The ELODY Electroacoustic Recorder: testing and review | Team Recorder

Finally! I test and review the Elody recorder, with harmonic design and built-in mic. My honest opinion on its sound, feel, build, look, and function!
Huge thanks to Nik Tarasov - inventor of the Elody - and Mollenhauer recorders for your input, and loaning the instrument for this video.
Find the Elody here!
www.mollenhauer.com/en/elody-...
Thanks to Angelo Boltini / Trybes Music for getting together to improvise with ALLLLLLLL the guitar pedals! Check out his KZbin channel for all your electronics needs:
/ trybes
//// TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:36 Playing demo & range
01:25 Sound comparisons
02:27 The shape - why is it flat?!
04:16 How it was invented and the ~*inspiration*~
06:46 It has a mic.. let's play with FX!
10:25 The cost and… final thoughts
/// INSTRUMENTS
In this video I play on :
a 442Hz cherry wood Elody by Mollenhauer
//////
Website: www.sarahjeffery.com
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[@angeloboltini]

Hey Sarah! So cool to play a small part in this. Had a lot of fun running you through my little electronic magic boxes :) Cheers!

[@Team_Recorder]

It was big fun! 😄 Don't forget to subscribe to TRYBES channel everyone, so much good info about electronics there...

[@katlawliss9496]

Can I get a space themed Elody with Sarah's face on the sun? 5:51 LOL

[@Team_Recorder]

Hahaaaaaa

[@stevemarshall9116]

More or less when the Elody came on the market I wrote a concerto for Elody and recorder orchestra, and the soloist was Helen Hooker. The recordings (one per movement) are somewhere on KZbin. It used a small amount of electronics, but what I liked particularly is that it was easily audible against a 40-instrument orchestra, even when written low in the range. And there was absolutely zero feedback. I suppose we could have achieved the same thing with an external mic, but it would have required some techie on call, to make sure that we did not have the horror of howling feedback! And we didn't have such a person. It's nice to be able to forget about feedback, irrespective of the size and shape of the room.

[@maxinewarn7530]

Loved listening to your concerto for Elody on youtube Steve. I couldn't see leads, just an amp at front. Did Helen play it acoustically only?

[@josedanielbanos1766]

I am si glad you finally did it! I was wondering why you hadn’t featured the Elody yet. I feel this could be the future of the instrument. With the re.corder and Elody I feel younger people would feel more encouraged to play with other musicians. I agreee with you, recorders are cool, period. Not all people agree. I think instruments like this could change the perception of those who don’t see the recorder as we do. I really look forward to seeing more electronic recorder sounds. Thanks for sharing and for exposing the recorder to more people. Loved your response to two set. Go team recorder!

[@YorozuyaNeesan2010]

Thanks for the incredible video, Sarah! The Elody does look and sound really interesting. I really like the tone of it.

[@Paula-133]

It's just inspiring as Heck! Thanks for the intro. to it.❤

[@kharmaviv]

WOW! LOVE IT!It looks like so much fun! It's a nice blend of the past, present, and future. I believe it will continue to expand the recorder. And recorder players will continue to grow because of it. We don't have to let go of the past to embrace the future. 😎💞🎵

[@xevilondwi8873]

Wow so smooth presentation and lovely recoder sound. 😆😆😆😍

[@grahamtyler5382]

Brilliant review. I was wondering whether to take the plunge. Time to start saving up!

[@rjones1357]

It needs a whammy bar!!! As usual, thanks for the excellent product demonstration.

[@scathatch]

Brilliant review.

[@elizabethoseid6304]

Fun video! I am not likely to need such a fine instrument - still quite a beginner on my second hand, but decent Moeck alto. I truly enjoy your videos and encouragements - inspires me to practice both flute and recorder more. I am so out of practice on my flute that I play until my embouchure gives out, then move to the recorder. Playing music is so fun!

