The Mellotron Group

Knowing how much you all love country music I thought
I would share these thoughts with you. The other day
my ipod decided it was about time I heard Bobby
Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe, I hadn't much noticed much
before but it has a quite simple string accompniment
with some nice slides. I know at least some of you are
probably old enough to remember this song.

Anyway my thoughts are:

1) Could you play the string part on a tron with all
the slides?
2) Would it sound better or worse?
3) What string parts on well known songs would sound
better on a tron?

some more examples

Ride a white swan by T-rex ( another group favourite I
would expect)
Need your love so bad Fleetwood Mac, obviously not the
original Little Willie John version.

Mark

PS is the correct term for slides on a tron pitch dives?


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I believe glide is what's accepted, although glide, slide, who cares, we all 
know what you mean.
 
I pulled up OTBJ on YouTube and gave a listen through headphones.  It depends 
. . . if you want to play it live it appears doable, but you'll have to omit 
any cello/double bass part because 1) it remains constant in pitch while the 
upper strings simultaneously have the upward glide, and 2) you don't have 
enough hands to play lower strings on a different keyboard and still play upper 
strings and use the pitch control at the same time!!!  If you're thinking of 
recording it, then the obvious answer is . . . use 2 tracks!  I think a Mellotron 
could do the song right, but what do I know?  Good luck with that descending 
run at the end of the song.
 
Frank Samagaio
 
In a message dated 11/20/2007 1:30:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Knowing how much you all love country music I thought
I would share these thoughts with you. The other day
my ipod decided it was about time I heard Bobby
Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe, I hadn't much noticed much
before but it has a quite simple string accompniment
with some nice slides. I know at least some of you are
probably old enough to remember this song.

Anyway my thoughts are:

1) Could you play the string part on a tron with all
the slides?
2) Would it sound better or worse?
3) What string parts on well known songs would sound
better on a tron?

some more examples

Ride a white swan by T-rex ( another group favourite I
would expect)
Need your love so bad Fleetwood Mac, obviously not the
original Little Willie John version.

Mark

PS is the correct term for slides on a tron pitch dives?





************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

Alas still tronless, if anybody knows how to do glides
in m-tron please let me know.

And just a little bit off topic, does anybody know
exactly what is going on in the song, I've never been
quite sure

Mark
--- MAinPsych@aol.com wrote:

>  
> I believe glide is what's accepted, although glide,
> slide, who cares, we all 
> know what you mean.
>  
> I pulled up OTBJ on YouTube and gave a listen
> through headphones.  It depends 
> . . . if you want to play it live it appears doable,
> but you'll have to omit 
> any cello/double bass part because 1) it remains
> constant in pitch while the 
> upper strings simultaneously have the upward glide,
> and 2) you don't have 
> enough hands to play lower strings on a different
> keyboard and still play upper 
> strings and use the pitch control at the same
> time!!!  If you're thinking of 
> recording it, then the obvious answer is . . . use 2
> tracks!  I think a Mellotron 
> could do the song right, but what do I know?  Good
> luck with that descending 
> run at the end of the song.
>  
> Frank Samagaio
>  
> In a message dated 11/20/2007 1:30:23 AM Eastern
> Standard Time, 
> markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:
> 
> Knowing how much you all love country music I
> thought
> I would share these thoughts with you. The other day
> my ipod decided it was about time I heard Bobby
> Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe, I hadn't much noticed
> much
> before but it has a quite simple string accompniment
> with some nice slides. I know at least some of you
> are
> probably old enough to remember this song.
> 
> Anyway my thoughts are:
> 
> 1) Could you play the string part on a tron with all
> the slides?
> 2) Would it sound better or worse?
> 3) What string parts on well known songs would sound
> better on a tron?
> 
> some more examples
> 
> Ride a white swan by T-rex ( another group favourite
> I
> would expect)
> Need your love so bad Fleetwood Mac, obviously not
> the
> original Little Willie John version.
> 
> Mark
> 
> PS is the correct term for slides on a tron pitch
> dives?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ************************************** See what's
> new at http://www.aol.com
> 



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
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--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, Rick Blechta <rick@...> wrote:
>
> 
> On Nov 20, 2007, at 1:30 AM, Mark Pring wrote:
> 
> > PS is the correct term for slides on a tron pitch dives?
> 
> Mark, sliding between two notes (or more) is correctly called  
> portamento. Only singers and string instruments (especially the bowed 
ones) can really do this.

