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Average Price: $7,762
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$4500+
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Description
The Mellotron became more popular after the Beatles used it on several tracks. It was subsequently adopted by the Moody Blues, Genesis and King Crimson, and became a notable instrument in progressive rock. Later models such as the M400, the best selling model, dispensed with the accompaniments and some sound selection controls in order to be used by touring musicians. The instrument became less popular in the 1980s due to the introduction of polyphonic synthesizers and samplers, despite a number of high profile uses from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and XTC. Production of the Mellotron ceased in 1986, but it regained popularity in the 1990s, and was used by several notable bands.
Product specs
| Brand | Mellotron |
| Model | M400 |
| Finish | White |
| Year | 1970 - 1986 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Weighted |
| Polyphony | 35 Voices |
FAQs
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What is the polyphony of the Mellotron M400?
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The Mellotron M400 features 35-note polyphony, allowing each key to trigger a separate tape playback for a rich, full sound.
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How does the Mellotron M400 produce its unique sound?
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The Mellotron M400 uses analog tape loops for each key, playing pre-recorded sounds that provide its distinctive, vintage timbre.
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Is the Mellotron M400 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Mellotron M400 is often used in live settings due to its full-size weighted keys and unique sound, though its vintage nature requires careful handling.
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What type of sound can I expect from the Mellotron M400?
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The Mellotron M400 is known for its warm, orchestral sound, often used to replicate strings, choirs, and flutes with a distinct vintage character.
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Does the Mellotron M400 require any special maintenance?
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As a vintage instrument, the Mellotron M400 may require regular maintenance of its tape mechanisms and careful storage to preserve its functionality.
Videos
Bell Tone Synth Works
Inside a Mellotron M400: How the Mellotron Works
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mellotron M400.
Features and functionality
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Original M400 tapes sometimes lacked full octave recordings; for instance, low cello notes were replaced with upright bass due to cellist's tuning refusal.
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The Mellotron produces a tactile sensation under the fingers, as players coax sounds rather than simply play notes, adding a unique layer to performance.
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The MicroFreak uses pitch-shifting from a single sample, which can result in unnatural sounds at octave extremes compared to dedicated Mellotron models with individual samples per note.
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Comparisons
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The M4000D lacks the pitch control found on original Mellotrons, a feature important for certain classic rock sounds like "2000 Light Years From Home".
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The Studiologic Sledge and Korg Modwave Module are alternatives for Mellotron sounds, with the Sledge known for strong strings and flute emulation, priced used around $600.
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Use cases and applications
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Known for inspiring sounds, the M4000D is favored by fans of subtle Mellotron use in AIR, Beck, and Elliott Smith records.
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A single note, like the top D on solo flute, can evoke strong audience reactions, making it powerful for live performances.
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Steven Wilson's live setup uses Apple MainStage with a Behringer master keyboard for authentic Mellotron sounds, indicating a cost-effective option for live performances without standalone units.
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Build quality
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The M4000D is praised for its high build quality, akin to premium guitars like Fender Stratocasters, despite functional alternatives being available at lower costs.
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Value and pricing
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While priced around $4,000, some users have acquired the M4000D for $2,300, considering it more reasonable for its quality and inspiration factor.
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The Roland JV/XV series offers Mellotron sounds via expansion cards but only samples 3 notes per voicing, potentially reaching the cost of a Micro or M2D with hardware and cards.
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User experience
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Playing the Mellotron involves an active feel where keys connect to a rubber drive wheel, pulling tape through, unlike passive keyboards like the Hammond.
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The Mellotron can unpredictably change sound quality mid-performance, requiring players to adapt to its idiosyncrasies, like a violinist's chair sound on the F2 note.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
1963
Mellotron M400
I have three and they are a pillar of my sound. I have used them on every album Ive ever recorded or produced.
Artist usage
Add artist
Showed up in a list of Ryo Okumoto’s gear on the Spock’s Beard official website.
In an interview featured on Claude Schnell's official website, he discusses using the Mellotron M400, highlighting its role in his performances.
Geoff Nicholls is confirmed to have used a Mellotron M400, as evidenced by a photo available on Equipboard.
Simonetti is credited with using an OB-X, Roland System 100, Minimoog, CS-80, Prophet 5 & Mellotron
Bill has played Mellotron on Circulatory System's Signal Morning, Casper & The Cookies' Oh!, and on both Sunshine Fix albums
Jürgen Fritz is credited with playing a Mellotron M400 in the liner notes of Michael Holm's album "Stories," according to Discogs.
Erik Norlander is confirmed to use the Mellotron M400, as detailed in the Planet Mellotron Album Reviews: Lana Lane. The source notes several instances of Norlander's use of the Mellotron, including credited tracks with choir, flute, and string parts in his keyboard work on albums associated with Lana Lane.
Simon House often used a Mellotron during his years with Hawkwind, as evidenced by the credits for Hall of The Mountain Grill.
"The end of the 1970s saw a huge rise in the development of synthesisers, and in making traditional instruments like pianos and organs more transportable and able to be amplified well. In the early days Split Enz always used to need an acoustic piano at every gig, which was a pain for us (amplification without feedback was always an issue) and promoters alike, but with the advent of Yamaha’s CP-70, that all changed. Synthesisers had also become polyphonic and memory space to store your own sounds was also a new development. The 'space capsule', as the guys called it, was seven or eight different keyboards, including a CP-80 Yamaha (full 88-note piano), a CS-80 and Prophet 5 (both early polysynths), a CP-30 electric piano, a Mellotron for 'real' string and choir sounds, a string synth, and a monophonic synth such as an EML 500 or Cat Octave … Oh, and I bought the first Korg Vocoder to arrive in New Zealand, which was fun! As you can imagine, transporting the sheer weight and volume of all this gear became prohibitive, so we replicated the setup in the US. Unsure what happened to all that gear when the band broke up!"
At 2:03 in this live video for the song "Bedside Manners Are Extra" David can be seen using a Mellotron M400 (I'm currently trying to find info about what tape set he had loaded!)
In the YouTube documentary "The Secret Keyboardist of Robert Plant & Black Sabbath: Jezz Woodruffe" by JCM - Led Zeppelin Stories and more, it is confirmed at 5 minutes and 19 seconds that Gerald Woodruffe used the Mellotron M400 on his solo album "Opposite Directions," as all the keyboards utilized for the album are displayed.
Album Usage
The Mellotron M400 has been featured on the following albums:
Trouble On Big Beat Street
Pere Ubu (2023)
The End (Live)
Black Sabbath (2017)
Mande Um Abraço Pra Velha
Os Mutantes (2014)
Sunflower Stories
Robin Guthrie (2010)
Nervous Cop
Nervous Cop (2004)
It's A Wonderful Life
Sparklehorse (2001)
"A" E O "Z"
Os Mutantes (1992)
Woodface
Crowded House (1991)
Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1981)
Drama
Yes (1980)
True Colours
Split Enz (1980)
Oxygène
Jean Michel Jarre (1976)
Hall of the Mountain Grill
Hawkwind (1974)
Solid
The Groundhogs (1973)
Octopus (Steven Wilson Mix)
Gentle Giant & Steven Wilson (1972)
Three Friends
Gentle Giant (1972)
Hogwash
The Groundhogs (1972)
Who Will Save the World? The Mighty Groundhogs (50th Anniversary Edition)
The Groundhogs (1972)
Acquiring The Taste
Gentle Giant (1971)
Ummagumma
Pink Floyd (1969)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mellotron M400, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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