• Tommy Roe

    From Gary Gilmore@1:2410/400 to Martin Ridgley on Sat Sep 16 06:46:54 2000
    Yep. I'll admit it. I once bought a single by Tommy Roe.
    'Hooray for Hazel'. In fact, I still have kind of a nostlagic
    soft spot for that song. ;-)

    Hey, I like that one too, as well as "Sweet Pea". I love the organ sound in the one. Jangly guitars and Farfisa organs... can't beat it!

    --gary

    --- Maximus 3.01
    * Origin: Support your local Guitar Tech! * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Gary Gilmore on Sun Sep 17 07:08:48 2000
    Gary Gilmore wrote in a message to Martin Ridgley:

    Hey, I like that one too, as well as "Sweet Pea". I love the organ
    sound in the one. Jangly guitars and Farfisa organs... can't beat
    it!

    I thought the coolist organs were the Vox Continentals. Just couldn't beat having the black and white keys reversed. I'd like to have one.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Mon Sep 18 11:18:34 2000
    were those the vox continentals, or Panthers ? used to play one thru
    my univox tremolo 1x12 amp....I have to admit..the reverse key arrangment got confusing back then. I prefered those to the Farfisa
    candy store designs..with the pastel color keys...that looked like they wre edible...w/o a leslie.......didn't like any of them

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Tom Engle@1:218/704.3 to Bill Riley on Mon Sep 18 15:56:02 2000
    Bill Riley wrote in a message to Gary Gilmore:


    I thought the coolist organs were the Vox Continentals. Just
    couldn't beat having the black and white keys reversed. I'd like
    to have one.


    I dont think I have ever seen one of those before.....interesting.

    Tom

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Tom's Point, Corona Ca (1:218/704.3)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Tue Sep 19 03:36:51 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    were those the vox continentals, or Panthers ? used to play one
    thru my univox tremolo 1x12 amp....I have to admit..the reverse key arrangment got confusing back then. I prefered those to the
    Farfisa
    candy store designs..with the pastel color keys...that looked like
    they wre edible...w/o a leslie.......didn't like any of them

    I don't recall having ever seen a Panther, but yeah, the Continentals were that
    way. A guy in a high school band I played in had one. All that red plastic and chrome. Too cool dude.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Tom Engle on Tue Sep 19 03:41:29 2000
    Tom Engle wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    Bill Riley wrote in a message to Gary Gilmore:


    I thought the coolist organs were the Vox Continentals. Just
    couldn't beat having the black and white keys reversed. I'd like
    to have one.


    I dont think I have ever seen one of those before.....interesting.

    Most of the bands in the '60's used either a Vox or a Farfisa organ. They sounded about the same but I thought the Vox looked way cooler. And having the
    cool stuff was much more important then than how you sounded.


    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Gary Gilmore@1:2410/400 to Bill Riley on Tue Sep 19 18:53:42 2000
    I thought the coolist organs were the Vox Continentals.

    Ooh, yeah! I liked those too. A friend had one, and I was an idiot for not buying it from him when he was hard up for money. <sigh>

    Just couldn't beat having the black and white keys
    reversed.

    That looked really cool, IMHO.

    I'd like to have one.

    Same here!

    --gary

    --- Maximus 3.01
    * Origin: Support your local Guitar Tech! * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400)
  • From Martin Ridgley@1:153/7715 to Gary Gilmore on Fri Sep 22 11:10:16 2000
    Gary Gilmore wrote to Martin Ridgley <=-

    Yep. I'll admit it. I once bought a single by Tommy Roe.
    'Hooray for Hazel'. In fact, I still have kind of a nostlagic
    soft spot for that song. ;-)

    Hey, I like that one too, as well as "Sweet Pea". I love
    the organ sound in the one. Jangly guitars and Farfisa
    organs... can't beat it!

    Whoa! I didn't think *anyone* would remember 'Hazel'! ;-)

    Yeah, jangly guitars almost always work for me. The Farfisa went
    out of fashion in the seventies, but in the early eighties I played
    in a sort of 'new-wave' band with a guy who had one. It was great to
    hear it again and it fit in with the sound of the times very well.
    I offered to buy it off him, but I guess I didn't offer enough... ;-\

    Martin
    ~~~~~~~~

    ___ MultiMail/MS-DOS v0.36

    --- Maximus 3.01
    * Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (1:153/7715)
  • From Gary Gilmore@1:2410/400 to Martin Ridgley on Sun Sep 24 15:33:48 2000
    Whoa! I didn't think *anyone* would remember 'Hazel'! ;-)

    Sure do. I'm older than I look. (And I'm older than I really am, musically.)

