Mellotronists

Isao Tomita's cds(some only available as Japanes imports) all 
feature hefty use of tron,mostly choirs(but the early ones used 
strings,flutes) and he approached it in a novel way by running it 
through Moog envelopes to alter attack/decay.His choirs did not sound 
stock to me.I think I had read way back that he recorded his own vocal 
tapes with a Japanese choir.He had humming tapes too.
 He actually used to use TALCUM POWDER on his tapes so they would play 
better.Yikes! I used to go to Radio Shack and buy tape head lubricant 
and coat the heads,metal tape guides,etc.(wherever the tape flowed) 
with it to prevent sticking and assure speedy tape rewind.Worked like 
a charm for me.In 25 years I think I only ever broke/ate 2 or 3 
tapes.I happened to share this info with David Cross at a Crimson gig 
once after the show.He had his roadie write down the info...