TRON Revisited

[@TimShoebridge]

Correction on my comment saying there are 200 presets on the M4000D. There are in fact 100 that come factory installed with the instrument with room for 100 more via expansion cards.

[@TimShoebridge]

@gridsleep Thanks for the alert. Blocked now. Some scammer impersonating me.

[@drake1011]

Is this card number 2

[@TimShoebridge]

@@drake1011 Yes

[@d33psp33d]

Thanks!

[@user-ew8mm6ob9e]

Mellotron really was the original sampler. I'd no idea of these use cases. Very cool!

[@AndyKing1963]

Afaik the first Tangerine Dream custom tape set was produced 20.5.75 by Mellotronics Limited (labelled D91 1-30SFX/1-32SFX). Later the band bought their own tapes and recorded their own sounds; Edgar Froese 'sampled' his own synths and used them for polyphonic presets on his solo album STUNTMAN as well as using his Birotron B90 with tape loops for infinite choir sounds. The photo of TD used in the video is from the Orange Festival in 1975 and it was one of if not the first time that the SFX tapes were used live. The band also sampled André Almuró’s 1969 electro-acoustic album Kosmos Musiques Experimentales (track one: Va-Et-Vient), which can be heard on Ricochet (the 'thump thump' electro-acoustic drum sounds).

[@DeJarreVu]

Hi Andy. Sounds like you know a lot about Tangerine Dream. Can I ask, do you know of any albums or other live recordings of theirs that are similar to Ricochet? I know there are sections of repeating sequences in albums like Phaedra and Rubycon that sound like sections from Ricochet, but I haven't found anything with the variety and sequence changes found in Ricochet. Would there be any bootlegs of that set being played in other loctions also? Thanks for any help on the matter.

[@AndyKing1963]

@@DeJarreVu You need to track down their live recordings from 1975 & 1976. Only part of Ricochet is live, most of it was created in the studio (not the full story of course). I'd recommend the following recordings: Royal Albert Hall April 2, 1975 (which can be found on the boxset 'In Search of Hades' - this has the best sound quality as it was a soundboard recording, albeit not quite like Ricochet as it features Michael Hoenig who replaced Peter Baumann for TD's 1975 Australian tour, and the RAH one-off concert). Also both of their Brussels concerts from 1976 (February 9 at the “Auditorium Paul-Emile Janson”, U.L.B. and November 16 at the "L'Ancienne Belgique") - you should also check out the Nottingham Albert Hall recording from November 8, 1976 - see 'The Bootleg Box Volume 2'. I would imagine that all of these can be found on YT as well.

[@DeJarreVu]

@@AndyKing1963 Thanks a lot, I'll have a look

[@davidrobertson4301]

@@DeJarreVu Tangram. Force majeure. Stratosphere. Encore (was a 2LP release back in the day). Sorcerer and exit. The style started to change a little bit but still similar hyperbola and white eagle. These are all from around the late 70's. My favourite faze of tangerine dream. Also Edgar froeze solo album "water" again 2LP when it came out. This was mastered with the artificial head system. A system where a pair of microphones are placed with a barrier between them to simulate how a person would hear the music. Some people actually would walk around the setup with a speaker playing a part so that 3d sound effects were created in real time. I heard a Edgar froeze interview where he said the studio was set up with 12 Chanel's of play back to get the surround sound. So it sounds great on headphones

[@davidrobertson4301]

@@AndyKing1963 Encore live double LP release 1977.

[@deep6293]

Ahh, that tangerine dreams sounds ❤️. I instantly have the corresponding tracks playing in my mind.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

Everytime you release a mellotron video (and especially with these FX libraries), I just imagine someone doing prepared tape pieces and producing some sort of musique concrete. ...and then I wonder why I never thought to do that in the digital sampling world. Great videos not only educate and share, but also inspire. Thanks for sharing.

