Mellotronists

Help!

Ken L and I are desperately trying to get *that* Mellotron sound into our 
recordings, but are coming up short so far.  We're working separately, both 
recording directly to PC disk (no mics) using Echo 24 bit sound cards.  He's 
playing his M400, I'm playing my MKII.  I'm using direct boxes and balanced 
cables to minimize noise (thanks for that tip in Tronto, Fritz).  We both 
have access to reverbs (spring, digital) and all kinds of software 
processors, compressors, EQs, etc.

We're getting good results - accurate, but not  the *classic* mellotron 
sounds we have all heard on recordings.

Here's an example of what I mean - a well recorded Mellotron.

<A HREF="www.tronsounds.com/songs/hvn.mp3">www.tronsounds.com/songs/hvn.mp3</A>

This is from Gracious, recorded around 1970.  I just discovered it a few 
weeks ago, after someone on this list mentioned that the keyboard player 
recently died (guess we can't ask the source).  It is a snippet from their 
song "Heaven".  Aside from a couple of dropouts at 42 and 44 seconds, the 
sound is great.  It starts off with MKII Organ, then the MKII violins (along 
with with  a nice sounding bass) come in at around 46 seconds - what a sound! 
 Listen to the violins in the mix - how do you get *that* sound?  Does anyone 
know what recording techniques would have been used?  I think I can hear some 
track bouncing, and reverb, but I can't get the same results.  Of course,  
there are many other well recorded Mellotron songs out there, but this is a 
good representation.

I know we have some people on the list with a lot more recording experience 
than KL and I - we're just amateurs.  Any thoughts? Fritz, Jimmy Moore, SDM, 
Rick, Frank, Gordon, anyone else?  Don't tell me it's analog tape or 
something, that's not what I want to hear ;-).

It's funny, when I first listened to this tune, I immediately thought "that's 
the sound I want to get".  Then I played it for KL when he came over (without 
telling him what it was or anything) and he said (right at that 46 second 
mark) "that's the sound that I'm trying to get".  So we're turning to the 
list for help.  


Ken M.
(MKII #247, awaiting further orders sir!)