The Mellotron Group

The reason why Mellotron samples don't (usually) sound like a Mellotron 
is because people making the samples come up with their own judgements 
regarding eq, volume, pitching and the rest of it that makes it veer 
well away from the original sound. Some samplers interpolate the sounds 
(only recording every third note or so) whereas others take sounds they 
feel are 'ugly' (like the top D or second F on the flute) and replace it 
with the note below it pitched up by a semi tone.

I /have/ sampled my Mellotron strings, choir and brass faithfully 
without making any adjustments whatsoever and I would happily defy 
anyone to tell the real instrument from the samples. My problem is not 
with the samples, it's with the samplers.

Mike

Jon wrote:
>
> I would imagine that the multiple overdubs that the studio albums have 
> really dilute the raw sound of the live instrument, as do 
> the musical sensibilities of the producer.  Hearing that 
> realtime audio of tape moving across heads and passing through amps 
> and speakers has an immediacy that doesn't seem to translate to 
> recording.  That's why Mellotron samples don't sound like a 
> Mellotron.  They sound like samples of a Mellotron.
>  
>  
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Mark Pring <mailto:markpringnz@yahoo.com>
>     *To:* newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
>     <mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
>     *Sent:* Thursday, February 05, 2009 12:53 AM
>     *Subject:* [newmellotrongroup] Mellotrons Live vs Studio
>
>     Just listening to some live Moody Blues track on Last FM, well
>     actually Melancholy Man. Just got me thinking of the difference
>     between the live and studio sound of the mellotron. I much prefer
>     the live sound, not knowing much about recording, what do they do
>     them in the recording studio to take most of the life out of them?
>
>     Mark
>
>