    Roe's first hit was "Sheila" in 1962, then in '66 he hit with both "Sweet Pea" and "Hooray for Hazel", then in '69 he had hits with "Dizzy" (probably his biggest hit), and "Jam Up Jelly Tight". When I toured with Mitch Ryder, we did
    a gig at a ballroom in Minnesota (Where almost everyone played at one time or another... you should have seen the photos in the lobby!) and Tommy Roe was opening for us. We got to talking, and he was a pretty nice guy. He plays guitar (save!), but isn't a real "guitar powerhouse". That's ok... I can't help but like his songs.

    --gary

    --- Maximus 3.01
    * Origin: Support your local Guitar Tech! * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Gary Gilmore on Mon Sep 25 03:05:03 2000
    Gary Gilmore wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    I thought the coolist organs were the Vox Continentals.

    Ooh, yeah! I liked those too. A friend had one, and I was an
    idiot for not buying it from him when he was hard up for money.
    <sigh>

    If we had to take a beating for all the cool equipment we've turned down over the years, I'd be nothing but a bloody pulp. Such as not buying a flametop LP back in '63 when I was learning to play because it was an "old man's" guitar and nobody cool was playing one. Sigh....

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Tue Sep 26 09:23:46 2000
    hehe.....we're discgussing the Vox organs...farfisa's and in the background I'm
    listening to Donovans, "Wear your love like Heaven"...ROFLAO.. Funny, there are
    times I di feel like I'm in my mid-40's. btw...You may not remember an organ named "Doric"..(no, not Dork)..Had one of those in the 60's along with a vinyl leslie...combo type..forget that model..THe Doric was one of those italian brands that were made bacl than

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
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  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Tue Sep 26 09:35:20 2000
    "hip 60's"
    The Farfisa duo-compact, with upper and lower keys and some pedals was "the cats"...that, prtable leslie, rhodes satellite, and mini moog. or even sequential circuits prophecy synth...were what the ritzy kids had. Didn't matter if they could play keyboards...altho that was certainly an added bonus...Bet you don't remember the tube wurlitzer piano's..predecessors ro the EP-200's which now get BIG bucks..lot's more than a 200 lb rhodes..setup..have you seen what the arp odyssey's and moogs are getting in todays market.....analogue be where it at deWD
    :)

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Gary Gilmore on Tue Sep 26 09:41:58 2000
    Gary,
    Check the Inet for WWW.UGBM.com
    Last a saw, two days ago, there was a Vox continental for sale. Wasn't cheap, but you'll have a cool retro cheap sounding organ added to your arsenal :) I think it was in the vacinity of 300-400, and in excellent condition. Fortuneatly, it will cost less than a rhodes, hammond, or yamaha CP-30 piano to
    ship :) I was thinking of making Daddy's Junky music, chain that owns Used gear by Mail....or UGBM an offer on the vox...then I realized, already have the
    B-3, how cool can one person be ?

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Martin Ridgley on Tue Sep 26 09:47:00 2000
    Martin, lift up the convertable top of a farfisa organ, and look at the vastness of all of it's wiring..and circuitry :(..I'd be afraid to own something that jam-packed with difficult repairs Now-a-days..Gary could probably manage to fix it if it broke..but folk like myself would get charged BIG bucks, by the already expensive key techs

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Tue Sep 26 09:49:58 2000
    "beating for equipment that we got rid of" Well...I'm just starting my collection for the year 2030 :)...make up for the loses :)

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Fri Sep 29 09:06:14 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    hehe.....we're discgussing the Vox organs...farfisa's and in the background I'm listening to Donovans, "Wear your love like Heaven"...ROFLAO.. Funny, there are times I di feel like I'm in my mid-40's. btw...You may not remember an organ named "Doric"..(no,
    not Dork)..Had one of those in the 60's along with a vinyl
    leslie...combo type..forget that model..THe Doric was one of those
    italian brands that were made bacl than

