Mellotronists

So, has anyone kept a record of how badly the M400 Three Violins are out
of tune with each other and which keys are the worst offenders? I've
got 1407 back together and playing and I'm down to minute keyboard
adjustments and I'm wondering if there are certain notes that I just
shouldn't attempt to put that much time into. Most notes sound OK as
you're running up or down the keyboard, but if I try playing something
in unison an octave apart or certain chords, it becomes obvious there
are still some tuning problems. As my pinch rollers are finally spinning
like they have ball bearings, I guess I should check motor stability
and the SMS4 to make sure that issues aren't originating there.

john

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, john barrick <astroboy@...>
wrote:

>
> So, has anyone kept a record of how badly the M400 Three Violins

are out

> of tune with each other and which keys are the worst offenders?

I've

> got 1407 back together and playing and I'm down to minute keyboard
> adjustments and I'm wondering if there are certain notes that I

just

> shouldn't attempt to put that much time into. Most notes sound OK

as

> you're running up or down the keyboard, but if I try playing

something

> in unison an octave apart or certain chords, it becomes obvious

there

> are still some tuning problems. As my pinch rollers are finally

spinning

> like they have ball bearings, I guess I should check motor

stability

> and the SMS4 to make sure that issues aren't originating there.
>
> john
>

Don't knock yourself out John, I use a small Korg tuner, found in
music stores for around $20. and just go for an average. If you get
middle A in tune and go down to D it will show reading flat, switch
track and the flute will be ok almost. You will eventually get new
tapes and that problem will solve itself. Just watch your
adjutstments as to not get too much tension on rollers. BTW
congrats on getting up and running, the work sure pays off. Doug

lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Yes, actually. I have put this on a spread sheet. It is rather
> complicated. On it I have taken into account motor stability, tape
> stretch, global warming, potential pinch roller squeeze, humidity,
> shitty tape, daylight savings time, gas prices, and the all important,
> "mean time between failure," which I have calculated as, "any time now."
>
> Regis
>
>

What about Northern vs. Southern hemisphere?

kelly

Low "F" is the real clanker on 3V. All I can say is, I got the "tuned"
tapes for the Mark V, and they are an utter delight to play. They still
have character and individuality, but you don't have to be so careful about
voicings with them. Also, on a previous thread, the Mk II 3V is the ONLY
way to go if you want that creamy sound, the M400 violins are very cutting
in comparison.

> So, has anyone kept a record of how badly the M400 Three Violins are out
> of tune with each other and which keys are the worst offenders?

Too right, man.

I hate that F. Oh, that F.....

Bearing in mind that I started on a Hammond and many organ classics/cliches
are in F...

I would LOVE to do my own varispeed tapeset session. I've had the priviledge
of being around one of the finest Rhodes/Wurly/Hammond/Everything Else guys
in Europe ( 'Rocket' Ron Lebar) while he tunes - with the handy if awkward
consequence that my own pitch sensitivity has been improved significantly-
to the point where my own Wurlitzer tuning sounds crap and Mellotron tuning
vagaries now annoy me more than I would ever admit to anybody outside of our
little support group (Tapeworms Anonymous?).

Perhaps we should have a go. Martin? Fancy it? No remastering- just a few
pitch tweaks. I'll bring the teabags and the Hawkwind.

Here comes the lightning- I may have to unplug the computer.

>From: "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...>
>To: "Mellotronists" <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] M400 3 Violin Tuning
>Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 22:35:44 -0500
>
>Low "F" is the real clanker on 3V. All I can say is, I got the "tuned"
>tapes for the Mark V, and they are an utter delight to play. They still
>have character and individuality, but you don't have to be so careful about
>voicings with them. Also, on a previous thread, the Mk II 3V is the ONLY
>way to go if you want that creamy sound, the M400 violins are very cutting
>in comparison.
>
>
>
>
> > So, has anyone kept a record of how badly the M400 Three Violins are out
> > of tune with each other and which keys are the worst offenders?
>

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

>
> Lots of lovely typos in my earlier post. Enjoy.
>

How many times do we have to remind you not to answer emails after de
magging!!!!! Doug

AHHHH- The "Well-Tempered Mellotron"!!!

-Bruce D.


--- tronbros@... wrote:

>
> In a message dated 18/06/2007 16:57:02 GMT Standard
> Time,
> markstuartwallis@... writes:
>
> Perhaps we should have a go. Martin? Fancy it? No
> remastering- just a few
> pitch tweaks. I'll bring the teabags and the
> Hawkwind.
>
>
>
> Already available! This is a moot pont in the world
> of mellotrons. The
> purests protest at anything anything messed with yet
> EVERYONE who has asked for
> tuned tapes loves them and wouldn't have the
> originals back. This speaks
> volumes!
>
> 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@.../)
>
>
>
>
>
>

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