Mellotron M4000D - Card 02

[@bluetv6386]

Thanks for doing this because I did wonder about this card.

[@JohnLRice]

You are welcome! I finally gave in and bought it because I wanted to know what I might be missing . . . plus I got somewhat obsessed with the wine glasses and Steve Hackett Necam voices sounds and REALLY wanted them. 🙄😅

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

This must be a little addictive to play, John. Very enjoyable to listen to you playing around with it! Thank you!

[@JohnLRice]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Sarah! 🤗

[@troublesomecorsair]

Heyyyyy, thanks for the shoutout! I myself am rocking the Rack these days. I would have liked the Micro but it doesn't have Local Off. I really like the J Bruce voices.

[@JohnLRice]

My pleasure! :-)

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

You’re back, John! 😃🥰

[@JohnLRice]

haha! You are quick!😄 Yeah, just a simple one to go through the sounds on this expansion card.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

John L Rice I happened to be online when you ‘rang my bell,’ kind sir! Missed ya! Hope you’re well. ☺️🙋🏻‍♀️

[@JohnLRice]

@@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers Thanks for "belling" me! ;-) I'm doing OK, I hope you are well as well! 😉

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

John L Rice all good here, John, thanks. Really nice to see a new one from you. I imagine you just need breaks from this sometimes. You have a ton of content! Most prolific! 😁

[@studio48nl]

What is really interesting in this video, is the Yamaha FS1R below it 😄

[@JohnLRice]

Hehe, yes, one of my prized synths! ;-)

[@studio48nl]

@@JohnLRice is there a good editor for it nowadays? It was disastrous to get wav files transformed to the formant format the FS1R could read. I sold mine a long time ago, but for twice the price I bought it second hand!

[@JohnLRice]

@@studio48nl People will hate me but so far I've only used stock presets in the FS1R and currently don't have any plans to try to program it. If I feel in the mood to program sounds I have an entire wall's worth of modular synth plus many other smaller modular synths. ;-) The FS1R and well as Roland Integra7 and Mellotron Rack in my main system give me tons of amazing sounds on demand when I'm in the mood to just play or write. :-)

[@jacobh9344]

Is there any difference at all between the A and B M300 Trombones?

[@JohnLRice]

Nothing particularly dramatic that I've noticed? B seems a little brighter maybe?

[@bluetv6386]

Listening to the voice set I suddenly thought probably because of Beato s interview of Jon Anderson release yesterday that his voice should be mellotronized....

[@JohnLRice]

Ahh thanks, I didn't know about the Beato / Anderson interview, I'll check that out! Yeah, capturing great/unique singers in their prime for a Mellotron or other sample playback method would be awesome but, I think anyone who is getting attention for their voice isn't going to want to possibly kill their own "market", especially when they are at the top of their game? 😁 I suppose some of them could still make a sample set once they get older and can still pull off decent performances in the studio? I think it would be smart if young singers in their prime made such sets and then stuck them in a vault somewhere for release only when they've gotten to point in the future where they can't sing well anymore, sort of a retirement investment? 😎

[@queenhenryviii]

I too was also unaware of a Beato/Anderson interview. I want one of these so, so bad. I like the lager one purely for its mordern vintage smsertfkdsaesthetics

[@MarkoDeLaVoota]

wow , it’s been a while...

[@JohnLRice]

i know, sorry for the absence! 😊 I've been working on straightening out long neglected wiring issues (non-power) and doing software upgrades on the DAW computer etc.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Btw, John, when you played Clarinet 2, it reminded me of the music in the old series Kung Fu! 😃 Mellotron is amazing! Do you just love it?

[@JohnLRice]

haha, I often go into Kung Fu mode when playing Mellotron flutes and strings! Yeah, I do love it dearly!

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

@@JohnLRice it’s a beautiful creation. Nothing else like it that I’ve seen. You?

[@MartinGamer-jw6op]

22:07 I NEED THOSE GUITAR LOOPS FOR FREE.

[@JohnLRice]

hehe, I can think of a lot of stuff I'd like for free! 🤷‍♂😏

[@gustavofasani]

I wanted to ask you, is the sound engine from the Mini and Micro really different in sound quality? I find the micro a very attractive size instrument, but if the sound quality is very different, maybe I would go for a rack? Thanks for your videos, very inspiring!

