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Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine

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Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine

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$214.55 to $259.50 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (53)

4 Critic Reviews

8 Reviews

Find out who is using Electro-Harmonix Mel9

24 community setups

78 wishlisted

242 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 10 stores. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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Reviews

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4.5 (89)

$259.50

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4.5 (35)

$259.50

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4.4 (260)

$257.00

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5.0 (131)

$214.55 67 available New

$160.00 26 available Used

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4.0 (44)

$259.50

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4.0 (5)

$259.50

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5.0 (2)

$259.50

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4.3 (99)

$219.00

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£209.00

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5.0 (1)

$259.50

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Average Price: $241

Standard/Professional

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Synth Pedals category, Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine is a game-changer in the world of guitar pedals and effects. This extraordinary pedal employs cutting-edge technology to transform your instrument into a vintage tape-based keyboard, replicating the iconic sounds of a Mellotron. With no modifications, special pickups or MIDI implementation necessary, the Mel9 can be used with ease on your guitar, bass, or even keyboard.

Nine classic Mellotron sounds are at your fingertips, including Orchestra, Cello, Strings, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Brass, Low Choir, and High Choir. Each sound can be meticulously shaped via the Attack and Sustain controls. The Attack function adjusts the volume swell speed, allowing for notes to fade in more gradually, while the Sustain function controls the release time after a sound has been stopped.

The Mel9 offers separate Effect and Dry volume controls, permitting you to craft the perfect mix at the Effects output. A Dry Output jack also provides the ability to output your input signal at unity gain. The Mel9 truly is the ultimate tool to bring a touch of vintage vibe to your music.

Key Features:

Emulates nine classic Mellotron sounds: Orchestra, Cello, Strings, Flute, Clarinet, Sax, Brass, Low Choir, and High Choir
Compatible with any electric guitar, bass, or electronic keyboard
Separate Dry and Effect outputs for dual-amp setups
Attack and Sustain controls to shape sound
No modifications, special pickups or MIDI implementation required
Includes 9-volt power supply

Owner's manual

Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type	Mellotron Emulator
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	2 x 1/4" (effect, dry)
Power Source	9V DC power supply included
Height	2.25"
Width	4"
Depth	4.75"

FAQs

What type of sounds can the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine emulate?: The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine emulates classic Mellotron sounds, including strings, choirs, and brass, offering a vintage tape replay texture to your guitar or keyboard performance.
Does the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 require any special setup to work with a guitar?: The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 works directly with your guitar without any special pickups or MIDI requirements, making it easy to integrate into your pedalboard for instant Mellotron-style effects.
Can the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 be used with instruments other than guitar?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 can be used with keyboards and other line-level instruments, allowing you to explore its Mellotron emulation capabilities beyond just guitar.
What power supply does the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine require?: The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine requires a 9V DC power supply, which is included with the pedal for your convenience.
How do the dry and effect outputs on the Electro-Harmonix Mel9 function?: The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 features separate dry and effect outputs, enabling you to send your unprocessed and processed signals to different amplifiers or mixing channels for versatile sound routing.

Videos

Add video

EHX

Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine (EHX Pedal Demo by Bill Ruppert)

EHX

Ambient Guitar Gear Review - Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine (EHX, Mellotron)

Chords Of Orion

Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine | Guitar Pedal | Vintage King

Vintage King

Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Pedal | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Electro Harmonix Mel 9 - Where Have You Been All My Life

Dave Simpson

Electro Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal | Everything You Need To Know

Sam Ash Music

Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Pedal Review

Sweetwater

Electro Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Effects Pedal Demo

Sound Affects

Electro-Harmonix Mel 9 Tape Replay Machine In-Depth Review

Marvin Martelly

Using the Electro Harmonix Mel9 on female vocals for Molesome

RothHandle

Electro Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine Mellotron Emulator Demo

Newark Musical Merchandise co.

Electro Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

Accurately replicates Mellotron and other tape replay sounds
No latency and does not require extra hardware
Offers unique, lo-fi sound quality for a distinct musical experience
Versatile across various guitars and instruments
Inspires creativity in songwriting and performance
Works well with other pedals for expanded soundscapes
Provides unique effects like dirty, grinding slides and bends
Some settings, like Orchestra, are highly convincing and nostalgic
Allows for 100% effect signal customization
Enhances live performances with fuller sounds

CONS

Uneven volume and sensitivity issues, especially at faster play speeds
Inherent vibrato feature with no modulation adjustments
Limited modulation and sound shaping control
Noticeable delay that affects fast playing negatively
Some sounds, like Cellos and Brass, are less convincing
Lacks USB connectivity for sound customization
Noisy pedal switch
Pricey for the number of available sounds
Requires a compressor to mitigate volume drops
No dedicated preset switch, complicating live use