    Don't recall that one, there was a long time that I was out of the preforming end of music and I wasn't around any keyboard players. But I sure remember the
    old Farfisa's.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Fri Sep 29 09:07:49 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    "hip 60's"
    The Farfisa duo-compact, with upper and lower keys and some pedals
    was "the cats"...that, prtable leslie, rhodes satellite, and mini
    moog. or even sequential circuits prophecy synth...were what the
    ritzy kids had. Didn't matter if they could play keyboards...altho
    that was certainly an added bonus...Bet you don't remember the tube wurlitzer piano's..predecessors ro the EP-200's which now get BIG bucks..lot's more than a 200 lb rhodes..setup..have you seen what
    the arp odyssey's and moogs are getting in todays
    market.....analogue be where it at deWD

    No I don't don't. I recall the Vox's, Farfisa's and the old Fender Rhodes. John now has a B-3 with a Leslie and there is no way I'm packing it around. I helped carry it in and that's enough for me. 500lbs consoles should be handled
    only by roadhogs, IMHO.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Fri Sep 29 09:10:10 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Gary Gilmore:

    Gary,
    Check the Inet for WWW.UGBM.com
    Last a saw, two days ago, there was a Vox continental for sale.
    Wasn't cheap, but you'll have a cool retro cheap sounding organ
    added to your arsenal :) I think it was in the vacinity of
    300-400, and in excellent condition. Fortuneatly, it will cost less

    Not bad, considering they went for about a $1000 new, and that was a lot of money back in the mid '60's.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Fri Sep 29 09:11:19 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    "beating for equipment that we got rid of" Well...I'm just starting
    my collection for the year 2030 :)...make up for the loses :)

    I'll never sell any of mine, I keep threatening to but it never goes, more comes in. I'll die and some damn shit-tail relative will sell it an make a fortune.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Sat Sep 30 15:00:10 2000
    "lugging the B-3"
    They're brutal, and personally I see no reason to haul a B-3. Looks cool....yes, outsdie of that it's rediculous..Have you heard how nice the digital Roland, Oberheim, and Korg organ samples are ? They really do those in optimal conditions...great sounds....The B's..OK..you lug the cows. and then once setup....you need to place the speakers in such away to maximize sound in that particular room...yadda yadda..then something breaks..not cheap or easy repair

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Sat Sep 30 15:04:16 2000
    Gary,
    The vox's went for a gand in the mid 60's ? WOW..never remember them being that expensive. I know the Farfisa's, and mini moogs, as well as the ARP synths//went for over a grand..but never the combo organs with only one manual from the 60's

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Sat Sep 30 15:07:12 2000
    "shit-tail relatie will sell it and make a fortune" I'd rather they do that, then put the LesPaul in the front yard next to the toaster oven and blender, with a tag that say's "make an offer"

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Sat Oct 7 03:36:07 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    "lugging the B-3"
    They're brutal, and personally I see no reason to haul a B-3. Looks cool....yes, outsdie of that it's rediculous..Have you heard how
    nice the digital Roland, Oberheim, and Korg organ samples are ?
    They really do those in optimal conditions...great sounds....The B's..OK..you lug the cows. and then once setup....you need to place
    the speakers in such away to maximize sound in that particular room...yadda yadda..then something breaks..not cheap or easy repair

    I keep hearing people say the synths sound just like a B-3. Bull hockey. Just
    went to a show where the keyboard player had a B-3 and a big 'ol leslie. No way does any synth I've ever heard sound like that. Oh they do a fair job and I would much rather use one than ever lug a B-3 to a gig. But sound like one---no freaking way.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Sat Oct 7 03:38:30 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    Gary,
    The vox's went for a gand in the mid 60's ? WOW..never remember
    them being that expensive. I know the Farfisa's, and mini moogs,
    as well as the ARP synths//went for over a grand..but never the
    combo organs with only one manual from the 60's

    I was a little suprised myself, not being a keyboard player I never looked at their prices back then. I was just going by the information I found on a Vox website. Of course, there is no way to tell how accurate the information was there.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Bill Riley@1:218/704.6 to Steve Kaplan on Sat Oct 7 03:40:11 2000
    Steve Kaplan wrote in a message to Bill Riley:

    "shit-tail relatie will sell it and make a fortune" I'd rather they
    do that, then put the LesPaul in the front yard next to the toaster
    oven and blender, with a tag that say's "make an offer"

    It's not that, I'm just a pack rat. Once I have it I don't want to let go of it.

