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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] New tapes.

From: Mike Dickson <mike.dickson@gmail.com>
Date: 2012-11-24

I had the tapes in my first frame (3-violins, 8-choir and solo flute) changed when I got the Mk V as the old tapes had pretty much had it.  Martin supplied me with a tuned set which I agree sounds really sweet. In fairness it does reduce some of the instrument's 'bite', but then again the bite tends to come from notes that are either really strident or wildly out of tune.  

I also received a set of the 3-violins as used for the Chamberlin.  Initially they are really surprising as the tapes don't have a generation copy issue, but after a while I realised they were just too clean.  Having said that, the other sounds on that frame were the new cello (on B) and the string section w/o cello (on C).  Mixing the two about 30/70 gives you a string section sound that is way more usable than the old version - missing that double bass grind at the bottom end, among other things - but which still retains a retro feel to it with the violins and viola on top.  I find it much more usable now.

Mike

On 24 November 2012 14:21, <fdoddy@aol.com> wrote:
 

Absolutely.  Thank you for the informative review.


fritz




-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Kinch <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Nov 24, 2012 8:39 am
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] New tapes.

 
I have just received and fitted a new set of tapes to my m400 and thought I'd share a couple of interesting points raised with Martin.
Mixed brass B: In it's basic form there were quite a few notes completely out of tune and as such were rendered useless imo.  Martin kindly offered to gently re-tune the offenders, and he has to great effect! Anyone familiar with Mbb will know that the whole set's tuning is suspect accross the entire keyboard, Hence the rather nice "ensemble" buzz when playing chords. I know the re-tuning of the original recordings is something some members aren't entirley comfortable with, but in this case, there's no doubt in my mind mbb is now much more usable as a consequence. Even the notes that have been tweaked are still very slightly out and perfectly in keeping with the others. Great job Mr Smith!
The revered Mk2 3 violins: The set I ordered was Mbb/ Mk violins and  8 choir. Upon firing them up for the first time, I was immediately impressed by the violins. They somehow sounded much sweeter than I have heard them before. On pressing Martin for an explanation, he revealed that he has de-noised them, again to great effect. Please remember that I'd already decided how much I liked them before the big reveal why that was. They just sound "right" imo.
So if you want a bit of sonic improvement over the original mbb and violins, why not make the switch. Brilliant tweaks imo, and a worthy addition to the tron sound library.
Hope someone out there finds this info useful.
 
Andy K