[@neutralearth1061]

We love the Mellotron in all forms and use them a lot. We have a vintage M400 with 4 different tape racks, 2 Mellotron Micro's, an M4000D (like the one in this video). We also have several apps, including Streetlytron, Mellowsound, Manetron, and Mellotron we use with our iPads, phones and iPod Touch. Our motto is "You can never have too much Mellotron."

[@owenkitto27]

I would like a part 2 how these people went about making these effects. What I love about you tube is you can go from a guy stuck in a cave. To extreme metal Detcting and this video. I like the way you explain stuff and show reviews. It’s good to catch up on all your videos when I have free time 10/10 nice one tim

[@robertsyrett1992]

ok, those roxy music FX hit me right in the nostalgia. good video.

[@perge_music]

I spoke to GForce who make the epic M-Tron Pro and have all the Streetly Tapes. They said that they own the rights to all the tron tapes and they were licensed for this machine, I asked them if they'd release the FX libraries for their plugin. They didn't think there'd be a market for them, even though they admitted they're amazing. Might have to stump for a hardware machine just to get those libraries!

[@econogate]

Reasonably priced they would get a decent level of support, but sample libraries are often come once and done. They end up becoming obscure or lost in some sense.

[@FakeGlasses]

Awesome video Tim. I was vaguely aware there were other Mellotron tape/options, no idea how deep that rabbit hole went.

[@Manmademadman]

These same files are available for the Nord keyboard lineup via their Nord Sample Library. Lots of traditional Mellotron samples, mapped and ready to go. I love them!

[@dalebeaver5073]

A very educational and entertaining video. It's just really good fun listening to the samples you chose and watching your reaction as you demonstrate what is lurking inside the TRON. I'm pretty sure that some of these samples have made their way onto keyboards such as the ASM Hydrasynth, Kurweil PC and perhaps even the newer Hammond Stage keyboards. Great video, Tim!

[@HazeAnderson]

The Mellotron has always been one of my favs, with Watcher of the Skies being my favorite usage of the machine. I would like to get one of the modern day versions one day, but in the meantime my EHX Mel9 will have to do! 🤗

[@vampolascott36]

I love the Mellotron sound! Bands that I loved the most, like the Beatles and King Crimson used it and it always sounded magical to me. I always needed to have these sounds, if only as a VST.

[@richardtrussell8220]

A lot of the sounds where you have YES are from Patrick Moraz’s album ‘I’ which is a great album!

[@MuzixMaker]

Correct! One of my desert island albums (I still have the original vinyl that Pat graciously signed following a concert. )

[@haydenarlington8256]

Also on the Yes one I noticed it had the pipe organ fills that Andrew Jackman did on Chris Squire’s solo album Fish Out Of Water. I believe the particular song they are from is Hold Out Your Hand.

[@32ndBrother]

Thanks Tim I recently picked up the M4000D mini but $500 for the expansion cards is a bit steep considering having just shelled out $2000 for the keyboard. I will say the sounds are priceless. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sadsoft]

Nice! Where at Reverb?

[@stargate1555]

Sound card 02 is the bomb. Sound card 05 is my second favorite. Sound cards 03-04-06 have interesting and unique sounds but should be considered a low priority if your money is tight. *Marcus offers package deals for 2 or three sound cards: @ 2 for $800.00 or 3 @ $1,100.00. I'm not sure if there is a 5 card bundle deal or the price.

[@bugdozer]

Loved the little funky song at the end!

[@MuzixMaker]

Fun, especially the “yes” samples. Would be cool if it had the Awaken piano intro.

[@jamesmacleod671]

The first time I remember hearing the mellotron was on Hawkwind's warrior on the edge of time and David Bowie's Diamond Dogs albums back in the 1970s, being young I didn't realise that the string/choir sound came from a tape based keyboard but I do remember really liking that ethereal sound on those albums. I now have an Akai force/mpcx that does a good simulation of that instrument.

[@davebellamy4867]

Warrior starts off with Mellotron by Simon House, plus Lemmy on bass! Probably the first time I realised what instrument it was. It hooked me. Next was Watcher of the Skies on Genesis Live.

[@davebellamy4867]

There is notging for me that can beat Mellotron strings or voices.

