Hi Clay/all:
There is a strong argument for that. The Chamberlin does sound cleaner and bigger and more faithfully reproduces a given sound (e.g. saxes sound more authentic on a Chamberlin but what's missing is that foreboding quality in the sound). With the new recordings the mellotron does this too, though I can still hear that eerie quality sneaking in there to give it away.
This is why I believe the sound of a Chamberlin is harder to hear in a mix. It's often mistaken for the real horn, violins etc. The quirkiness is either not there or is less noticeable, which can be a plus or minus depending on what you want. The Chamberlin can masquerade more easily as a background atmosphere or even a fast solo unless you mess up the sound up a bit with the EQ and pitch controls.
One reason why it's harder to pick out might be the shorter distance that the tape travels. There is less room for warbliness because everything is kind of miniaturized (and consequently much harder to get in there and fix when things do go wrong). Kind of like a mellotron for midgets!
To me, they are two different instruments for two different uses. One is not better than the other. If you want a big band, or classical atmosphere the Chamberlin provides it hands down. If you want a sweeping, haunting and mystical atmosphere, if you want "that sound" only the mellotron will give you that.
Now the differences between the MK II, the M400, and MK V are another story. I can tell the difference between the MK II and the M400 in recordings. I think most of can even unknowingly. But I can't tell a MK V from an M400 - at least not in music I've heard so far. The 400 and MK V supposedly share the same tape library with no differences in EQ unlike the MK II and M400 tape libraries.
Can anyone recommend a concise list of recordings with a MK V or even a T550 where the sound is noticably different from the M400? (perhaps Andy Thompson can be goaded into this - where are you?!)
Do these models place their own stamp on the sound?
Chris Dale
I am completely convinced that the Chamberlin M1 is sonically
superior to any Mellotron. I have heard them side by side...
(Chamberlin 3 Violins vs MK11 3 Violins). The Chamberlin is
sonically superior, but I prefer the sound of the Mellotron.
I also prefer to hear Dianna Ross on a 1957 Jukebox.
Clay
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