Mellotronists

Thanks very much, with regards to samples although the
tron samples available aren't great I do there
weakness is that they sound more like the original
instrument than the a tron does, the mellotron feel is
missing presumably due to the missing imperfections
introduced by an electromechanical system. I think
this really noticeable on choir samples.

Mark
--- Chris Dale <chris.dale@...> wrote:

> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Bruce Daily 
>   To: Mark Pring ; mellotronists@yahoogroups.com 
>   Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 4:48 PM
>   Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Chamberlin
> 
> 
>   A/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@...> 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@...> 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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