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Is this a Mellotron?

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Umeda View Drop Down
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    Posted: January 16 2021 at 10:41
I don't particularly have a lot of knowledge about keyboards so... just out of curiosity.

Is a Mellotron being played in the end of this song, more specifically in 6:29?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote JD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 16 2021 at 11:04
I'd tend to say no, maybe either real strings or a String keyboard or a Soundfont. There appears to be more waiver in the strings than i would expect to hear out of a mellotron. It's also possible that the mellotrn is being used with the string section as a sweetener. That's the fun of recording, what you can do in the studio.

Are you asking because you're not sure what a mellotron sounds like or you're just not sure if one was used here?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote I prophesy disaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 16 2021 at 11:17

Looking at http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1251 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_of_the_Century_(album), there is no mention of mellotron in the list of instruments. However, there is mention of string arrangements on tracks including Rudy.

 

 



Edited by I prophesy disaster - January 16 2021 at 11:24
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote chopper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 17 2021 at 03:57
Originally posted by I prophesy disaster I prophesy disaster wrote:

Looking at http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=1251 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_of_the_Century_(album), there is no mention of mellotron in the list of instruments. However, there is mention of string arrangements on tracks including Rudy.

 


Yes, it sounds more like strings than a typical 'tron.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 17 2021 at 04:02
I've always thought they are strings. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Umeda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2021 at 16:56
Originally posted by JD JD wrote:

[...] Are you asking because you're not sure what a mellotron sounds like or you're just not sure if one was used here?

Second option. Recently I just found this Brazilian blog which has a lot of reviews about rock albums in general, but particularly has many posts about prog rock. In the COTC review, it's said that the sound in question was performed by a Mellotron, which I thought to be quite weird, considering I've never read anything about Mr. Davies playing such an instrument (though he plays another common instrument in the prog world, the Hammond organs). Since I've got really surprised I just wanted to confirm this, but it must be a mistake by the blogger. Thank you all for the answers.



Edited by Umeda - January 26 2021 at 17:01
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Easy Money Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2021 at 18:35
Its definitely a string section, you can hear the bow articulation when the notes start, and at one point they swell, only real strings can do that.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2021 at 20:51
They sound like a real string section to my ears.  However, since Mellotron tapes WERE recorded with live musicians, the tapes have bow inflection on stringed instruments, breath in woodwinds etc. if you listen closely enough.  This was pointed out to me many years ago.

Many or most of those musicians who recorded those samples are likely deceased, and yet their notes play on! 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Blacksword Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2021 at 03:29
I'm more or less certain they are real strings.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2021 at 05:17
Strings!

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