The Mellotron Group

I have a couple.
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 7/3/2015 1:25:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 
 
 
Hi there...

I'm looking for a working CMC10 Motor
to replace my  new SMS3 motor in my M400.

Can anyone help me with this?
It must be  fully operational.

For any questions, let me  know.

Greetings,
Ray

The power supply will have to be rewired to accommodate a switch to the CMC 
 10, Including the addition of a couple of rectifiers and perhaps a couple 
or  three large capacitors. Also, depending on when and by whom the SMS was  
installed (during production or afterward), there may be some other mods 
that  would have to be removed. In no way is it going to be a simple switch 
over. It  also is unlikely that being able to switch between the two will be 
possible. Oh,  and you will also need to swap out the 50k pitch pot for a 1k 
unit. If  you want to make your M400 a bit closer to the CMC 10 version, 
just loosen the  capstan drive belt a bit so that under a load it will slip a 
bit. That way, when  you play more than a few notes simultaneously, the 
machine will run flat on  you.
 
Frank (officially retired from actually doing any real work on them other  
than my own)
 
 
In a message dated 7/3/2015 2:00:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 
 
 
There'll probably be some questionmarks why anyone ever wants to have their 
 SMS3 motor replaced by the apparently cursed CMC10 Motor.
Well, you could  have a listen to old recordings from the 70's... My most 
favorite records from  that era had a distinct other (worldly) sound than the 
sound coming from  M400's with a new stable motor...

Yes, the old CMC10 was unstable and  sometimes even false. Detuning was 
terrible, IF you didn't want that.
But  what if you DO want that? ;-)
In my view, the old M400 was just a too  fragile instrument for the Rock 
and Roll demands of most musicians from that  time period. But have a listen 
to Early Tangerine Dream or Edgar Froese and  you'll know that this detuned 
sound is a direct outcome of the unstability of  the old CMC10.

Therefor, I'm looking for one in fairly good  condition.
Perhaps to have the SMS3 fully replaced;
Or to have both  motors, but to alter between using both of them with a 
switch of some  kind.

Hoping to hear for anyone with a CMC10  ;-)

Thanx,
Ray

Ah yes, I remember making those power supply mods to my #1485 when they came available.  Not "hard," per se, but involved, to be sure, and well worth it. I liked the improvement myself, as did about everyone, I guess, but Frank, your suggestion to just loosen the belt a bit is brilliant! And so easily reversible! Instant "retro!" 

Happy 4th, everyone!
Cheers & beers to ya all!Berington Berington Van Campen 
Van Campen Productions / V.C.MusiCorp Scoring Services / Sessions
VCMusiCorp1@yahoo.com 
The BEATUNES - Beatles Tribute Band
www.TheBeatunes.com 
(626) 458-4474 - Home/Office
www.facebook.com/berington

Hi, 
many thanks for all replies.I've been out of town for some time, so didn't see all these helpful words.
It sounds it will not be so easy to have the motor replaced... I'm not technical at all and fear I can't let just any technician fumble with my precious Tron unless (s)he's really specialized in it.Perhaps it's more wise to go for a tron with still the original motor in it? If one can still find any... So many have been altered. Wouldn't surprise me they are quite scarce now.
Frank: thanks for the info's. Also the belt may well do the trick. I'll try it for sure and let you know.I've also experimented a bit by re-editing recordings. Recording it on an old Revox will already make it sound better. I could even manually adjust the pitch by a fine tune knob on my Revox B77 mkII. Although this is an eleborate work...
Raymond
 


     On Saturday, July 4, 2015 10:34 PM, "gino wong wonggster@gmail.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
   

     I'm not sure if you will get the results of a loop mellotron's response and mechanics on standard unitI have gotten what I think you may looking for in terms of sound with a Strymon Timeline,I use a suite of Timeline, Mobius and Bigsky. and I have little trouble zeroing in on some iconic sounds.
gino


On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 1:01 PM, Berington Van Campen vcmusicorp1@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

     Ah yes, I remember making those power supply mods to my #1485 when they came available.  Not "hard," per se, but involved, to be sure, and well worth it. I liked the improvement myself, as did about everyone, I guess, but Frank, your suggestion to just loosen the belt a bit is brilliant! And so easily reversible! Instant "retro!" 

Happy 4th, everyone!
Cheers & beers to ya all!Berington Berington Van Campen 
Van Campen Productions / V.C.MusiCorp Scoring Services / Sessions
VCMusiCorp1@yahoo.com 
The BEATUNES - Beatles Tribute Band
www.TheBeatunes.com 
(626) 458-4474 - Home/Office
www.facebook.com/berington   



-- 
Gino Wong Birgelo  BSComm, BSEE, PhP

ReRed Recording
Girard Hall Studios (ReRed Treehouse)527 W. 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Frank,just an idea, is it maybe possible to have these belts in a slightly bigger size so that it will slip by itself? Or do they come in standard size?
I've taken a look at the capstan (which I assume is the smaller rotating cylinder below, pls see picture). Do I loosen it by adjusting the screws in the holes (as seen in the picture) of this cylinder?
Raymond
 


     On Friday, July 17, 2015 11:18 AM, "Snap Pie snappiew@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
   

     Hi, 
many thanks for all replies.I've been out of town for some time, so didn't see all these helpful words.
It sounds it will not be so easy to have the motor replaced... I'm not technical at all and fear I can't let just any technician fumble with my precious Tron unless (s)he's really specialized in it.Perhaps it's more wise to go for a tron with still the original motor in it? If one can still find any... So many have been altered. Wouldn't surprise me they are quite scarce now.
Frank: thanks for the info's. Also the belt may well do the trick. I'll try it for sure and let you know.I've also experimented a bit by re-editing recordings. Recording it on an old Revox will already make it sound better. I could even manually adjust the pitch by a fine tune knob on my Revox B77 mkII. Although this is an eleborate work...
Raymond
 


     On Saturday, July 4, 2015 10:34 PM, "gino wong wonggster@gmail.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
   

     I'm not sure if you will get the results of a loop mellotron's response and mechanics on standard unitI have gotten what I think you may looking for in terms of sound with a Strymon Timeline,I use a suite of Timeline, Mobius and Bigsky. and I have little trouble zeroing in on some iconic sounds.
gino


On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 1:01 PM, Berington Van Campen vcmusicorp1@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

     Ah yes, I remember making those power supply mods to my #1485 when they came available.  Not "hard," per se, but involved, to be sure, and well worth it. I liked the improvement myself, as did about everyone, I guess, but Frank, your suggestion to just loosen the belt a bit is brilliant! And so easily reversible! Instant "retro!" 

Happy 4th, everyone!
Cheers & beers to ya all!Berington Berington Van Campen 
Van Campen Productions / V.C.MusiCorp Scoring Services / Sessions
VCMusiCorp1@yahoo.com 
The BEATUNES - Beatles Tribute Band
www.TheBeatunes.com 
(626) 458-4474 - Home/Office
www.facebook.com/berington   



-- 
Gino Wong Birgelo  BSComm, BSEE, PhP

ReRed Recording
Girard Hall Studios (ReRed Treehouse)527 W. Girard Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19123 USA   215 717 7059