Examine individual changes

'{{About|the Mellotron keyboard|the Mellotron book|Mellotron (book)|the German synthpop band|Melotron}} [[Image:Mellotron.jpg|thumb|right|250px|An early double-manual, woodgrain Mellotron. Later Mellotrons came in a white case and were simplified for ease of use by rock musicians; it was these Mellotrons that became an iconic symbol of 60s and 70s [[progressive rock]].]] The '''Mellotron''' is an [[electro-mechanical]], [[polyphony (instrument)|polyphonic]] keyboard originally developed and built in [[Birmingham]], [[England]] in the early 1960s. It superseded the [[Chamberlin]], which was the world's first [[sampling (music)|sample-playback]] keyboard. The heart of the instrument is a bank of parallel linear magnetic audio tapes, which have approximately eight seconds of playing time each. Playback heads underneath each key enable the playing of pre-recorded sounds. The earlier MKI and MKII models contained two side-by-side keyboards: The right keyboard accessed 18 "lead/instrument" sounds such as [[string instrument|strings]], [[flute]]s, and [[brass instrument|brass]]; The left keyboard played pre-recorded musical rhythm tracks in various styles. The tape banks for the later, lighter-weight M400 models contain only three selectable sounds including (typically) strings, [[cello]], and an eight-voice [[choir]]. The sound on each individual tape piece was recorded at the pitch of the key to which it was assigned. To make up for the fewer sounds available, the M400 tapes came in a removable frame that allowed for relatively quick changes to new racks of sounds. == History == <!--{{Sound sample box align right|Audio sample:}} {{Listen |filename=Mellotron examples.ogg |title=Examples of Mellotron tape banks |description=Examples of the Mellotron Flute, Mixed Strings, and Eight-Voice Choir tape banks. |format=[[Ogg]]}} {{sample box end}}--> Although tape samplers had been explored in research studios,<ref>''e.g.'', [[Hugh LeCaine]]'s 1955 keyboard-controlled "Special Purpose Tape Recorder", which he used when recording his classic "Dripsody"</ref> the first commercially available keyboard-driven tape instruments were built and sold by California-based [[Chamberlin|Harry Chamberlin]] from 1948 through the 1970s. Things really took off, however, when Chamberlin's sales agent, [[Bill Fransen]], brought two of Chamberlin's instruments to [[England]] in 1962 to search for someone who could manufacture 70 matching tape heads for future Chamberlins. Harry Chamberlin was not happy with the fact that someone overseas was basically "copying" his idea, and that one of his own people (Bill Fransen) was the reason for this. Fransen approached a UK company that was skilled enough to develop the idea further and a deal was struck with brothers Frank, Norm, and Lesley Bradley of engineering company Bradmatic Ltd. This resulted in the formation of a subsidiary company named Mellotronics, which produced the first Mellotrons in [[Aston]], [[Birmingham]], [[England]]. The music sessions for Mellotrons were recorded at IBC Studios, 35 Portland Place in London England. Mellotronics had offices there and the recordings were made using a customized 9 into 3 recording desk built by IBC's Denis King. Bradmatic later took on the name [http://www.mellotronics.com Streetly Electronics]. In the early 1970s 100 of the instruments were assembled and sold by [[EMI]] under exclusive license. Many years later, following financial and trademark troubles through a U.S. distribution agreement, the Mellotron name became unavailable and resided with the American based Sound Sales, and later manufactured by Bomar Fabricating Ltd. while Streetly manufactured instruments after 1976 were sold under the name Novatron. Throughout the 1970s, the Mellotron had a major impact on [[Rock and roll|rock music]], particularly the 35 note (G-F) model M400. The M400 version was released in 1970 and sold over 1800 units, becoming a trademark