Stand Alone Mellotron/Chamberlin Clone....

tonewoods · Post by **tonewoods** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:23 pm

Hi all....

I'm the proud owner of a Chamberlin, Clavioline, and quite a few other "quirky" keyboards, and have made the decision to dump the upkeep and maintenance issues with these machines and go the sampler route.

However, I'm not a MIDI or even a computer recording kind of guy. I'm recording onto analog tape and DA38s, and probably will be for some time to come.

I've eyeballed the new Memotron, but at close to 2K it looks overpriced and somewhat limited. And, it's my understanding that the Pinder Mellotron/Chamberlin samples will not work with this machine....

Can someone recommend a stand-alone setup that might fit my needs?
I know zilch about samplers and keyboards, and would like to get educated...

Thanks in advance!

Eric Rottmayer · Post by **Eric Rottmayer** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:23 pm

that Memotron looks sweet. i got nothing else, sorry.

Red Rockets Glare · Post by **Red Rockets Glare** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:37 pm

the M-tron by Maudio sounds fantastic and can be used as a stand-alone unit on your laptop with a cheap USB controller.

99 bucks for M-Tron
129 for O2 Controller

Laptop

Bingo!

tonewoods · Post by **tonewoods** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:01 pm

So, excuse my ignorance (something that will probably happen a lot in this thread)....

How would I integrate that laptop system into my analog system?

Like a MOTU-type 2-track out of the laptop into my system, right?

jv · Post by jv » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:35 pm

tonewoods wrote:So, excuse my ignorance (something that will probably happen a lot in this thread)....

How would I integrate that laptop system into my analog system?

Like a MOTU-type 2-track out of the laptop into my system, right?

I recently set up a system that I'm running m-tron on.
Here's what I have-

Laptop (running windows xp, I bought it for $240)
m-audio audiophile USB (has midi, 2 channels audio in/out, musician's friend has these on sale for $80 now)
m-tron (I think I paid about $80 for it)
midi keyboard controller (I already had this).

It works and sounds great. I see you're on Orcas Island (I wish I was)- if you're ever in Seattle, you can come look at my setup.

cwileyriser · Post by **cwileyriser** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:21 pm

Another vote for M-Tron.

Kicks ass.

It's the only software/computer based instrument I'm using now. I happened to have an unused XP computer that I'm now using to run it. Just had to buy a soundcard for it. I got an E-MU card with digital out that I run into my ProTools setup that runs on my Mac.

tonewoods · Post by **tonewoods** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 8:33 am

jv wrote:I see you're on Orcas Island (I wish I was)- if you're ever in Seattle, you can come look at my setup.

Hey, thanks for that jv....
I might just take you up on that one.

Thanks for all the input, all....

Anyone here heard the Pinder Mellotron sample CD?

If "yes", how does it compare to the M-Tron samples?

Also, how hard is it to create my own samples?

For instance, I'd like to sample my Chamberlin before parting with it....

Thanks again...

JohnDavisNYC · Post by **JohnDavisNYC** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:45 am

will you be selling this Clavioline? PM me... for reals.

john

tonewoods · Post by **tonewoods** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 7:55 pm

Oh my goodness....

Look at this!

A home-made Mellotron made from 14 continuously running Walkmans!

I thought I was nuts...

wedge · Post by **wedge** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:09 pm

jv wrote:Laptop (running windows xp, I bought it for $240)
m-audio audiophile USB (has midi, 2 channels audio in/out, musician's friend has these on sale for $80 now)
m-tron (I think I paid about $80 for it)
midi keyboard controller (I already had this).

So, you have the keyboard connected to the comp via midi, and the analog output from the usb interface is then fed into whatever you wish to feed it too?!? Any latency issues?

mrdazobee · Post by **mrdazobee** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:22 am

I have the Pinder sample cd and yes it sounds great.The best thing to do would be to join the mellotron yahoo group and get all your info there.There is plenty of archive stuff on there regarding the m tron and pinder cd to help make your decision.The reason I went with the pinder cd is because I don't use a computer for music and hearing from that group the cd is the next best thing to owning one!

Red Rockets Glare · Post by **Red Rockets Glare** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:57 pm

just curious if I'm the only one that feels like I'm giving up secrets by talking about the M-Tron.
I imagine that everyone will have it all over their records soon and I'll feel like an ass.

bentonevolution · Post by **bentonevolution** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:01 pm

Red Rockets Glare wrote:just curious if I'm the only one that feels like I'm giving up secrets by talking about the M-Tron.
I imagine that everyone will have it all over their records soon and I'll feel like an ass.

The new flaming lips album will ruin all hopes of a mellotron secret. I don't know if they used a m-tron or what but that damn flute sound is all over it. It's like a record by MELLOTRON feat. Flaming Lips. Just joking. The record is excellent.

wedge · Post by **wedge** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:02 pm

Red Rockets Glare wrote:I imagine that everyone will have it all over their records soon and I'll feel like an ass.

No worries... I'd already decided long ago to use it. Just haven't got to the "overdub keyboard parts" point for my solo CD, yet. I love the mellotron, and have for many years. Such a cool combination of real and unreal. I guess you could call it a surreal instrument, and since surrealism is my favorite art style, I'm not surprised that I love it so...

tonewoods · Post by **tonewoods** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:49 pm

"The reason I went with the pinder cd is because I don't use a computer for music"

So, what is your setup then, mrdazobee?

Sampler, keyboard, and the Pinder samples?
Which sampler if I may ask?

I notice that the Pinder samples play on an Ensoniq ASR-10. Would this be a good way to go to access those samples?

(Excuse the ignorance, as I've never encountered any of these machines, samplers included).
Thanks!

"I guess you could call it a surreal instrument, and since surrealism is my favorite art style, I'm not surprised that I love it so..."

Great description...

Just about every time I fired up the Chamberlin and recorded a part, the tune just came alive for me.
It's a very potent tool for imparting mystery...

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Stand Alone Mellotron/Chamberlin Clone....

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