  
Jealousy really 
> doesn't come into it at all!
>  
> Best,
>  
> Martin
>  
> 
> STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
> _www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
> www.mellotronics.com
> 
> US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ 
(mailto:JMoore6397) @...
> US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@e..._ 
> (mailto:pjc56@e...)
>








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<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mellotronists> " on the web.
  

*          To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
 Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe> 
  

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RE: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by jeffc@netaxs.com

On Fri, 27 Jan 2006, David Jacques wrote:

> On another subject, this morning I was at the LA symphony and I had an
> amazing tron flashback. As the strings were swelling during the Shostakovich
> 13th Babi Yar movement, I flashed back to freezing my ass off at the West
> Palm Beach Rock Festival in 1969 and hearing Ian McDonald's Mellotron for
> the first time. Damn was that an experience! I had one of those sense
> flashbacks where I remembered everything. Not bad for 36 years later.


yeah... drugs were so much better back then ;0)
or so i hear...

jeff
who don't do no drugs no more...
heck, i can't even remember the last time i smoked pot.

[Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by jonesalley

Neither can I...          ...uh, what were we talking about?

> heck, i can't even remember the last time i smoked pot.

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-27 by JMoore6397@aol.com

You know, part of the fun of playing live with a real Mellotron is the buzz  
that it creates amongst your audience who are quite excited to see and hear a  
real Mellotron, especially being used live by a band that they the audience 
can  approach and talk about it during breaks. Happens when we play live with 
it  every time. That, a memotron can't replace.
 
                                                                           
Jimmy Moore

RE: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-28 by MAinPsych@aol.com

In an email dated Fri, 27 1 2006 9:18:10 pm GMT, "David Jacques" <djacques@...> writes:

>On other thing... The Memotron costs over $2000 USD. You could >purchase some >great samples for a lot less than that. 

It's also a limited format, i.e., utilizes either only M-Tron sounds/disks or their own apparently proprietary format.  No Pinder CD, etc., for the Memotron.

Frank Samagaio
San Diego
MkII #134 / M400 #908
author, The Mellotron Book

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-28 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/27/2006 11:13:50 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
charel196@... writes:

What  does THAT mean? I know it's not the "real thing" but I was 
commenting on  it's usefulness in a live touring rig to replace a 
somewhat tempermental  machine with tapes that break etc. Treasure 
the real trons...but leave  them at home


Sorry Charles,
 
If I fix your Tron, you can take it anywhere and it will work fine on  stage. 
In my machines, tapes don't break. Anyone who knows me knows that I  road my 
Trons all the time. They're not fragile. I just pack them up good  and off we 
go. When you hear the real thing through a giant PA, you gotta fall  back.
 
Ask Jimmy Moore.
 
Frank

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-28 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/27/2006 12:08:54 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
tronbros@... writes:

Ah, Chuck, don't get so fretful!  The point is that as a seasoned  tron 
owner, you know that mellotrons have hard to define attributes that means  they 
never play the same thing the same way twice.  There are a lot more  elements at 
play and we have spent a long time defining them for our own  edification.  
Unless you model what a mellotron does then a sample replay  instrument is a 
compromise and that's what the Memotron is - a  compromise.  Jealousy really 
doesn't come into it at all!
 
Best,
 
Martin



It's more than that, isn't it? The Memotron is a sample playback of a  sample 
playback machine. Therefore, it can never be better, but it can well be  
worse. You can't record new samples into it. 
 
Fuck it.
 
me

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-28 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/27/2006 5:04:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jeffc@... writes:
yeah... drugs were so much better back then ;0)
or so i hear...
Bullshit!

RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by charel196

Hi guys(& gals?)

