On Aug 4, 2010, at 11:05 AM, David Jacques wrote:
I guess this is why they came out with the M400. Most of the musicians using Mellotrons on stage used three or fewer sounds. Seems a waste to lug around a MKII with all those cycling issues if you don't use the sounds.
I have had no trouble cycling in the middle of songs at gigs or rehearsals. You just have to plan it out and know that there's enough time for the instrument to do what you want.
And Martinge's exaggerating about the time it takes to cycle, unless the M4000 is a lot slower than a MkII. I'd estimate that when cycling between adjacent stations, you only have time for a quick gulp of wine. I find that a good, well-aged Cotes du Rhone goes well with most sounds. You could resort to an Australian Shiraz in a pinch, but stay away from the nameless plonks unless you enjoy being ridiculed. For cycling between end stations, you'll have time to make an omelette des fines herbes, in which case you'll want a white wine, Chardonnay being the most suitable -- but for heaven's sake make sure it's not been aged in oak!