An Alesis piano module would never be mistaken for a Steinway where as this instrument would be difficult if not impossible to distinguish
from a tape machine in a mix by most everyone. You see terribly worried by this instrument being offered in the marketplace. The more
you try to find flaw with his marketing or product the more worried you sound. I am sure his product will do well. The tape machines are no
longer (and never really were) in the mainstream of MI equipment. Your customers are the few dedicated enthusiasts here on the list and
a very small market beyond that. IMHO You would probably do best to concentrate on that market as you really can’t compete with the 4000D
products head to head in the larger MI market. No offense meant to you or your products but the more you talk about the more you advertise
for Markus (who I do not know). ….just an observation YMMV J
Cheers,
Gary
I agree, it's not a mellotron and I/we aren't bothered about the product just like Steinway don't care about an Alesis piano module. Raising the price prior to liberating a product into the marketplace is clumsy and flawed. It raises questions.
With all respect, Martin, until you can put them side by side and compare them it would be hard to dispute that Markus' digital machine is better than the Memotron. I know people who have played both and that's what I'm told. I certainly understand your bitterness, but in it you lose objectivity. The facts seem to support the likelihood that it was under priced when compared to the Memotron, which I feel is ridiculously overpriced. But people are lining up to buy them. If they weren't, the price wouldn't have gone up. The buzz I am hearing is, "... here is a Mellotron that I can afford." I believe that Markus will sell a bunch of these machines, no matter what he named it. In 6 months he'll probably sell more of them than all the real Mellotrons Streetly could ever make. Sad but true if you're a purist. Regardless of whether or not he uses, "M400D Mellotron,' it just isn't a Mellotron. You make Mellotrons... and damn good ones.
The key for Markus is going to be to deliver them. You Tube will let us know. In my opinion they look far cooler and less cheesy than the Memotron.
In a message dated 1/20/2011 5:16:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tronbros@aol.com writes: Cock up on the abacus front. Now only 200US below the Memotron. Justice for the arrogance of calling it the M4000D!