Alternatives to the Mel9

Everyone needs a stompbox.
Post Reply
User avatar
ChrisFFTA
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2212
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Alternatives to the Mel9

Post by ChrisFFTA » Sat May 09, 2020 11:50 pm

Any alternatives out there to the Mel9

Better tracking etc?

User avatar
electric12
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1240
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:26 am
Location: Beneath asbestos skies
Contact:

Re: Alternatives to the Mel9

Post by electric12 » Sun May 10, 2020 12:10 am

Being a massive devotee of the Mellotron, and as I use it quite a bit in recording, I was keen to try the Mel9 to see if I could get some of those lovely 'Tron tones into our live sound.

When I got one I was less than impressed - the sounds are OK considering they are based on HOG patches, but the problem lies of course in the act that essentially you are playing guitar; the chord inversions are different to what you would play on a keyboard so the sounds you get from the Mel9 dn't equate to what is played on a keyboard unless you modify what you're playing. This might work in a twin guitar line-up but as we are a three-piece, I found it impossible to play the guitar parts and have a convincing Mellotron part as it was obviously just doubling the guitar parts.

Also unless you are very precise, there is glitching and false-triggering of notes along with unwanted glissandos from the Mel9. So, to conclude my long-winded response, I would suggest that the only viable option for adding Mellotron sounds is a keyboard that has Mellotron sounds loaded. Sorry, but that's my take on it at least!

User avatar
ChrisFFTA
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2212
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:15 pm

Re: Alternatives to the Mel9

Post by ChrisFFTA » Sun May 10, 2020 3:55 pm

Pretty much my thoughts... thanks for the response

The only work around I’ve had moderate success with is ebow

Post Reply