I think you all misunderstand my sentiments...hey I LOVED and used 
my M400 live for 25 years and had an Anvil ATA case and was always 
on one end of it when it was moved so I know they can hold up on the 
road, if properly cared for. But in that 25 years I did have several 
tape breakages....and one motor card capacitor blow out. So 
everything is prone to have problems at some point, no matter how 
careful you are.(Recall Pinder's head in his MK2 while the audience 
watched cartoons) Mellotron was always good about sending me new 
tapes or parts by next day service back then-(70s) Actually in those 
days I had more problems on a consistent basis with my Wurlitzer 
electric piano than the tron.
 I think the Memotron people are going for the live rig retro folks 
who use stuff like the B3 replacements(Korg CX-3 for example) or the 
Minimoog Voyager.The cost for the thing is for the development and 
construction I'm sure. Sure...if you wanna drag out the real deal on 
the road be my guest. I'm not too sure how many in the audience will 
know (or appreciate) the difference. I used to have a Hammond too 
but wouldn't dream of hauling one around now.
 I emailed Manikin about compatibility with the Akai format CD rom
(Pinder CD) but no answer yet. I thought they said sounds could be 
loaded from CD rom...in which case you could use many types of 
sounds in the thing.Plus I think the little beast looks cool...but 
I'm sure Martin and Dave Kean are crying ripoff cause it's the 
M400/MK6 control panel design.
 I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell 
anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see 
it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it could be 
a useful tool.                           cheers- Charles

RE: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by David Jacques

So in other words, the $2000 is worth a little white keyboard with inferior samples? Does not make sense to me when you could purchase the Pinder CD with ALL the Mark II samples for $200 and load it into a Motif that also plays all those other great sounds...
Show quoted textHide quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of charel196
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:15 AM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

Hi guys(& gals?)

I think you all misunderstand my sentiments...hey I LOVED and used
my M400 live for 25 years and had an Anvil ATA case and was always
on one end of it when it was moved so I know they can hold up on the
road, if properly cared for. But in that 25 years I did have several
tape breakages....and one motor card capacitor blow out. So
everything is prone to have problems at some point, no matter how
careful you are.(Recall Pinder's head in his MK2 while the audience
watched cartoons) Mellotron was always good about sending me new
tapes or parts by next day service back then-(70s) Actually in those
days I had more problems on a consistent basis with my Wurlitzer
electric piano than the tron.
I think the Memotron people are going for the live rig retro folks
who use stuff like the B3 replacements(Korg CX-3 for example) or the
Minimoog Voyager.The cost for the thing is for the development and
construction I'm sure. Sure...if you wanna drag out the real deal on
the road be my guest. I'm not too sure how many in the audience will
know (or appreciate) the difference. I used to have a Hammond too
but wouldn't dream of hauling one around now.
I emailed Manikin about compatibility with the Akai format CD rom
(Pinder CD) but no answer yet. I thought they said sounds could be
loaded from CD rom...in which case you could use many types of
sounds in the thing.Plus I think the little beast looks cool...but
I'm sure Martin and Dave Kean are crying ripoff cause it's the
M400/MK6 control panel design.
I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell
anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see
it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it could be
a useful tool. cheers- Charles



RE: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by David Jacques

I can only comment on what I heard at NAMM.. Also, the samples on the website are drenched in Reverb. We all know that the classic tron has no reverb and it was applied after the fact... I see no Reverb control on the face panel...
-----Original Message-----
Show quoted textHide quoted text
From: Charles [mailto:charel196@...]
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:29 AM
To: David Jacques
Subject: RE: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

how are the samples inferior? The demos on their site sound good to me- and I already have the Pinder CD for my Emu E4K(plus the VK6)

David Jacques wrote:
So in other words, the $2000 is worth a little white keyboard with inferior samples? Does not make sense to me when you could purchase the Pinder CD with ALL the Mark II samples for $200 and load it into a Motif that also plays all those other great sounds...
-----Original Message-----
From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of charel196
Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:15 AM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

Hi guys(& gals?)

I think you all misunderstand my sentiments...hey I LOVED and used
my M400 live for 25 years and had an Anvil ATA case and was always
on one end of it when it was moved so I know they can hold up on the
road, if properly cared for. But in that 25 years I did have several
tape breakages....and one motor card capacitor blow out. So
everything is prone to have problems at some point, no matter how
careful you are.(Recall Pinder's head in his MK2 while the audience
watched cartoons) Mellotron was always good about sending me new
tapes or parts by next day service back then-(70s) Actually in those
days I had more problems on a consistent basis with my Wurlitzer
electric piano than the tron.
I think the Memotron people are going for the live rig retro folks
who use stuff like the B3 replacements(Korg CX-3 for example) or the
Minimoog Voyager.The cost for the thing is for the development and
construction I'm sure. Sure...if you wanna drag out the real deal on
the road be my guest. I'm not too sure how many in the audience will
know (or appreciate) the difference. I used to have a Hammond too
but wouldn't dream of hauling one around now.
I emailed Manikin about compatibility with the Akai format CD rom
(Pinder CD) but no answer yet. I thought they said sounds could be
loaded from CD rom...in which case you could use many types of
sounds in the thing.Plus I think the little beast looks cool...but
I'm sure Martin and Dave Kean are crying ripoff cause it's the
M400/MK6 control panel design.
I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell
anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see
it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it could be
a useful tool. cheers- Charles




Yahoo! Autos. Looking for a sweet ride? Get pricing, reviews, & more on new and used cars.

