The Mellotron Group

I had a chance to take the freshly restored Novatron to NEARfest last  
weekend to be played by a young band from LA called Astra. It sounded great and  
I had a lovely time with them.
 
Here's a photo or two that I plucked off the net. They also had a Memotron  
and the other keys player played a lot of tron samples.

Flute, Strings, Choir
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
pocotron@yahoo.com writes:

Nice, Frank!
Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
What voices were on the  frame?

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>  
>  
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the  frame?
>

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Jake Kobrin" <got_a_guitar@yahoo.com>
To: <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:09 PM
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


> Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

There's stuff on YouTube of them using my M400 in London in April - put in 
'Astra' 'Scala' - should do it.

Andy T.

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my  
myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

 
 
 
Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In  _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ,  lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
>  
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how  neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on  the frame?
>

It was black cardboard wrapped around his (run of the mill)  keyboard 
stand. It was there to hide the mess that was underneath it. He  played two 
Infinite Response VAX77 Keyboard Controllers playing samples from an  off stage 
computer (Mac). I don't think he was trying to make it look like a  Mellotron 
at all.
 
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qorB
DtbEhrk&feature=PlayList&p=65A4C19826F97FF3&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=17_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qorBDtbEhrk&feature=PlayList&p=65A4C19826F97FF3&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&in
dex=17) 
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010 7:18:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
wonggster@gmail.com writes:

Eddie  Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a  piss.

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



Astra was good. They were well received

Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.

In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

I'll pretend. 
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010 8:04:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
gabru@comsec.net writes:

If this was  the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be 
impressed … or at least  give a $hit J

Tony,

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked
at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10
direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and
T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and
redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory
which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party :).  A few years ago I bought a
couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development
of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those....but that's another story.....Those were fun days...at least I think they were from what I remember.
Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere :).  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores
things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with it.  As I recall there
were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on
the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow...didn't mean to get started in the old days stories..... :) .

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

Tony

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Astra was good. They were well received
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

Gary,
 
We all love "the old days stories."
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 6/24/2010 12:11:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
gabru@comsec.net writes:

 
 
 
 
Tony, 
The Rev.1 is  the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was 
very  unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 
  
at Sequential  in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able 
to get  factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a 
Prophet  10  
direct from  the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due 
to  reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple 
of  Rev. 3s and  
< span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D;">T8 but  none compared to the 
Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini  Moogs.  They switched to a 
more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA,  VCF, etc. and 





redesigned  the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very 
dependable but lost  some of it’s “balls” in the process.  I got training at 
the Emu factory   
which was in  a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It 
was a fun  place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I 
bought a   
couple of Emu  Vintage Keys modules and no ticed that my friend Riley had 
written the  manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the 
development   
of the  Synergy and I owned a couple of those….but that’s another story…
..Those were  fun days…at least I think they were from what I remember.    
Man, there  are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may 
know where a P10 is in  NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  
He just stores   
things  forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in 
 the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can g et him to part with 
 it.  As I recall there  
were only  about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve  console from him 
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the  leather was 
like new on  
the arm rest  and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of 
years and  then stored it.  Anyhow…didn’t mean to get started in the old 
days  stories….. :) . 
Cheers, 
Gary 
 
 
 
From: newmellotrongroup@ newmellotro newmellotrongroup@<WBR>yah 
newmellotrongro newmellOn Behalf Of  tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To:  newmellotrongroup@  newmell  
Subject: Re:  [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 
 
 
 
I am impressed as I was the  factory service tech for Hillsborough and 
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete),  for Sequential and most others when the 
Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I' m  looking for one of either right now.
 

 
Tony
 


 
----- Original Message  ----- 
 
From: _Gary Brumm_ (mailto:gabru@comsec.net)   
 
To: _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)   
 
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04  PM
 
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the  Novatron
 

 
 
My first  Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.    
If this was  the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be 
impressed … or at  least give a $hit J 
 
 
 
From:<  /span> _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)   [mailto:newmellotro  [mailto:n  [On Behalf Of  gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To:  _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
Subject:  Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the  Novatron

 
 
 
Astra was good. They were well received 
 
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a  piss.
 
 
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <_lsf5275@aol.lsf_ 
(mailto:lsf5275@aol.com) > wrote: 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped  out on me. I'll post it on my 
myspace page and perhaps You tube as  well.
 
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11  P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
_got_a_guitar@got_a_gui_ (mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com)   writes:


 
 
Astra rules! Is there any footage of  them using the Novatron?
 
--- In _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmell%20%20otrongroup@yahoogroups.com) , lsf5275@...  wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
> 
> In  a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
>  pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how  neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were  on the  frame?
>

Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I
love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over
the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to
play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed
interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?

  Paul T 

 M400 #1226

Prophet 5 #0896

DKS Synergy 1 #01628

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

Tony,

 

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was
very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able
to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a
Prophet 10 

direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to
reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of
Rev. 3s and 

T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini
Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc.
and 

redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very
dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at
the Emu factory 

which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It
was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I
bought a 

couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had
written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the
development 

of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those..but that's another
story...Those were fun days.at least I think they were from what I remember.


Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know
where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He
just stores 

things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in
the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with
it.  As I recall there 

were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was
like new on 

the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of
years and then stored it.  Anyhow.didn't mean to get started in the old days
stories... :) .

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the
Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

 

Tony

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Gary Brumm <mailto:gabru@comsec.net>  

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed
. or at least give a $hit J

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

  

Astra was good. They were well received

Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

  

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace
page and perhaps You tube as well.

In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

  

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com> , lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but you are correct about the chips.
My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual 10 voice made early on but it overheated
and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage
with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.  I used to have a lot of parts and even several
empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like
a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced than the DX7 but it's price and limited
production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had very little control over the voices.
It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split was a very cool innovation
and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a brilliant (but slightly odd :)) engineer, came up with.
There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds.......
....and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos......  Bob & Kat Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan
Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice to see someone is still out there playing one.
What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS)
that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like to share a couple of them please let me know.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?
  Paul T
 M400 #1226
Prophet 5 #0896
DKS Synergy 1 #01628
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Tony,

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked
at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10
direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and
T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and
redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory
which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party :).  A few years ago I bought a
couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development
of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those....but that's another story.....Those were fun days...at least I think they were from what I remember.
Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere :).  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores
things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with it.  As I recall there
were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on
the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow...didn't mean to get started in the old days stories..... :) .

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

Tony

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Astra was good. They were well received
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Gary Brumm

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:04 AM

Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson. It was a Rev. 1 &; Black.

If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed … or at least give a $hit J

Hey, Gary - I'm impressed! Have a just refurb'd Rev 2.2 - lovely synth, but harder to programme than I'd expected, given that I know analogues pretty well...

Andy T.

Frank,
 
Did you get to meet Steve Hackett?  Any pics or stories?
 
John

________________________________

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of lsf5275@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:16 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I had a chance to take the freshly restored Novatron to NEARfest last
weekend to be played by a young band from LA called Astra. It sounded
great and I had a lovely time with them.
 
Here's a photo or two that I plucked off the net. They also had a
Memotron and the other keys player played a lot of tron samples.

I met him. He's very quiet and didn't talk much. Nice, though.
 
 
In a message dated 6/24/2010 8:14:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
john.wright@consona.com writes:

 
 
 
Frank,
 
Did you get to meet Steve Hackett?  Any pics  or stories?
 
John

 
____________________________________

 From: newmellotrongroup@ newmellotro newmellotrongroup@<WBR>yah 
newmellotrongro newmellOn Behalf Of  lsf5275@aol.lsf
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:16  PM
To:  newmellotrongroup@  newmell  
Subject:  [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



I had a chance to take the freshly restored Novatron to NEARfest last  
weekend to be played by a young band from LA called Astra. It sounded great  and 
I had a lovely time with them.
 
Here's a photo or two that I plucked off the net. They also had a  Memotron 
and the other keys player played a lot of tron samples.

lsf5275@aol.com writes:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVZoNKh1_I
 
Here is some video of the Novatron at NEARfest. Sorry about the quality.
 
Frank

Hi Andy,

The programming came pretty naturally to me. Having grown up with Mini Moogs the signal flow was similar.
I really miss all of those realtime knobs.  You could work them like drawbars on a Hammond, adjusting them as you play.
When the DX7 came out I really hated the parameter programming method it used.  Most people just used the presets.
I think the P5 is to polyphonics what the Mini Moog was to monophonics and it was modeled after the Moog.  It was my
favorite poly analogue.  As I told Paul, I don't remember a lot about the Rev.2 other than it was an attempt to improve reliability.
Finally the Rev. 3 achieved the reliability required to stand up on the road but lost some of the sound quality due to the change
in ICs on which it was based.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andy Thompson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 3:51 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:04 AM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)

Hey, Gary - I'm impressed! Have a just refurb'd Rev 2.2 - lovely synth, but harder to programme than I'd expected, given that I know analogues pretty well...
Andy T.

Thanks Gary I appreciate the info.
I'm about to make a major decision about my music, that is wheter to bother with it anymore or not.
I enjoy my Ferraris a lot more than playing, which thanks to American whore bitches from Hell effectively killed my desire and inspiration to play (I improvise 100%).
I wish they had bounties on their heads because I'd make the dude on that TV show look like a friggin boy scout!

Tony

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: lsf5275@aol.com 
  To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:36 AM
  Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


    

  Gary,

  We all love "the old days stories."

  Frank

  In a message dated 6/24/2010 12:11:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:
      

    Tony,


    The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

    at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10 

    direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and 

    < span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D;">T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and 

    redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it’s “balls” in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory 

    which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I bought a 

    couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and no ticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development 

    of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those….but that’s another story…..Those were fun days…at least I think they were from what I remember.  

    Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores 

    things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can g et him to part with it.  As I recall there 

    were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on 

    the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow…didn’t mean to get started in the old days stories….. :) .


    Cheers,


    Gary


    From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
    Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
    To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


      

    I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I' m looking for one of either right now.


