Mellotronists

> Martin Smith has informed me that me Mellotron # M1563, born on 15th
> August 1974 will be shipped to me next week fully restored.

Was he phoning from his offshore tax haven again?

> I am a newbie with playing and the instrument so I would appreciate
> any info on which keyboard reverb or echo device to buy at my local
> Guitar or keyboard center so that I can replicate those fabulous tron
> sounds of my favorite bands

My only suggestion is to listen to as many as you can and settle with
one you like. Your local shop is unlikely to be able sell you a spring
or plate reverb, which is the sort of thing that most Prog Monsters used
to use, so you'll have to settle with something digital. (I would also
suggest that anything that old is likely to be nine parts knackered by
now anyway)

I have an Alesis MIDIverb II here and it sounds fine with that, but I'm
sure there are better out there. One huge advantage that digital reverbs
have is that they are programmable, so you can switch between 'phone
box' and 'Rheims Cathedral' with ease.

For the ultimate analogue reverb, just play it into Rick Blechta's right
ear. The vast, cavernous sound that comes from his left ear simply
doesn't sound like it could have come out of such a small and shiny
thing as Rick's furrowed little head. Certainly beats any vast,
cavernous sound that I can come up with. (*)

Oh yes.

Mike Dickson (tron@...) M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.blackcat.demon.co.uk/tron/

(*) I suspect it's not the *sound* that bothered most people, though.