Electro-Harmonix introduces the new Mel9 Tape Replay Machine, a pedal that transforms your guitar signal into classic Mellotron sounds.
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This synth effect pedal takes advantage of the same technology the company used on their acclaimed B9 and C9 Organ Machine pedals, allowing it to produce authentic sounding Mellotron sounds without the need for special MIDI pickups and/or sample triggering.
The New EHX Mel9 Tape Relay Machine lets you switch between nine of the most distinct Mellotron sounds, including Cello, Orchestra, Flute, Brass, Clarinet, Strings, Saxophone, High Choir and Low Choir. Each one brings with it genuine sounding classic synth tones with the same sonic quality and realism as EHX’ other synth style guitar pedals.
High quality guitar synth sounds are normally expected from MIDI pickup equipped instruments that can trigger sound samples. EHX’ line of synth effects provide quality synth tones without the need for any MIDI capability, which means that the dynamics of your playing are well represented and there are no tracking issues even when playing chords. Even bends, slides and whammy dive bombs are detected and reproduced by the Mel9, and it can be used in conjunction with a bass guitar (down to open A) and even with a keyboard instrument.
For something so complex, the controls on this pedal are surprisingly intuitive. In addition to the main rotary mode switch that lets you choose between the nine Mellotron sounds it carries, the Mel9 Tape Relay Machine has four knobs that let you adjust dry and effected tones, and precisely set the effect’s attack and sustain parameters. The dry and effect knobs let you mix in the right amount of effected signal and your original signal, which travel through the pedal’s dedicated effect output. A dedicated always dry output is provided.
The other two knobs let you adjust the effect’s attack and sustain settings. The press release explains, “An Attack control sets the volume swell speed. As it’s turned clockwise, the volume swell time increases and notes fade in gradually. The Sustain control adjusts the release time after a sound is stopped. As is it turned clockwise, the fade out time increases.“. These work with the Mellotron voicing type to give you convincing tones that work with your playing style. The end result is having a wider palette of sounds without unnecessarily complex controls.
See the new EHX Mel9 Tape Relay Machine Pedal in action below:
Electro-Harmonix President and Founder, Mike Matthews, concludes: “The distinctive sound of those early polyphonic tape replay keyboards has become part of the fabric of modern music. Our new MEL9 provides guitarists and other musicians with a portable, practical and affordable way to emulate some of those amazing sounds.”
Finally, The MEL9 Tape Replay Machine is bundled with a standard EHX 9.6DC 200mA power supply. It is now available with a U.S. List Price of $295.10. Head over to Electro-Harmonix for further details.
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