Critic Reviews

Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine impressively captures vintage Mellotron tones, allowing guitarists to explore rich, orchestral sounds from their instrument. With nine distinct voicings and intuitive controls for blending dry and wet signals, this pedal opens up creative possibilities, especially in studio settings. While the Mel9 handles pitch bends smoothly, its lack of a tone control is a minor drawback, hindering fine-tuning of the sound. Priced at around $220, it may seem steep, but for those seeking unique textures and non-guitar sounds, it's a worthy investment despite its few limitations.

positive

Full Review

Electro-Harmonix Mel9

soundonsound.com

The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine is a bold pedal that brilliantly captures classic Mellotron sounds, making it a standout in EHX's lineup. Its ease of use and ability to replicate iconic tones like 'Strawberry Fields' Flute or 'In the Court of the Crimson King' Orchestra is impressive. However, the pedal demands precise playing and benefits greatly from a compressor to even out dynamics. While this adds complexity, the Mel9's ability to transform guitar signals into nostalgic, tape-like sounds without special pickups is extraordinary, making it a must-try for Mellotron enthusiasts.

positive

Full Review

Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Review -

guitar.com

The Electro-Harmonix Mel9 Tape Replay Machine is a nostalgia-fueled gem that channels the spirit of the Mellotron with impressive authenticity. Its ability to deliver a range of classic sounds, from choirs to orchestras, makes it a versatile addition to any guitarist's pedalboard. The pedal's design is user-friendly, with intuitive controls and superb tracking that ensures seamless sound quality. While it might not completely replace a keyboard player, it offers a creative outlet for guitarists seeking ethereal tones without the bulk of vintage gear. However, it may not suit those seeking a more traditional guitar effect. Overall, the Mel9 is an inspiring tool that shines in both live and studio settings.

positive

Full Review

Electro-Harmonix MEL9 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Electro-Harmonix's MEL9 Tape Replay Machine delivers on its promise to bring the classic Mellotron sound to your pedalboard, offering guitarists easy access to vintage keyboard tones without the need for MIDI. The compact pedal's ability to blend guitar and effect sounds, alongside practical envelope controls, makes it versatile for both solo and background use. While some sounds might come off a bit bright and not every instrument emulation is spot-on, the MEL9 excels at adding unique textures to your music, especially for those aiming to recreate that iconic progressive rock vibe.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 53 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

the_flea56

325

over 1 year ago

Sounds very grainy

First, a disclaimer that I have no idea how to use this thing. Second, it needs a compressor to not sound really bad. The tracking works fine if you play slowly but completely fails at higher speeds. The sound is grainy- not in a distorted way, but as though it were created by a low fidelity Gameboy Advance chip, or passed through a radio first. You need to really want this pedal before buying it.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

From Gear Setup

muzofob

107

over 1 year ago

Cosmical

Very good sounding orcestra, clarinet, flutes and both choirs. Brass, sax and cello is less natural, but still good. The best pedal to place incredible sound into you guitar/bass performance.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Jazz

pelagius42

279

over 4 years ago

Amazing device

I've had this for a few weeks at this point, but everytime I play it I become more enamoured with it. Bear in mind this replicates the sound of a mellotron, so the sound quality is purposefully lo-fi (I read that the original mellotron tapes were 5 to 6 generations from the source recordings so the sounds of the mellotron were never high fidelity). That said, this does a really good job replicating some of those sounds (my favourite settings are cello, flute, low choir and Brass). It’s an inspiring pedal.

Roles:

Guitarist Ukulele Player

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Indie rock

From Gear Setup

crabcrib

362

about 9 years ago

Funny noises rescue me from hiring keyboarder

Not as natural sounding as a keyboard, but that's a good thing in a lo-fi context. Pairs nicely with a vibrato pedal. I've heard people say they struggle to find uses for it, but I put a lot of mellotron lines in my demos anyway, this lets me play them live without bringing in another instrument/musician. The flute clarinet and orchestra sounds can be really tasteful in a band context. Sax noise is horrible, choirs are pretty funny, but everything is usable in the right context. Don't expect to get a really serious orchestral sound for battle metal or anything like that, think Beatles, Daniel Johnston, Adam Green and you'll be happy with this.

reaper25

238

about 8 years ago

Mellotron as an effect

More pedals need to do this with having seperate knobs for the bypassed signal and the effect signal so you can have 100% / 100% ratio if you so wished. Great mellotron tones.

brian_urso

236

over 9 years ago

perfect substiute for the real thing

My band does alot of covers by the Moody Blues. Genesis, ELP and FLoyd and yes, and this little baby saves me from switching to the keys back to guitar!

scot_byrd

over 9 years ago

Honestly, I prefer my GForce M-Tron Pro software instrument.

This pedal has its uses but for me it's just a bit too ephemeral sounding. Mixing dry with wet signal will give you some nice sounds but I prefer the keyboard version much better. It sounds more tangible in my opinion.

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Pop Orchestra

alteredstate

960

about 10 years ago

Great Mellotron simulator with extra presets.

On the pricey side, but tracks well and does what is says. Mellotron in a box with add instruements: Orch, Cello, Strings, Flute, Clarinet, 2 horns and 2 vocals. Fun to play!