Mellotron Mark II Electro-Mechanical Instrument

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The Mellotron Mark II came onto the market in 1964. It was a light version of the first model Mark I from 1963. Only 300 units of the Mark II were produced. They are based on the mechanism of the Rhythmate by Harry Chamberlin, who developed the idea of sound generation using tapes in the early 1950s. The sounds of the Mellotron are recorded on magnetic tapes. The tapes supplied by the manufacturer were recorded with samples based on violin, flute, wind and string instruments and choir. The Mellotron was often used for film soundtracks and also by musicians, such as the Beatles in the song Strawberry Fields Forever from 1966. The Moody Blues was probably the band that used the instrument the most, for example in 1967 with the hit 'Nights In White Satin'. The smem's Mellotron was owned by Mike Pinder / Moody Blues, who owned three of them. It then belonged to the band Ertlif, James Moosberger in Basel.

The Mellotron generates its sound using analogue recordings on audio tape. When a key is pressed, a tape connected to it is pushed against a playback head, as in a tape deck. While the key remains depressed, the tape is drawn over the head, and a sound is played. When the key is released, a spring pulls the tape back to its original position. A variety of sounds are available. The instrument is split into lead and rhythm sections. There is a choice of six stations of rhythm sounds, each containing three rhythm tracks and three fill tracks. The fill tracks can also be mixed together. Similarly, there is a choice of six lead stations, each containing three lead instruments which can be mixed. In the centre of the Mellotron, there is a tuning button that allows a variation in pitch.