    Bill

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: Bill's Point, Beaverton OR (1:218/704.6)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Thu Oct 12 03:09:54 2000
    "but sound like one...no freakin way" I would go as far to say that the Korg BX, and B patches sound VERY much like the B-3....perhaps you may not match the
    Doppler effects of the leslies rotory speakers, buy they come..and can be set up to emulate the B.M and C series....REALLY closely...I've done head-to-heads..now my B-3 of course is not "optimally" set-up either tho...(so maybe you're correct))

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to Bill Riley on Thu Oct 12 03:16:42 2000
    Bill and others,
    I did find a 1978 price sheet(s) for Arp,Moog, Farfisa,EV, Lansing gear...when I'm off this little laptop, and my somewhat regualr system if up, I'll scan it to you.....btw......Mellotrons are, have been back in production..in Cali. Still making the Pinder model. you know..with my limited knowledge...I still find those samples to be EXACT...how do the mellotrons compare to advanced digital samps ? Gilmore, you there
    :) Seems to me that the analogue mellotron is as close as one can replicate..is it not ??

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From BRETT MCCOY@1:10/345 to STEVE KAPLAN on Sun Oct 15 22:11:30 2000
    I did find a 1978 price sheet(s) for Arp,Moog,
    Farfisa,EV, Lansing gear...when
    I'm off this little laptop, and my somewhat
    regualr system if up, I'll scan it
    to you.....btw......Mellotrons are, have been back
    in production..in Cali.
    Still making the Pinder model. you know..with my
    limited knowledge...I still
    find those samples to be EXACT...how do the
    mellotrons compare to advanced
    digital samps ? Gilmore, you there
    :) Seems to me that the analogue mellotron is
    as close as one can
    replicate..is it not ??

    Mellotrons differ from a digital sample because
    they use tape loops, which sound warmer in
    general, but are prone to wear and tear and are
    much more expensive. You are also stuck with only
    using the mellotron sound on a mellotron, and you
    can't edit the sample, mix with other samples on a
    digital mixer, and so on, unless you record the
    mellotron sound onto another medium.

    Now how about a digital sample of a mellotron...

    -- Brett
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr4
    * Origin: BBS Networks @ www.bbsnets.com 808-839-5016 (1:10/345)
  • From MIKE ROSS@1:167/133 to BRETT MCCOY on Mon Oct 16 15:56:14 2000
    "BRETT MCCOY" wrote to "STEVE KAPLAN" (16 Oct 00 05:11:30)
    --- on the topic of "Tommy Roe"

    :) Seems to me that the analogue mellotron is
    as close as one can
    replicate..is it not ??

    Mellotrons differ from a digital sample because
    they use tape loops, which sound warmer in
    general, but are prone to wear and tear and are
    much more expensive. You are also stuck with only
    using the mellotron sound on a mellotron, and you
    can't edit the sample, mix with other samples on a
    digital mixer, and so on, unless you record the
    mellotron sound onto another medium.

    Now how about a digital sample of a mellotron...

    The mellotron was the original sampler, except I think the tape played backwards and very fast. Just what was recorded on the tapes is what I
    always wanted to know. I still remember seeing the nylon tape guide
    channels hanging in neat vertical columns in the back. String
    synthesizers quickly replaced the mellotron but it has an unmistakable
    sound. Moody Blues (Days of Future Past), Rolling Stones (2000 Light
    Years From Home), Gentle Giant, etc. etc... Real cool tone!

    ... Bring back the dobro to rock n roll!
    --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
    * Origin: Juxtaposition BBS, Telnet:juxtaposition.dynip.com (1:167/133)
  • From BRETT MCCOY@1:10/345 to MIKE ROSS on Mon Oct 16 21:38:38 2000
    Now how about a digital sample of a mellotron...

    The mellotron was the original sampler, except I think the tape played backwards and very fast. Just what was recorded on the tapes is what I
    always wanted to know. I still remember seeing the nylon tape guide
    channels hanging in neat vertical columns in the back. String
    synthesizers quickly replaced the mellotron but it has an unmistakable
    sound. Moody Blues (Days of Future Past), Rolling Stones (2000 Light
    Years From Home), Gentle Giant, etc. etc... Real cool tone!