[@davidsobel3303]

Roxy Music, the car starting is "Love is the Drug" :)

[@timedwards5600]

Thnx for your demos. Incredible.

[@mrstephenjbroadhurst]

Great stuff Tim, I have the Arturia mellotron which is great. As a massive Tangerine dream/Klaus Schulze/Genesis/King Crimson fan its is essential!

[@mick3950]

Interesting Tim,fantastic presentation as always,GRP A4 next ,????

[@midinotes]

They certainly have a novelty to them, but I'm not sure what I'd use them for after listening to them. The 4000D though looks an amazing instrument and definitely unique.

[@MrNiniko]

This was lovely and entertaining. Thank you kindly, sir.

[@nx01craig]

That is a very cool set of interesting sounds. The sounds that start around the 8:49 mark are samples from Chris Squire's song Hold Out Your Hand, which Patrick Moraz played on. We've incorporated many of these sounds in our first two Neutral Earth albums.

[@thisisnev]

The bitimbral rising/falling repeat sound at 11:16 was by Peter Baumann - he used it both with TD and on his solo album, Romance 76. I managed to recreate it on an Akai AX80, and it sounds awesome when played polyphonically!

[@jakoblaban429]

Great clip. Stunning collection of sounds🕉

[@jasonkovac547]

This is my favorite channel video

[@synthsbythesea4091]

Here in Australia, the expansion cards are horrifically expansive, I only have card #2, but it is so worthwhile.

[@FunnyBecauseItsTrue]

…I’d love to hear the sounds some of the Wilco guys recorded that are on that expansion pack…made the mistake of buying an M400 (yes, four HUNDRED) several years ago, and there is truly nothing like actually feeling and hearing the tapes vibrate under the keys and then snap back into position…

[@JohnLRice]

Well done video as always, Tim! 👏😎👍 For anyone interested I own cards 02, 03, and 04 and have rough demos of all the sounds on them on my YT channel, and I recently bought card 05 and will do a demo video for that one too at some point, but will have to wait until the heatwave here in the PNW subsides! (no AC in my house! 🥵)

[@econogate]

Wow, i'd love to have this entire collection as sampler libraries for kontakt of these artists original Tron sample collections.

[@jno8039]

Thank You for the review. I love it.

[@YesThatDan]

Really great video, but I don't recall any of the sounds you attribute to Yes from any of their albums. Some of those sounds came from Chris Squire's Fish Out Of Water (featuring Patrick Moraz on keyboards), and many came from The Story of I and Keyboards Metamorphoses by Patrick Moraz.

[@JohnLRice]

FWIW I think Tim is just attributing the source of the sounds by how the Mellotron Factory named them on the card. 🙂

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

That Tangerine Dream Meletron sounds were even used well into the 80s. A lot of them you can still hear being played in the live albums "Logos" and "Poland". And i think they might have sampled their tapes at one point. There are 2 TV Studio recordings of Tangerine Dream in the mid 70s, done at the WDR TV Studios where you can see them playing Melotrons mostly for Effect purposes but also for the prominent Flute sound of the 3 factory sounds.

[@AndyKing1963]

Most of the single shot SFX were sampled by then

[@AndyKing1963]

20.5.75: Tangerine Dream: D91: 1-32 SFX & 1-30 SFX made by Mellotronics Ltd, 35 Portland Place, London W1N 3AG. First used live at the Orange Festival in France 16.8.75 (Cymbals, alien seagull etc some pitched down).

[@neilloughran4437]

A lot of those TD sounds found their way into the Nord sample library... interesting to hear the "tuh" sound from White Eagle... and all the sound fx which practically made up whole sides of music on Encore! Always fancied the modern Mellotron but always felt the expansions were way too expensive... Patrick Moraz was a big mellotron guy and used the mellotron way into the 80s with the Moody Blues... mainly as a massive fx library as samplers didn't have the memory back then. Of course the Moodys were big on Mellotron because of Nights in White Satin...