Re: Memotron

2006-01-28 by charel196

I'd have to hear it in person myself-opinions all differ.....I have 
the Pinder CD already as I've said and it sounds glorious in my EMU 
E4K but there are some gigs I've done where it would be nice to 
leave the E4K at home(which is why I bought the VK6) 
 I still have an old Emax with my own tron samples in my studio 
which sounds great on recordings so regarding "inferior 
samples"....what exactly is inferior about them? Did they give you 
tech specs of sample rates etc.? The sound files on their site sound 
to me like every note sampled full length. Yeah, they used reverb 
but how many of you never use reverb? You can always turn the reverb 
off:) or was the reverb part of the sample?

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "David Jacques" 
<djacques@c...> wrote:
>
> So in other words, the $2000 is worth a little white keyboard with 
inferior
> samples? Does not make sense to me when you could purchase the 
Pinder CD
> with ALL the Mark II samples for $200 and load it into a Motif 
that also
> plays all those other great sounds...
>   -----Original Message-----
>   From: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of charel196
>   Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2006 8:15 AM
>   To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>   Subject: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron
> 
> 
>   Hi guys(& gals?)
> 
>   I think you all misunderstand my sentiments...hey I LOVED and 
used
>   my M400 live for 25 years and had an Anvil ATA case and was 
always
>   on one end of it when it was moved so I know they can hold up on 
the
>   road, if properly cared for. But in that 25 years I did have 
several
>   tape breakages....and one motor card capacitor blow out. So
>   everything is prone to have problems at some point, no matter how
>   careful you are.(Recall Pinder's head in his MK2 while the 
audience
>   watched cartoons) Mellotron was always good about sending me new
>   tapes or parts by next day service back then-(70s) Actually in 
those
>   days I had more problems on a consistent basis with my Wurlitzer
>   electric piano than the tron.
>   I think the Memotron people are going for the live rig retro 
folks
>   who use stuff like the B3 replacements(Korg CX-3 for example) or 
the
>   Minimoog Voyager.The cost for the thing is for the development 
and
>   construction I'm sure. Sure...if you wanna drag out the real 
deal on
>   the road be my guest. I'm not too sure how many in the audience 
will
>   know (or appreciate) the difference. I used to have a Hammond too
>   but wouldn't dream of hauling one around now.
>   I emailed Manikin about compatibility with the Akai format CD rom
>   (Pinder CD) but no answer yet. I thought they said sounds could 
be
>   loaded from CD rom...in which case you could use many types of
>   sounds in the thing.Plus I think the little beast looks 
cool...but
>   I'm sure Martin and Dave Kean are crying ripoff cause it's the
>   M400/MK6 control panel design.
>   I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell
>   anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see
>   it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it 
could be
>   a useful tool.                           cheers- Charles
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   SPONSORED LINKS Music instruments  Instrument music online 
store  Online
> music instrument store
>         Music instrument stores  Keyboard instrument  Music 
instrument sale
> 
> 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
---------
> --
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> 
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RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by MAinPsych@aol.com

In a message dated 1/28/2006 8:20:13 AM Pacific Standard Time,  
charel196@... writes:

I emailed Manikin about compatibility with the Akai format CD  rom
(Pinder CD) but no answer yet. I thought they said sounds could be  
loaded from CD rom...in which case you could use many types of 
sounds  in the thing.


