The Mellotron Group

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

Nicely and accurately said Andy.

 

Rich D.

From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.

 Andy K

Sent from my iPad

On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:06, gino wong <wonggster@gm ail.com> wrote:

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

Mellotroll.

On Jun 30, 2014 10:17 AM, "DiPaolo Richard kathnrich@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

    After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.

And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.

      Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.

 

Rich D.

From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.

 Andy K

Sent from my iPad

On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:06, gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

On Jun 30, 2014 10:17 AM, "DiPaolo Richard kathnrich@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

    After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.

And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.

      Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.

 

Rich D.

From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.

 Andy K

Sent from my iPad

On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:06, gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

I would like to address a small part of Rich's post.

"No benefit in the studio either. NONE."

A quick personal history. I own a recording studio that specializes in vintage keyboards. Our inventory includes one of Markus' M4000D's, and an original M400. I've also owned a number of additional M400's, a MkV, and a Chamberlin.

Some observations on the M4000D. Well-made, great sounding, reliable, nice keyboard. Does it sound like our particular M400? No. And this M400 doesn't sound like our other M400's. The M4000D sounds like a combination of a couple of the M400's we've had. But it sounds NOTHING like our current M400, and again....neither did our past Trons. Not better or worse, just different. Radically different. We use the M4000D for "almost" everything, but occasionally it's simply "Not The Right Mellotron". Just like the M400 is often not the right Mellotron. They are different sounding Mellotrons.

Studio benefits: Many of our inventoried instruments are essentially handmade. Therefore, each will have it's own quirks and personality. OUR Rhodes doesn't sound like YOUR Rhodes. OUR Minimoog doesn't sound like YOUR Minimoog. And that, in itself, gives value to having the hardware.

However, the point that I consider most important, and often overlooked, is "how does that PARTICULAR instrument influence the performer's music?". Here's how it plays out, in EVERY session. I'm not kidding.

Player arrives. He/she has been using vsti's and hardware sims for years. Has never even SEEN most of the authentic instruments. They have all their parts carefully written and rehearsed, based on their vsti's, and on the sims in their workstations.

They see the C3 and 122. "Holy shit". Yep. This is serious.

I show them how to turn on the C3. The starter motor grinds up to speed, then the run motor wobbles a bit, and kicks the machine into gear. "Holy shit".

They feel the vibrations from the tonewheel generator. They feel the wind from the Leslie. I coach them through the speed switch, drawbars, percussion, and vibrato. I show them how to control the distortion by using the volume pedal. "Holy shit".

They play the parts that they had planned. Then....they start modifying the parts, based on the influence of the instrument. They disappear into the experience, and we all just shut up for a while, and let them soak it in, and GET IT. We've had people actually crying while playing this stuff. They can't believe the depth of the experience. The realization that the vsti is THAT far from the real instrument, comes as a profound shock.

What they eventually record ends up sounding like the REAL version of what they had originally intended. With far more emotion and power, but it's because of THE WAY THEY PLAY IT, not just the way it sounds.

So I do think that "No benefit in the studio either. NONE." may be an unfair assumption.

Cheers,

Jim Blair
Ape Island Sound
Canada

 

What I can't understand is why the sour grapes. If you have an opinion, cool , but to behave like that smacks of something more. If you want to leave, that's ok too...He's like the digital V.G.

 

In a message dated 6/30/2014 11:41:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

Mellotroll.

On Jun 30, 2014 10:17 AM, "DiPaolo Richard kathnrich@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

    After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.

And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.

      Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.

 

Rich D.

From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.

 Andy K

Sent from my iPad

On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:06, gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

Steinways, Bluthners, Dale Forty, Bechsteins all still sell in droves despite great emulations in boxes or software. That tells you something. It's down to the 'experience' and not just how accurate or not the sound is. That's why we have a full order book for the real deal despite being involved in the digital world.

Best

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

Celebrating 50 years of mellotrons

On 30 Jun 2014, at 16:46, "lsf5275@aol.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

What I can't understand is why the sour grapes. If you have an opinion, cool , but to behave like that smacks of something more. If you want to leave, that's ok too...He's like the digital V.G.

 

In a message dated 6/30/2014 11:41:45 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

Mellotroll.

On Jun 30, 2014 10:17 AM, "DiPaolo Richard kathnrich@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

    After having been part of this group. And now leaving, Just saying having a real mellotron is stupid and not worth the money. You will enjoy it for 10 minutes. People selling for them for $4000, stripped, not original, no tapes, how absurd.

And then crying how it really is worth $4000. What a laugh.

      Get a 4000D from Markus and call it a day. Get a 4000 mini from Markus (Mellotron)and call it a day. Get these new emulators and call it a day. They are just as good if not better. Carrying around a a real Mellotron to play out now-o-days is as good as carrying around a Hammond B3 and is just as asinine. Why not just carry around a grand or even better a baby grand to play out with. No benefit in the studio either. NONE.

 

Rich D.

