----- Original Message -----From: Bruce DailySent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 4:48 PMSubject: Re: [Mellotronists] ChamberlinA/B comparison is a problem. I can think of 2 stark
album examples of Chamberlin use; "7th Sojourn" by the
Moodies, and "Tidal" by Fiona Apple. Not much
layering on either one, due to the clarity of the
instrument. A very dry Chamby is played over the
final credits of "Boogie Nights". Also, download some
of the Chamby/Tron samples from Dave Kean's listening
room, and one can do quick comparisons. Pretty dry, &
some are from different sources. Same source on the 3
Violins though, so it can easily be compared.
-Bruce D.
M400 #1221
--- Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote:
> With my aural ability, I should probably keep quiet
> but I would suggest comparing the string sounds on
> the
> Mitchell Froom produced Richard Thompson CDs (
> especially Grey Walls on Rumour and Sigh, I hope
> they
> are not mandolins, it is definitely a chamberlin)
> and
> the M300 strings on Barclay James Harvest Live.
>
>; Mark
> --- gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I don't think I can tell the difference between a
> > Mellotron and a
> > Chamberlin but I think I would like to educate
> > myself.
> >
> > What would be a good a/b test ?
> >
> >
> >
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Message
Re: [Mellotronists] Chamberlin
2007-11-07 by Chris Dale
Bruce is right about A/B comparison.
I guess the other option is to listen to an
album full of Mellotron and then an album full of Chamberlin right
after.
One way of telling is that many of the Chamberlin
sounds have heavier vibrato where as Mellotron sounds don't (e.g. cellos,
flutes)
If you're familiar with Mellotron choir then listen
to Neil Merryweather's "Space Rangers" (if you have / can find it) and listen to
how the Chamby voices (choir) compares.
The close of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" has
the Chamby male voices in haunted house mode.
Others for chamby strings / flutes - "Into
Temptation" from Temple Of Low Men LP. "She
Goes On" - Saxes / Horns - from "Woodface" LP both from Crowded
House
For Chamby cellos - Warzawa from David Bowie's
"Low"
It's also all over 70's top 40 dentist office
classics:
Have You Never Been Mellow (Olivia Newton
John) (Chamby Flutes)
How Sweet It Is to.....(James Taylor) (Chamby
Cellos (mixed low)/Strings)
Afternoon Delight (Starland Vocal Band)
(Strings)...could also be tron though (where was it recorded?)
Right Time Of The Night (Jennifer Warnes) (Chamby
Cellos/Strings)
For barking dogs - that irritating Jingle Bell dog
song is also Chamby. (Not looking forward to hearing that for the 1000 billionth
time this Christmas)
More can be found on Andy's planet
mellotron site of course.
The Chamberlin sounds a little closer to the actual
taped ;instrument than the tron (it doesn't have the "tronny" colour,
it lends it's own inflection) so sometimes it blends in to be almost
unnoticable unless it's up in the mix or played distinctively like an
organ.
This is especially true of the saxophones.
But that is it's strength or weakness compared to
the Mellotron depending on your point of view. To me they are two very different
instruments.
Also - to my ears - samples of the Chamberlin
lack the fullness or richness of the original instrument. That's also true of
the Mellotron samples I've heard as well, but with the Chamby it's
even more noticeable (worse). Like the life and lushness has been sucked
out somehow. Almost like the difference between AM and FM. Again...this is just
my personal experience. I'm sure there are some half decent samples out
there (there must be).
In the U.S., during the 70's - many times
when it says "strings arranged by (keyboard player's name") can mean that it was
Chamberlin. This presumably was to avoid
squabbles with the Musician's Union.
Okay class dismissed - where is the "Professor"
when you need him?!! :)
Chris