sound of the era's progressive bands. The earlier 1960s MK II units were made for the home and the characteristics of the instrument attracted a number of celebrities. Among the early Mellotron owners were [[Princess Margaret]], [[Peter Sellers]], [[King Hussein]] of [[Jordan]] and [[Scientology]] founder [[L. Ron Hubbard]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} Mellotrons were normally pre-loaded with string instrument and orchestral sounds, although the model 400's tape bank could be removed with relative ease by the owner and loaded with banks containing different sounds including percussion loops, [[sound effect]]s, or [[synthesizer]]-generated sounds, to generate [[polyphonic]] electronically generated sounds in the days before polyphonic synthesizers. [[Image:Mellotron1.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Beneath every key is a disengaged tape head and roller.]] [[Image:Mellotron2.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Depressed key engages tape head and roller.]] The unique sound of the Mellotron is produced by a combination of characteristics: Among these are tape replay artifacts such as [[wow (recording)|wow]] and [[Flutter (electronics and communication)|flutter]], the result being that each time a note is played, it is slightly different from the previous time it was played (a bit like a conventional instrument). The notes also interact with each other so that chords or even just pairs of notes have an extremely powerful sound. The adjustments of mechanical parts such as pinch rollers, pressure pads and tape head azimuth, combined with equalization of recordings sourced from different tape libraries make some notes sound brighter or smoother than others. This quality makes each and every Mellotron instrument unique, and is a large factor in why all Mellotrons will sound different in music recordings despite the same sound (like the 3 violins) being used. The use of tube pre-amps (MK II Mellotron used by King Crimson), transistorized pre-amps (MK II Mellotron used by Moody Blues) or modified instruments (Double Mellotron MKV prototype used by Yes / Rick Wakeman) also enhances the sonic colours of each instrument. Another factor in the strangely haunting quality of the Mellotron's most frequently-heard sounds is that the individual notes were recorded in isolation. For a musician accustomed to playing in an orchestral setting, this was unusual, and meant that he had nothing against which to intonate. Thus, the [[Musical temperament|temperament]] of the Mellotron is always somewhat questionable when it is used in the context of other instruments. Perhaps for this reason, and perhaps also to allow easy transposition of the instrument's limited range, the pitch control is placed closest to the keyboard on the M400 model. This temperament issue has led to the Mellotron being regarded, rather unfairly, as a difficult instrument to tune. There certainly could be mechanical problems that would also contribute to this. The original varispeed servo design was poor, for instance, but later improved dramatically. The tapes would stick inside their frames and refuse to rewind if the frame became distorted due to careless handling of the machine. Smoke, temperature, and humidity also played a huge factor as well. Properly maintained though, the machines behave a lot better than their reputation suggests. Although they enabled many bands to perform string, brass and choir arrangements, which had been previously impossible to recreate live, Mellotrons were not without their disadvantages. Above all, they were very expensive: they sold for £1,000 (approximately £{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|1000|1965|r=-3}}}} today).{{Inflation-fn|UK}} in the mid-1960s, and the official Mellotron site gives the 1973 list price as US$5,200 (approximately ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|5200|1973|r=-3}}}} today).