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Strings Preference

Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Bernie

For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?

  • MkII 3 Violins
  • M400 3 Violins

I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm considering getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense of one or two frames to do this.

Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400 3 Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the low impedance(?) heads.

Bernie

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by john barrick

Bernie, may I ask what the difference is and how do you tell? 1407
(M400SM) has Three Violins, Cello, Eight Voice Choir - I assume it's
original to the machine.

john



Bernie wrote:
>
> For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which
> 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?
>
> * MkII 3 Violins
> * M400 3 Violins
>
> I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm
> considering getting a copy of the original frame that came with my
> M400: MkII Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to
> dispense of one or two frames to do this.
>
> Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400 3
> Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the
> low impedance(?) heads.
>
> Bernie
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Rick Blechta


On Jun 13, 2007, at 9:42 PM, Bernie wrote:

For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?

  • MkII 3 Violins
  • M400 3 Violins

MkII wins hands down. I started with a 400 (sold to Saga's Michael Sadler) and moved to the FX console in 1974. That started out with MkII strings but I replaced both keyboards with 400 sets (brass, violins, cello and flute, mixed choir and pipe organ) and used that until Martin made up a bespoke of 36 voices in 2001, at which point I went back to MkII violins.

Don't waste your money. I'm sure there are some great voices you don't have yet, and if you'll wait a bit longer you can get the baritone sax. JB is constructing a special reinforced frame for this sound and they may have to drop down to two tracks because it will overwhelm anything. There is a demolition company here in Tronto that wants to use it to knock down derelict buildings, bridges and the like.

Rick

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Bernie

John, if I understand correctly, the MkI/MkII Trons have low
impedance heads and the M400-type Trons have high impedance
heads, necessitating a re-EQ'ing of the original sound to emulate
the sound of the MkI/II Trons.

Can someone verify and/or provide additional info?

Bernie


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, john barrick <astroboy@...>
wrote:
>
>
> Bernie, may I ask what the difference is and how do you tell?
1407
> (M400SM) has Three Violins, Cello, Eight Voice Choir - I assume
it's
> original to the machine.
>
> john
>
>
>
> Bernie wrote:
> >
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
which
> > 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > * MkII 3 Violins
> > * M400 3 Violins
> >
> > I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm
> > considering getting a copy of the original frame that came with
my
> > M400: MkII Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably
have to
> > dispense of one or two frames to do this.
> >
> > Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the
M400 3
> > Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with
the
> > low impedance(?) heads.
> >
> > Bernie
> >
>

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Bernie


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, Rick Blechta <rick@...> wrote:
>
>
> On Jun 13, 2007, at 9:42 PM, Bernie wrote:
>
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
> > which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > MkII 3 Violins
> > M400 3 Violins
>
> MkII wins hands down. I started with a 400 (sold to Saga's Michael
> Sadler) and moved to the FX console in 1974. That started out with
> MkII strings but I replaced both keyboards with 400 sets (brass,
> violins, cello and flute, mixed choir and pipe organ) and used that
> until Martin made up a bespoke of 36 voices in 2001, at which point I
> went back to MkII violins.
>
> Don't waste your money. I'm sure there are some great voices you
> don't have yet, and if you'll wait a bit longer you can get the
> baritone sax. JB is constructing a special reinforced frame for this
> sound and they may have to drop down to two tracks because it will
> overwhelm anything. There is a demolition company here in Tronto that
> wants to use it to knock down derelict buildings, bridges and the like.
>
> Rick
>

Rick, does the FX also have high impedance heads? I think I remember Jerry telling me this, but my memory is a little foggy.

Thanks for the heads up on the baritone sax. It's on my short list.

Bernie

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference, Flute question too

2007-06-14 by Bruce Daily

--- Rick Blechta <rick@...> wrote:

>
> On Jun 13, 2007, at 9:42 PM, Bernie wrote:
>
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400,
> Mark V, etc),
> > which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > MkII 3 Violins
> > M400 3 Violins
>
> MkII wins hands down. I started with a 400 (sold to
> Saga's Michael
> Sadler) and moved to the FX console in 1974. That
> started out with
> MkII strings but I replaced both keyboards with 400
> sets (brass,
> violins, cello and flute, mixed choir and pipe
> organ) and used that
> until Martin made up a bespoke of 36 voices in 2001,
> at which point I
> went back to MkII violins.
>
>
> Rick



Hi, all-
Good question about the MKII/M400 differences.
Much is done these days to restore/remaster ANY older
recordings. The Streetly recordings site says the
M400 violins are just re-eq'd MKII strings (less
hi-end), but this rework master would have to be from
the early '70s. Probably well-mastered, but consider
it possibly at least a generation removed from the
MKII master. Tape generation loss usually results in
some change in sound quality, no matter how careful
you are. Interesting points from the other emails
about the MKII/400 head impedance differences.