[@HazeAnderson]

11:37 😃

[@SCHAAFJOERG]

Brilliant video as always! Thank you!

[@d33psp33d]

Tight one Tim, many thanks!

[@Pepijn_a.k.a._Akikaze]

It's great to hear these sounds some of which I recognised from Tangerine Dream albums! I am still considering buying the Manikin Memotron Mk 2, which I prefer to the Digital Mellotron. I will tell you why. Manikin (the late Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock) used microphone recordings whereas Mellotron (Markus Resch) used the original master tapes, which obviously sound much cleaner but the early mellotron sound was partly defined by the mics that picked it up. To me, sound is most important. The Digital Mellotron can play two sounds simultaneously, the Memotron three. The Digital Mellotron has no internal effects, the Memotron does. On the downside, the Memotron does not respond to program change. This means thaf if you stick to midi recording, as I do, only three sounds are available for each project. That's why I am still considering my purchase. The big Digital Mellotron has balanced outputs and polyphonic aftertouch, the Memotron has unbalanced outputs and no aftertouch. I am not sure if aftertouch affects the internal Digital Mellotron sounds like the original did. Both brands are not cheap and a good sampler will play the sounds which you can even loop. However, these two dedicated mellotron sound players will give you some of the original mellotron artifacts (like when bending the pich). I read some stories about Resch' poor customer relations but these are subjective and can't be verified. That said, Manikin is more familiar. I met Klaus Hoffmann- Hoock several times on festivals where we played. I love his music because we both combine ethnic and Berlin school styles. He was a nice guy. It's a pity he passed away so soon. I also jammed with the guy who gave Manikin its name.

[@cucuchete1815]

Another great video Mr. Shoebridge

[@alanbg2278]

2 mins later ....I feel a whole new approach to Ableton coming on !

[@danielstartek9729]

One of the first films to include computer animation!

[@davebellamy4867]

5:28 That almost sounds like Dave Gahan's Ferrari at the beginning of Stipped on Black Celebration but his started first time!😂

[@JDSoundsets]

Ha loved the ending so much fun :)

[@temporoboto]

very cool🙃💙thanks for sharing

[@CNTRRNDM]

Great video, mate! Enjoyed it a lot!!!

[@switchmuso]

The sample at 4.40 is from the Patrick Moraz album "The story of I", heavily featured between two tracks, BTW that album is among the BEST and most essential for any synth nerd, beautiful sounds that jump out at you ( unfortunately at the cost of muffled bass and drums haha...), just play 40 seconds and you'll see...

[@davebellamy4867]

4:40 Patrick Moraz really lit up Yes' live sound in 1976.He's one of those super skilled guys who has been underrated I think.

[@pedromanafaia]

Fascinating, thank you!

[@superprim12]

little Depeche mode....... love it

[@kierenmoore3236]

Please do a video on the FS Mellotron? 🙏🏼 … I’d like to understand properly its USPs / what makes it more than a sample player … 🤔 Polyphonic playback (with aftertouch, as you mentioned) and with realtime pitch-shifting? … I understand the original was groundbreaking with its tape loops and being the first-of-a-kind (sample player), but what is so special about the current Mellotrons in this digital age … ? 🧐 Yours in ignorance, K 😉

[@alanbg2278]

No wonder i couldn't do it ! I had no idea bands were cheating that early in rock history ! Of course we all do it now on our phones and think we're cutting edge . Thank you : I feel better now !

[@watchaddicts1213]

Hi Tim. I’m about to add the Typhon to join my Nymphes. Found myself watching your Erebus, Erebus 3 and NYX videos. Was swayed s bit by them. Would you say that Typhon has that NYX OSC/Filter MAGIC of Erebus V2 or even MYX V1 ? Considering them all them all, less the $$$$ ABYSS, is TYPHON your pick, to take to the deserted island as your only dreadbox Mono? Thanks

[@popman22fr]

Time for a GRP & Polybrute video Tim ;)

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes. Long overdue! 😏

[@McEnroe911]

When is the GRP video coming? 🕺

[@stratovani]

What, no Moody Blues or Genesis?