{{Inflation-fn|US}} Like the [[Hammond organ]], they were a [[roadie]]'s nightmare&nbsp;&mdash; heavy, bulky and fragile. After years of touring with Mellotrons, [[Robert Fripp]] formulated a rule: "Tuning a mellotron doesn't." The tape banks were also notoriously prone to breakages and jams and those groups who could afford to, like [[Yes (band)|Yes]], typically took two or more Mellotrons on tour to cope with the inevitable breakdowns. The original Mellotrons (MkI/MkII) were not intended to be portable&nbsp;&mdash; they often become misaligned when jostled even lightly&nbsp;&mdash; but later models such as the M300, M400 and MKV were designed for portability. The American Mellotron distributor, Sound Sales, produced their own Mellotron model, the 4 Track, in the mid 1970s. At the same time Streetly produced a road cased version of the 400&nbsp;&mdash; the T550 Novatron. By the mid 1980s, both Sound Sales and Streetly Electronics suffered severe financial setbacks, losing their market to synthesizers and solid-state electronic [[sampler (musical instrument)|samplers]], which rendered the Mellotron essentially extinct. All models, when installed permanently in a studio, provided a very realistic effect. Many examples abound, such as [[Elton John]]'s ''[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]'' album. Despite their shortcomings, Mellotrons were (and still are) prized for their unique sound, and they helped pave the way for the later sampler. In the late 1990s, a [[Calgary]]-based company began producing new Mellotrons. These new MKVI Mellotrons were similar to the M400, with some modifications. The company also released sample discs featuring [[WAV]] files of each individual note sampled from an original Mellotron. These files, when played using a [[sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]], enable keyboardists to recreate a part of the sound of the original Mellotrons using cheaper and more reliable modern keyboards. In 2009, Streetly Electronics released the M4000. <ref>[http://www.mellotronics.com/StreetlyM4000.pdf New M4000 Mellotron]</ref> The most recent machine to offer a cycling mechanism, an updated design of the system used in the 1960s MK 1, MK 2 and M300 machines. Many bands such as [[Counting Crows]] and [[The Musical Box (band)|The Musical Box]] have toured using samplers to avoid transporting and maintaining original Mellotrons on the road. The Musical Box, being a tribute band dedicated to visually reproducing early [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] shows, have taken great pains to hide the fact that they do not use a real Mellotron by hiding a [[ Kurzweil Music Systems |Kurzweil synthesiser]] in a wooden box made to look like a Mellotron. == Use in popular music == ===1960s and the psychedelic era=== British multi-instrumentalist [[Graham Bond]] may have been the first rock musician to record with a Mellotron, beginning in 1965. The first hit song to feature a Mellotron MKII was "Baby Can It Be True". [[Mike Pinder]] of [[The Moody Blues]] had done an 18-month stint as an employee of Streetly Electronics as a quality control and test driver. Pinder claims to have introduced John Lennon and Paul McCartney to the Mellotron. After visiting the Mellotron studios on August 12, 1965, John Lennon bought one for use in his Weybridge home, and it was received on August 16, 1965. The Beatles first used it to create tape loops for use on Tomorrow Never Knows, recording brass and string bits on to reel to reel recorders which were then brought into the studio. The heavy weight of the Mellotron prevented the machine from easily being transported. The Beatles hired in a machine and subsequently (and more prominently) used it on their [[psychedelic rock]] single "[[Strawberry Fields Forever]]" (recorded November-December 1966).