The Mellotron Group

Hi all-
   Ken L. also credits John Bradley with the selector switch fix, and should be mentioned here.  Upon review, the type of noise resulting from the selector is probably lower than the pops you are getting, Mark.
   Static appears to be the issue.  A local ground is good to have.  Martin has a good point that the neutral ground could be miles from your location, and a local earth ground is needed.  Here in the States thieves are stealing whatever copper they can find, including exposed wires they can clip from light poles or houses.  Many local grounds suddenly disappear.  Check 'em.
   Cracked solder joints in the tron's circuits might also be the noise source.  These things can happen after 40 odd years.  Some solder touch-up work may be due.  My power supply needed serious rework.  Are you dangerous with a soldering iron, Mark?
 
  -Bruce D.
 
 

________________________________
 From: tronbros <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> 
Sent: Sunday, June 9, 2013 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Just Curious
  
   
 
Static in mellotrons....

In some parts of the world there are still two pin wall sockets being used. This system is where the neutral is also the ground. This is okay for electrical safety BUT it does not drain static. For that you need a proper ground/earth wire from the main frame of the 'tron to a rod in the earth. Unless you have a true ground, problems will ensue. So the rule of thumb is to have a live, neutral AND earth.

Best,

M
1963 to 2013 - 50 years of mellotrons

mellotronics.com on my iPad



On 9 Jun 2013, at 20:31, Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote:
  
>Thanks Bruce and Fritz, I think it is probably static build up. The Moneypit site is fascinating, almost makes me afraid to switch #1565 on!
>
>
>Mark
>
> 
>
>________________________________
> From: Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com>
>To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> 
>Sent: Monday, 10 June 2013 3:57 AM
>Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Just Curious
>  
>  
>Good point, Fritz.
> 
>Another possibility is an intermittent ground loop through the track selector switch.  Jerry Korb found a way to get rid of this.  See Ken Leonard's Moneypit session here for a description:
>www.kleonard.com/mellotron/vt0206/work.htm
> 
>Scroll down.  The fix is shown in the 3rd item of the "Korb's Mods" box.  Thanks Ken.
>I hope this helps.
>
>  -Bruce D.
>  
>
>________________________________
> From: Fritz Doddy <fdoddy@aol.com>
>To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> 
>Sent: Sunday, June 9, 2013 6:57 AM
>Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Just Curious
>  
>  
>I use to get static electricity pops on my tron. Took it off carpet, no more pops Sorry for the brevity as I am replying from a remote region of iPhonekstan.
>
>
>fritzdoddy
>On Jun 9, 2013, at 4:52 AM, Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>  
>>What's a tape zip? I think it's probably electrical, seems to be in the signal out rather than an acoustic sound. Doesn't matter if I'm playing or not, just has to be turned on. Cannons in pomp and circumstance, now there's a thought.
>>
>>
>>Mark
>>
>> 
>>
>>________________________________
>> From: Mike Dickson <mike.dickson@gmail.com>
>>To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
>>Sent: Sunday, 9 June 2013 6:44 PM
>>Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Just Curious
>>  
>>  
>>Banging on the Mk V spring reverb is how I made the cannon sounds in 'Pomp and Circumstance'. :-)
>>Could it be tape zip?  Sounds more likely.
>>On 8 June 2013 20:47, gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>>  
>>>You dont mean a spring boom do you ?  Anything with a reverb spring at volume can sound a lot like an explosion if shaken, kicked or otherwise disturbed.
>>>On Sat, Jun 8, 2013 at 9:34 AM, Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com> wrote: 
>>> 
>>>>  
>>>>Arthurized !!
>>>> 
>>>>   
>>>> 
>>>>   -Bruce D.
>>>> 
>>>>
>>>> 
>>>> From: tronbros <tronbros@aol.com>
>>>>To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> 
>>>>Sent: Saturday, June 8, 2013 2:28 AM
>>>>Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Just Curious
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>>No idea. Send me a recording and we'll take a listen.....and still have no idea.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Arthur Crap
>>>>1963 to 2013 - 50 years of mellotrons
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>mellotronics.com on my iPad 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>On 8 Jun 2013, at 02:17, Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote: 
>>>>  
>>>>>What causes that sound  my tron makes from time to time? A short clicking sound.   When reverbed it sounds like a small explosion, it seems to occur at random. I know it's not just my tron as I've heard it at the end of one of Woolly's recordings from the BBC. 
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Mark            
>>>
>>>-- 
>>>
>>>Gino Wong Birgelo
>>>BSComm, BSEE, 
>>>ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design
>>>Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics 
>>>
>>>
>>>Ginowong@gmail.com
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>>    
-- Mike Dickson, Edinburgh