Mellotronists

I have noticed that when I listen to #805 through the cans from the mixer, 
it's very brash.  It's not distorted, it's just IN YOUR FACE, especially 
the 3 Violins.

I've noticed that it almost completely loses this brashness when I record 
it (PC-based, not analog tape) and play it back.  It starts sounding more 
like a well-heeled 'tron.

Now I've noticed that it also loses this brashness if I run it through the 
Lexicon MPX-100 el-cheapo-but-still-smooth effects device and listen to 
only the wet output---again, A/D-D/A conversion, as with the recording to PC.

OK, what's going on here?

1) I thought the idea behind all this digital stuff was to preserve the 
integrity of the sound as closely as "n" samples/second at "m" bit depth 
would get you?  Does the A/D-D/A conversion or some other filtering calm 
out this brashness?

2) Is my Mackie mixer doing something funky here?  Perhaps the 'tron is 
overloading something?

3) Would a DI box have the same calming effect?  Or should I just go with 
camomile tea?

4) Am I hearing things?

I'm not complaining---it seems to do "the right" kind of filtering job or 
whatever it's doing to smooth it out.  A "good thing", I'd say.  But I'd 
still like to know what's going on.

...kl...M400 #805 - "well-heeled"?  HA!

* Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:  http://www.kleonard.com
* Get Outdoors New England:  http://www.GONewEngland.org
** GONewEngland is a neat, fun, and free Internet Bulletin Board
** for outdoor activities in/around the New England area--and beyond!

Ken Leonard wrote:

    I have noticed that when I listen to #805 through the cans from the
mixer,
   it's very brash.  It's not distorted, it's just IN YOUR FACE,
especially
   the 3 Violins.

   I've noticed that it almost completely loses this brashness when I
record
   it (PC-based, not analog tape) and play it back.  It starts sounding
more
   like a well-heeled 'tron.

In my experience, mellotrons are much more difficult to get a good sound
from when recorded via a direct feed.
That's especially where that brashness you're experiencing comes in,
Ken. A good amp rounds things out and
warms them up considerably. (Watch out for amps that can give it a nasel
sound, though -- bass amps, especially)
Some echo (reverb) before the amp and then some more on the mixing board
gives added depth and flexibility for
smoother articulation of the notes. If you're careful how you set it up,
an echo unit (echoplex is my
recommendation) can also add a lot to the sound as long as the tape is
changed relatively frequently (playing live, I
used to do try to remember to do it once a week).

Those who've spoken to Ian McDonald about the recording of "Epitaph"
will know that this is the way KC did it
(a Hi-Watt stack and WEM spring reverb). They put a U-87 about 20 feet
away and let it rip. It came out all right,
I'd say...

Also, if you were at Tronto MkII, check out Fritz Doddy's excellent
reference CD about some other ways to
approach recording. He has a lot to say.

Rick (FX 10030)

Jim,

Well, I'd be happy to sell you mine for $100 or you could ask Fritz (c/o
this group) really, really nicely and he might be talked into selling you
one. (Fritz is a bit of a recluse due to the fact that he thinks he's too
ugly to make it with Dickson. It has seriously affected his mental
stability, sad to say...)

Rick

Jim Anderson wrote:

> On 12/31/02 2:01 PM, Rick Blechta wrote in part:
> >Also, if you were at Tronto MkII, check out Fritz Doddy's excellent
> >reference CD about some other ways to
> >approach recording. He has a lot to say.
>
> dang! what if you weren't lucky enough to attend Tronto - is there any
> way to acquire a copy of this reference CD?
>
> -jima/M400#680


  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey! You!
Check out my website: rickblechta.com
It's really great. Trust me...