Apparently, no one read my last posting.  Here is Manikin's  response:\
 
 
In a message dated 1/27/2006 8:44:24 AM Pacific Standard Time,  
support@... writes:

Hi, we support the M-Ttron Tape Banks and our own  Format.
best, Thorsten Feuerherdt
_________________________________
Manikin  Electronic
Elektronische Musikmaschinen aus Berlin
Attilastrasse  87k
Tel.:  +49 30  634949-49
Fax.: +49 30 634949-51
D-12247  Berlin

Re: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by Don Tillman

> From: "charel196" <charel196@...>
   > Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 16:14:51 -0000
   > 
   > hey I LOVED and used my M400 live for 25 years and had an Anvil
   > ATA case and was always on one end of it when it was moved so I
   > know they can hold up on the road, if properly cared for. But in
   > that 25 years I did have several tape breakages....and one motor
   > card capacitor blow out.

And I used to love playing my Stratocaster, but in 25 years there were
*several* string breakages.  So yeah, now I play a sampler with a
cardboard cutout of a Stratocaster duct-taped over it, and that's much
more reliable.  After all, what is rock'n'roll if not reliability,
right?  :-)

   > I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell 
   > anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see 
   > it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it could be 
   > a useful tool.

"Useful tool"?

Okay... They're taking a generic sample-playing keyboard, putting it
in a box that vaguely resembles the targeted musical instrument,
slicing off some of the keys and likewise crippling the sampler's
other capabilities to match the functional limitations of the targeted
musical instrument, and marketing the result that as a modern version
of that instrument.

At a deep philosophical level, don't you think that's... kind'a weird?

  -- Don

-- 
Don Tillman
Palo Alto, California
don@...
http://www.till.com

RE: [Mellotronists] RE: Memotron

2006-01-28 by David Jacques

My point exactly... Why purchase this limited keyboard for 1790 euros (close
to $2100 USD) when you can purchase great samples for $200 and load them
into a very functional Motif ES, Fantom, or Triton for much less... and have
all the other great features of those instruments? Makes no sense...

 My bet is that it is never produced for the market...
Show quoted textHide quoted text
  -----Original Message-----

   Okay... They're taking a generic sample-playing keyboard, putting it
  in a box that vaguely resembles the targeted musical instrument,
  slicing off some of the keys and likewise crippling the sampler's
  other capabilities to match the functional limitations of the targeted
  musical instrument, and marketing the result that as a modern version
  of that instrument.

  At a deep philosophical level, don't you think that's... kind'a weird?

    -- Don

Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by charel196

Gee I go away for a few days and look at the debate! Your 
Stratocaster analogy is off base Don. I was referring to my tron's 
reliability track record as a PLUS actually...for having the 
instrument for 25 years and having as few problems with it as I did 
speaks to the results that proper care of the unit will achieve.
 In my case...at 53 years old....let's say I wanted to re-create for 
whatever reason my keyboard rig of the 70s but with newer, lighter 
weight instruments. I had a Hammond M3,Wurlitzer 
elec.piano,M400,Miminoog,EML 101,Farfisa compact, and Instapiano.:)
  I'd get something like a Korg CX3 for the organs,a Minimoog 
Voyager,a Memotron, and maybe some other analog clone to do the 
EML...and a digital piano with all the Wurly sounds. Yeah my 
samplers could do all of these but changing internal banks etc. 
takes up time on stage. So yeah....the Memotron to ME would be 
useful for the reasons others have mentioned here...I could see Rick 
Wakeman loving this thing.
 I just got an email from Manikin that there are 15 on board effects 
and the ram holds 3 sounds at a time.If you thought there was too 
much reverb on their sound samples just turn the effects off..
 Nearfest...I could see many bands preferring to use this for a show 
over the real thing(Strawbs for example...I heard last year that 
Hawken barely touched the tron provided and used samples mostly)
 Don't get me wrong- I still LOVE the Mellotron.(hey wouldn't a 
Memotron look cool sitting on top of a 400?)