[@Asyouwere]

Hi Tim, great video. What is the huge impressive modular above the mellotron?

[@Asyouwere]

Oh nevermind, it’s the grp synthesizer A4. Would love to hear your thoughts on it!

[@coyotesynth]

Yes GRP A4. I am a lucky owner of this italian baby. Hope to hear a demo of it sooner from Tim.

[@ghostexits]

10:06 sounds an awful lot like the intro to David Bowie's "Fame"

[@originalfallinggirl]

So interesting. Great video.

[@annother3350]

I wonder if mellotron retained the rights to those sounds or sought permission

[@Goettel]

Do you know if (any of) these sounds are available in the GForce and Arturia VST's?

[@seansnyder7744]

Good sir, I don't want to speak for all, but I'm sure many of us are still anticipating a Bheringer 2500 series follow up video for the full set of 2500 series modules :)

[@TimShoebridge]

I'm still waiting for all the modules 😞 My last outstanding order was recently updated to have an expected delivery date of 2023!!! I think it's going to be a long wait until all these chip shortages and covid disruptions are sorted.

[@seansnyder7744]

@@TimShoebridge That's so unfortunate! I had to pass on getting the 1050 mix module (last one I need for full set) when the first batch came to the states so I could catch up on the credit card. A special financing option popped up via Sweetwater that I couldn't pass on, so I ordered one, but shipping isn't expected until around September :/ PS when you get your sequencer, I highly recommend hooking it up to the 962 sequential switch from the Moog series ;) (and maybe investing in a quantizer lol)

[@lenochod7950]

Can you use an external, touch sensitive MIDI keyboard to fully control polyphonic aftertouch of M400D?

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes 👍

[@kierenmoore3236]

Do you still have your Matriarch, Tim? Would love to see you doing some more patching with it and your eurorack gear!

[@TimShoebridge]

Yes I do 👍 I actually sold it and replaced it with the dark version, but now I think I'm missing the old one 🤣

[@brutusmuerto]

Brilliant! Thanks!

[@marco_correnti]

Thanks for sharing. What's the licensing like? For example, if you use the YES sounds, are these now royalty free or do you have to mention and maybe even get permission from YES?

[@TimShoebridge]

You can freely use any of the sounds in your own recordings. Well that's the theory.

[@marco_correnti]

@@TimShoebridge thank you!

[@watchaddicts1213]

I think they call it THE TIM EFFECT, wherein watching Tim Shoebridge-chronically-ends up shaping one’s Gear List. My new TYPHON Is in the mail, winging its way to me. So, XD, Nymphes, NTS-1, Typhon and -[acting on my own] Zoom CDR-70…in the bag. Adding the Empress Reverb next and then taking a breather. I wondered, has Empress ZOIA captured your attention at all?

[@AlekseiDroganov]

Hello Tim. Please tell me, because you know more about synthesizers than any of us. You noticed that for a very long time no one has released new hardware synthesizers, neither Korg, with their Drumlogue and Wavestate Se, not Behringer with their new line of synthesizers, nor others. Tell Tim how you think this year is worth waiting for new products, because I saved up on purpose and took out another loan with the hope that many interesting new products will be released this year. Thank you very much

[@annother3350]

It's down to the chinese chip shortage and with the CCPs zero covid strategy, may never come out of lockdown!!

[@TimShoebridge]

You are very kind but I don't know more than anyone else! As far as the lack of new hardware releases are concerned, I only know what I have read online. It seems that both chip shortages and continuing disruption due to covid are the main issues, and that many analysts believe we will not recover until 2023. It's a huge problem that is causing smaller manufacturers to have serious financial issues. I think the situation for them might get worse before it gets better.

[@Asyouwere]

Get a UDO Super 6 :) I got mine this year and it is amazing! The Moog Mavis could be interesting too. Chip shortages or not, a lot of new stuff is still coming out, also in the Modular department. Check out de Bastl Pizza for instance, or the Make Noise DPO.