<ref>[http://www.mikepinder.com/mellotron.shtml Mike Pinder's Official Web Site]</ref> The Beatles continued to compose and record with various Mellotrons for the albums "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", "Magical Mystery Tour", and "The Beatles" (White Album), as well as Beatles solo efforts such as George Harrison's "Wonderwall", John Lennon's "Two Virgins" , "Mind Games", and Paul McCartney's "McCartney" "Wings At the Speed of Sound" etc. (which features both instrumentation and sound effects continuing where the Beatles left off). Ian McDonald of King Crimson, Rick Wakeman of Yes, and Tony Banks of Genesis also became major Mellotron users at this time, infusing the violin, cello, brass, flute and choir sounds as a major texture in the music of their respective bands. Other artists utilizing the Mellotron on hit records in this period included [[Greenslade]] (all studio and live albums between 1972 and 1976), [[The Zombies]] ("Changes", "Care Of Cell 44", "Hung Up On A Dream"), [[Donovan]] ("Celeste", "Breezes of Patchule"), [[Manfred Mann]] (several Mike D'abo-era recordings, including "So Long Dad", "There Is A Man" and "Semi-Detached Suburban Mr. James"), [[The Rolling Stones]] ("[[2000 Light Years from Home]]", "[[We Love You]]", "[[Stray Cat Blues]]"), [[Deep Purple]] ("Anthem"), [[The Bee Gees]] ("World", "Every Christian Lion-Hearted Man Will Show You" & "My Thing"), [[Traffic (band)|Traffic]] ("House for Everyone", "Hole In My Shoe"), [[Pink Floyd]] ("[[A Saucerful of Secrets (song)|A Saucerful of Secrets]]", "[[See-Saw (song)|See-Saw]]", "[[Julia Dream]]", "[[Atom Heart Mother (suite)|Atom Heart Mother]]" and "[[Sysyphus]]"), [[Procol Harum]] ("Magdalene (My Regal Zonophone)"), [[The Pretty Things]]' ''[[S.F. Sorrow]]'', [[Cream (Band)|Cream]]'s "[[Badge (song)|Badge]]", "Anyone for Tennis", [[The Left Banke]]'s "Myrah", [[Marvin Gaye]]'s ''[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]] (Chamberlin)'', [[Nilsson]]'s "The Moonbeam Song", and [[The Kinks]]' ("Phenomenal Cat," "Autumn Almanac," "Sitting By The Riverside," "All Of My Friends Were There," "Animal Farm," "Starstruck," "Days,"), [[David Bowie]]' "Space Oddity", [[The Flower Pot Men]]'s "[[Let's Go To San Francisco]]". ===1970s and progressive rock=== The Mellotron was widely used to provide backing keyboard accompaniment by many of the [[progressive rock]] groups of the 1970s and, alongside the [[Hammond organ]], it was crucial to shaping the sound of the genre. Notable examples include: "[[Tuesday's Gone]]" and "[[Free Bird]]" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], ''[[10,000_Anos_Depois_Entre_Venus_E_Marte|10000 Anos Depois Entre Venus e Marte]]'' by [[Jose Cid]], ''[[Once Again (Barclay James Harvest album)|Once Again]]'' by [[Barclay James Harvest]], ''[[Music in a Doll's House]]'' by [[Family (band)|Family]], ''[[Grave New World]]'' and ''[[Bursting at the Seams]]'' by [[The Strawbs]], seven albums from ''[[In the Court of the Crimson King]]'' through ''[[Red (King Crimson album)|Red]]'' by [[King Crimson]], "[[The Rain Song]]" and "[[Kashmir (song)|Kashmir]]" by [[Led Zeppelin]], ''[[Catch the Rainbow: The Anthology|Catch the Rainbow]]'' by [[Rainbow (band)|Rainbow]], ''[[2112 (album)|2112]]'' by [[Rush (band)|Rush]], ''[[I Robot (album)|I Robot]]'' by [[The Alan Parsons Project]], ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]'', ''[[Close to the Edge]]'', and ''[[Tales From Topographic Oceans]]'' by [[Yes (band)|Yes]], ''[[Trespass (album)|Trespass]]'' through ''[[…And Then There Were Three…]]'' by [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], all of [[Greenslade]]'s albums, [[Hawkwind]]'s [[Space Ritual]], and [[Hall of the Mountain Grill]], "[[Rainbow (America song)|Rainbow]]" by [[America (band)|America]], [[In Search of Space]] by [[Hawkwind]] and ''[[The Pillory]]'' by [[Jasun Martz]] The mellotron was also used extensively by pioneering German electronic band [[Tangerine Dream]] through their prime, including solo work by [[Edgar Froese]]. Their albums ''[[Phaedra (album)|Phaedra]]'', ''[[Rubycon (album)|Rubycon]]'', ''[[Ricochet (Tangerine Dream album)|Ricochet]]'', and ''[[encore (Tangerine Dream album)|Encore]]'' as well as Froese's ''Epsilon in Malaysian Pale'' provide archetypal examples of Mellotron playing. ===1980s and post-punk=== The advent of cheaper and more reliable polysynths and preset 'string machines' saw the Mellotron's popularity wane by the end of the 1970s. Following the impact of [[punk rock]], the Mellotron tended to be viewed as a relic of a pompous era, or in the case of the Chamberlin - as obsolete technology. This was also due to the unavailability of new machines as both U.S. and U.K. manufacturers and distributors had declared bankruptcy, and older broken machines could not be serviced. One of the few UK [[post-punk]] bands to utilise its sounds were [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]], who featured it heavily on their platinum-selling 1981 album ''[[Architecture & Morality]]''. [[Joy Division]] used its haunting quality to great effect on Decades from their seminal 1980 album [[Closer]]. It was also used by British bands [[XTC]], [[Cardiacs]], [[Nightwing]], and [[IQ (band)|IQ]], but they were in a minority. It was also used by [[Talk Talk]] (Life Is What You Make It), [[Wang Chung]] (Novatron string swells in Dance Hall Days), and in New Order's song [[Run 2]] from ''[[Technique (album)|Technique]]''. In the US, Los Angeles [[avant-garde]]/[[art rock]] band [[The Fibonaccis]] made frequent use of a Mellotron, as did L.A. film/TV score and session musician [[Berington Van Campen]]. [[Marillion]] also used the Mellotron during their tours in the early 1980s. ===1990s and beyond=== The Mellotron experienced a revival of sorts in the 1990s. While a few bands and musicians (like Paul Weller, Oasis, [[Julian Cope]]<ref>[http://www.planetmellotron.com/revcope.htm planetmellotron.com]</ref> and Radiohead) managed to resurrect the actual Mellotrons, a plethora of bands began using the "static character" samples of the instrument made possible due to the release of Mellotron sounds in software form. Although the powerful sound dynamics due to wow and flutter and random tape slither movement were largely lost, samples greatly appealed to many musicians who could not find, afford, play, or repair the surviving original Mellotrons. Bands using either the actual instrument or samples include [[Guns N' Roses]] (on [[Chinese Democracy]]), [[The Mars Volta]], [[Zechs Marquise]], [[Sigur Rós]], [[Dinosaur Jr]], [[Pulp (band)|Pulp]], [[Marillion]], [[U2]], [[Radio Massacre International]], [[Primus (band) |Primus]], [[The Smashing Pumpkins]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Counting Crows]], [[Copeland (band)|Copeland]], [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]], [[Barenaked Ladies]], [[Sheryl Crow]], [[Tori Amos]], [[Spock's Beard]], [[Lenny Kravitz]], [[Kevin Gilbert]], [[The Flower Kings]], [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Stone Temple Pilots]], [[Modest Mouse]], [[Ayreon]], [[Muse (band)|Muse]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[R.E.M.]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Screaming Trees]], [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]], [[Prick]], [[Grandaddy]], [[The Brian Jonestown Massacre]], [[The Charlatans (UK band)|The Charlatans]], [[Paul Weller (singer)|Paul Weller]], [[Radiohead]] (The song ''Exit Music (For A Film)'' is a good example, using 8 voice choir tape set), [[Porcupine Tree]], [[Anekdoten]], [[Air (band)|Air]], [[Opeth]], [[Wobbler (band)|Wobbler]], [[In Lingua Mortua]], [[Waterclime]] and [[Oceana Company]]. Anekdoten utilizes the Mellotron heavily in their recordings. French electronic musician [[Jean Michel Jarre]] was particularly vocal in his love of the instrument, using it extensively in his 1997 [[Oxygene]] tour, and often describing it as the "[[Stradivarius]] of electronic music". Avant-garde singer-song writer Tom Waits has also used the Mellotron on