From: Kinchmusic <kinchmusic@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I have to say that the m3000 app is ridiculously cheap IMO. The quality of the playback is amazing. All I would add is that the m4000d and Memotron etc are very good at reproducing the sounds of the master tapes. Fine but to me, the Mellotron sound is as much about the machine itself. IE. the type of Pre-amp and yes, the wow and flutter generated within the instrument. Even it being out of tune. I'm as guilty as anyone here wanting to sanitise the tuning to bring it into what's deemed as acceptable for today's recordings, something that wasn't an option way back when. They just got on with it, warts and all, maybe we should as well.

 Andy K

Sent from my iPad

On 26 Mar 2014, at 16:06, gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com> wrote:

 

The Mirage analogy was apocryphal.  When all is said and done you have, tape and a duplicate in the form of a sample, sample on a ROM or an analog copy. Beyound that is how it is handled.  The numeric designation via the marketing suggests that they are the same thing.  All quibbling aside, they are not. It matters a lot at the detail level. 

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 11:24 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

     What ever you are happy with Gino and can afford. By far the Ensoniq Mirage is/was an extremely low memory unit. The loops were very short, 16 bit, harsh, loaded from floppies, but powerful for it's day, late 80's?? The Mellotron 4000D is fully recorded sounds at 24 bit, 100 sounds.
      The 4000D is also part of the experience, the look, the feel, the sound, of we who had once owned full blown Mellotrons and do NOT want carry all that hardware and 3 sounds?! In fact, the recorded and not sampled/looped, (I don't care, call them sampled if it makes anyone feel better), sounds are spot on, having owned an M400, recorded my M400 in well known studios....The sound of M4000D is exact, and , may not be for everyone.
      Mellotronics makes a supierior unit to the once M400, far superior! The sounds I heard from it are today's technology with very many and authentic/awesome sounds! It Just did not fit my life style and needs, or wallet.
P.S. I do not plan to carry my M4000D through the TSA. But correct, my Ipad does go right through.

 

Rich D.

From: gino wong <wonggster@gmail.com>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

An IPad with the 3000 app would have been an even better value, or an Ensoniq Mirage.  I am not being flippant here. 

The man hours on sound development on both far exceed that of the M4000D both conveniently sized and the TSA have seen and noted them (they have an unofficial book for folk with IQs over 75).

On Wed, Mar 26, 2014 at 9:43 AM, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Correct Martin.
     Your 4000 is way out of my price range. Sorry, way Too heavy for my needs, took way too long to make for my needs, and that was also three weeks ago.

 

Rich D.

From: Martin <tronbros@aol.com>
To: "newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] (unknown)

 

I won't be collecting you from the station then Rich?

M

Mellotronics.com on my iPad

2013 is the 50th anniversary of the Mellotron

On 26 Mar 2014, at 13:20, DiPaolo Richard <kathnrich@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi

       Just purchased an M4000D. The flight case is too heavy for everyday use. Anyone know of a soft, lightweight case available? I will be keeping the flight case for long haul use.

 

Thank you

Rich D.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

I would like to address a small part of Rich's post.

"No benefit in the studio either. NONE."

A quick personal history. I own a recording studio that specializes in vintage keyboards. Our inventory includes one of Markus' M4000D's, and an original M400. I've also owned a number of additional M400's, a MkV, and a Chamberlin.

Some observations on the M4000D. Well-made, great sounding, reliable, nice keyboard. Does it sound like our particular M400? No. And this M400 doesn't sound like our other M400's. The M4000D sounds like a combination of a couple of the M400's we've had. But it sounds NOTHING like our current M400, and again....neither did our past Trons. Not better or worse, just different. Radically different. We use the M4000D for "almost" everything, but occasionally it's simply "Not The Right Mellotron". Just like the M400 is often not the right Mellotron. They are different sounding Mellotrons.

Studio benefits: Many of our inventoried instruments are essentially handmade. Therefore, each will have it's own quirks and personality. OUR Rhodes doesn't sound like YOUR Rhodes. OUR Minimoog doesn't sound like YOUR Minimoog. And that, in itself, gives value to having the hardware.

However, the point that I consider most important, and often overlooked, is "how does that PARTICULAR instrument influence the performer's music?". Here's how it plays out, in EVERY session. I'm not kidding.

Player arrives. He/she has been using vsti's and hardware sims for years. Has never even SEEN most of the authentic instruments. They have all their parts carefully written and rehearsed, based on their vsti's, and on the sims in their workstations.

They see the C3 and 122. "Holy shit". Yep. This is serious.

I show them how to turn on the C3. The starter motor grinds up to speed, then the run motor wobbles a bit, and kicks the machine into gear. "Holy shit".

They feel the vibrations from the tonewheel generator. They feel the wind from the Leslie. I coach them through the speed switch, drawbars, percussion, and vibrato. I show them how to control the distortion by using the volume pedal. "Holy shit".

They play the parts that they had planned. Then....they start modifying the parts, based on the influence of the instrument. They disappear into the experience, and we all just shut up for a while, and let them soak it in, and GET IT. We've had people actually crying while playing this stuff. They can't believe the depth of the experience. The realization that the vsti is THAT far from the real instrument, comes as a profound shock.

What they eventually record ends up sounding like the REAL version of what they had originally intended. With far more emotion and power, but it's because of THE WAY THEY PLAY IT, not just the way it sounds.

So I do think that "No benefit in the studio either. NONE." may be an unfair assumption.

Cheers,

Jim Blair
Ape Island Sound
Canada