    Tony


      ----- Original Message ----- 

      From: Gary Brumm 

      To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

      Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

      Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


        

      My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

      If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed … or at least give a $hit J

      From:< /span> newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
      Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
      To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
      Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

        

      Astra was good. They were well received

      Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

      On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

        

      Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.

      In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

          

        Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

        --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:

        >
        > Flute, Strings, Choir
        > 
        > 
        > In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
        > pocotron@... writes:
        > 
        > Nice, Frank!
        > Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
        > What voices were on the frame?
        >

I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12
Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk.
I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before
it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data
storage formats to replace floppy disks. 

  PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but
you are correct about the chips.  

My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual
10 voice made early on but it overheated 

and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I
still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage 

with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.
I used to have a lot of parts and even several 

empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify
waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like 

a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced
than the DX7 but it's price and limited 

production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had
very little control over the voices.  

It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split
was a very cool innovation 

and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a
brilliant (but slightly odd J) engineer, came up with.  

There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will
recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds...

..and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos..  Bob & Kat
Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan 

Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice
to see someone is still out there playing one.  

What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old
sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS) 

that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like
to share a couple of them please let me know.  

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I
love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over
the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to
play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed
interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?

  Paul T 

 M400 #1226

Prophet 5 #0896

DKS Synergy 1 #01628

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

Tony,

 

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was
very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able
to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a
Prophet 10 

direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to
reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of
Rev. 3s and 

T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini
Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc.
and 

redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very
dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at
the Emu factory 

which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It
was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I
bought a 

couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had
written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the
development 

of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those..but that's another
story...Those were fun days.at least I think they were from what I remember.


Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know
where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He
just stores 

things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in
the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with
it.  As I recall there 

were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was
like new on 

the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of
years and then stored it.  Anyhow.didn't mean to get started in the old days
stories... :) .

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the
Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

 

Tony

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Gary Brumm <mailto:gabru@comsec.net>  

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed
. or at least give a $hit J

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

  

Astra was good. They were well received

Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

  

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace
page and perhaps You tube as well.

In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

  

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com> , lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

My K series Kurzweils read the following: Standard MIDI Files, AIFF, WAVE Reads: ISO-9660, Roland 700 series, Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and S3000, Ensoniq EPS/ASR file formats.  There is a 3.5 floppy built in that I was planning someday to replace with a flash reader.  I have not really used the sampling features
much.  I have been working with learning how to program the Kurzweil but it is a bit on the complicated side.  I have a K2000VPS, K2500RS, and K2600RS.  They
are beautiful sounding machines.

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:05 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


 I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12 Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk. I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data storage formats to replace floppy disks.
  PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but you are correct about the chips.
My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual 10 voice made early on but it overheated
and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage
with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.  I used to have a lot of parts and even several
empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like
a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced than the DX7 but it's price and limited
production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had very little control over the voices.
It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split was a very cool innovation
and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a brilliant (but slightly odd :)) engineer, came up with.
There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds.......
....and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos......  Bob & Kat Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan
Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice to see someone is still out there playing one.
What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS)
that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like to share a couple of them please let me know.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?
  Paul T
 M400 #1226
Prophet 5 #0896
DKS Synergy 1 #01628
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Tony,

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked
at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10
direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and
T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and
redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory
which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party :).  A few years ago I bought a
couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development
of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those....but that's another story.....Those were fun days...at least I think they were from what I remember.
Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere :).  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores
things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with it.  As I recall there
were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on
the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow...didn't mean to get started in the old days stories..... :) .

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

Tony

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Astra was good. They were well received
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

Nice full sound.  Keeping the faith!
 
The back-projection images reminds me of the 1977 Tangerine Dream concert at Mackey Auditorium at CU in Boulder, Colorado.  TD had a Laserium film they used for their concerts, back projected on a screen behind the band.  But, the auditorium stage was very shallow, projection length was too short, so the image we saw was in a small rectangle (about 15' by 18').  Looked real odd.  Excellent concert, though.
 
   -Bruce D.


--- On Thu, 6/24/10, ClayE <ecclesreinson@rogers.com> wrote:

From: ClayE <ecclesreinson@rogers.com>
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, June 24, 2010, 7:13 AM


  



lsf5275@aol.com writes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVZoNKh1_I

Here is some video of the Novatron at NEARfest. Sorry about the quality.

Frank

Nope but one of my best friends worked for the Laserium in the Windy City.
T-Dream still my favorite band.
T1

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bruce Daily 
  To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:03 PM
  Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


    
        Nice full sound.  Keeping the faith!

        The back-projection images reminds me of the 1977 Tangerine Dream concert at Mackey Auditorium at CU in Boulder, Colorado.  TD had a Laserium film they used for their concerts, back projected on a screen behind the band.  But, the auditorium stage was very shallow, projection length was too short, so the image we saw was in a small rectangle (about 15' by 18').  Looked real odd.  Excellent concert, though.

           -Bruce D.


        --- On Thu, 6/24/10, ClayE <ecclesreinson@rogers.com> wrote:


          From: ClayE <ecclesreinson@rogers.com>
          Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron
          To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
          Date: Thursday, June 24, 2010, 7:13 AM


            
          lsf5275@aol.com writes:

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVZoNKh1_I

          Here is some video of the Novatron at NEARfest. Sorry about the quality.

