On the eve of the release of the Squids Tron Collection, I have a question.
I own a number of Mellotron samples, the M-Tron (actually, I was never able to install it, it's the only VST I ever purchased -- around two years ago -- but never used, because it was so problematic to install) and a couple of free Mellotron based VSTs. I've loved the Mellotron since I was a kid, it probably all began for me in the early 70s first from listening to songs by the Beatles, Yes, Genesis and Zeppelin. Later on, Neil Finn/Crowded House, Aimee Mann, Smashing Pumpkins (I am from Chicago) and a ton of artists I enjoy have used Mellotrons...and also, perhaps, Chamberlins???
I consider the Mellotron sound one of the greatest electronic sounds of all time, up there with the B3, Rhodes and Wurlitzer (we actually had one of these when I was a kid, my mom was a music teacher and played in a band, plus we had a family band when I was very young, I was the drummer!). I even bought a vintage style hardware synth rack mount back in the 80's just because I thought it might have had a Mellotron patch (it was made by Peavey -- Squids, let me know if you want it!).
So, here's my question, I'm a little embarassed to ask: Are some of the songs I know and love, where I think I am hearing a Mellotron, actually using a Chamberlin? Squids, or any KVR obsessive vintage synth fans, can you name some well-known songs that use the Chamberlin?
- eDrummist
The Mellotron Vs. The Chamberlin???
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- KVRist
- 222 posts since 3 Mar, 2004 from Austin, Texas
I can't vouch for its accuracy, but this website identifies some albums using Chamberlins: http://freespace.virgin.net/andy.thompson/albums.htm
Most of the albums listed on that site use a Mellotron--the small minority of albums on the list that use a Chamberlin are specifically noted.
Most of the albums listed on that site use a Mellotron--the small minority of albums on the list that use a Chamberlin are specifically noted.
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- Sonic Reality Head Chef
- 8566 posts since 11 Mar, 2002 from Florida
Well, you know that Jon Brion, Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Crowded House, Patrick Warren, Fiona Apple, Michael Penn, Mitchell Froom all use Chamberlins.
Kevin used a Novatron (or imitated a Mellotron choir with his own voice such as in "Shadow Self" and all over "Shaming of the True"). I played some Chamberlin with him such as on our version of "Kashmir" and some live stuff. I think I used a Chamberlin pedal steel guitar sound for "Tears of Audrey".
There's Chamberlin on the new Tears for Fears record actually (and it is a really Beatle-esque/XTC/Dukes of Stratosphere sounding record).
Moody Blues and Beatles also used both Mellotrons and Chamberlins. As I mentioned, I actually owned the Chamberlin M-4 used by the Moody Blues at one point. I am assuming that you've read through this thread: http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=721756 It has much more detail and pictures not to mention a product that has tons of these Chamberlin sounds that I sampled for many of the artists you mentioned above.
Tom Waits used the Chamberlin as well, but for the last 12 years it that would be the same Music Master 500 that I used to own and sold to him. Sam Phillips, T-Bone Burnette, Mark Hart all used Chamberlins. E and the Eels use them. I know Rami Jaffe from the Wallflowers and I think he's used Chamberlins too. Roger Manning "would" use Chamberlins but I don't know how much he did. Jellyfish mainly used real orchestra. I am not sure about Beck. I know they use Optigans though. XTC may have used Chamberlin although I think mostly Mellotron (talking mostly of Dukes of Stratosphere).
Many other artists used the Chamberlin too but Mellotrons were used more especially in the 70's by bands like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson etc. I'm not really an expert on that though. I only know what I know, partially because I may have worked with or known some of these musicians personally. There are some tracks I've heard such as one on the "City of Angels" soundtrack from a band/artist named "Jude" that has a Chamberlin Cello in it. Chamberlins have a distinct character.
That's a start. I am sure there are some good web sites that list bands that use them. I know this one at least does for Mellotrons (Kevin's on there). www.mellotron.com
You can check your albums too. Sometimes it gets credited. I'll try to think of some more.
Kevin used a Novatron (or imitated a Mellotron choir with his own voice such as in "Shadow Self" and all over "Shaming of the True"). I played some Chamberlin with him such as on our version of "Kashmir" and some live stuff. I think I used a Chamberlin pedal steel guitar sound for "Tears of Audrey".
There's Chamberlin on the new Tears for Fears record actually (and it is a really Beatle-esque/XTC/Dukes of Stratosphere sounding record).
Moody Blues and Beatles also used both Mellotrons and Chamberlins. As I mentioned, I actually owned the Chamberlin M-4 used by the Moody Blues at one point. I am assuming that you've read through this thread: http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=721756 It has much more detail and pictures not to mention a product that has tons of these Chamberlin sounds that I sampled for many of the artists you mentioned above.
Tom Waits used the Chamberlin as well, but for the last 12 years it that would be the same Music Master 500 that I used to own and sold to him. Sam Phillips, T-Bone Burnette, Mark Hart all used Chamberlins. E and the Eels use them. I know Rami Jaffe from the Wallflowers and I think he's used Chamberlins too. Roger Manning "would" use Chamberlins but I don't know how much he did. Jellyfish mainly used real orchestra. I am not sure about Beck. I know they use Optigans though. XTC may have used Chamberlin although I think mostly Mellotron (talking mostly of Dukes of Stratosphere).
Many other artists used the Chamberlin too but Mellotrons were used more especially in the 70's by bands like Yes, Genesis, King Crimson etc. I'm not really an expert on that though. I only know what I know, partially because I may have worked with or known some of these musicians personally. There are some tracks I've heard such as one on the "City of Angels" soundtrack from a band/artist named "Jude" that has a Chamberlin Cello in it. Chamberlins have a distinct character.
That's a start. I am sure there are some good web sites that list bands that use them. I know this one at least does for Mellotrons (Kevin's on there). www.mellotron.com
You can check your albums too. Sometimes it gets credited. I'll try to think of some more.