A Trombone can do portamento fairly well can't it?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "ceccles_ca" <ecclesreinson@...> wrote:
>
> A Trombone can do portamento fairly well can't it?

You're right. That is the exception in the wind section (as well as for the slide trumpet, an 
instrument of no repute whatsoever. People like Martinge and Dickson would be attracted to 
slide trumpets). I try not to think about trombones (and the musicians who play them), so it 
completely slipped my mind in my original answer. 

So there it is: trombones, alone in the wind section, can play a true portamento.

Q: A trombone player and a snake are found squashed on a highway. What is the difference 
between them?

A: The snake was far more likely to have been on his way to a gig.

Rick

In a message dated 11/20/2007 1:30:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Anyway  my thoughts are:

1) Could you play the string part on a tron with  all
the slides?
2) Would it sound better or worse?
3) What string  parts on well known songs would sound
better on a tron?

some more  examples

Ride a white swan by T-rex ( another group favourite  I
would expect)
Need your love so bad Fleetwood Mac, obviously not  the
original Little Willie John version.

Mark

PS is the  correct term for slides on a tron pitch dives?



I recently saw a short video that Mattias did of a Mellotron playing  
Chamberlin (Pedal) Steel Guitar. The pitch knob was very effective in adding to  the 
realism of the sound. So I think pitch sweeping is the more accurate  term.



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

In a message dated 11/20/2007 4:01:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Alas  still tronless, if anybody knows how to do glides
in m-tron please let me  know.

And just a little bit off topic, does anybody know
exactly  what is going on in the song, I've never been
quite  sure

Mark



Mark,
 
I can hook you up with a Tron.
 
Frank



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products.
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Money is the main problem, I am hoping to get a real
tron in 3-4 years hopefully. So meanwhile if anyone
knows how to make m-tron produce a sound like Woolly's
M300 on BJH live I would be grateful. Actually advice
on how to make an M400 or M4000 make that sound would
be welcome. When I had a go on an M4000 the strings
didn't sound that like it. I certainly hope I don't
have to get an M300! ( Well of course I would love one
and if that was the only sound it made, I would be
happy)

Mark
--- lsf5275@aol.com wrote:
> Mark,
>  
> I can hook you up with a Tron.
>  
> Frank
> 
> 
> 
> **************************************Check out
> AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
> products.
>
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
> 



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
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Text or chat with friends inside Yahoo! Mail. See how.  http://overview.mail.yahoo.com/

In a message dated 11/20/2007 9:29:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Money  is the main problem, I am hoping to get a real
tron in 3-4 years hopefully.  So meanwhile if anyone
knows how to make m-tron produce a sound like  Woolly's
M300 on BJH live I would be grateful. Actually advice
on how to  make an M400 or M4000 make that sound would
be welcome. When I had a go on  an M4000 the strings
didn't sound that like it. I certainly hope I  don't
have to get an M300! ( Well of course I would love one
and if that  was the only sound it made, I would  be
happy)

Mark



Mark,
 
fork over 200 bucks and buy the Pinder CD-ROM from mellotron.com. They are  
the best samples around and I'm sure M300 Strings are  there.