          Frank

Hmmm. Sounds like someone went through one or more bitter divorces.
 
 
In a message dated 6/24/2010 11:32:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
atm655@verizon.net writes:

 
 
 
  
Thanks Gary I appreciate the  info.
I'm about to make a major decision  about my music, that is wheter to 
bother with it anymore or not.
I enjoy my Ferraris a lot more than  playing, which thanks to American 
whore bitches from Hell effectively killed  my desire and inspiration to play (I 
improvise 100%).
I wish they had bounties on their heads  because I'd make the dude on that 
TV show look like a friggin boy  scout!
 
Tony
 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: _lsf5275@aol.lsf_ (mailto:lsf5275@aol.com)  
To: _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)   
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:36  AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re:  Astra plays the Novatron



Gary,
 
We all love "the old days stories."
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 6/24/2010 12:11:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
_gabru@comsec.gab_ (mailto:gabru@comsec.net)  writes:

 
 
Tony, 
The Rev.1  is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was 
very  unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 
  
at  Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was  
able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and  later a 
Prophet 10  
direct  from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due 
to  reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple 
of  Rev. 3s and  
< span  style="font- span  span  >T8 but none  compared to the Rev.1.  It 
sounded fat like a bunch of Mini  Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  
IC for their VCO,  VCA, VCF, etc. and  
redesigned the main board after  the Rev. 1 after which it became very 
dependable but lost some of it’s  “balls” in the process.  I got training at 
the Emu factory   
which was  in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It 
was  a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I 
bought a   
couple of  Emu Vintage Keys modules and no ticed that my friend Riley had 
written the  manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the  
development  
of the  Synergy and I owned a couple of those….but that’s another story…
..Those  were fun days…at least I think they were from what I remember.    
Man,  there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may 
know where a P10 is  in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  
He just  stores  
things  forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him  
in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can g et him to part  
with it.  As I recall there  
were only  about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve  console from him 
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case  the leather was 
like new on  
the arm  rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of  
years and then stored it.  Anyhow…didn’t mean to get started in the  old 
days stories….. :) . 
Cheers, 
Gary 
 
 
 
From: newmellotrongroup@ newmellotro newmellotrongroup@<WBR>yahoogr 
newmellotrongro newmellOn Behalf Of  tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To:  newmellotrongroup@  new  
Subject: Re:  [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the  Novatron

 
 
 
 
I am impressed as I was  the factory service tech for Hillsborough and 
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St  Pete), for Sequential and most others when the 
Prophet 5 and 10s came out.  And I' m looking for one of either right now.
 

 
Tony
 


 
----- Original Message  ----- 
 
From:  _Gary  Brumm_ (mailto:gabru@comsec.net)  
 
To: _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)   
 
Sent:  Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
 
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the  Novatron
 

 
 
My  first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 &  Black.   
If this  was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be 
impressed … or  at least give a $hit J 
 
 
 
From:<  /span> _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com)   [mailto:newmellotro  [mail  On Behalf Of  gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18  PM
To: _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) 
Subject:  Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the  Novatron




















 
 
 
Astra was good. They were well received 
 
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a  piss.
 
 
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <_lsf5275@aol.lsf_ 
(mailto:lsf5275@aol.com) >  wrote: 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes, but only a bit. My camera  crapped out on me. I'll post it on my 
myspace page and perhaps You tube  as well.
 
 
 
In a message dated 6/23/2010  4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
_got_a_guitar@got_a_gui_ (mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com)   writes:


 
 
Astra rules! Is there any  footage of them using the Novatron?
 
--- In _newmellotrongroup@newmellotronnew_ 
(mailto:newmell%20%20otrongroup@yahoogroups.com) ,  lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>  
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern  Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice,  Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the  Novatron.
> What voices were on the  frame?
>

Last one really sucked ass.
None are fun (a poet who doesn't know it), but my lawyer of 22 years blew her pathetic ass out the water.
Sorry fellas been a bad few days (anniversaries of losses in my tiny fam), I should learn to keep my big, foul mouth shut.

Apologies to all,
Tony

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: lsf5275@aol.com 
  To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 2:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


    

  Hmmm. Sounds like someone went through one or more bitter divorces.

  In a message dated 6/24/2010 11:32:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, atm655@verizon.net writes:
      
     

    Thanks Gary I appreciate the info.
    I'm about to make a major decision about my music, that is wheter to bother with it anymore or not.
    I enjoy my Ferraris a lot more than playing, which thanks to American whore bitches from Hell effectively killed my desire and inspiration to play (I improvise 100%).
    I wish they had bounties on their heads because I'd make the dude on that TV show look like a friggin boy scout!

    Tony

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: lsf5275@aol.com 
      To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
      Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:36 AM
      Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


        

      Gary,

      We all love "the old days stories."

