Also, I'd like to make it clear that I have no business connection with Mellotron Archives.
This is not a comprehensive review, as I'm sure you've done some research. So obvious things, like the backlit front panel etc, I'm going to skip over.
I just received my Mellotron M4000D, and I'm thrilled. More than thrilled. Astounded.
The wood keyboard (the same keyboard that is on the new tape Mellotron's tape keyboards, if I understand correctly) feels beautiful and expensive (apparently four prototypes were developed before this design was accepted), and the overall instrument is very well made, with much attention to detail. This does NOT feel like I'm playing some generic controller from one of the big synth manufacturers.
This is one of, I believe, five electronic keyboards that have had polyphonic aftertouch. You can hold a chord, and vary the volume of ANY NOTES within that chord. It provides an impressive level of performance control, and gives that organic pressure-sensitive variation to individual notes, similar to a properly set up tape instrument.
The 100 or so on-board sounds are spectacular, sampled at 24bit/96k, and contain M400, M300, Mk 2, Chamberlin M1, and MusicMaster sounds. There is a card reader, so more sounds can be accessed as they are released by Mellotron Archives. And, from what I understand, since they own the copyrights on not only the classic Mellotron and Chamberlin libraries, but also the optical instruments too (Optigan, Orchestron, etc) I suspect that those sounds will be available at some point.
Two sounds can be combined, using a balance knob on the front panel. There is a "volume meter" in each display to show the balance before you play.
All the knobs feel accurate and of high quality. And there are no buttons, only knobs and metal switches (which I always prefer over plastic).
The half speed switch increases the "scare factor", big time. At half speed, every sound becomes a horror movie soundtrack.
The audio outputs on the back panel are attached to the metal back plate using nuts. So you won't be wiggling the circuit board every time you plug a cable in.
There are some very interesting edit options too. For instance, you can set the "playback start time" within the sample. So if you want the "spit" in the tape/pressure pad attack you can dial it in. You can also set the rewind time. And if you lift off a key, and re-press it immediately, the sound will re-start part way through the "tape", skipping the attack on the recording, just like on a tape keyboard. In addition to the global commands, more detailed editing options are available, such as the ability to modify the volume of individual notes.
Sounds are arranged according to the instrument of origin. So you scroll through M400 sounds, then M300 sounds, etc. But this is customizable. You can easily group sounds according to strings, woodwinds, percussion, etc. Or build custom playlists.
I've talked a lot about features and construction, but it's way more fun to describe the emotional impact that this instrument provides. It arrived while I was at work, so I didn't get to actually play it until around midnight. (Appropriate for #666, I suppose!). Sitting in the dark, with headphones on, playing a combination of Mk2 3 violins and M400 cello B, was a mind blowing experience. I've used sampled Tron before, and while the best of the sample libraries was very good, the M4000D is on an entirely different level. It sounds......right. Clean, dirty, delicate, powerful, all those crazy contradictions that are an essential part of all the great tape keyboards. They got this right.
Markus is great to deal with (prompt in his email communications), and I would confidently buy another instrument from him.
This is a no-compromise instrument, which is apparent in the build quality, playability, and sound. I really haven't found anything to complain about, so this is a 100% favorable review, and I'm extremely happy with my purchase.
Jim Blair
Ape Island Sound
Nanaimo, BC
Canada
At 08:08 AM 2/19/2012, you wrote:
greatings from Greece
i am considering buying a digital mellotron,(i would prefer the analogue M4000 by streetly but it is way too expensive...)
So please share your thoughts M4000D or memotron / memotron rack.
Your opinions will be very usefull,thanks in advance
ps: (i have the software) it is for gigging!!
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 2092/4766 - Release Date: 01/25/12
Internal Virus Database is out of date.