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NAMM 2010: New Mellotron plus modular madness in pictures

By Chris Wickett
published 14 January 2010

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New Mellotron
The new digital Mellotron on top of an analogue Mellotron Mk VI, exhibited at the Big City Music stand at NAMM 2010

New Mellotron

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Analogue Mellotron
The Mellotron Mk VI is fully analogue and is, of course, powered by...

Analogue Mellotron

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Page 2 of 18
Under the hood
...tape loops! How cool does that look?!

Under the hood

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
New digital Mellotron
This one's new for the NAMM show

New digital Mellotron

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Page 4 of 18
Digital Mellotron keyboard
The keys are finished just like those of a piano, with wood grain visible on the black notes

Digital Mellotron keyboard

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Page 5 of 18
Live tweaking
Using the mix control to blend sounds

Live tweaking

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Page 6 of 18
The back panel
Connectivity ahoy!

The back panel

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Page 7 of 18
Analogue Systems 8500
Elsewhere on the Big CIty Music stand, we find this modular monstrosity

Analogue Systems 8500

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Page 8 of 18
Frequency Shifter
An unbelievably cool-looking massive knob

Frequency Shifter

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Page 9 of 18
Polyphonic generator unit
Hang on a second, 'Analogue' Systems... is that a MIDI unit?!

Polyphonic generator unit

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Page 10 of 18
French Connection
Pretty much the only Ondes Martenot-a-like CV controller on the market

French Connection

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Page 11 of 18
Sliding Ring
The Ondes Martenot is famous for its sliding ring controller, which (on the French Connection) outputs a CV

Sliding Ring

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Page 12 of 18
Control Panel
The French Connection costs around £1000, although a cut-down unit called the Demon will set you back £550

Control Panel

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Page 13 of 18
More modular madness
Not only is it cool but it slips right inside a laptop bag too...

More modular madness

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Page 14 of 18
Cwejam units
Started in the '70s, Cwejman is still going strong

Cwejam units

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Page 15 of 18
Wiard units
Borg Filter? We hope Wiard aren't suggesting that modular synthesists are mostly nerdy-looking Star Trek geeks... ahem.

Wiard units

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Page 16 of 18
Metasonix units
Available in yellow, apparently

Metasonix units

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Page 17 of 18
Crazy effects
Big City has some nice boutique-y modules on show, too

Crazy effects

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Page 18 of 18
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Chris Wickett
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