[@JohnLRice]

All of the digital Mellotrons from The Mellotron Factory use the same source tapes, as far as I know? The full sized M4000D and the Rack version have multiple balanced audio outputs on XLR connectors, the Mini has multiple unbalanced outputs, and the Micro only has a single unbalanced output. The Micro doesn't have an expansion card slot and only a 2 octave keyboard. (also the Micro has a few less advanced features in the settings menu) I believe Markus said that the Micro has a different circuit board in it compared to the other larger models? I think that's because a lot of features like multiple balanced outputs and expansion card slot was eliminated so he made a new PCB that was as small as possible? I've never directly compared the sound of my Rack and Micro, at least not in any careful scientific way, but if there is a difference it is very subtle. I'm always pleased when I play my Micro but sometimes when I play my rack I think it sounds even better . . .but that may just be because my Rack is in my main studio with better monitors than what I often use with the Micro? Which ever one you get I'm sure you will be pleased! I should try to do a Mellotron Rack VS. Micro comparison video someday?? ;-)

[@gustavofasani]

@@JohnLRice Thank you very much for your response. A Mellotron Rack VS. Micro comparison video would be amazing! Beautiful instrument the Mellotron :)

[@Viperspazzin]

bro a rack vs micro would be fireee@@JohnLRice

[@chascarter6340]

Can you demo the Wilco sounds more in depth? thanks!

[@JohnLRice]

Thanks for your interest but I probably wont take the time to just do a detailed demo of just the Wilco sounds, too many other projects I need to do! :-) There isn't much more to show than I already did though, The Wilco Dulcimer is a dulcimer across the three octaves, the Wilco Crotales has the standard 2 octaves of crotales in the middle of the keyboard range with a half octave at either end of some other random sounding metal bells, the Wilco Guitar Feedback High has the lower half with fairly clean sustained feedback notes and the upper half with more distorted and/or breaking up feedback notes with the top two keys being special accompaniments (an orchestral percussion ensemble and a Spanish guitar run), and the Wilco Guitar Feedback Low has the lower half with the more distorted and/or breaking up feedback notes and the upper half with the fairly clean sustained feedback notes. I hope that helps!

[@Viperspazzin]

hey how do you connect the mellotron to the midi keyboard and computer?

[@JohnLRice]

Hi, the M4000D has standard 5 pin DIN MIDI IN, OUT and THRU connectors on the back of it. 😎👍

[@AriannaCunningham]

32:33 The arpeggiated Violins preset is obviously my 2nd favorite preset from the Mellotron Sound Library! Was that preset actually used in some classic 60s songs?

[@JohnLRice]

The sound is indicated that is was used by the band called Yes, and I'm a pretty big fan of their music, but I can't think of what song or songs they used it on. It may have only been used in live shows for a song intro or transition between songs but I can't say for sure.

[@AriannaCunningham]

@@JohnLRice But what was with the extra out of place sounds in some of the misc + rhythm & fills patches?

[@JohnLRice]

@@AriannaCunningham I assume that those sounds might have been used during the process of recording albums in the studio, and not from a Mellotron but from sound effects records, reel to reel tapes, or created on the fly in the studio, and then the band had them transferred to Mellotron tape frames so they could be used during live performances in the songs? I'm guessing here though. ;-)

[@AriannaCunningham]

@@JohnLRice Speaking of which, could you actually do a demonstration video of the full range of the Yes Arpeggiated Violins Preset please?

[@JohnLRice]

@@AriannaCunningham While I appreciate your interest and enthusiasm 🙂 I try to respect people's copyrights as much as possible and avoid doing clean and complete samples of every single note/sound (or subset of sounds) so that people don't just grab the samples from my video and never buy the products they came from. I hope you understand.

[@chandeleerjet5637]

Does the card just use the built in instruments like the flutes, pianos, horns etc… or are there new instruments altogether with the expansions?

[@JohnLRice]

The cards have totally different instrument samples from the ones that are built in. 👍

[@chandeleerjet5637]

@@JohnLRice thanks! What card would you say is most versatile from the stock sounds? Want to get them all but wondering which one I should start with

[@JohnLRice]

@@chandeleerjet5637 It's a hard choice! I think it's sort of a tie between card 02 and 03 for me . . .some days I like card 02 more and other days I like card 03 more . . .and I "might" be tempted to just have card 03 if held at gun point and told I could only have one? Card 04 is more specialized being sourced from optical disc players but does have the advantage of most sounds being endlessly looped. I don't have card 05 yet (it has some of the Mellotron sounds endlessly looped) but I should have it soon! 🥳 It would be best for anyone trying to decide to just listen to all of my card demos and then listen to all of the demos on Mellotron's SoundCloud site (they have card 05 sounds up too): soundcloud.com/mellotronfactory A tip if you are able to spend a larger amount of money at once, you can save money in the long run by buying cards direct from the Mellotron site as they offer discounts if you buy two or more at once! $800 for two cards ($400 each), $1100 for three cards ($367 each), or $1400 for all four cards ($350 each): www.digitalmellotron.com/soundcards

[@stargate1555]

@@chandeleerjet5637 My favorite two sound cards are 02 and 05. Sound cards 03-04-06 have some sounds that are not keyboard playable and are probably just fillers. Also, some of the sounds on those three cards are just weird as some lower notes are key responsive then the upper keys go on a key tangent. It's hard to describe....but all the cards have pluses and minuses. I've had my Mellotron M4000D for 7 years and haven't made a dent in all the sound possibilities with all the sound cards. This gem will definitely keep you busy. I don't have sound card 07 but from what I understand it's loops of the band sounds from the previous cards.