[@guidoseifert5679]

10:55 Tangerine Dream White Eagle?

[@watchaddicts1213]

Hey Tim. A question, if you please: I'm going to add a Volca FM 2 and thought of buying 2 of them (and I THINK I already bought your Polychaining software...I'll double check--I moved and started a new job, all in the same week, so a little dazed just now0. The synth is a 6 operator. My question is, could you imagine yourself enjoying a PAIR of Volca FM synths in polychain mode OR...is that just silly, given my standard set of fingers or whatever SMART reason you might know, where I wouldn't gain anything for the effort/money? Thanks Tim. I'll go back to my cage now.

[@hurricane6014]

Wow Tim! Do you think that one could get inspired over these sounds? Amazing!

[@bcj842]

11:36 HELL YEAH

[@watchaddicts1213]

Tim…Help. Just a knee jerk opinion, if you please. I have acquired: Nymphes, NTS-1, Minilogue XD, Zoom multi effects pedal And Sensel Moroh MPE controller. I’ve found an Empress Reverb pedal at a really good price. I am debating: Empress Pedal vs Dreadbox Typhon (and its effects. So, were it YOU, which would you add? Thanks Tim.

[@TimShoebridge]

For me the Typhon is an absolute classic from Dreadbox, loads of sequencing and modulation capabilities, I love mine. I haven't tried the Empress but I hear a lot of rave reviews, and I must admit I have built up a small collection of reverb pedals which I use all the time. At this time of economic hardship there are bargains to be had out there, not sure how long that will last, so if there's a piece of gear you lust after that you see at a really good price then maybe that's the one to go for while the opportunity is there........

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@TimShoebridge thanks to you, Tim, for the speedy and thoughtful reply! On KZbin, you are a true Gem! I also just added the Arturia Keystep 37, so that should be a nice piece in my little puzzle. While an odd either/or pair about which to inquire of you , I believe I’ve heard you rave a bit about the Quality of Typhon’s FX. I think Typhon’s FX go Stereo OUT. Obviously,, the XD’d reverbs are VERY nice, not to mention what Wonders via User OSCs may be coming down the pike, which can include FX. Plus, I own the best of Valhalla. This month, BLACK HOLE VST (Eventide) is reduced to something ridiculous like 19 or 29. Also KORG-related: the VST version of WAVESTATE…. O M G. The GUI is SO expanded; so much more to SEE! Like the way you opened up Nymphes. I agree that am Empress appearing $100 below market may be short lived thing, and that the market could go higher…as we go. BENN JORDON: “Empress is THE best reverb pedal I’ve ever heard.” Pretty strong. Also, there seems to be a good stock of Typhons for sale all the time; likely easy to snag a Typhon most anytime . Reflexively, it always seems more Bang for Buck to get a Great synth with your Reverb Purchase, but this could be the time to snag the rare bargain and buy the, Yep…that’s all it does is Reverb, pedal. Thanks again.

[@Stratocaster65]

Tim is this the "Mini?"

[@TimShoebridge]

No this is the full size model. My first mellotron video features the mini

[@Stratocaster65]

@@TimShoebridge I know that it is not the "Micro." I Thought there was a model different than the M4000D... I think that it came with legs.. I almost bought the Micro a year ago... Full size is the way to go... Thanks.... Is it poly touch sensitive?

[@AndrewAHayes]

Im confused, what advantadges does this have over a sampler?

[@RayyMusik]

That unique Mellotron lo-fi sound, I‘d say.

[@AndrewAHayes]

@@RayyMusik But you can also do that with a sampler or an effects plugin

[@RayyMusik]

@@AndrewAHayes The point is that the Mellotron was a mechanical instrument. You certainly can EQ an ordinary string sample in a way that the frequency spectrum is similar to a tron tape. But what about the tape acceleration at the very start and the typical ‘wobble‘ due to the transport motors‘ slightly varying speed?

