PC1x Classic Keys User’s Guide
5
The Mellotron
Also famous for its string sound, the Mellotron, later renamed the Novatron, was manufactured in the
U.K., by Streetly Electronics, from 1962-1986. A predecessor to the modern digital sampler, the Mellot-
ron used strips of analog tape, one for each key, to reproduce actual recorded sounds. Every key had its
own corresponding motor and tape head, which were engaged when the key was depressed. When the
key was released, the tape was rewound. A new note on the same key could not be triggered until the tape
had completely finished rewinding. The tapes used were not looped, and each sound had a fixed length of
eight seconds. In most cases, there were at least three tracks on each tape, in succession, and the user was
able to select one of these “presets”. The Mark II (produced 1964-1967) and later the M400 (produced
1970-1986) were the most widely used models. The Mark II was equipped with dual 35 note keyboards,
with the one on the left designated to play rhythms and fills, and the one on the right to play “lead”. The
left manual and “rhythm section” were dropped after the mark II. The M400, by far the biggest seller, fea-
tured a single 35-note keyboard, and was housed in a distinctive white cabinet.
While cumbersome, and often plagued by mechanical difficulties, the Mellotron was a breakthrough in its
day, providing reproductions of real acoustic sounds, free of any polyphony constraints, other than the
number of notes one could physically play. Although intended to imitate other timbres, the Mellotron had
an identifiable warm sound of its own, and blended effectively with other instruments in a mix.
Made famous first by The Beatles (flutes on Strawberry Fields), and later by The Moody Blues, David
Bowie and Led Zeppelin, the Mellotron was featured on numerous recordings from the late sixties
through the seventies. Its sound has often been associated with progressive rock, as it was used exten-
sively by bands like Yes, Genesis, and King Crimson.
Classic Keys features the three most popular Mellotron sounds: strings, flute and choir. Each sample has
been meticulously tuned and looped. We felt that it was appropriate to eliminate the eight second limit,
along with the delayed attack (waiting for the heads and motor to engage) in order to make the sounds
more playable. Also, most of the Mellotron programs in Classic Keys are touch sensitive, another depar-
ture from the original. Our goal was to maximize the playability of the sounds, without compromising
their authenticity.
Hohner Pianet
Although featured prominently in a number of classic rock songs by The Beatles, Three Dog Night, The
Zombies and others, the Hohner Pianet remains a lesser-known instrument, its sound having often been
mistakenly attributed to the Wurlitzer.
Produced from c.1962-1980 in various console models, the Pianet series differed from the Rhodes and
Wurlitzer in a few important areas. Sound was produced by metal reeds, which were plucked by a set of
adhesive pads. Also distinguishing the Pianet, was the absence of a sustain pedal.