[@patchstein810]

Which expansion is your favorite?

[@JohnLRice]

I don't have card 03 so I guess between 02 and 04 I'd say that 02 is more versatile and going to be "better" for most people? Card 04 is more of a specialized thing since most of it is lower fidelity accompaniment sounds. There are some high fidelity version of the sounds though and some individual instruments. The coolest thing about card 04 IMHO is that that sounds loop indefinitely like an optical would, so accompaniments play endlessly and you can hold single notes and chords forever if you like. ;-) I recently realized that the Mellotron company has a SoundCloud account and they have a lot of examples of their available sounds, check it out! soundcloud.com/mellotronfactory

[@patchstein810]

I just received mine and realized there is no usb connection...lol how do I connect to the computer? Thanks in advance

[@JohnLRice]

Hi, congrats on getting the Mellotron M4000D Rack! (or did you get a different model?) Regardless all of the digital mellotrons from the Mellotron company have three clearly labeled 5 pin DIN MIDI connectors on the back for MIDI In, Out, and THRU. I'll guess that you are unfamiliar with the original type of MIDI connection and are looking for a USB connector to connect to your computer's USB port? If that's the case you'll need to get some sort of MIDI Interface that will convert the 5 pin DIN MIDI to USB. There are a very wide range to choose from, expensive and feature loaded to inexpensive and simple. What will work best for you might depend a little on what computer you have and what software you have so you might need to do some research. A simple inexpensive one I have that has worked well in general is the MIO iConnectivity for about $40 www.iconnectivity.com/products/midi/mio I can't remember if I tried it on my Mellotron Micro or not but it worked with other keyboard synths I have. And Roland makes the UM-ONE mk2 USB MIDI Interface which is the same price that looks good but I haven't tried it: www.roland.com/us/products/um-one_mk2/ Best of luck! :-)

[@patchstein810]

John L Rice Thank you

[@RioYugo]

So does this work like a rack pre? But for a midi controller? What’s the signal chain? This is amazing by the way.

[@JohnLRice]

Hello Mario! This isn't a mic preamp or MIDI processor etc, it is the rack mount version of the electronic keyboard instrument called a Mellotron M4000D. It plays back the sound samples originally created for the various models of the famous tape based keyboard instruments named Chamberlin and Mellotron. The little interface windows show the name of the sample and a picture of the instrument it was created for. The Mellotron M4000D instruments come with 100 sound samples internally and there are several expansion cards that can be purchased that have 100 additional sounds each. That's what I'm running through here, just giving people a quick demo of all of the sounds available on Card #2. 😎 I basically have a MIDI keyboard connected to the MIDI input on the back of the Mellotron M4000D Rack and then it's audio output is connected to an audio mixer with a little reverb dialed into the effects loop. If you'd like to learn more here are some links: www.digitalmellotron.com/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamberlin en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mellotron

[@RioYugo]

@@JohnLRice I see! Amazing!! With it not having USB; would it work going Midi Keyboard -> Mel Rack -> Apollo Twin X -> DAW? If not, what mixer would you suggest. Cheers!

[@RioYugo]

@@JohnLRice also, it does everything the bigger M4000D does, right? without actually physically being there? Meaning I can control pitch and stuff, mix sounds together, get any of those sound cards, etc from my Midi keyboard? If so, wow, I need this... Also, does it have quarter inch? For guitar, bass, etc. (And thank you for answering all these and everyone’s questions, so little info on these!!)

[@JohnLRice]

@@RioYugo I've never used an Apollo Twin X but I took a quick glance online and your suggested connection chain looks like it should work perfectly. :-)

[@JohnLRice]

@@RioYugo For the most part the Rack version has almost all of the same features as the full sized keyboard version. The main difference I know of is that the full sized keyboard version has polyphonic after touch and the Rack version doesn't respond to poly after touch from an external MIDI input. (Markus has suggested that it will be implemented in a future update for the Rack but it's been a few years so I wouldn't count on it happening?) Also, a minor cosmetic difference is that the Rack only has the Mellotron name back lit, but the full sized and Mini keyboard versions have most or all of the control labels back lit. The Rack has both balanced outputs on XLR jacks and unbalanced outputs on 1/4" jacks. There are no audio inputs at all, if that's what you were asking?

[@dejanslak8972]

I recieved my card today. Is there normal that on some sounds some notes are missing there? And on Chamberlain violin solo I get loud noise there...

[@JohnLRice]

That doesn't sound right, you should use the contact page www.digitalmellotron.com/contact and let them know, you may have a defective card or something!

[@dejanslak8972]

@@JohnLRice yes I made a video and send it to Markus Resch

[@JohnLRice]

@@dejanslak8972 Excellent, I'm sure he'll take care of you! :-)

[@dejanslak8972]

@@JohnLRice hope so... shipping is really expensive to Sweden... I hope they cover it... Tnx and Best D

[@JohnLRice]

@@dejanslak8972 They've always been really good with sending updates when needed and have never charged me anything for them.