[@patrickpirker1634]

Rally Love your Videos

[@RecordersRocketsBEC]

Thanks for this! I was lucky enough to get a satinwood Elody from Bill Lazar several years ago when the price was not that different than a palisander Modern with the low E or the boxwood Ehlert Alto from Moeck. Bill sent me examples of each and I chose the Elody because of that easy responsiveness with the idea that someday I might use the built in pickup. It is simply a delight to play. The electroacoustic dimension is simply a bonus that I really haven't taken advantage of beyond testing that the mic works (so far). I'm still fighting with the flat shape in that I often find myself leaking at the second or third finger on my right hand when using the keys, especially the E. But that's a practice thing for me to work out, I think. Otherwise I find it pleasant and easy to hold. I do move a bit when I play, though not to the degree you demonstrated 😀 And I'm with you about that case! While it's lovely, I suppose, for some uses, my Elody normally lives in a Cavallaro alto roll and the case is in the closet. I have a Samsonite briefcase that I use to carry some instruments and other things (folding music stand, light, recorder stands and such) and the Elody's cable is in there. And kudos to you for making it clear that the Elody is a Mollenhauer Modern alto with a different external shape. The use of "harmonic" in the description has made US dealers at least suggest that it's based on the Helder alto. But it's not. In fact, you will find that you can interchange the head or the foot from the Modern alto and the Elody and they'll still play just fine but look really strange.😁

[@NoHomerS]

That "harmonic" description really confuses players. I have the alto and tenor Helders and a Modern soprano. I know the difference, but others think they're the same thing. They need to differentiate the Moderns from the true harmonics.

[@jonaseckhoff4300]

Hey Sarah, lovely video and this recorder seems like quite an inspiring instrument. When you're running distortion, it might be beneficial to run the signal through a guitar cab simulation, it takes away a lot of those harsh frequencies and makes it sound much more pleasing overall

[@HollandHiking]

Awesome to watch. I may go for your advice to get a simple mike and some other cool stuff. That's expensive enough for the moment. It would be lovely to experiment with sound outside the standard baroque sound I normally play.

[@StefHaynes]

Really loved the music you made with TRYBES! Is there a longer version of that floating around somewhere?

[@ffymorcos]

Player is much more important than the instrument.. you make it look easy.. but it is just because you are a GREAT MUSICIAN

[@johnb698]

"For the purposes of science"... it needs to be stated : you're great at this. Thank you!!

[@apislapis]

Great video Sarah. It's futuristic shape reminds me of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird jet aircraft.

[@MuziekMetMeesterMarius]

What an amazing and great video again Sarah. It's so interesting and so cool (haha cool indeed!). I am very glad you created this video. Perhaps something for a future wishlist. One small thing... when this would have been created in a Tenor version you wouldn't have only won the C and D, but also the B, or am I mistaken now? Thanks!

[@adinaderoy-stouffer5724]

Great video. Makes me want to experiment with modern/contemporary music even more. I personally will probably start with external mic, bc of the cost. Curious, have you tried singing into the Elody and playing at the same time? That might be really cool

[@SeekerLancer]

The "cool recorder" marketing might be a bit silly but you've got to admit... it's pretty freakin' cool.

[@arlin411]

I always enjoy your videos. Personally, when I want distortion I play an EWI.

[@sumoflone]

Love you Sarah!

[@helderegbert5509]

Aqui no Brasil assistindo e sonhando com uma flauta dessa... ELODY

[@emmanuelfabian8317]

Brilliant ! You know , it would be great if you did a Review video about the Yamaha wood recorders they have a huge variety .

[@grahamsmith5780]

Love the dancing 😊

[@idraote]

Thank you for the review, Sarah, it was interesting. I appreciated your balanced approach to this new avatar of the recorder spirit. Personally, I don't think the Elody is for me. The unplugged sound of the instrument sounds strange to my ears and not entirely pleasant. Where the instrument makes sense is when plugged. I imagine that someone who plays contemporary music on the recorder and or in a band and or likes to experiment with sound will like it. All the above are not my personal cup of tea. Personally I think that the Mollenhauer Modern Alto with E foot will be a better match for me. Or even better the Ganassi Eagle created by Adriana Breukink that I still remember fondly from your previous video.

[@TheOnjLouis]

You know what? I’ve never written a piece with, or around a Recorder. How would you feel about playing a groov/riff to a click, any key, any tempo, putting it up and getting your subscribers to put a something together based on what you play? You’d get all sorts of ideas, from Classical, to Jazz (me probably) it would be so fun. Not for any kind of prize or competition etc, just for the sake of it.