several albums such as ''Frank Wild Years'', ''Bone Machine'', ''Black Rider'', ''Mule Variations'', ''Alice'', ''Blood Money'', ''Real Gone'' and ''Orphans''. [[The Flaming Lips]], in 2002, used Mellotron samples in the recording of their album ''[[Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots]]''. [[Eels (band)|Eels]] used the Mellotron extensively throughout many of the Eels albums, most notable in the song "Souljacker, pt 2" with E (Eels leader) and a Mellotron and is also featured in the song "Dust of Ages". American metal band [[System Of A Down]] has used the sound in their music, most notably on the song "Roulette". On [[Porcupine Tree]]'s 2005 album ''[[Deadwing]]'', track 6 is titled "Mellotron Scratch" and includes lyrics about the sound of a Mellotron causing a woman to cry. [[Modest Mouse]] used a Mellotron for the song "Little Motel". [[Porcupine Tree]]'s [[Steven Wilson]] prominently used the Mellotron's haunting choral sounds on [[No-Man]]'s 2003 album ''[[Together We're Stranger]]''. British indie rock band [[The Kooks]] also use a real mellotron on their albums ''[[Konk (album)|Konk]]'' (recorded at [[Konk (recording)|Konk studios]] in Hornsey) and ''[[Rak]]''. [[The Strokes]] also used a mellotron on the song "Ask Me Anything" on their 2006 album ''[[First Impressions of Earth]]''. [[The Ataris]] utilized the Mellotron on their 2007 album ''[[Welcome the Night]]'', most prominently on the songs "Cardiff-by-the-Sea" and "A Soundtrack for This Rainy Morning". [[Les Fradkin]] uses the GForce [[M-Tron]] software instrument on most of his current recordings. He triggers it from a Starr Labs [[Ztar]] which gives completely different musical results from the traditional keyboard approach. [[Opeth]] has a version of their song "Porcelain Heart" which consists entirely of Mellotron entitled "Mellotron Heart". This version was featured only on special editions of their 2008 album ''[[Watershed (Opeth album)|Watershed]]''. A progressive rock group from Finland, Nurkostam, is also known for using a lot of Mellotron on their recordings. Founded in 2008, [[MelloFest]] is a UK-based festival celebrating music inspired by both the Mellotron and the Chamberlin. The [[Belgium|Belgian]] band [[Hooverphonic]] also made great use of the mellotron on their 2008 album ''[[The President of the LSD Golf Club]]''. Dutch indie rock band [[Oceana Company]] uses a mellotron M400 on their live shows and album ''For The Boatman''. Canadian indie band Water Closet Phobia relies heavily on the mellotron sound for texture, background sonic filler, and a plethora of odd sound effects. Psychedelic pop group Magic Hero vs. Rock People employed the instruments' sound extensively on their 2008 debut album. British rock band [[The Electric Soft Parade]] has made extensive use of Mellotron samples throughout their career, both live and in the studio, though perhaps most prominently on their 2007 album ''[[No Need To Be Downhearted]]''. Also in 2007, the Canadian band [[Rush]] used the Mellotron for their song "Good News First" on their ''[[Snakes and Arrows]]'' CD. In the early 2000s, availability of original mellotrons had vastly declined. Discoveries of some digital sample sets containing magnetized tapes or digitally pitched or tampered sounds revealed in rare A and B comparisons generated further underground demand by purist musicians for actual mellotrons.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} As a result of this demand, (and because old models could not be located for re-sale), new mellotron models were put into production: the American / Swedish Mellotron MK 6 model and the British Streetly Mellotron M-4000 model. Both resemble the M400 design but with modern improvements to make them more reliable and roadworthy. An example of this is the recent purchase of a Mellotron M4000 for use by the band Arcade Fire who use it in the soundtrack for the 2009 movie ''[[The Box]]''. Another example is Oasis' band member Noel Gallagher's purchase of a Mellotron MK 6 model in 1999 followed by his purchase of an original MK 2 model. Other bands such as A-ha (MK6 model), The Kooks (M4000) and Radiohead (original M400) are also part of this wave of musicians. Older musicians also continue to use real mellotrons, one being Paul McCartney who still uses his on solo albums and in collaboration with Youth in his Fireman releases. Newer bands such as Sanctuary Rig use the M400 in their studio releases.