I am also going to order a new set for my M400.
Mine is very worn, seems original (BBS written on the
tape leads). New one will have 'cello, MKII 3
violins, and flute. But I am wondering about the
Flute's origin, though. Listening to Flamin'
Wakeman's "6 Wives of Heny the 8th", on the end of
"Catherine Howard"(I believe), the solo 'tron flute is
vibrato-less. Quite a haunting sound. My flute has
some vibrato. So, is the flute on the M400 the same
as the MKII? Did Mr. Wakeman have a special flute
recorded? My bearings can't be THAT bad... :-)

-Bruce Daily
M400 #1221 (a bit dizzy)



____________________________________________________________________________________
Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.
http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference, Flute question too

2007-06-14 by tronbros@aol.com

Here are some points to take into consideration:
The MKII Violins are the M400 Violins. The M400 version was sweetened to make it more appealing but this can be done on a desk so go with the MKII version and the full (joke) bandwidth. Mitigate from that point. You can subtract but never add.
MKIIs had hi impedance heads and a valve preamp. The combination of those TWO give you the sound. The M400 has low impedance heads to cut out the aerial effect and a transistor line/preamp. The combination of those TWO alters the sound.
The M400 flute is the MKII flute but with the volume raised on the bottom notes as they were incredibly quiet in the first incarnation.
We sell 99% more MKII Vs than the M400 mix.
Best,
Martin
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
www.mellotronics.co.uk
www.mellotronics.com
US Sales East: Jimmy Moore JMoore6397@...
US Sales West: Paul Cox pjc56@...

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Jerry Korb

Bernie wrote:


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, Rick Blechta <rick@...> wrote:
>
>
> On Jun 13, 2007, at 9:42 PM, Bernie wrote:
>
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
> > which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > MkII 3 Violins
> > M400 3 Violins
>
> MkII wins hands down. I started with a 400 (sold to Saga's Michael
> Sadler) and moved to the FX console in 1974. That started out with
> MkII strings but I replaced both keyboards with 400 sets (brass,
> violins, cello and flute, mixed choir and pipe organ) and used that
> until Martin made up a bespoke of 36 voices in 2001, at which point I
> went back to MkII violins.
>
> Don't waste your money. I'm sure there are some great voices you
> don't have yet, and if you'll wait a bit longer you can get the
> baritone sax. JB is constructing a special reinforced frame for this
> sound and they may have to drop down to two tracks because it will
> overwhelm anything. There is a demolition company here in Tronto that
> wants to use it to knock down derelict buildings, bridges and the like.
>
> Rick
>

Rick, does the FX also have high impedance heads? I think I remember Jerry telling me this, but my memory is a little foggy.

Thanks for the heads up on the baritone sax. It's on my short list.

Bernie



Hi Gang, Been reading last evening's discussion of heads, tapes, and
violin sounds. Thought this was covered long ago. ....

....Anyway, here it is again for reference :

1) MK-II violins -- The original one . Ditto w. Rick's comments .
2) M400 violins -- MK-II violins, EQ'd to be "softer" in tonality.
3) MK-I and MK-II heads -- High Z heads . Those mdls. ONLY .
4) SFX Console heads -- First Mellotron mdl. with Low-Z heads,solid-state preamp.

Hope this helps , -- Jerry Korb (bsmt. full of Tron projects again, Yahoo! )

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by John Beresford

Hi Bernie,
A couple of years ago Martin made up a frame containing M400 violins
at my request despite him telling me I wouldn't like them. He was
right I didn't like them and so he kindly made up a replacement set
with the original MkII violins free of charge in exchange for the
earlier set. It seemed to me the M400 violins have a very restricted
sound still with a lot of edge and bite and very clear but were very
boring and lacking in the spacey character of the Mkii sound. It just
didn't sound very tronny. I'm glad I changed back.