--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, Don Tillman <don@t...> wrote:
>
>    > From: "charel196" <charel196@y...>
>    > Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 16:14:51 -0000
>    > 
>    > hey I LOVED and used my M400 live for 25 years and had an 
Anvil
>    > ATA case and was always on one end of it when it was moved so 
I
>    > know they can hold up on the road, if properly cared for. But 
in
>    > that 25 years I did have several tape breakages....and one 
motor
>    > card capacitor blow out.
> 
> And I used to love playing my Stratocaster, but in 25 years there 
were
> *several* string breakages.  So yeah, now I play a sampler with a
> cardboard cutout of a Stratocaster duct-taped over it, and that's 
much
> more reliable.  After all, what is rock'n'roll if not reliability,
> right?  :-)
> 
>    > I'm not too sure how many of these units they'll sell 
>    > anyway...given the limited niche market. But I am glad to see 
>    > it.Yeah....nothing will 100% duplicate the real deal but it 
could be 
>    > a useful tool.
> 
> "Useful tool"?
> 
> Okay... They're taking a generic sample-playing keyboard, putting 
it
> in a box that vaguely resembles the targeted musical instrument,
> slicing off some of the keys and likewise crippling the sampler's
> other capabilities to match the functional limitations of the 
targeted
> musical instrument, and marketing the result that as a modern 
version
> of that instrument.
> 
> At a deep philosophical level, don't you think that's... kind'a 
weird?
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> 
>   -- Don
> 
> -- 
> Don Tillman
> Palo Alto, California
> don@t...
> http://www.till.com
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/31/2006 12:07:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
charel196@... writes:

I heard  last year that 
Hawken barely touched the Tron provided and used samples  mostly)



Yeah, that's true. It was my Tron. I had to twist his arm for the thirty  
seconds or so that he played it on Hero and Heroine. Otherwise he used Pinder  
samples. But he had been rehearsing with the samples for months and had a far  
greater comfort zone. Plus, he hadn't played a Tron live for thirty years. And  
further, he had rearranged many of his parts and they wouldn't fit into the 
35  note limitation anymore. He would have had to relearn them all over again.
 
Regardless, I agree with your point. And at 53, my age as well, I don't  
necessarily feel like I could haul a B-3 around anymore. I still haul my Tron(s)  
around a fair amount. With the anvil case for one and the bondage cover for 
the  other(s), it works out OK. I sometimes need help getting them in and out of 
my  basement and into and back out of the back of my Expedition, but I always 
have  plenty of help at the venues, unloading, setting up and putting them 
back in the  truck. And it is loads of fun to hear them live through a big sound 
 system.
 
If I was in a working band and had to do this all the time, I'd either buy  a 
van with a handicap lift, or a Memotron or some other sample playback device. 
 More for the logistics than anything else. The Trons have never let me  down.
 
Frank

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by jonesalley

> ...I could see Rick 
> Wakeman loving this thing.

(Thought bubbles over Rick's head:)  "Where do you light the bloody thing?"

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by tronbros@aol.com

In a message dated 31/01/2006 17:06:56 GMT Standard Time,  
charel196@... writes:

...I  could see Rick 
Wakeman loving this thing.



Rick's new album is full of live  M400!
 
Martin
 

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
_www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
www.mellotronics.com

US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ (mailto:JMoore6397) @...
US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@..._ 
(mailto:pjc56@...)

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by jonesalley

WOW, what on earth happened to change his mind????
Show quoted textHide quoted text
Rick's new album is full of live M400!

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/31/2006 2:20:45 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
tronbros@... writes:

Rick's  new album is full of live  M400!


Which album is that?
 
Frank

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by tronbros@aol.com

In a message dated 31/01/2006 20:31:27 GMT Standard Time, LSF5275  writes:

Which  album is that?


RETRO due out soon.  Just mixing at the moment.  We  restored Lee Pomeroy's 
M400 (his bass player ) with an lovely light action and  of course super EMI 
tape and nicely azimuth aligned heads in adjustable collars  (so important!).  
Rick loved it although he'll never admit  
publically!...........................................DUCK
 
Martin

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
_www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/) 
www.mellotronics.com

US East Coast  Agent - Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397_ (mailto:JMoore6397) @...
US West Coast Agent - Paul  Cox _pjc56@..._ 
(mailto:pjc56@...)

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-01-31 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 1/31/2006 5:12:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
tronbros@... writes:

Rick  loved it although he'll never admit  
publically!...........................................DUCK


Yeah? Why is that? Is there some stigma, perhaps? What is he afraid of? I  
can see the comments now:
 
"It has bee reported that Rick Wakeman has used a Mellotron on his new  
recording. What a douche bag."
 
Or, "... careful analysis of the new Wakeman CD indicates that a  'Mellotron' 
may have been used in its recording. Is Wakeman losing it?"
 