<ref>[http://www.planetmellotron.com/revs2.htm#sanctuaryrig]</ref> == List of models <ref>http://www.vemia.co.uk/mellotron/</ref> == * Mark I (1963) - double manual (35 notes on each). Very similar to the [[Chamberlin|Chamberlin Music Master 600]]. About 55 were made. * Mk II (1964) - double manual. 18 sounds on each manual. About 300 were made. * Fx console (1965) - double manual with sound effects. About 60 were made. * M300 (1968) - 52 note single manual and no pitch wheel-control. About 60 were made. * M400 (1970) - 35 note single manual. The most common and portable model. About 1800 units were made. It has three different sounds per frame. * Mark V (1975) - double manual. It's basically two m400 in one. Around 28 were made of this one. * Novatron mark V (1977) - this is the same as the mellotron Mark V just under a different name. About two were ever made. * Novatron 400 (1978) - the same with this one; it's a mellotron M400 with a different name-plate. * T550 (1981) - this is a flight-cased version of Novatron 400. About three were made. * 4 Track (1981) - very rare and strange model. About 5 were ever made of this model. * Mark VI (1998) - an improved version of the M400. The first mellotron to be produced since Streetly Electronics went out of business in the late 80's. * Mark VII - this is basically an upgraded Mark V. Like the MkVI, this one is produced on the new factory in Stockholm<ref>http://www.mellotron.com</ref> * Skellotron (2005) - an improved m400 with a new look. Made by Streetly electronics. * M4000 (2007) - one manual, 24 sounds. An improved version of the MkII with cycling mechanism. Also made by Streetly electronics. ==Sources== *''Mellodrama'', documentary film by [[Dianna Dilworth]] *''Mellotron: The Machine and the Musicians That Revolutionised Rock'', by [[Nick Awde]], Desert Hearts, ISBN 978-1898948025. *''The Mellotron Book'', by Frank Samagaio, ProMusic Press, ISBN 978-1931140140 ==See also== * [[Birotron]] * [[Chamberlin (music)|Chamberlin]] * [[Orchestron]] * [[Optigan]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== *[[BBC Radio 4]] broadcast a documentary "Sampledelica! The History of the Mellotron" on 3 June 2006, repeated 7 January 2007. *[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/pip/e27qx/ BBC Radio 4 download of 30 minute "Sampledelica! The History of the Mellotron" on 9 January 2007] ==External links== * [http://www.mellotron.com Mellotron.com] - US manufacturers and trademark owners * [http://mellotronics.com Mellotronics.com] - Streetly Electronics, UK manufacturers * [http://www.planetmellotron.com Planet Mellotron.com] - List of Mellotron recordings and album reviews * [http://www.planetmellotron.com/revf3.htm Planet Mellotron.com] * [http://www.mellotronmovie.com/ Mellodrama: The Mellotron Movie] - Mellotron documentary by Dianna Dilworth [[Category:Electric and electronic keyboard instruments]] [[Category:Electronic music instruments]] [[Category:Keyboard instruments]] [[Category:Companies based in Birmingham, West Midlands]] [[Category:Music from Birmingham, West Midlands]] [[be-x-old:Мэлатрон]] [[ca:Mellotron]] [[cs:Mellotron]] [[da:Mellotron]] [[de:Mellotron]] [[et:Mellotron]] [[es:Mellotron]] [[fr:Mellotron]] [[is:Mellotron]] [[it:Mellotron]] [[he:מלוטרון]] [[hu:Mellotron]] [[nl:Mellotron]] [[ja:メロトロン]] [[no:Mellotron]] [[pl:Melotron]] [[pt:Mellotron]] [[ro:Mellotron]] [[ru:Меллотрон]] [[simple:Mellotron]] [[fi:Mellotron]] [[sv:Mellotron]] [[uk:Меллотрон]]'