      Frank

      In a message dated 6/24/2010 12:11:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:
          

        Tony,


        The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

        at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10 

        direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and 

        < span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D;">T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and 

        redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it’s “balls” in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory 

        which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I bought a 

        couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and no ticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development 

        of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those….but that’s another story…..Those were fun days…at least I think they were from what I remember.  

        Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores 

        things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can g et him to part with it.  As I recall there 

        were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on 

        the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow…didn’t mean to get started in the old days stories….. :) .


        Cheers,


        Gary


        From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
        Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
        To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
        Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


          

        I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I' m looking for one of either right now.


        Tony


          ----- Original Message ----- 

          From: Gary Brumm 

          To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

          Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

          Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


            

          My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

          If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed … or at least give a $hit J

          From:< /span> newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
          Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
          To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
          Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

            

          Astra was good. They were well received

          Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

          On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

            

          Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.

          In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

              

            Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

            --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:

            >
            > Flute, Strings, Choir
            > 
            > 
            > In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
            > pocotron@... writes:
            > 
            > Nice, Frank!
            > Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
            > What voices were on the frame?
            >

no worries here.

fritz

-----Original Message-----
From: tony1 <atm655@verizon.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, Jun 24, 2010 3:28 pm
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  
    
                  

Last one really sucked ass.
None are fun (a poet who doesn't know it), but my lawyer of 22 years blew her pathetic ass out the water.
Sorry fellas been a bad few days (anniversaries of losses in my tiny fam), I should learn to keep my big, foul mouth shut.
 
Apologies to all,
Tony
 
  
----- Original Message ----- 
  
From:   lsf5275@aol.com   
  
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com   
  
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 2:41   PM
  
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re:   Astra plays the Novatron
  


    
  
  
Hmmm. Sounds like someone went through one or more bitter divorces.
  
 
  
  
In a message dated 6/24/2010 11:32:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, atm655@verizon.net writes:
  
      
    
     
Thanks Gary I appreciate the     info.
    
I'm about to make a major decision     about my music, that is wheter to bother with it anymore or not.
    
I enjoy my Ferraris a lot more than     playing, which thanks to American whore bitches from Hell effectively killed     my desire and inspiration to play (I improvise 100%).
    
I wish they had bounties on their     heads because I'd make the dude on that TV show look like a friggin boy     scout!
    
 
    
Tony
    
 
    
      
----- Original Message ----- 
      
From: lsf5275@aol.com 
      
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com       
      
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:36       AM
      
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re:       Astra plays the Novatron
      


        
      
      
Gary,
      
 
      
We all love "the old days stories."
      
 
      
Frank
      
 
      
      
In a message dated 6/24/2010 12:11:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:
      
          
        
        
        
Tony,
        
        
The         Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it         was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith,         who worked 
        
at         Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was         able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1         and later a Prophet 10 
        
direct         from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due         to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a         couple of Rev. 3s and 
        
< span         style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D;">T8 but none         compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini         Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO,         VCA, VCF, etc. and 
        
redesigned the main board after         the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it’s         “balls” in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory         
        
which         was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.          It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I bought         a 
        
couple         of Emu Vintage Keys modules and no ticed that my friend Riley had         written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology         during the development 
        
of the         Synergy and I owned a couple of those….but that’s another story…..Those         were fun days…at least I think they were from what I remember.          
        
Man,         there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know where a P10         is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just         stores 
        
things         forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch         him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can g et him to         part with it.  As I recall there 
        
were         only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a         Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE         anvil case the leather was like new on 
        
the arm         rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of         years and then stored it.  Anyhow…didn’t mean to get started in the         old days stories….. :) .
        
        
Cheers,
        
        
Gary
        
        
        
        
        
From:         newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com         [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of         tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To:         newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re:         [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the         Novatron

        
        
  
        
        
        
        
        
I am impressed as I         was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties         (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and         10s came out. And I' m looking for one of either right         now.
        
        

        
        
Tony
        
        

        
          
          
----- Original           Message ----- 
          
          
From:           Gary           Brumm 
          
          
To:           newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com           
          
          
Sent:           Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
          
          
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the           Novatron
          
          

          
  
          
          
          
My           first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 &           Black.  
          
If           this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be           impressed … or at least give a $hit J
          
          
          
          
From:<           /span> newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com           [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of           gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18           PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject:           Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the           Novatron

          
  
          
          
          
          
Astra was good. They were well received
          
          
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was           a piss.
          
          
          
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com>           wrote:
          
          
  
          
          
          
          
          
Yes, but only a bit. My camera           crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You           tube as well.
          
          
          
          
In a message dated 6/23/2010           4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com           writes:

          
            
  
            
            
            
Astra rules! Is there any             footage of them using the Novatron?
            
            
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com,             lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>             
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern             Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice,             Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the             Novatron.
> What voices were on the             frame?
>









        
        



        

        

      

    

    

  


    
             

  
 
=

I'll put together a floppy of some Synergy sounds in the Ensoniq ASR X
format. What are you after? Clinical single note stuff or short phrases that
show off the Synergy like voicing? I've got 5 or 6 cartridges with a couple
Carlos ones included. I've had this Synergy for 15 or so years. It needed
servicing when I bought from a certified Synergy tech who discovered a
slight keyboard velocity sensing irregularity when they were demoing it for
me and I think it's developed that symptom again. Otherwise it's been very
dependable.  There's a lot of character to the sound.

