The Mellotron: A Keyboard with the Power of an Orchestra (1965- The first "Synthesizer")

Youtube ^ | 4-13-2014 | Britsih Pathe

[goldendelicious]

British T.V. personalities, Eric Robinson and David Nixon, introduce us to an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard otherwise known as the 'Mellotron.'

[bigbob]

I should have said “Cute girls playing quirky keyboards”

[bigbob]

Also, here’s a young lady who not only understands the Mellotron, but knows how they work, and has taken them apart and restored them. She explains how:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByD8gH7kYxs

[Lurker]

For later.

L

[RightGeek]

Interesting

[spokeshave]

E. Power Biggs on the mighty Wurlitzer

[Eddie01]

10cc made their own mellotron using their own vocals to create “I’m Not in Love”.

“big boys don’t cry” was the studio’s receptionist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oxe4mlsQos

[Daffynition]

[Wolfie]

Much more famous than it’s unknown sibling, the Aggrotron.

[MikeD]

Exactly — I am surprised that no one has mentioned that the intro to “Strawberry Fields Forever” was played on a mellotron. The mellotron is also used to play the “Spanish guitar” intro to “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” off the White Album.

[Sirius Lee]

You can't talk mellotron without a nod to Tony Banks from Genesis.

Here's a good video that talks about how the thing works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WR-MBJraSY

[EQAndyBuzz]

Funny, I can do this now on my iPhone.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I was a huge ELP Fan.

This site “Voltage Control Lab” Talks about Keith Emerson, the synthesizers he used and his unfortunate suicide. Like Rick Wakeman, Emerson was one of the best.

https://www.voltagecontrollab.com/2016/03/14/keith-emerson-synthesis-and-suicide/

[rockrr]

I don’t have SampleTron but have used other pieces of IK Multimedia software - it’s very impressive stuff.

[CrazyIvan]

Is that similar to the “moog synthesizer”?

The Moog was fully electronic. This thing had a tape loop and play head for every key. A friend of mine had one and we worked on it a few times. A real Rube Goldberg dezign.

[neverevergiveup]

Yes. It’s a big part of their signature sound.

[printhead]

Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

[catnipman]

Jerry Lewis Meets The Theramin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkVw32vafPE

The first and last Jerry Lewis movie bit I saw as a kid ... even then I thought he was a total moron and not the least bit funny ... haven’t changed my mind since ...

[catnipman]

don't forget the Orgasmatron ...

[dfwgator]

This was the best Mellotron solo from Genesis

Can-Utility and the Coastliners (from Foxtrot)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLCrTMHZVmE

[KC Burke]

I am an original purchaser of Kraftwerk’s Autobahn so I can certainly say I was electronic-funky from ages ago.