    I think it was Robert Fripp of King Crimson who got the slick idea of
    putting other sounds onto
    the Mellotron besides violin sounds, i.e., Frippertronics.

    -- Brett
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr4
    * Origin: BBS Networks @ www.bbsnets.com 808-839-5016 (1:10/345)
  • From MIKE ROSS@1:167/133 to BRETT MCCOY on Tue Oct 17 09:58:24 2000
    "BRETT MCCOY" wrote to "MIKE ROSS" (17 Oct 00 04:38:38)
    --- on the topic of "Tommy Roe"

    I think it was Robert Fripp of King Crimson who got the slick idea of putting other sounds onto
    the Mellotron besides violin sounds, i.e., Frippertronics.

    I thought that was for his guitar, by hanging a long loop of tape
    between 2 tape decks each recording s.o.s. over the other. I didn't know
    it was in the mellotron... Neat!

    ... The music's kinda nice. My compliments to the clef.
    --- Blue Wave/DOS v2.30
    * Origin: Juxtaposition BBS, Telnet:juxtaposition.dynip.com (1:167/133)
  • From BRETT MCCOY@1:10/345 to MIKE ROSS on Wed Oct 18 01:18:54 2000
    "BRETT MCCOY" wrote to "MIKE ROSS" (17 Oct 00 04:38:38)
    --- on the topic of "Tommy Roe"

    I think it was Robert Fripp of King Crimson who got the slick idea of putting other sounds onto
    the Mellotron besides violin sounds, i.e., Frippertronics.

    I thought that was for his guitar, by hanging a long loop of tape
    between 2 tape decks each recording s.o.s. over the other. I didn't know
    it was in the mellotron... Neat!

    It may have been, but I thought I remember reading about him doing stuff on
    the mellotron also.

    And then there was Laurie Anderson who rigged up an electric violin with a
    tape head in the
    pickup, and put a strip of recording on the bow and played it that way...

    -- Brett

    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr4
    * Origin: BBS Networks @ www.bbsnets.com 808-839-5016 (1:10/345)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to BRETT MCCOY on Wed Oct 18 09:49:46 2000
    "digital sample of a mellotron"..
    Like a picture of a picture of a painting :)

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to MIKE ROSS on Wed Oct 18 09:55:56 2000
    Real cool tone
    THe mellotron, (at least to me) is as close as the real thing, as I've ever heard..sorry..as close TO the real thing :) Yup pinder did some amzing stuff on
    a mellotron......next best thing to the London symphany orch... yet the "warmth" of the mellotron is what makes the orchestral sounds so convincing

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Steve Kaplan@1:342/3 to BRETT MCCOY on Wed Oct 18 09:58:04 2000
    hey brett, that's two blasts from the past for me in this Fido viewing.. 1) zigzag
    2) Frippertronics
    peachy keen memory's :)

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Mach2 Systems (1:342/3)
  • From Stephen Jones@1:218/704.7 to BRETT MCCOY on Wed Oct 25 04:09:08 2000
    BRETT MCCOY wrote in a message to MIKE ROSS:


    I think it was Robert Fripp of King Crimson who got the slick idea
    of putting other sounds onto
    the Mellotron besides violin sounds, i.e., Frippertronics.

    Is the Mellotron a keyboard instrument? Also, is it related to the Theron (sp?)
    that they used to do weird sounds like in the movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still"?


    Stephen

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: La Casa de Honez, Portland OR (1:218/704.7)
    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: La Casa de Honez, Portland OR (1:218/704.7)
  • From Gary Gilmore@1:2410/400 to Stephen Jones on Wed Oct 25 11:34:50 2000
    Is the Mellotron a keyboard instrument?

    Yes. Pressing a key plays a tape loop.

    Also, is it related to the Theron

    I think you mean "Theramin". No, completely different. The Theramin works off
    a feedback principal. The closer to it's antenna you are, the more the frequency changes. It's probably the only musical instrument that you don't have to touch to play it.