John

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:
>
>
> For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3
> Violin sound do you prefer and why?
>
> * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
>
> I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm considering
> getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII
> Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense of
> one or two frames to do this.
>
> Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400 3
> Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the low
> impedance(?) heads.
>
> Bernie
>

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Doug Berg

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "John Beresford" <md1jkb@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Bernie,
> A couple of years ago Martin made up a frame containing M400
violins
> at my request despite him telling me I wouldn't like them. He was
> right I didn't like them and so he kindly made up a replacement set
> with the original MkII violins free of charge in exchange for the
> earlier set. It seemed to me the M400 violins have a very
restricted
> sound still with a lot of edge and bite and very clear but were
very
> boring and lacking in the spacey character of the Mkii sound. It
just
> didn't sound very tronny. I'm glad I changed back.
>
> John
>
>


Re: Most interesting. #703 still has original BB tapes, still
playable, thanks Martin as azimuth made a big difference. The only
reference I have to MKII strings for now is the Pinder cd. When the
400 goes out I also use the cd, would be impossible to change racks
all night. To my ears, the MKII strings have a brighter sound,
maybe more rich in texture, where the 400 have less "bite" until the
upper octave. There are a couple of clips on YOUTUBE that can
illustrate this, search "Mellotron M400 or annabells diner"
On "Color My World" used the MKII strings from cd and 400 flute.
On "Daddy's Home" used 400 strings with 8 voice from cd.
Also in need of new tapes, deciding which string patch to use. Am
very fond of the 400 strings but will they sound the same as on the
old BB tapes? Doug

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Bernie

Hi John,

It's been a long time since My M400 had the M400 3 Violins and I can't
even remember how they sounded. My consideration of getting a frame
with the original sound set is based on my desire to restore #500 to the
original sound that used to keep me up well into the night when it was
new. In other words, nostalgia. But maybe I wouldn't care for the M400 3
Violins sound now, although it still sounds good to my ears on all the
prog recordings from the 70's.

You have an M300. What are the differences in heads and circuitry
between the M300, the MkI/II and the M400? Do the MkII 3 Violins sound
different from each other on all 3 generations of Trons?

Bernie


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "John Beresford" <md1jkb@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Bernie,
> A couple of years ago Martin made up a frame containing M400 violins
> at my request despite him telling me I wouldn't like them. He was
> right I didn't like them and so he kindly made up a replacement set
> with the original MkII violins free of charge in exchange for the
> earlier set. It seemed to me the M400 violins have a very restricted
> sound still with a lot of edge and bite and very clear but were very
> boring and lacking in the spacey character of the Mkii sound. It just
> didn't sound very tronny. I'm glad I changed back.
>
> John
>
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" kornowicz@ wrote:
> >
> >
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
which 3
> > Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
> >
> > I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm
considering
> > getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII
> > Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense
of
> > one or two frames to do this.
> >
> > Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400
3
> > Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the
low
> > impedance(?) heads.
> >
> > Bernie
> >
>

Re: Strings Preference, Flute question too

2007-06-14 by Bernie

Thanks for the clarification Martin. I always confuse the head impedance
on the various models. FWIW, I've played around with EQ'ing my MkII 3
Violins and have been able to get a sound that's very similar to the
MkI/II sound by removing some of the midrange and low frequencies.

Besides the MkII 3 Violins and MkII Flute, have other MkI/II sounds been
modified for the M400?

I sure wish there was a book available with all this neat historical
stuff in it.

Bernie


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, tronbros@... wrote:
>
> Here are some points to take into consideration:
>
> The MKII Violins are the M400 Violins. The M400 version was sweetened
to
> make it more appealing but this can be done on a desk so go with the
MKII
> version and the full (joke) bandwidth. Mitigate from that point. You
can
> subtract but never add.
>
> MKIIs had hi impedance heads and a valve preamp. The combination of
those
> TWO give you the sound. The M400 has low impedance heads to cut out
the aerial
> effect and a transistor line/preamp. The combination of those TWO
alters the
> sound.
>
> The M400 flute is the MKII flute but with the volume raised on the
bottom
> notes as they were incredibly quiet in the first incarnation.
>
> We sell 99% more MKII Vs than the M400 mix.
>
> Best,
>
> Martin
> Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
> _www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/)
> _www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/)
> US Sales East: Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397@..._ (http://JMoore6397@.../)
> US Sales West: Paul Cox _pjc56@..._ (http://pjc56@.../)
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by tony

