Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] MKII Pops
From: kenmerb@...
Date: 2002-11-20
In a message dated 11/20/02 11:06:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, rick@... writes:
Wow! I think I have the solution! MY tapes (LH keyboard, especially) sometimes have a tendency to audibly "snap", and when I first turn it on, there's a definite "crackle" on certain notes. Ken, you've been reporting "pops". It's my guess that Martinge was eating his breakfast to close to the recording gear when he was making our tapes. You know how he loves those rice crispies...
OK, Rick, you had me thinking you were serious there for a second.
I also get the snap and crackle out of both speakers when I fire up #247, but it goes away after a few seconds. It makes the same exact sound as my 1962 Fender Pro amp when I turn that on. I attribute this to old age, as these are electronic devices nearing 40 years of age (that's 80+ in human years). It's just their way of saying " I'm old, leave me alone! Where's my hat? "
Speaking of strange noises, KL and I have noticed a strange noise on at least two of the French horn notes, near the beginning of the sounds. You should probably contact me off-list to discuss, otherwise it could be embarrassing. I don't want to describe the sound, other than to ask if, by chance, these were recorded at your "House of Windsor" studio? I ∗am ∗ serious - there is something strange on a couple of the notes.
Also, has anyone noticed the three-second sound loop which appears to make up the low G note of the Russian choir? It's almost as though the entire Russian choir is trying to mimic the sound of a car starting in Siberia. I'm serious about this one also.
Of course, none of these are nearly as annoying as my popping MKII .
All together now!
( as sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas")
∗On the third day of Christmas, Martin sold to me
∗ A Russian choir looping,
∗ Two French horns farting,
∗ and my MKII's still popping at me!
Ken M