    It's main use has been for "spooky music" for horror films, though there are actual pieces composed strictly for it, and the inventor's friend used to travel around the country giving Theramin concerts. (The inventor was Russian.) If you've ever watched "The Day The Earth Stood Still", you've heard
    a Theramin, since it's all over that movie, espcially in the scene where Particia Neal is talking to Gort the robot. ("Gort! Klatu berrada nickto!")

    There's a pretty complete site about the Theramin located here:

    http://mdcm.arts.unsw.edu.au/Students98/BawdenH/innovate/index.html

    The Mellotron can be found on these sites:

    http://www.mellotron.com/ A company which even has a NEW (yes, new) model out.

    Then there's Streetly Electronics who claim to be "the original Mellotron makers" located here:

    http://www.vemia.co.uk/mellotron/

    Have fun!

    --gary

    --- Maximus 3.01
    * Origin: Support your local Guitar Tech! * (313)582-0888 (1:2410/400)
  • From Stephen Jones@1:218/704.7 to Gary Gilmore on Mon Oct 30 03:01:03 2000
    Gary Gilmore wrote in a message to Stephen Jones:

    I think you mean "Theramin". No, completely different. The
    Theramin works off a feedback principal. The closer to it's
    antenna you are, the more the frequency changes. It's probably the
    only musical instrument that you don't have to touch to play it.

    I knew the name sounded like a food supplement. ;=) I've heard thet weird sound
    used in "Outer Limits", too.


    Stephen

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: La Casa de Honez, Portland OR (1:218/704.7)
  • From Stephen Jones@1:218/704.7 to David Cumming on Sun Nov 5 09:27:42 2000
    David Cumming wrote in a message to Stephen Jones:


    years ago untangling the tapes from one of these beasts that the
    BBC in Glasgow, Scotland, used to use for producing sound effects
    for radio productions. Once in a while it would get the tapes
    crossed and the results had to be seen to be believed.

    It sounds like a precursor to the sound samplers.



    recorded on this device were doors shutting, train whistles, dogs
    barking etc. Lots of different effects that were used in radio
    plays.

    I assume this was before casettes? I remember running sound for a high school kiddie show and tapping the sounds in sequence on a reel to reel with the sound
    cues listed by counter number. I think this was in the late 60's. I think I still have my old sony portable reel2reel. 8-}


    Stephen

    --- timEd 1.10.y2k
    * Origin: La Casa de Honez, Portland OR (1:218/704.7)
  • From David Cumming@2:258/69.56 to Stephen Jones on Thu Nov 2 02:43:09 2000
    On 25 Oct 00 11:09:08 Stephen Jones and BRETT MCCOY were talking about
    <Tommy Roe>

    BRETT MCCOY wrote in a message to MIKE ROSS:


    I think it was Robert Fripp of King Crimson who got the slick idea
    of putting other sounds onto
    the Mellotron besides violin sounds, i.e., Frippertronics.

    Is the Mellotron a keyboard instrument? Also, is it related to the
    Theron (sp?) that they used to do weird sounds like in the movie "The
    Day The Earth Stood Still"?


    Stephen

    The Mellotron was a bastard son of the union between a piano and a tape recorder. When you pressed down a key it caused an internal rotor to cause a length of magnetic tape to pass a replay head. There was a length of tape associated with each key and different groups of sounds could be recorded at different positions along the lengths of tape. I seem to remember that switching 'banks' involved the device winding through the tapes to find the required sections.
    I doubt it was Robert Fripp that thought of recording other sounds on these devices. I remember spending six hours or so nearly thirty years ago untangling
    the tapes from one of these beasts that the BBC in Glasgow, Scotland, used to use for producing sound effects for radio productions. Once in a while it would
    get the tapes crossed and the results had to be seen to be believed.

    I remember that I sorted it by laying each and every tape out in long lengths on the floor of a sound studio and rewinding them all onto the rotor. I also seem to recall that the Melotron was thought of as pretty old technology even in those days. The sorts of sounds recorded on this device were doors shutting,
    train whistles, dogs barking etc. Lots of different effects that were used in radio plays.

    Regards,

    David Cumming

    'The Pound is worth sixty-seven and a half pence' - Radio4, 02/04/'99
    --- F.I.P.S./32 v0.96 Win95/NT [R]
    * Origin: Also davidcummings@cableinet.co.uk (2:258/69.56)