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.
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--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
>  
> In a message dated 11/20/2007 9:29:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> markpringnz@... writes:
> 
> Money  is the main problem, I am hoping to get a real
> tron in 3-4 years hopefully.  So meanwhile if anyone
> knows how to make m-tron produce a sound like  Woolly's
> M300 on BJH live I would be grateful. Actually advice
> on how to  make an M400 or M4000 make that sound would
> be welcome. When I had a go on  an M4000 the strings
> didn't sound that like it. I certainly hope I  don't
> have to get an M300! ( Well of course I would love one
> and if that  was the only sound it made, I would  be
> happy)
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> Mark,
>  
> fork over 200 bucks and buy the Pinder CD-ROM from mellotron.com. 
They are  
> the best samples around and I'm sure M300 Strings are  there.
> 

The M300 Strings on the Pinder CD are mislabeled. They aren't the 
M300A 2 Violins and M300B Solo Violin, but M300 Cello and M300 Viola 
(at least that's what the samples are labeled and that's what 
they sound like). The M-Tron has 2 versions each of the M300A and 
M300B. One set sounds better than the other and they both sound 
similar to the M300A and M300B I have on a Streetly tape frame.

Bernie

In a message dated 11/20/2007 10:11:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
kornowicz@cox.net writes:

 
 
 
--- In _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ,  lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 11/20/2007  9:29:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
> markpringnz@ markpringnz@<W
> 
> Money is the main problem, I am hoping to get a  real
> tron in 3-4 years hopefully. So meanwhile if anyone
> knows  how to make m-tron produce a sound like Woolly's
> M300 on BJH live I  would be grateful. Actually advice
> on how to make an M400 or M4000  make that sound would
> be welcome. When I had a go on an M4000 the  strings
> didn't sound that like it. I certainly hope I don't
>  have to get an M300! ( Well of course I would love one
> and if that was  the only sound it made, I would be
> happy)
> 
>  Mark
> 
> 
> 
> Mark,
> 
> fork over 200  bucks and buy the Pinder CD-ROM from mellotron.com. 
They are 
> the  best samples around and I'm sure M300 Strings are there.
> 

The  M300 Strings on the Pinder CD are mislabeled. They aren't the 
M300A 2  Violins and M300B Solo Violin, but M300 Cello and M300 Viola 
(at least  that's what the samples are labeled and that's what 
they sound like). The  M-Tron has 2 versions each of the M300A and 
M300B. One set sounds better  than the other and they both sound 
similar to the M300A and M300B I have  on a Streetly tape  frame.







I actually have the M-Tron samples. I'll sell them to anyone who  wants them 
for $60.00. Never used.
 
 
Frank (2)



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products.
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In a message dated 11/20/2007 9:29:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Money is the main problem, I am hoping to get a real
tron in 3-4 years hopefully. So meanwhile if anyone
knows how to make m-tron produce a sound like Woolly's
M300 on BJH live I would be grateful. Actually advice
on how to make an M400 or M4000 make that sound would
be welcome. When I had a go on an M4000 the strings
didn't sound that like it. I certainly hope I don't
have to get an M300! ( Well of course I would love one
and if that was the only sound it made, I would be
happy)

Mark

Well, Wooly's main string sound was the M300A strings which is currently in 
his 400, unless Martin knows differently.
 
Frank 1



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.
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In a message dated 11/20/2007 9:34:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
lsf5275@aol.com writes:

Mark,
 
fork over 200 bucks and buy the Pinder CD-ROM from mellotron.com. They are 
the best samples around and I'm sure M300 Strings are there.


I have the Pinder CD-ROM and the M300 strings are bizarre in that roughly the 
first 24 or so notes are M300A strings, then it shifts down an octave on the 
next note and starts with M300B strings.
 
Frank 1



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products.
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In a message dated 11/20/2007 10:11:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
kornowicz@cox.net writes:

The M300 Strings on the Pinder CD are mislabeled. They aren't the 
M300A 2 Violins and M300B Solo Violin, but M300 Cello and M300 Viola 
(at least that's what the samples are labeled and that's what 
they sound like). 

Thanks, Bernie.  It does make for some interesting voicings, as I discovered 
the one time I used it.
 
Frank 1



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products.
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In a message dated 11/20/2007 10:20:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
rick@rickblechta.com writes:

We are such losers! Most people would say, "I can hook you up with a hot 
babe." Not us. Noooo...


Rick


WANTED: Hot babe with mellotron
 
Frank 1



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--- MAinPsych@aol.com wrote:
I think you are probably right but I think they sound
pretty awful now at least on the Maestoso live album
"Fiddling Meanly" and they don't sound quite right on
the studio albums, I am not sure what has happened to
them. His original M300 disappeared from storage,
anybody know where it is?

> 
> Well, Wooly's main string sound was the M300A
> strings which is currently in 
> his 400, unless Martin knows differently.
>  
> Frank 1
> 
> 
> 
> **************************************Check out
> AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
> products.
>
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
> 



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
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http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

Right, like you're going to get me to admit to that...

Nice try,
johnb

Mark Pring wrote:

>
>
>  His original M300 disappeared from storage,
> anybody know where it is?
>
> _,_._,___

In a message dated 21/11/2007 02:29:12 GMT Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

So  meanwhile if anyone
knows how to make m-tron produce a sound like  Woolly's
M300 on BJH live I would be grateful. Actually advice
on how to  make an M400 or M4000 make that sound would
be welcome. 


It's all down to the spring reverb in the M300 and the ability to  leave it 
ringing while the direct signal is almost removed.  It can be done  on a desk 
with a good spring in the system.
 
Best,
 
Martin
 
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic

_www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/) 
US Sales  East: Jimmy Moore_  JMoore6397@aol.com_ 
(http://JMoore6397@aol.com/) 
US Sales West: Paul Cox_  pjc56@earthlink.net_ (http://pjc56@earthlink.net/)

Sorry Martin, I don t understand, can you put it very, very simply, what equipment would I need and what would I need to do with it? Is there anyway I can

Hi Mark,
 
A reverberated sound has a mixture of the dry source signal and the wet  
signal from the reverb unit be it a spring, plate or whatever.  Woolly  almost 
eliminated the dry signal and used the wet signal returning from the  spring as 
his sound.  That's what gives the BJH violins that enormous  distance.  This 
was easily achievable with the M300 as the dry signal had a  control and the 
reverb had a seperate one.  You just turned down the one  and turned the other 
bugger up!
 
Best,
 
Martin
 
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic

_www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/) 
US Sales  East: Jimmy Moore_  JMoore6397@aol.com_ 
(http://JMoore6397@aol.com/) 
US Sales West: Paul Cox_  pjc56@earthlink.net_ (http://pjc56@earthlink.net/)

Thanks very much Martin, I m off to try that with M-tron, will still want a real one! I understand that Woolly got round the cyling problems of the M300 by 

In a message dated 21/11/2007 08:23:32 GMT Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

Thanks  very much Martin, I'm off to try that with
M-tron, will still want a real  one! I understand that
Woolly got round the cyling problems of the M300  by
never changing staions, so I think that would only
give him 2 voices,  what was the other one?


He only used violins live but cycled in the studio and used clarinet, drum  
roll(She Said), vibes(Happy Old World).
 
M

 
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic

_www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/) 
US Sales  East: Jimmy Moore_  JMoore6397@aol.com_ 
(http://JMoore6397@aol.com/) 
US Sales West: Paul Cox_  pjc56@earthlink.net_ (http://pjc56@earthlink.net/)

Hi Martin Still sounds crap alas, but definitely more ethereal crap. I ll be in touch eventually. Mark ... 

At least it wasn't it a m400 they threw off that bridge or was Rick Wakeman  
there with them lurking in the background??????
Good to see all you gents already on the list
A special BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Clay as wall
                                                                            
Jimmy Moore



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
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Sadly, Jimmy, they were brand new, untouched red lens caps.  They had
found a couple thousand in an unmarked box in the back room of the
Carrol County Band & Instrument Supply...

john b


--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, JMoore6397@... wrote:
>
> At least it wasn't it a m400 they threw off that bridge or was Rick
Wakeman  
> there with them lurking in the background??????
> Good to see all you gents already on the list
> A special BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Clay as wall
>                                                                    
        
> Jimmy Moore
> 
> 
> 
> **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's
hottest 
> products.
>
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
>