Hi Bernie and all,
I couldn't agree more as Martin and John made me up a new frame with the original selections on it.
The haunting strings and mello flute are still tops in my book! #510 is the machine I lusted for again.
Best,
Tony
Fl
----- Original Message -----
From: Bernie
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 7:56 AM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference


Hi John,

It's been a long time since My M400 had the M400 3 Violins and I can't
even remember how they sounded. My consideration of getting a frame
with the original sound set is based on my desire to restore #500 to the
original sound that used to keep me up well into the night when it was
new. In other words, nostalgia. But maybe I wouldn't care for the M400 3
Violins sound now, although it still sounds good to my ears on all the
prog recordings from the 70's.

You have an M300. What are the differences in heads and circuitry
between the M300, the MkI/II and the M400? Do the MkII 3 Violins sound
different from each other on all 3 generations of Trons?

Bernie

--- In Mellotronists@ yahoogroups. com, "John Beresford" <md1jkb@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Bernie,
> A couple of years ago Martin made up a frame containing M400 violins
> at my request despite him telling me I wouldn't like them. He was
> right I didn't like them and so he kindly made up a replacement set
> with the original MkII violins free of charge in exchange for the
> earlier set. It seemed to me the M400 violins have a very restricted
> sound still with a lot of edge and bite and very clear but were very
> boring and lacking in the spacey character of the Mkii sound. It just
> didn't sound very tronny. I'm glad I changed back.
>
> John
>
> --- In Mellotronists@ yahoogroups. com, "Bernie" kornowicz@ wrote:
> >
> >
> > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
which 3
> > Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> >
> > * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
> >
> > I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm
considering
> > getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII
> > Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense
of
> > one or two frames to do this.
> >
> > Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400
3
> > Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the
low
> > impedance(?) heads.
> >
> > Bernie
> >
>

No virus found in this incoming message.
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Re: Strings Preference, Preamps, Heads too

2007-06-14 by john barrick

Martin (or Jerry, Frank, etc.),
has anyone with an M400 swapped out their stock heads for High Z ones
and impleted a tube/valve preamp? I assume that the new preamp would
take up more room and need to be placed elsewhere in the cabinet.
Would this be an exercise in futility, or should one, via this method,
be able to get "the sound"?

john

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, tronbros@... wrote:
>

>
> MKIIs had hi impedance heads and a valve preamp. The combination of
those
> TWO give you the sound. The M400 has low impedance heads to cut out
the aerial
> effect and a transistor line/preamp. The combination of those TWO
alters the
> sound.
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference, Preamps, Heads too

2007-06-14 by jkorb@ix.netcom.com

-----Original Message-----
>From: john barrick <astroboy@...>
>Sent: Jun 14, 2007 10:34 AM
>To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference, Preamps, Heads too
>
>Martin (or Jerry, Frank, etc.),
>has anyone with an M400 swapped out their stock heads for High Z ones
>and impleted a tube/valve preamp? I assume that the new preamp would
>take up more room and need to be placed elsewhere in the cabinet.
>Would this be an exercise in futility, or should one, via this method,
>be able to get "the sound"?
>
>john


__________________________________________________________________________________________


Hi John, Reverse-engineering a MK-II headblock into an M400 model , plus
adding tube preamp is an undertaking, to properly implement.

The Pindertron for Frank S. in SD had hi-Z heads, mated to solid-state preamp
using impedance matching isolated line transformers (3 of 'em).
And the MK-VI and MK-VII produced by Markus Resch uses tube preamp mated to
Low-Z headblock.

Main reason for switch to Low-Z heads was the noise/interference from Hi-Z units.
Was an often observed fact that SSCU pulses broke thru into the audio.
Bringing one's hand near any of input cables would induce a terrible buzzing,
when orig. mated to tube/valve preamp.

TIDBIT : One individual tapehead from MK-II has same reading as ENTIRE M400 headblock
array.

The valve preamp requires high-voltage DC (about 250-300 nominal) for B+ biasing ,
plus 6.3-7.0 VAC (or rectified DC) for tube heater(s).
SFX thru MK-V models only require filtered/clean 30VDC (18VDC w. low-noise mod).