  So you don't have a Synergy but keep your Kaypro? Are you sure you don't
have any interface boards? J What were you doing at Music Technology?

     Thanks, 

                PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:27 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My K series Kurzweils read the following: Standard MIDI Files, AIFF, WAVE
Reads: ISO-9660, Roland 700 series, Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and
S3000, Ensoniq EPS/ASR file formats.  There is a 3.5 floppy built in that I
was planning someday to replace with a flash reader.  I have not really used
the sampling features 

much.  I have been working with learning how to program the Kurzweil but it
is a bit on the complicated side.  I have a K2000VPS, K2500RS, and K2600RS.
They 

are beautiful sounding machines. 

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:05 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

 I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12
Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk.
I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before
it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data
storage formats to replace floppy disks. 

  PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but
you are correct about the chips.  

My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual
10 voice made early on but it overheated 

and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I
still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage 

with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.
I used to have a lot of parts and even several 

empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify
waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like 

a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced
than the DX7 but it's price and limited 

production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had
very little control over the voices.  

It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split
was a very cool innovation 

and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a
brilliant (but slightly odd J) engineer, came up with.  

There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will
recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds...

..and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos..  Bob & Kat
Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan 

Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice
to see someone is still out there playing one.  

What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old
sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS) 

that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like
to share a couple of them please let me know.  

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I
love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over
the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to
play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed
interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?

  Paul T 

 M400 #1226

Prophet 5 #0896

DKS Synergy 1 #01628

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

Tony,

 

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was
very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able
to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a
Prophet 10 

direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to
reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of
Rev. 3s and 

T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini
Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc.
and 

redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very
dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at
the Emu factory 

which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It
was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I
bought a 

couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had
written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the
development 

of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those..but that's another
story...Those were fun days.at least I think they were from what I remember.


Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know
where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He
just stores 

things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in
the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with
it.  As I recall there 

were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was
like new on 

the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of
years and then stored it.  Anyhow.didn't mean to get started in the old days
stories... :) .

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the
Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

 

Tony

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Gary Brumm <mailto:gabru@comsec.net>  

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed
. or at least give a $hit J

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

  

Astra was good. They were well received

Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

  

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace
page and perhaps You tube as well.

In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

  

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com> , lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

Sorry, not meant for the whole list.

  PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 10:59 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

  I'll put together a floppy of some Synergy sounds in the Ensoniq ASR X
format. What are you after? Clinical single note stuff or short phrases that
show off the Synergy like voicing? I've got 5 or 6 cartridges with a couple
Carlos ones included. I've had this Synergy for 15 or so years. It needed
servicing when I bought from a certified Synergy tech who discovered a
slight keyboard velocity sensing irregularity when they were demoing it for
me and I think it's developed that symptom again. Otherwise it's been very
dependable.  There's a lot of character to the sound.

  So you don't have a Synergy but keep your Kaypro? Are you sure you don't
have any interface boards? J What were you doing at Music Technology?

     Thanks, 

                PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:27 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My K series Kurzweils read the following: Standard MIDI Files, AIFF, WAVE
Reads: ISO-9660, Roland 700 series, Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and
S3000, Ensoniq EPS/ASR file formats.  There is a 3.5 floppy built in that I
was planning someday to replace with a flash reader.  I have not really used
the sampling features 

much.  I have been working with learning how to program the Kurzweil but it
is a bit on the complicated side.  I have a K2000VPS, K2500RS, and K2600RS.
They 

are beautiful sounding machines. 

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:05 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

 I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12
Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk.
I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before
it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data
storage formats to replace floppy disks. 

  PT

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but
you are correct about the chips.  

My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual
10 voice made early on but it overheated 

and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I
still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage 

with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.
I used to have a lot of parts and even several 

empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify
waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like 

a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced
than the DX7 but it's price and limited 

production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had
very little control over the voices.  

It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split
was a very cool innovation 

and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a
brilliant (but slightly odd J) engineer, came up with.  

There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will
recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds...

..and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos..  Bob & Kat
Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan 

Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice
to see someone is still out there playing one.  

What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old
sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS) 

that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like
to share a couple of them please let me know.  

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I
love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over
the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to
play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed
interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?

  Paul T 

 M400 #1226

Prophet 5 #0896

DKS Synergy 1 #01628

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

Tony,

 

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was
very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked 

at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able
to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a
Prophet 10 

direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to
reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of
Rev. 3s and 

T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini
Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc.
and 

redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very
dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at
the Emu factory 

which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It
was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party J.  A few years ago I
bought a 

couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had
written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the
development 

of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those..but that's another
story...Those were fun days.at least I think they were from what I remember.


Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere J.  I may know
where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He
just stores 

things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in
the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with
it.  As I recall there 

were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him
several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was
like new on 

the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of
years and then stored it.  Anyhow.didn't mean to get started in the old days
stories... :) .