Mellotrons... blight or merely a huge pain in the ass? Wakeman wakes the  
dead. News at 11. 
 
me

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-02-01 by chris.dale@primus.ca

The Retro album is also supposed to have all the other older keyboards on it as well - Moogs, Hammonds, Arps, Rhodes, Clavinet etc. - basically a return to the 70's with maybe something sounding like 6 Wives all over again.
;
I think he's realized that people attribute some of his best music to the compositions he created with those old keyboards. He may not want to talk publicly much about the mellotron because he's aware the story of him burning two in field is a well known one, and perhaps been a source of embarassment.
It might be similar to the awkwardness Tony Banks would have if he said he was using mellotron again and didn't mean all the nasty things he said about the MK 2 in interviews.
Chris
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

In a message dated 1/31/2006 5:12:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tronbros@... writes:
Rick loved it although he'll never admit publically!...........................................DUCK
Yeah? Why is that? Is there some stigma, perhaps? What is he afraid of? I can see the comments now:
"It has bee reported that Rick Wakeman has used a Mellotron on his new recording. What a douche bag."
Or, "... careful analysis of the new Wakeman CD indicates that a 'Mellotron' may have been used in its recording. Is Wakeman losing it?"
Mellotrons... blight or merely a huge pain in the ass? Wakeman wakes the dead. News at 11. ;
me

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

2006-02-01 by tony

Who helped produce some of the sweetest Mellotron music I ever heard on vinyl, CD and in person.
Maybe it has something to do with the first name?
Tony
#510
Show quoted textHide quoted text
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 10:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

Tony Banks acts like a cranky old sourpuss.
F him

Wakeman Retro/live gigs...

2006-02-01 by zappaboggs

I know this may be a large assumption, but, do you think he would consider bringing any gear on his upcoming live dates?


chris.dale@... wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
The Retro album is also supposed to have all the other older keyboards on it as well - Moogs, Hammonds, Arps, Rhodes, Clavinet etc. - basically a return to the 70's with maybe something sounding like 6 Wives all over again.
I think he's realized that people attribute some of his best music to the compositions he created with those old keyboards. He may not want to talk publicly much about the mellotron because he's aware the story of him burning two in field is a well known one, and perhaps been a source of embarassment.
It might be similar to the awkwardness Tony Banks would have if he said he was using mellotron again and didn't mean all the nasty things he said about the MK 2 in interviews.
Chris
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Memotron

In a message dated 1/31/2006 5:12:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tronbros@... writes:
Rick loved it although he'll never admit publically!...........................................DUCK
Yeah? Why is that? Is there some stigma, perhaps? What is he afraid of? I can see the comments now:
"It has bee reported that Rick Wakeman has used a Mellotron on his new recording. What a douche bag."
Or, "... careful analysis of the new Wakeman CD indicates that a 'Mellotron' may have been used in its recording. Is Wakeman losing it?"
Mellotrons... blight or merely a huge pain in the ass? Wakeman wakes the dead. News at 11.
me



"We're the leaders of tomorrow."
"Yeah, but it's today."
- Firesign Theatre

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Rick Retro/live gigs...

2006-02-02 by zappaboggs

I know this may be a stupid question, but... what are the chances that Rick may bring some of this gear on the road for the dates scheduled in March?...
(I think I already know the answer...)


tronbros@... wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
In a message dated 31/01/2006 20:31:27 GMT Standard Time, LSF5275 writes:
Which album is that?
RETRO due out soon. Just mixing at the moment. We restored Lee Pomeroy's M400 (his bass player ) with an lovely light action and of course super EMI tape and nicely azimuth aligned heads in adjustable collars (so important!). Rick loved it although he'll never admit publically!...........................................DUCK
Martin

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All things Mellotronic
www.mellotronics.co.uk
www.mellotronics.com
US East Coast Agent - Jimmy Moore JMoore6397@...
US West Coast Agent - Paul Cox pjc56@...



"We're the leaders of tomorrow."
"Yeah, but it's today."
- Firesign Theatre


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Re: Wakeman Retro/live gigs...

2006-02-02 by bradschuman

For those who are aware of my own personal Wakeman experience, all I 
can say is, "*cough!*--*blowjob!!*", and announce that I'm starting a 
new keyboard company called "I Can't Beleive It's Not a Wakemantron!"

Dubiously,
Brad

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