Hope this info is of help. Cheers, -- Jerry Korb at the Mellotron Ranch

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by John Beresford

The M300 has low impedance heads like all post MkII trons and I
believe the same pre/line amps as the SFX consoles. After the M300 all
M400's had the WME type and later PML type pre and line amps which
sound a lot brighter. The MkII violins sound as a result more mellow
on the M300 than on my M400. I think they are even more bright on the
MkII as I remember.

John

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:
>
>
> Hi John,
>
> It's been a long time since My M400 had the M400 3 Violins and I can't
> even remember how they sounded. My consideration of getting a frame
> with the original sound set is based on my desire to restore #500 to the
> original sound that used to keep me up well into the night when it was
> new. In other words, nostalgia. But maybe I wouldn't care for the M400 3
> Violins sound now, although it still sounds good to my ears on all the
> prog recordings from the 70's.
>
> You have an M300. What are the differences in heads and circuitry
> between the M300, the MkI/II and the M400? Do the MkII 3 Violins sound
> different from each other on all 3 generations of Trons?
>
> Bernie
>
>
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "John Beresford" <md1jkb@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Bernie,
> > A couple of years ago Martin made up a frame containing M400 violins
> > at my request despite him telling me I wouldn't like them. He was
> > right I didn't like them and so he kindly made up a replacement set
> > with the original MkII violins free of charge in exchange for the
> > earlier set. It seemed to me the M400 violins have a very restricted
> > sound still with a lot of edge and bite and very clear but were very
> > boring and lacking in the spacey character of the Mkii sound. It just
> > didn't sound very tronny. I'm glad I changed back.
> >
> > John
> >
> > --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" kornowicz@ wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc),
> which 3
> > > Violin sound do you prefer and why?
> > >
> > > * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
> > >
> > > I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm
> considering
> > > getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII
> > > Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense
> of
> > > one or two frames to do this.
> > >
> > > Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400
> 3
> > > Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the
> low
> > > impedance(?) heads.
> > >
> > > Bernie
> > >
> >
>

RE: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Mark Wallis

Hi all,

I notice a few references to 'The Sound' which imply that it's not quite
available from an M400.
Whilst aware that a MK2 has a very different character to an M400, I have to
say that my 151 has always sounded wonderful with (Streetly) MkII 3 fiddles.
I seem to worry more about amplification/EQ issues than the source sound of
the instrument. It sure sends a shiver down MY spine, anyway.
Warm and rich, shrill and scary, all points inbetween- I never seem to
have much of a problem getting the colour that I want. Then again, I'm
biased and find it quite difficult to be objective about the thing. Also I
tend to be a bit space-rock about the business of sound and there's often a
hint of tape echo or reverb- or excessive amounts of echo and too much
real-time messing about with both Mellotron and echo unit controls going on
for it to matter anymore...

The only thing I want that isn't already there is.... another manual.
:-)

Actually, sometimes I just play her 'dry' (apart from a swell pedal) into a
reverbless valve amp (Selmers /anything with EL34s, through 4x12s, REALLY
suit her, Fender Twins don't at all..) and find that after a few minutes of
sounding a bit ropey I just start to play better.. Odd things, Mellotrons...

..almost as odd as their owners.

Love and Scones,

MSW




>From: "Bernie" <kornowicz@...>
>To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference
>Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:42:05 -0000
>
>
>For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3
>Violin sound do you prefer and why?
>
> * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
>
>I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm considering
>getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII
>Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense of
>one or two frames to do this.
>
>Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400 3
>Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the low
>impedance(?) heads.
>
>Bernie
>

_________________________________________________________________
Play your part in making history - Email Britain!
http://www.emailbritain.co.uk/

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Ken Leonard

At 02:01 PM 6/14/2007, tronbros@... wrote:
>...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound
>entirely different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other
>will relax you after a good hard

A good hard WHAT, Martingle?

Anyway,

http://www.kleonard.com/mellotron/vt0304/pindertron3.htm

See the MP3 Audio Samples section for comparisons of the two Mark IIs
we had on-hand that day --- Jerry's Mark I (Crimson all the way) and
Frank's Mark II, which was Pinderized.

2:35 in the "Julia and Sharayah Compared" snippet really tells it all.

