Good one Chris!
Interestingly, I believe that Rich was at one time thinking of buying an M4000 or an M400 and he just couldn't put the funds together. I may be wrong.... or ...
I may be right
I think he's crazy
And it just might be a lunatic
That's leaving us
Turn out the light
And say good riddance
So we can get back
To the subject we're here to discuss
In a message dated 6/30/2014 1:50:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:
Well Richard, this may be true for you, but that does not mean it's true for the rest of us.Some of us here have multiple Mellotrons, Chamberlins (and even Orchestrons and Birotrons) and unfortunately many of those sounds won't be present in any digital product anytime soon (possibly ever).It's not just about the sound, it's about the experience of playing an original classic keyboard that's been well engineered, and exists as a form of art and craftsmanship, and has a direct lineage to some of the greatest music ever created.And it's also about ideas - what you'll come up with as a composer and musician when in front of a machine that's has 'movement' , 'heritage' , 'character' , 'unpredictability' (as opposed to sitting before any ubiquitous software based object that is rendered less metaphysically interesting when you include everyday computers, smart phones, touchscreens, remote controls, etc.)Yes, the M4000D, M4000mini, Memotron, MTron etc. ARE GREAT TOOLS to have as an option. There's no disputing that.In the interests of convenience, and reliability I would certainly use them as a live 'complement' to the existing machines, but never as a 'replacement.' That's just my personal preference.Personally speaking, if I'm playing Yes music, why would I use a software emulation of Rick Wakeman's old Mellotron when I can actually use Rick Wakeman's old Mellotron? Especially after all the slaving away I put into fixing it?Your argument that the sound is 'just as good if not better' is nullified by the laws of physics. And it's a tired, stupid, and childish argument to have. We all hear things differently.I think Markus and Streetly would admit that simple truth, even though they both have stakes in selling their digital counterparts, and ironically, may even depend on that market to keep the original tape machines going. Nothing wrong with that.And you forget something - seeing a Mellotron or Hammond B3, Moog Modular, etc. is part of the 'show'. It's has 'presence' and is visually stunning, and is there to make the show visually interesting as well as add sound (and quality) to something. It's a nice change from seeing a bunch of boring T stands with keyboards on them surrounded by bimbettes who can't dance or sing.Also has it occurred to you that Markus still makes and supports the MK VI because the M4000D is NOT a replacement for it?Has it occurred to you that Streetly still makes and supports the M4000 because it's NOT a replacement for a Memotron, or the3000App?Why does Markus make the MK VI Mellotron at all?Why does Streetly make the M4000 Mellotron at all?Why do people buy the new Mellotrons at all?Why do people pay $12,000+ for an M series Chamberlin? Or obscene amounts for the other aforementioned instruments?Maybe it's not just about convenience. Maybe people want something more. Maybe it's beyond your ability to understand, (or even worse - appreciate).The idea that everything in the past is obsolete and must now be replaced with a convenient, computerized version is a lame and ignorant symptom of mindless cultural conditioning. With that kind of thinking, you're doomed to spend money you don't have, on things you don't need, at prices you can't afford, for a life you'll never be satisfied with.Well go on and think that, but don't come on here telling me or others what we should do, especially when this is aMELLOTRON USERS GROUP,and NOT a software/emulation users group.Who are you to say what people should do or shouldn't do, or what's asinine and what isn't?I don't condemn others for any choices they make. It's up to each person to choose what's personally good for them.TO EACH HIS OWN.Don't be an ignorant sod to nitpick over differences.All you do is piss people off and show what a f∗∗∗ing asshole you're capable of being.You made your point quite tactlessly, only BECAUSE you are leaving.Your 'armchair soldier behind the computer' status rather negates your point.Well, if you don't like what we do here, please leave.F∗∗∗ off, and good riddance.Go bother someone else.By the way, if I was Markus, I'd be so insulted by the odious way you've cheapened his name and cheapened his product to make your point, that I'd never sell anything to you even if you had the money. Your character is flawed - not by what you said - but by the way you said it. Your 'game show host' style in making your point, ironically sells utter ignorance, and conversely - discredits Markus hard work.I hope Markus eternally ignores you (for his own sake)Shame on you.Good Riddance 'Rich-Tard'. (You've earned that name).After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.
On Mon, Jun 30, 2014 at 11:17 AM, DiPaolo Richard kathnrich@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.Rich D.
From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)
I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.Andy K
Sent from my iPadThe Mirage analogy was apocryphal. When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled. The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing. All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level.
On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:
What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.
Rich D.
From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)
An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage. I am not being flippant here.The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).
On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:
Correct Martin.
Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.
Rich D.
From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)
I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?HiJust purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.Thank youRich D.
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Gino Wong BirgeloBSComm, BSEE,ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design
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Gino Wong BirgeloBSComm, BSEE,ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design