PHOTO : DAVE DICKSON
We all have our favourite piece of gear . For some , it ’ s an old keyboard ; for others , some indispensible peripheral or a software solution that meets our individual needs perfectly . Inevitably , regardless of the makeup of their rig , players have a soft spot for a vintage piece – or an easier , more reliable means of recreating it . This year , we ’ re going to look at some iconic keyboards , past and present , and ask a few players about their current favourites .
The evolution of keyboard technology has been driven , in large part , by players ’ changing and increasing demands for more ways to express themselves . Even the piano , invented circa 1700 by Barolomeo Cristofori , was , in part , a reaction to the need for increased dynamic range and expression over other instruments , such as the harpsichord .
But innovations always have their detractors . The piano went on to be the most popular instrument ever , but Johann Sebastian Bach was not originally a fan . It ’ s hard to verify this , but legend has it he actually took an axe to the first piano he was shown by builder Gottlieb Silbermann – which would have been very rock and roll .
ROB ANGELOW
Classic Albums Live
Yamaha MOXF8 Keyboard Roland V-Combo VR-09 Keyboard Roland JP-8000 Keyboard Roland JUNO-G Keyboard Korg MicroStation Keyboard / Sound Module Korg Electribe SX Rhythm / Sampling Box Roland SP404SX Sampling Trigger Box Neo Mini Vent Rotary Effect Pedal
Mellotron The Mellotron was an evolution of the Chamberlin , where pressing a key resulted in a section of tape being pulled across a playback head . Originally , it was considered a home instrument , but was popularized for wider use by early adopters , including bands like Genesis and the Moody Blues .
Of the early models , the M400 ( circa 1970 ) was the bestseller and although the Mellotron waned in popularity as synthesizers and samplers became the norm , they continued to be manufactured until 1986 . The original manufacturer , Streetly Electronics , has since restarted production and , in 2007 , introduced the M4000 .
Anyone familiar with the instrument knows that the beauty of the sound is , in part , the fluctuations particular to the mechanism of using recorded tape of the original instruments – flute or strings , for example .
Its weight ( the M400 came in at 55 kg ), cost , and the negative effects of environmental factors such as temperature and humidity made it a bit of a beast to tour with . King Crimson ’ s Robert Fripp is said to have uttered , “ Tuning a Mellotron doesn ’ t .”
From The Beatles to prog rock through modern users such as OMD and , later , Oasis and Foo Fighters , among many others , the Mellotron remains an important instrument . Among the current iterations are the M4000 , M4000D Mini , and M4000D rack mount .
Rob Angelow of Classic Albums Live ( CAL ) says he ’ d ideally like to have all the original boards used on the records he performs at his disposal , but it ’ s not feasible . Instead , he uses a Yamaha Motif and loads his sounds via USB .
As for recreating the sounds of classic keys : “ For me it ’ s about using my ears to get as close as I can to the original sounds with the assortment of keyboards at my disposal ,” he says . “ For local CAL shows in Massey Hall and what not , I might utilize my Roland JP8000 synth , which is helpful when performing a show such as Pink Floyd ’ s Animals . I might also pull out one of my programmable rhythm type modules to create the sounds for something like ‘ On the Run ’ [ from Dark Side of the Moon ]. Last year , The Last Waltz came up and I had to try to find those crazy Garth Hudson organ sounds and it was a stretch as he used an old Lowrey organ along with old String Machine-type keyboards that have very unique sounds exclusive only to themselves .”
Although Angelow doesn ’ t often cover Mellotron with CAL , he ’ s enthusiastic about the instrument . “ I ’ m partial towards [ choir ] sounds . The M4000 would be my choice as it offers 24 sounds built in , whereas the original M400 only allowed for three at a time . Being a Genesis fan and , in particular , being partial to the album A Trick of the Tail , Tony Banks has always been among my favourite keyboard players and Mellotron users ; it kinda sounds like a drug and I can say it ’ s had a hypnotic effect on me .”
That said , he would default to other gear if required to cop Mellotron sounds and parts , like his Roland and Yamaha Motif libraries parked inside his Yamaha MOXF8 .
“ In terms of what I ’ d like to see current manufacturers create , for starters , more Mellotron samples beyond the flute sound as per the intro of “ Strawberry Fields ,” which is readily available . I ’ d be looking for the big choirs , oboe , full brass , and strings . For me , the Mellotron will take you to the depths of despair or raise you to the ‘ Gates of Heaven .’”
50 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN