Mellotron has released a digital version of their famous keyboard - the source of famous signature sounds in such songs as Strawberry Fields Forever and Zeppelin's The Rain Song.
This keyboard worked on recordings of instruments on magnetic tape - one loop per note. When you hit the key, the tape head contacted the tape and you got a recording of the note. I've always marveled at how realistic this sounded compared to other synthesisers I've heard.
The problem was obvious. Scores of tape loops whose motors could malfunction and whose tapes could stretch. Mellotrons were insanely difficult to maintain in working order. Now, a Mellotron employee has digitised all of the original recordings and put them in a package that duplicates the control layout of the original - except this time, no breakdowns.
I don't play keyboards, but I have some serious GAS just hearing this sucker:
I don't understand why it sounds better, it just seems to. Very cool piece of kit.
This keyboard worked on recordings of instruments on magnetic tape - one loop per note. When you hit the key, the tape head contacted the tape and you got a recording of the note. I've always marveled at how realistic this sounded compared to other synthesisers I've heard.
The problem was obvious. Scores of tape loops whose motors could malfunction and whose tapes could stretch. Mellotrons were insanely difficult to maintain in working order. Now, a Mellotron employee has digitised all of the original recordings and put them in a package that duplicates the control layout of the original - except this time, no breakdowns.
I don't play keyboards, but I have some serious GAS just hearing this sucker:
I don't understand why it sounds better, it just seems to. Very cool piece of kit.
