NAMM 2010: New Mellotron plus modular madness in pictures
![New Mellotron](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/66021a2e8644aabb5d019d2df45a4818-320-80.jpg)
The new digital Mellotron on top of an analogue Mellotron Mk VI, exhibited at the Big City Music stand at NAMM 2010
New Mellotron
![Analogue Mellotron](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/95e8e9da2ed8082a3bc00b1819c8952f-320-80.jpg)
The Mellotron Mk VI is fully analogue and is, of course, powered by...
Analogue Mellotron
![Under the hood](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b5ffd27f5b372260fdf7a194a34c70e4-320-80.jpg)
...tape loops! How cool does that look?!
Under the hood
![New digital Mellotron](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e09c6a1bd7883438b5627d8f0e705fb2-320-80.jpg)
This one's new for the NAMM show
New digital Mellotron
![Digital Mellotron keyboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/844436aa0ad1c1d768673b5c353c3ded-320-80.jpg)
The keys are finished just like those of a piano, with wood grain visible on the black notes
Digital Mellotron keyboard
![Live tweaking](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/202df35bdaf48a470595e6ce90751c55-320-80.jpg)
Using the mix control to blend sounds
Live tweaking
![The back panel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f148bd598922dffc0088977d47f19cef-320-80.jpg)
Connectivity ahoy!
The back panel
![Analogue Systems 8500](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/710c562979c9f2c0e0ffbb10e8c1c5a8-320-80.jpg)
Elsewhere on the Big CIty Music stand, we find this modular monstrosity
Analogue Systems 8500
![Frequency Shifter](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/db5a28b7a9b80dd737b5c71dedade35e-320-80.jpg)
An unbelievably cool-looking massive knob
Frequency Shifter
![Polyphonic generator unit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/33f99bf005d32cfe8bc8317322ea8523-320-80.jpg)
Hang on a second, 'Analogue' Systems... is that a MIDI unit?!
Polyphonic generator unit
![French Connection](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/0f00cdc1378e8b4a1ca9538fd3961bfc-320-80.jpg)
Pretty much the only Ondes Martenot-a-like CV controller on the market
French Connection
![Sliding Ring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/acf412c63315003e7b75a74d32cd54df-320-80.jpg)
The Ondes Martenot is famous for its sliding ring controller, which (on the French Connection) outputs a CV
Sliding Ring
![Control Panel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/998af724042d532e5c83d057194ec09b-320-80.jpg)
The French Connection costs around £1000, although a cut-down unit called the Demon will set you back £550
Control Panel
![More modular madness](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/65a9fc08ff8ca9e504639d11751821f2-320-80.jpg)
Not only is it cool but it slips right inside a laptop bag too...
More modular madness
![Cwejam units](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/99e813fa514d781e5e1173bbf07b14c3-320-80.jpg)
Started in the '70s, Cwejman is still going strong
Cwejam units
![Wiard units](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/71f2d33745aeb01e2a51326a960178b7-320-80.jpg)
Borg Filter? We hope Wiard aren't suggesting that modular synthesists are mostly nerdy-looking Star Trek geeks... ahem.
Wiard units
![Metasonix units](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/94e1e5fa9425617d0d295cdb31670a09-320-80.jpg)
Available in yellow, apparently
Metasonix units
![Crazy effects](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/35f700030b9442937c07740cfa38c4d5-320-80.jpg)
Big City has some nice boutique-y modules on show, too