Sorry, this was just stuff we recorded during the MONEYPIT as we were
messing about with the machines. It's cool hearing "Peak Hour" on
one of the actual Pindertrons, though. The sound is all "hair on the
back of your neck standing up" kind of stuff when there in
person...even without the Marshall stack! :-)

...kl...
M400 #805 - stayed home for that event
M400 #1037 - there...but shunned!

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by David Jacques

And was was the difference??? Pinder's tron is much
mellower....

On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:01:18 EDT
tronbros@... wrote:
> ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet
>they sound entirely
> different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the
>other will relax you after
> a good hard
>
> Martin
>
> Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
>
>
> _www.mellotronics.co.uk_
>(http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/)
> _www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/)
> US Sales East: Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397@..._
>(http://JMoore6397@.../)
> US Sales West: Paul Cox _pjc56@..._
>(http://pjc56@.../)
>
>
>
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by jonesalley

Just remember, after four hours it's no longer a good hard...

...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound entirely different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will relax you after a good hard

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 6/14/2007 2:02:21 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tronbros@... writes:
...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound entirely different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will relax you after a good hard
What?
What?
Swim?
Tennis match?
Jog around the neighborhood?
Smack in the head?



See what's free at AOL.com.

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by lsf5275@aol.com

In a message dated 6/14/2007 2:29:28 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, djacques@... writes:
And was was the difference?? ? Pinder's tron is much
mellower....
No, but it was moodier.....



See what's free at AOL.com.

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by jeffc@netaxs.com

On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 tronbros@... wrote:

> ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound entirely
> different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will relax you after
> a good hard
>
> Martin
>
> Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic



remember: contact your doctor if it lasts more than four hours.

;0) jeff

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by candor@free.fr

Hi Ken,

It's cool hearing "Peak Hour" on
one of the actual Pindertrons, though. The sound is all "hair on the
back of your neck standing up" kind of stuff when there in
person...even without the Marshall stack! :-)

What organ sound is used ?
1C, 5A or 5C in the MKII ? or an another sound ?

Thanks,

David

..............................

Candor Chasma

http://egrefin.free.fr

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by leetronhead

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, tronbros@... wrote:
>
> ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound
entirely
> different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will relax
you after
> a good hard
>
> Martin
>
> Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
>

A good HARD what????????????????????




>
> _www.mellotronics.co.uk_ (http://www.mellotronics.co.uk/)
> _www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/)
> US Sales East: Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397@..._ (http://JMoore6397@.../)
> US Sales West: Paul Cox _pjc56@..._ (http://pjc56@.../)
>

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Mike Dickson

Bernie wrote:

For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3 Violin sound do you prefer and why?

  • MkII 3 Violins
  • M400 3 Violins

I have the MkII 3 Violins, which I like very much, but I'm considering getting a copy of the original frame that came with my M400: MkII Flute/M400 3 Violins/Cello, although I'll probably have to dispense of one or two frames to do this.

Another question: Have any of you MkI/MkII owners ever used the M400 3 Violins on your Tron? I'm just curious about how they sound with the low impedance(?) heads.

Bernie

And don't forget the Sad Strings, which are not only very lovely but fully in tune!

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

Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by leetronhead

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, jeffc@... wrote:
>
> On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 tronbros@... wrote:
>
> > ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound
entirely
> > different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will
relax you after
> > a good hard
> >
> > Martin
> >
> > Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
>
>
>
> remember: contact your doctor if it lasts more than four hours.
>
> ;0) jeff
>
You can bet your ass I will contact my doc if it lasts more than 4
hours...Dr. Wanda is a BABE

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by tony

Yea Martin a good hard what?
I'm almost afraid I asked.
Tony
#510
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 6:16 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Strings Preference

--- In Mellotronists@ yahoogroups. com, tronbros@... wrote:
>
> ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound
entirely
> different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other will relax
you after
> a good hard
>
> Martin
>
> Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic
>

A good HARD what???????? ????????? ???

