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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: OT- NAMM 2011ee

From: fdoddy@aol.com
Date: 2011-01-23

Mattias, I couldn't disagree more on a couple of points.

I am quite impressed with the younger musicians I work with in NYC in regards to their pursuit of sounds and instruments that are of a more pure nature.  I see more actual performing than sequencing. They use vintage/analog instruments in their own way and not in the way or style of their predecessors.  I see quite the opposite with musicians of my generation, we're much lazier and prone to fire up a sampler for a live gig or recording session. I think we, as older musicians, have quite a bit to learn from the curiosity and zeal of our younger counterparts.

I also think it is crucial for a brand to always maintain a dialog with their consumers.  Like it or not, Streetly and Markus are brands, and they must be stewards for their products and services and that includes a real connection beyond web presence and a reactive email response.  I have had no dealings with Markus, have no idea about the personality of him or his company.  I have dealt with Dave Kean in the past and it is not "second hand opinions".  I would advise Markus to engage in a more active conversation with his clientele and, more importantly, potential clients. I don't think it is happenstance that this list and many of the individuals are pro-Streetly.  Martin has done a good job of keeping the promise of his brand's values. 

Maybe it is your anecdotal assessment of the group or your colleagues at large, but I don't think it is "fact" that everyone thinks their mellotron sound like everyone elses.  I certainly don't think so and I think anyone who attended any of the tron symposia came to that same realization.  Look at all the discourse over the minutia of samples versus machines and their upkeep. Sure, they sound more like each other than say, an elephant, but to say "
everyone seems to think that their Mellotron sounds exactly like everyone elses" just seems too much of a blanket statement, but that is just my opinion.

respectfully,

fritz




-----Original Message-----
From: ClayE <ecclesreinson@rogers.com>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Jan 22, 2011 5:27 pm
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: OT- NAMM 2011ee

 
Mattias:
Thank you for taking the time to type this up. I am also the kind of person that unless I have tried it myself I wont say anything. A good way to be I think.

Clay

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, mattias <Mattias.olsson5@...> wrote:
>
> The pic was actually taken the day after.
>
> Id love to play a modular atNearfest...But Ill probably not bring mine.
>
> I have a stranded Orchestron in New York I could bring if you could fix it
> for the gig ?
>
> And you are welcome anytime to come hang out and noodle.
>
> I havent spoken to Markus about not being active but this list is quite
> tilted towards the Streetly customers. I know there are people on the list
> who have bought and ordered stuff from him. But every time he is mentioned
> or his products
>
> people generally only take the time to say bad things or immediately praise
> Streetly in a way that seems kind of ridiculous. I believe there can be two
> companies working in tha same field.
>
> I would never say anything bad about Streetly or their products. I have no
> doubts that they are doing great things but I am the kind of person that
> unless I have tried it myself I wont say anything. This also means that I
> wont be spreading second hand opinions or impressions just to create or fuel
> negative rumours or hype.
>
> Markus is doing very well with his Mark VI and VII and selling tapeframes
> using the entire tape library of Chamberlin and Mellotron sounds. This new
> digital version of a Mellotron sounds to me like a great idea (wall wart or
> not) and a
>
> practical solution for working musicians.
>
> After carrying two 400s, an optigan, Two drumkits, Fender bass piano,
> Celeste, Wurlitzer electric piano, a Modular system and a case of classical
> percussion yesterday my back is agreeing with his idea as well.
>
> The Mellotron ³community² is a great one but as you all know the future
> probably isnt with us. Probably 70 - 80% of Mellotron owners take it out to
> play the intro of Strawberry Fields Forever or Bungalow Bill at the party
> and then use it
>
> occasionaly for recording or for a bit of fun at home. A bit like a vintage
> car. A bit like Harry Chamberlins original Idea.
>
> I hold classes and seminars at my studio a couple a times a year. I show
> them and talk about the development of synthesizers and the story of the
> Mellotron starting with the chamberlin rhythmate. I have a hard time seeing
> any of those kids
>
> rushing out to buy a Mellotron or hunt down a Rhythmate but they might
> download some sounds off the net. The kids of today arent really that
> interested in the furniture/formica part.
>
> Having a unit with pretty much all of the usable sounds in a small
> lightweight package with a real Mellotron keyboard for a fairly low price
> seems like a good solution for touring musicians and session people who want
> the real sound of the
>
> Mellotron. Something tells me that this might also lead to more people using
> odder and weirder sounds than just the strings, choirs, flutes, brass.
>
> I know I wont be selling my hardware anytime soon and I probably wont be
> using samples as long as I own them but when I am touring and flying a lot
> with Gösta Berlings saga, Vera Vinter or Akaba I know I wont be bringing any
> of my machines.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mattias
>
> Also another interesting fact is that everyone seems to think that their
> Mellotron sounds exactly like everyone elses...I have two Mellotrons side by
> side in the studio and they dont sound the same when shifting tapes around.
> Is there such a thing as a Mellotron Standard...?
>
>
>
>
>
> Den 2011-01-22 14.35, skrev "lsf5275@..." <lsf5275@...>:
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mattias,
> >
> > My comment about Markus not saying anything is along the lines of, "...it
> > takes two hands to clap." I don't believe he feels it's worth the time.
> >
> > By the way, very cool band setup. Will you be bringing the Modular to
> > NEARfest? Can I play with it? Where's the audience?
> >
> > Frank
> >
> > In a message dated 1/22/2011 5:27:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> > Mattias.olsson5@... writes:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Of couse not.
> >>
> >> Its better this way.
> >>
> >> ...and noone on this list is probably interested in such a machine anyway.
> >>
> >> Btw when was the last time anyone on the list toured with their Mellotrons ?
> >>
> >> // Mattias
> >>
> >> Added a pic from Thursday nights show. Playing live to Fritz Langs
> >> Metropolis..
> >>
> >> Den 2011-01-22 08.35, skrev "MAinPsych@..." <MAinPsych@...>:
> >>
> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> In a message dated 1/21/2011 3:31:03 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> >>> lsf5275@... writes:
> >>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Well alright then!
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> But I must admit that I haven't heard a peep from the mouth of Mr.
> >>>> Resch... at least not on this or the other group list.
> >>> It's just as well. Do we really want another major flame war?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>