 

Cheers,

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and
Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the
Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

 

Tony

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Gary Brumm <mailto:gabru@comsec.net>  

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM

Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

 

  

My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.  

If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed
. or at least give a $hit J

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron

  

Astra was good. They were well received

Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.

On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

  

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace
page and perhaps You tube as well.

In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
got_a_guitar@yahoo.com writes:

  

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com> , lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
> 
> 
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 
> pocotron@... writes:
> 
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

How are you disturbed Gino?


From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 8:55 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



This thread is a little disturbing..


On Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 2:01 AM, Paul Tillotson <felixkrull2u@comcast.net<mailto:felixkrull2u@comcast.net>> wrote:

  Sorry, not meant for the whole list.
  PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 10:59 PM

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  I'll put together a floppy of some Synergy sounds in the Ensoniq ASR X format. What are you after? Clinical single note stuff or short phrases that show off the Synergy like voicing? I've got 5 or 6 cartridges with a couple Carlos ones included. I've had this Synergy for 15 or so years. It needed servicing when I bought from a certified Synergy tech who discovered a slight keyboard velocity sensing irregularity when they were demoing it for me and I think it's developed that symptom again. Otherwise it's been very dependable.  There's a lot of character to the sound.
  So you don't have a Synergy but keep your Kaypro? Are you sure you don't have any interface boards? :) What were you doing at Music Technology?
     Thanks,
                PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:27 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My K series Kurzweils read the following: Standard MIDI Files, AIFF, WAVE Reads: ISO-9660, Roland 700 series, Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and S3000, Ensoniq EPS/ASR file formats.  There is a 3.5 floppy built in that I was planning someday to replace with a flash reader.  I have not really used the sampling features
much.  I have been working with learning how to program the Kurzweil but it is a bit on the complicated side.  I have a K2000VPS, K2500RS, and K2600RS.  They
are beautiful sounding machines.

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:05 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


 I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12 Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk. I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data storage formats to replace floppy disks.
  PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but you are correct about the chips.
My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual 10 voice made early on but it overheated
and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage
with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.  I used to have a lot of parts and even several
empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like
a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced than the DX7 but it's price and limited
production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had very little control over the voices.
It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split was a very cool innovation
and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a brilliant (but slightly odd :)) engineer, came up with.
There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds.......
....and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos......  Bob & Kat Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan
Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice to see someone is still out there playing one.
What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS)
that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like to share a couple of them please let me know.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?
  Paul T
 M400 #1226
Prophet 5 #0896
DKS Synergy 1 #01628
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Tony,

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked
at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10
direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and
T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and
redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory
which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party :).  A few years ago I bought a
couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development
of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those....but that's another story.....Those were fun days...at least I think they were from what I remember.
Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere :).  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores
things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with it.  As I recall there
were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on
the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow...didn't mean to get started in the old days stories..... :) .

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

Tony

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Astra was good. They were well received
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

Please feel free to elaborate......

g

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 5:05 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



I was kidding Gary, getting a big smile out of the latitude and irreverence.

g
On Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 1:09 PM, Gary Brumm <gabru@comsec.net<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>> wrote:

How are you disturbed Gino?


From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 8:55 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>

Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron



This thread is a little disturbing..


On Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 2:01 AM, Paul Tillotson <felixkrull2u@comcast.net<mailto:felixkrull2u@comcast.net>> wrote:

  Sorry, not meant for the whole list.
  PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 10:59 PM

To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  I'll put together a floppy of some Synergy sounds in the Ensoniq ASR X format. What are you after? Clinical single note stuff or short phrases that show off the Synergy like voicing? I've got 5 or 6 cartridges with a couple Carlos ones included. I've had this Synergy for 15 or so years. It needed servicing when I bought from a certified Synergy tech who discovered a slight keyboard velocity sensing irregularity when they were demoing it for me and I think it's developed that symptom again. Otherwise it's been very dependable.  There's a lot of character to the sound.
  So you don't have a Synergy but keep your Kaypro? Are you sure you don't have any interface boards? :) What were you doing at Music Technology?
     Thanks,
                PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:27 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My K series Kurzweils read the following: Standard MIDI Files, AIFF, WAVE Reads: ISO-9660, Roland 700 series, Akai S900, S950, S1000, S1100, and S3000, Ensoniq EPS/ASR file formats.  There is a 3.5 floppy built in that I was planning someday to replace with a flash reader.  I have not really used the sampling features
much.  I have been working with learning how to program the Kurzweil but it is a bit on the complicated side.  I have a K2000VPS, K2500RS, and K2600RS.  They
are beautiful sounding machines.