[@luckybarrel7829]

I dunno if this is relevant but she has a video on how to compose for Recorder players. Just some Sarah lore.

[@georgejordin]

You been watching TwoSet?

[@tantricsarcasm9133]

Hi Sarah! How did you find the weight and balance/comfort holding the Elody compared to a recorder, especially over the course of a long practice session or performance?

[@535Salomon]

Plot twist: The recorder is flat and tuning is 432hz!! ;) love your video!!!

[@ibrahimsuhailbinsyukransaa2581]

Hey Sarah! I have an idea for a video, how about you review Aulos Symphony whole set and tell us what do you think about it. It should be interesting video right?

[@phredqwatson]

Thanks for ‘going there’ in the name of science of course. As there seems to be a genuine appeal for older kids and generally to a wider audience I wonder if there’s a way to make a version of it that’s not at a professional price point?

[@sonjamg9489]

You can get a built-in microphone in any recorder you already have.

[@austinhackney3906]

"I feel a bit like a duck" Full-on Derbyshire accent when you said that, Sarah! Or am I wrong?! 😃

[@Team_Recorder]

You’re not wrong! Eyup mi duck!

[@austinhackney3906]

@@Team_Recorder Y'a reet? I lived in Derby for a few years a long time ago. I remember excellent beer, lively folk clubs, trips to the Peak District, super-friendly people, and, of course, that inimitable accent/dialect. Small world! :D

[@luckybarrel7829]

I generally don't like contemporary music but I liked what you had going here in this vid in that studio. Maybe it's growing on me... I'm worried now...

[@cuvarsnova]

I like it could be an even more futuristic design, I think I will make a more complex one. Nostalgic people who are closer to the retro style probably don't like it, I think it's great. Thank you Sarah ~

[@angelserrano3655]

09:24 ¡¡¡Smoke on the whistle!!!

[@chikoavena3407]

I tought that it was an prosthetic arm by the thumbnail... Now im thinking that it would be cool to make a wooden prosthetic flute arm 🤔

[@JessHull]

I think people concerned with the price need to realize that this is a specialty instrument for a niche demographic. Its an economy of scale issue.

[@markbudd5250]

5:49 That's an hilarious graphic Sarah- of course we all like to think we are the centre of the universe... 😀

[@rjones1357]

The graphic is accurate. We laugh nervously but we know it is true ;-P

[@mirabilos]

What makes the “modern harmonic” recorder different? My speakers don’t really give me much difference, the Elody is a bit louder. (But then I failed the overtone hearing test on the ’net, too…) ISTR reading the highest notes can be produced more easily? Maybe even a range extension (asides that E₄ key)? I looked at Mollenhauer (I speak German anyway) and Tarasov’s web presences but… I would totally want the wooden one, or, if that’s not available, at best the space one as well. Though the wooden one is too shiny/polished already, I like natural wood. But I *would* totally use the case. Sturdy is probably good, too…

[@jamespeeples8754]

I like the sound and the resonance of the low notes. That said, it doesn't really sound like a recorder to me -- it's really it's own instrument. It's sound is easily as different from the Baroque recorder as the Boehm-system flute is as different from the Baroque traverso.

[@sarajcory7425]

Can headphones be connected directly or do they have to go through a Sim?

[@ibrahimsuhailbinsyukransaa2581]

Hey I have an idea for a video, how about you review Aulos Symphony whole set and tell us what you think about it It should be interesting video right?

[@TheMKEWERBY]

Sarah, do any tenor recorders come with a low B "spatula" key?

[@sonjamg9489]

Have a look at the Mollenhauer "Helder".

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

Sarah said, “I’m genuinely interested to hear what you think.” If it "sounds different, feels different and functions different," is it really a recorder? 🤔 I ask rhetorically. 😉

[@minou_seb_11]

By the way, i think ill buy this recorder, its amazing!

[@minou_seb_11]

Nevermind, i cant afford it🤣

[@catalinmunteanu78]

❤🙏

[@brini2439]

😮never heard of this elody thing before but I think it's amazing. A flat recorder is what I wished for as a child because of my pretty small hands on the tenor or bass recorder xD. Indeed, this elody is cool but it's not a substitute for a 'normal' recorder. But I can imagine that it is better for teens to say 'I play the elody' instead if 'recorder'.

