Mellotron

Also known as: Mellotron Factory, Digital Mellotron

Unclaimed

12 Products · Used by 208 Artists

Mellotron M4000D Mini Synthesizers

$1,955.00 - $2,590.00

4 available stores

5.0 (15)

^# 79

in Synthesizers Rank

76 artists using

Mellotron M4000D Micro Synthesizers

$938.26 - $1,380.00

3 available stores

4.5 (3)

9 artists using

Mellotron M4000D Synthesizers

$2,899.00 - $3,200.00

3 available stores

5.0 (2)

43 artists using

Mellotron M400 Vintage & Electric Pianos

5.0 (8)

^# 9

in Vintage & Electric Pianos Rank

68 artists using

Mellotron by Resch Micro Module Synthesizers

$579.00 - $938.26

3 available stores

Mellotron M4000D Rack Sound Modules

$1,550.00 - $1,840.00

3 available stores

^# 88

in Sound Modules Rank

3 artists using

Mellotron MkII Synthesizers

$199.00

1 available store

5.0 (5)

18 artists using

Mellotron MK VI Synthesizers

5.0 (2)

3 artists using

Mellotron M300 Synthesizers

1 artist using

Mellotron Mark V Synthesizers

1 artist using

Mellotron M4000 Synthesizers

1 artist using

Mellotron MkV Synthesizers

1 artist using

Mellotron is an electro-mechanical keyboard instrument originally developed in Birmingham, England in 1963, evolving from the similar Chamberlin design into an instrument that could be mass-produced. The Mellotron works as an early sample-playback keyboard: each key presses a strip of audio tape against a playback head, producing pre-recorded sounds such as flutes, strings, choirs, and brass. Early models including the Mark I, Mark II, and the iconic M400 became signature sounds of late-1960s and 1970s recordings by artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues, King Crimson, Genesis, and Yes.

After the original UK production wound down in the mid-1980s, the brand was revived in 1989 by David Kean, who acquired the rights and remaining parts. The modern incarnation, based in Stockholm, Sweden and led by Markus Resch, continues to hand-build analog tape-based instruments including the Mark VI and Mark VII, while also producing digital models that emulate the original sounds and feel. The flagship digital lineup includes the M4000D, M4000D Mini, M4000D Rack, and the compact Mellotron Micro, along with Chamberlin M1 reissues, iOS apps, and expansion sound cards.

The instrument saw a major resurgence beginning in the 1990s with acts such as Oasis, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Opeth, and Foo Fighters incorporating its distinctive textures. The Mellotron occupies a niche as both a preserved vintage format and a working modern product line, and its sampled sounds have been widely licensed into software instruments and virtual recreations.

Mellotron has 12 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Synthesizers, Vintage & Electric Pianos, and Sound Modules. Their gear is featured by 208 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Jean Michel Jarre, Paul McCartney, and Tyler Joseph.