The Mellotron Group

Posted 9/17/2009

Streetly Electronics M4000: 21st-Century  Mellotron Showcases Authentic 
Tape Sound With Postmodern Construction
September 17, 2009
   
 
 
The Mellotron was an icon of _music technology_ 
(http://www.gearwire.com/streetlyelectronics-m4000mellotron.html#) ,  being essentially what was the 
first sampler known to the world. Despite being  unreliable, it was what you 
could call the portable orchestral solution for  bands such as King Crimson, 
The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Yes, Genesis, and a  host of other bands from 
the 60s and 70s, with its particular sound becoming of  interest to today's 
music _software developers_ 
(http://www.gearwire.com/streetlyelectronics-m4000mellotron.html#)   and users. Streetly Electronics, the company from which 
the Mellotron came,  reestablished itself back in the 90s to recondition 
and repair existing  Mellotron units. Realizing today's vintage trend as well 
as the need to  introduce real _hardware_ 
(http://www.gearwire.com/streetlyelectronics-m4000mellotron.html#)   to today's software-totting generation, 
Streetly has decided to manufacture the  21st-century Mellotron in the form 
of the Streetly Electronics M4000. 
The M4000 is the real deal that pays homage to the  Mellotron MKII, not 
some keyboard with Mellotron tape samples stored in _digital memory_ 
(http://www.gearwire.com/streetlyelectronics-m4000mellotron.html#) .  It is a real 
Mellotron complete with TAPES. You read that right; no digital _storage media_ 
(http://www.gearwire.com/streetlyelectronics-m4000mellotron.html#) ,  only 
TAPES. It has a total of 24 individual tape sound sets in 8 stations. Users  
can also program their own "start" positions with the inching facility by  
advancing the tapes by inching to the preferred position. Just like the MKII, 
 the M4000 als has a cycling optical failsafe which protects the tapes from 
 damage when changing the station while the keys are depressed as well as  
capturing the MKII's feel. The positively pressurized cabinet protects the 
tapes  and internal mechanism from dust, smoke, and other environmental 
hazards via the  FILTRON air cleanser. Azimuth alignable tape heads are at the 
heart of M4000,  mounted in revolving collars for consistently correct 
positioning. You also get  to say goodbye to the risk of back injury as the height 
of the M4000 is  optimized for playing when standing. 
Overall, what was once a studio curiosity and an  unreliable touring 
partner has now been changed in the Streetly Electronics  M4000, which by its set 
of features promises that it can be as roadworthy as any  of your ruggedly 
designed gear with the added authenticity of real tapes. Being  the first of 
its kind to see a rebirth 40 years after the introduction of the  first 
Mellotron, its bound to become a sensation amongst vintage heads wanting a  more 
reliable yet authentic instrument. The standard price, exclusive of  
shipping, custom duties, and other charges amount to 4,900.00 GBP (about 8080.00  
USD). An optional touring case is available for 450.00 GBP (approximately 
742.00  USD). Custom finishes as well as additional tape sets are available 
upon  request. 
 

For more information, visit _Streetly  Electronics' official website._ 
(http://www.mellotronics.com/)