[@thaexception3406]

Informative

[@DankePlace]

Best movie ever, Legacy was great too. :P

[@davidhofmann5030]

Mellotron the "OG Splice" lol

[@edmc2]

👌 WoW

[@LibertyWarrior68]

I know there is a lot of heritage and nostalgia behind this instrument, but you can buy millions of sounds and play them on a regular keyboard, so I can't see the point in buying one. That said, I wouldn't mind one of the original tape based machine so put in my future sound museum.

[@iLikeTheUDK]

I thought this was gonna be about the 1982 Steven Lisberger/Disney film lol

[@watchaddicts1213]

I owned a 4000D--LOVELY machine and you are most correct RE the Poly Aftertouch! Dreamy keyboard. Off topic...oh boy: With [Minilogue XD Module] VOL KNOB turned up full blast, I find the synth is well quieter than my VSTs, to the point that I end up jacker the Cubase Fader up to MAX; not in mixing, but simply as a starting Sound Check as I begin working. Perhaps it's kind of like when a human mashes on a small cut, to make sure it's still sore--I do this silly sound check to make sure I'm still irritated by this condition. Anyway...I just wondered whether or not you've noticed such a thing with your XD? To note, headphones direct into XD and it's NICE and LOUD. But when I return the headphone jack to my audio interface, it seems like the VOL is cut in half. As always, thanks Tim. PS I this sounds like a potential DEFECT in the audio output, to you, I have a couple of weeks yet to RETURN and replace the unit.

[@TimShoebridge]

Hiya. No I have not noticed that issue with my XD at all, sounds like it might be a hardware issue.........?

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@TimShoebridge I have feared the same. The Module is cosmetically pristine; I purchased it as a REFURB (on Amazon) and the refurb language was 'suggestive' of it being a refurb BY Korg....I think that's highly unlikely. At best, I think the refurb was performed by a Korg Authorized 3rd party outfit. My grandfather, a WWI veteran, when referring to any suspicious company or suspect piece of equipment, would often phrase his suspicion by asking the rhetorical question, "What kind of OUTFIT is this?" 50 years later, I find this humorous. Specifically, if a VST is on VOL 10, my XD would be on 5 to, at best, 7 (both DAW Faders being equal). I think it's Time to Bale Out on this one!

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@TimShoebridge I do appreciate your commentary, Tim; your online Tele-Synth-Doc Guesstimation was helpful in reinforcing what I knew, down deep.

[@watchaddicts1213]

@@TimShoebridge As we know, Confession is good for the soul. This applies to many facets of LIFE, personal Stupidity being one. I thought to watch a video on my iConnectivity Audio4+ (audio interface). Thanks to the HOW TO content in that Tutorial, I was able to determine that my INPUT CHANNELS 3 & 4 (the Stereo Inputs for XD) were set somewhere between "0" and "1." And so, only a tiny bit of audio was leaking through to my DAW. I'm surprised I could hear XD at all... There...I feel your absolution flowing over me. Lord have mercy. Signed, El Stupeeedo.

[@TimShoebridge]

@@watchaddicts1213 Ha! I’ve made so many similar mistakes and continue to make them! It’s just a part of being human. Glad you found the solution so fast 👍

[@artprojectsnz]

Guessing must be all non copyright protected which is interesting?

[@TimShoebridge]

Well the material will be copyright protected but I'm assuming Mellotron own it or else are licensed to distribute these sounds. In which case I am perfectly able to use them in my own recordings if I wanted. I was expecting an avalanche of copyright strikes when I published the video but that didn't happen.

[@artprojectsnz]

@@TimShoebridge Thanks for the reply & I'd assumed as much - but great if these libraries are available for people to use. There are many for the CMI that we have that are in a similar status I gather.

[@reddragonrespect]

ob-6 visible in the back. 🙂

[@annother3350]

Only a sadist would buy an original mellotron today

[@Jauly]

I think you mean a masochist 😃

[@annother3350]

@@Jauly You seem to know more than me about all this 😃

[@matias8203]

Ricochet!!!

[@davidrobertson4301]

I think my korg microsampler is more fun 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤭 🤭 Cheaper to