>
> _www.mellotronics. co.uk_ (http://www.mellotro nics.co.uk/)
> _www.mellotronics. com_ (http://www.mellotro nics.com/)
> US Sales East: Jimmy Moore _JMoore6397@ ..._ (http://JMoore6397@ .../)
> US Sales West: Paul Cox _pjc56@..._ (http://pjc56@ .../)
>

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.15/848 - Release Date: 6/13/2007 12:50 PM

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by MAinPsych@aol.com

In a message dated 6/14/2007 2:21:57 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, candor@... writes:
What organ sound is used ?
1C, 5A or 5C in the MKII ? or an another sound ?
6C, Church Organ (from the original MkII configuration; same with #134), along with Italian Accordian (6B in #134; 6A from the original MkII configuration.)
Frank Samagaio
San Diego CA
owner, Mellotron MkII #134 (Pindertron) / M400 #908
author, The Mellotron Book



See what's free at AOL.com.

Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Bruce Daily

--- lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> In a message dated 6/14/2007 2:02:21 P.M. Eastern
> Daylight Time,
> tronbros@... writes:
>
> ...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII
> yet they sound entirely
> different. One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the
> other will relax you after
> a good hard
>
>
>
> What?
>
> What?
>
> Swim?
>
> Tennis match?
>
> Jog around the neighborhood?
>
> Smack in the head?
>
>
>
>
>


Sounds like Martino saw the ending of "The
Sopranos" too....

-Bruce Daily




____________________________________________________________________________________Ready for the edge of your seat?
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Re: [Mellotronists] Strings Preference

2007-06-14 by Mike Dickson

Ken Leonard wrote: 
At 02:01 PM 6/14/2007, tronbros@... wrote:
  
...anyway, Crimso and the Moodies both used a MKII yet they sound 
entirely different.  One will tear flesh at 50 paces and the other 
will relax you after a good hard
    
A good hard WHAT, Martingle?

Belgian, probably.

Anyway, those not used to the sound of the M400 strings can hear them on that bloody awful album known as 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway'. The strings that burst through on 'Lilywhite Somethingorother' are those of the M400 variety. I didn't realise this until I ended up playing them one day at Chateau Smith. They just sound a bit EQ'd to shreds, really. 
-- 

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

church organ

2007-06-15 by candor@free.fr

Thanks Frank.
It doesn't sound like a church organ.
I have the St John's Wood church organ for my M400 and it's very different.
Any information about this MKII church organ ? Martin ?

David



6C, Church Organ (from the original MkII configuration; same with #134), along with Italian Accordian (6B in #134; 6A from the original MkII configuration.)






Re: [Mellotronists] church organ

2007-06-15 by ken@kleonard.com

> It doesn't sound like a church organ.
> I have the St John's Wood church organ for my M400 and it's very
> different.
> Any information about this MKII church organ ? Martin ?

I thought the "Peak Hour" sound was Martin's "Smooth Organ".

(Don't ask...it's what he calls it...'til you get a few pints in 'im, then he
calls it "Tiger"...)

...kl...
M400 #805 - grrrowwwwlll!
M400 #1037 - sometimes smooth

----------------------------------------------------------------
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Re: Strings Preference

2007-06-15 by Tony Swettenham

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:
>
>
> For those of you who own an M400-type Tron (M400, Mark V, etc), which 3
> Violin sound do you prefer and why?
>
> * MkII 3 Violins * M400 3 Violins
>

MkII 3 Violins every time without fail.

During the first 15 years of owning an M400 I had the M400 3 violins
and was never able to even approximate 'that sound', it didn't even
come close - in my experience it wasn't just because of the
differences in amplification and head impedance (wear on the tapes
notwithstanding)....but I have always maintained, and still do, that a
handful of the notes are actually *different recordings* on the M400
version, at least on the one I used to use - not very many, only about
4 notes that I can tell, but enough to make a big difference. I've got
both versions sampled here from my own machine so I'll post an A-B
comparison very shortly...

For anyone else who has both versions, have a listen to the lowest
C-sharp, then more notably the G-sharp and A in the second octave,
followed by the highest A. On the M400 version they sound (certainly
to my ears) like other adjacent notes re-tuned as well as re-EQ'd (for
instance I'm convinced that G#2 and A2 are simply the nearest G
re-tuned - the EQ may be different but the timbre and overall 'feel'
across all three notes is uncannily similar). That would also go a
long way to explaining why I always felt like there was something
missing on the M400 violins I used to have, no matter what I did to
the sound. The 'spaceyness' and 'Huge Jock McHuge'-ness of the MkII
versions just wasn't there.

After that, as soon as I was able, I got the MkII violins and have
never looked back since :) .

Regards,

Tony S
M400 #581