Talk:Mellotron

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 It is requested that a photograph or photographs be included in this article to improve its quality.
The Free Image Search Tool (FIST) may be able to locate suitable images on Flickr and other web sites.

I changed the bit about Led Zeppelin using Mellotron in the song "Kashmir." While it is true that John Paul Jones used it to recreate the lines in concert, the album version is accompanied by a real Moroccan orchestra. --PAJ

Actually, to the best of my knowledge, the album version of Kashmir features both real orchestral instruments *and* a mellotron. 74.65.6.62 21:39, 11 July 2007 (UTC)


I don't want to touch this entry, But I'm wodering where Did The art of noise of the melotron? I don't remember any instant of them using it. (anon)

Not sure but I think the Art of Noise's 1998 album The Seduction of Claude DeBussy featured a Mellotron (194.63.116.72 13:22, 8 January 2007 (UTC))


I added some Mellotron users; this might spin out of hand and become a second List of Moog users. On the other hand, Jarre testifies that some of his music would have sounded different if some keys on his Mellotron had not been broken... Vangelis used it a lot in the early 1970s (with Aphrodite's Child, his albums Earth and Apocalypse des Animaux), but seems to have gone off it afterwards. JFW | T@lk 10:17, 27 Jun 2004 (UTC)


Nice article. Tempshill 02:25, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Yes, Kraftwerk used a Vako Orchestron, never a mellotron!

Perhaps this article should have links to http://www.mellotronics.com and http://www.mellotron.com the current manufacturers of mellotrons?

-- DAVID DAVIS



Virtual Mellotron info should be added. Someone who knows more about this stuff should write at least a small paragraph describing software recreations of the Mellotron and giving external links to several of those product's web pages. That was the main reason I looked this up, because I know what they are - and I want one! But I can afford to buy or maintain the real thing.



Contents

[edit] Kraftwerk & the Mellotron

"It was also used extensively by pioneering German electronic music band Kraftwerk on many of their earlier recordings."

As is, the above contains two errors.

According to the biography of former Kraftwerk drummer Wolfgang Flür ("Ich war ein Roboter", Hannibal 1999), Kraftwerk purchased a VaKo Orchestron while on tour in the US in 1975. Similar idea to the Mellotron -- different implementation. While they may have owned (or, own) a Mellotron, they don't appear to have used one in performance or during recording.

In fact, their first five albums (including "Tone Float", RCA 1970) do not feature either the Orchestron, or a Mellotron, at all, while their sixth, seventh and eigth albums feature the Orchestron most prominently.

Considering that Kraftwerk's total output to date counts eleven original albums, the reference to "earlier recordings" is misleading. At most, Kraftwerk can be said to have used the Orchestron, an instrument somewhat similar in sound to the Mellotron, at the height of their popularity, and output, in the mid- to late 70s.

 Yrs, &c. Lech
That will need some checking, since 1975 was about the time the Orchestron was introduced. Before that, if they used any sampling keyboards, they would likely have been the tape variety. iMeowbot~Mw 09:57, 19 Feb 2005 (UTC)

It can be easily checked by LISTENING to any Kraftwerk record prior to 1975's "RADIO-ACTIVITY" - none of them have any mellotron on. Neither is any mellotron listen on the (often detailed) list of instruments used. Neither can any mellotrons be seen in the photo galleries of instruments on the album sleeves! The firt time you can hear the choir and string sounds, is on recordings from the US Autobahn tour, 1975. Flür's biography explains how Kraftwerk visiting the Vako company during the tour, and bought an Orchestron, and began using it on the tour. It really is very simple! --feline1 11:10, 19 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Opeth did not use a Mellotron on their Damnation album. Porcupine Tree frontman, Steven Wilson, had a patch for his synth that emulated the sound of a Mellotron. It's not actually a real Mellotron. Consequently, the Ghost Reveries album features a patch and not a real Mellotron.

An interview with Mikael Akerfeldt reveals they were unable to obtain a real Mellotron because of both their price, and their poor (read: unusable) condition. Cheers. - Graham

[edit] thanks

Knowing that all Wikipedians do appreciate some feedback now and then — It is nice that this article was there when I needed it. Femto 12:02, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I thought i started this article earlier this year but maybe i only added to it? anyway my name isn't there and i can't remember now, i didn't know Vangelis used it in AC? that makes me want one even more now :) Nick Boulevard 22:11, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I would like to add that I think this is a prime example of a great Wikipedia article, and if it has not already been, should be, a Featured Article. As a side note, this has been mentioned on the Nine Inch Nails article already, but Trent Reznor owns John Lennon's Mellotron, and has used it in many recordings he produced. Keep up the great work. --Insomniak 04:03, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Lennon/Reznor connection

I though it should be noted that Trent Reznor now owns the Mellotron previously owned by John Lennon. He used it on his albums Broken, The Fragile, and Marilyn Manson's Antichrist Superstar.

Some could throw that in there if they want...

[edit] Beefheart

Total misinterpretation.

[edit] Air

"Air" link should point to the band, not the atmosphere´s air : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_%28band%29

[edit] Tape springs

There should be a mention the tape springs (and here) that were a crucial part of the operation of the key mechanisms. The wikipedia article leaves the reader wondering how the hell the tapes got rewound after a key was played. os 13:08, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Mellotron.gif

Image:Mellotron.gif is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 21:32, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] non-neutral?

The Mellotron in popular music section seems to take a non-neutral and defensive or accusatory point of view following the parts where bands are listed. I am no expert on the matter but it does not seem to be an appropriate tone for an encyclopedia. Agonotheta (talk) 14:19, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Indeed it does. This entire section is non-neutral, admits to being editorial and controversial, and fails to provide any information to the reader beyond "somebody thinks that mellotron sampling is the worst thing ever". As the preceding paragraph provides a neutral, concise overview of this very issue, I have deleted this entire section. Take it to the talk page if necessarily, but diatribes have no place in articles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.19.199.188 (talk) 22:47, 8 June 2008 (UTC)