[@barthvapour]

WANT.

[@serhioramires3166]

🤣 Thank for video!!!

[@bajoelectrico]

I like it! It is different and beautiful. Inserting a microphone is the simplest way to allow it to connect to a signal chain like an electric guitar does. Do you play the EWI? You can use recorder fingering. Also sax fingering, but in this case I should question your husband... :-) Thanks for your video!

[@kallikles2003]

I am interested in trying out the EWI, which model do you use? The reviews I saw imply it was designed with the sax in mind, how do you find it playing it as a recorder?

[@bajoelectrico]

Sorry, @pippo , I don't play it already. I am thinking about EWI 4000, EWI 5000 or Roland Aerophone AE 20.

[@Team_Recorder]

I di play EWI (not amazingly, but) - would people be interested in a video on it? I have the 4000S

[@bajoelectrico]

@@Team_Recorder , yes I am!

[@kallikles2003]

@@Team_Recorder I would be very interested! From what I read it is not really possible to play it as a a recorder (no forked fingerings), but there were very few reviews online from a recorder perspective. Please enlighten has on its possibilities!

[@douglasboyle6544]

9:25 Of course you did. 🤣💜

[@minou_seb_11]

I found an error on your poster, im italian and in italy we call the recorder : flauto dolce and not flauto dritto, just for being precise (sorry for bad english)

[@willieboy8798]

yes to over tines!

[@Team_Recorder]

o v e r t o n e s

[@willieboy8798]

@@Team_Recorder sorry some fool put the i and the o next to each other on this keyboard...humor i must admit my recorder playing sounds more like a canadian goose distress signal! lllooollll but i can make a living with it my neighbors pay me not to play!!.

[@daniellevaljean6690]

I feel the recorder is cool in a folksy way, like an acoustic guitar. But neither is cool in a rockstar way. This instrument has rockstar cred, like an electric guitar.

[@lylek8933]

Very Zen sounding in the studio. lol How much? :) edit...... $Ouch. lol :)

[@amj.composer]

6:34 Accidental titanic joke?

[@user-gv1iv9oj1r]

อยากได้

[@gblan]

Some people on YT are doing some absolutely amazing things with the $200 Artinoise Re.corder. Watch some of them and this thing will disappear from your map.

[@Team_Recorder]

I reviewed the re.corder too 🙂 I mean... it has some cool features but the Elody is in a completely, COMPLETELY different league as a recorder.

[@Tscharlieh]

The problem I have with the ELODY is still the price. I mean you get a decent saxophone for this already…(I know, comparing „apples and oranges“, but still, I would estimate there is much more expenditure to produce a sax than a recorder…)

[@Team_Recorder]

I wouldn't be so sure that a saxophone is more expensive than a recorder! There's just as much skill and craftsmanship. And yes, it's a lot of money. But other instruments seem to have the bar way higher in terms of price - there's a recent video by the brilliant Paul Davids Guitar called 'testing guitars UNDER €200'.

[@silasleviemavouroulou974]

Give me Elody please!!!

[@Fenyxfire]

so jealous. dont think ill be ever able to afford it.

[@slimagedah8583]

It sounds like a soprano from a distance with out electrification.

[@theghostofsw6276]

Yeah....I think it would still be better to have a complete range of recorders mic'd, instead of trying to cheat with octave pedals, and such.

[@rickiemittag4326]

ᑭяỖｍｏ?? ✨

[@alfredbackhus6110]

I actually hate the sound of this recorder. To my ears it sounds like a 100 Dollar Instrument made of a wood that was not oiled properly. Very dry and somewhat shrill and without any baroque elegance and fragility in the low notes, but also without renaissance breathiness. I actually exclusively play in a quite loud and heavy band but this is not for me.

[@tz64nk41]

Ah so 'duck' is one of those words that makes your Midlunds accent more obvious

[@Team_Recorder]

Eyup mi duck

[@himanshu1713.y]

Hi talk to me

[@Frederer59]

Everything changes except the Avant-garde. 🙄