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:05 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


 I'm afraid my sampling formats are a little wacky: I use the Emu Sp 12 Turbo/ Linn 9000/ Sequential Studio 440/Ensoniq ASR X and some similar ilk. I'm one of those guys who needs to give a product 20 years to settle before it be trusted. I hear some of these new companies are coming up with a data storage formats to replace floppy disks.
  PT

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:34 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I don't remember much about the Rev.2.  I don't think a lot were made but you are correct about the chips.
My P10 was basically 2 Rev. 3s in a single case.  There was a single manual 10 voice made early on but it overheated
and was never put into production.  As far as the Synergy goes I think I still have a Kaypro 10 CP/M machine in storage
with all of the software but not sure if I still have any interface boards.  I used to have a lot of parts and even several
empty keyboard beds.  When I had it set up you could build or modify waveforms on the screen and it was kind of like
a Fairlight.  It was a powerful keyboard for the time and far more advanced than the DX7 but it's price and limited
production caused it to fail.  Also without the computer connected you had very little control over the voices.
It's design was based on the massive GDS synth.  The floating keyboard split was a very cool innovation
and in the right hands was a very useful feature that Stony Stockell , a brilliant (but slightly odd :)) engineer, came up with.
There are some Steely Dan and Hall & Oats recordings on which you will recognize a lot of the Synergy sounds.......
....and then there is Wendy (Walter) "Switched on Bach" Carlos......  Bob & Kat Stoll used one for some of the Carl Segan
Cosmos soundtrack as well.  It was a very well made instrument and it's nice to see someone is still out there playing one.
What format are you sampling in?  I would love to play with those old sounds.  I have a couple of Kurzweils (K2500RS, K2600RS)
that have sampling options and will read several formats.  If you would like to share a couple of them please let me know.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Paul Tillotson
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 10:03 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


  Rev 2s also have the same chips as the rev 1 and sound just as huge. I love mine along with my Synergy, which I've been playing and sampling over the last week or so. It's such a great sounding instrument  and a blast to play. Wish I could program it: whatever happened to any of those proposed interfaces/programmers for the Synergy 1?
  Paul T
 M400 #1226
Prophet 5 #0896
DKS Synergy 1 #01628
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Gary Brumm
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:11 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Tony,

The Rev.1 is the best sounding you will ever hear.  The problem was it was very unreliable.  I had a friend from high school, Riley Smith, who worked
at Sequential in San Jose and later went to Emu in Santa Cruz.  I was able to get factory trained at both places.  He got me the Rev.1 and later a Prophet 10
direct from the factory.  The Rev. 1 had been returned to the factory due to reliability issues and they sold it to me for $500. I also had a couple of Rev. 3s and
T8 but none compared to the Rev.1.  It sounded fat like a bunch of Mini Moogs.  They switched to a more dependable  IC for their VCO, VCA, VCF, etc. and
redesigned the main board after the Rev. 1 after which it became very dependable but lost some of it's "balls" in the process.  I got training at the Emu factory
which was in a Victorian house in Santa Cruz during the Emulator days.  It was a fun place and they knew how to throw a party :).  A few years ago I bought a
couple of Emu Vintage Keys modules and noticed that my friend Riley had written the manual.  I also worked with  Music Technology during the development
of the Synergy and I owned a couple of those....but that's another story.....Those were fun days...at least I think they were from what I remember.
Man, there are some good drinking stories in there somewhere :).  I may know where a P10 is in NC but this guy almost never cuts loose of any gear.  He just stores
things forever.  It was likely only played a few times.  If I catch him in the right mood (not an easy thing to do) maybe I can get him to part with it.  As I recall there
were only about 600 or so P10s made.  I bought a Neve console from him several years ago and when I cracked the LARGE anvil case the leather was like new on
the arm rest and it looked perfect.  He had only used it for a couple of years and then stored it.  Anyhow...didn't mean to get started in the old days stories..... :) .

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of tony1
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


I am impressed as I was the factory service tech for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties (Tampa/St Pete), for Sequential and most others when the Prophet 5 and 10s came out. And I'm looking for one of either right now.

Tony

----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Brumm<mailto:gabru@comsec.net>
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 8:04 PM
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


My first Prophet 5 came from Eddie Jobson.  It was a Rev. 1 & Black.
If this was the Sequential Circuits forum I bet somebody would be impressed ... or at least give a $hit :)
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of gino wong
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 4:18 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Astra plays the Novatron


Astra was good. They were well received
Eddie Jobson's mellotron shaped keyboard stand was a piss.
On Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 6:36 PM, <lsf5275@aol.com<mailto:lsf5275@aol.com>> wrote:

Yes, but only a bit. My camera crapped out on me. I'll post it on my myspace page and perhaps You tube as well.
In a message dated 6/23/2010 4:14:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, got_a_guitar@yahoo.com<mailto:got_a_guitar@yahoo.com> writes:

Astra rules! Is there any footage of them using the Novatron?
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> Flute, Strings, Choir
>
>
> In a message dated 6/23/2010 3:13:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> pocotron@... writes:
>
> Nice, Frank!
> Notice how neatly the Memotron sits on top of the Novatron.
> What voices were on the frame?
>

No, no, no, that's not the answer we all wanted.
 
 
In a message dated 6/26/2010 8:05:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
wonggster@gmail.com writes:

I was kidding Gary, getting a big smile out of the latitude and  
irreverence.  


g 

On Sat, Jun 26, 2010 at 1:09 PM, Gary Brumm <_gabru@comsec.gab_ 
(mailto:gabru@comsec.net) > wrote:


 
 
 
 
How are you  disturbed Gino?