Talk:Mellotron
From Academic Kids
I added some Mellotron users; this might spin out of hand and become a second List of Moog users. On the other hand, Jarre testifies that some of his music would have sounded different if some keys on his Mellotron had not been broken... Vangelis used it a lot in the early 1970s (with Aphrodite's Child, his albums Earth and Apocalypse des Animaux), but seems to have gone off it afterwards. JFW | T@lk 10:17, 27 Jun 2004 (UTC)
Nice article. Tempshill 02:25, 9 Nov 2004 (UTC)
Yes, Kraftwerk used a Vako Orchestron, never a mellotron!
Perhaps this article should have links to http://www.mellotronics.com and http://www.mellotron.com the current manufacturers of mellotrons?
-- DAVID DAVIS
Kraftwerk & the Mellotron
"It was also used extensively by pioneering German electronic music band Kraftwerk on many of their earlier recordings."
As is, the above contains two errors.
According to the biography of former Kraftwerk drummer Wolfgang Flür ("Ich war ein Roboter", Hannibal 1999), Kraftwerk purchased a VaKo Orchestron while on tour in the US in 1975. Similar idea to the Mellotron -- different implementation. While they may have owned (or, own) a Mellotron, they don't appear to have used one in performance or during recording.
In fact, their first five albums (including "Tone Float", RCA 1970) do not feature either the Orchestron, or a Mellotron, at all, while their sixth, seventh and eigth albums feature the Orchestron most prominently.
Considering that Kraftwerk's total output to date counts eleven original albums, the reference to "earlier recordings" is misleading. At most, Kraftwerk can be said to have used the Orchestron, an instrument somewhat similar in sound to the Mellotron, at the height of their popularity, and output, in the mid- to late 70s.
Yrs, &c. Lech
It can be easily checked by LISTENING to any Kraftwerk record prior to 1975's "RADIO-ACTIVITY" - none of them have any mellotron on. Neither is any mellotron listen on the (often detailed) list of instruments used. Neither can any mellotrons be seen in the photo galleries of instruments on the album sleeves! The firt time you can hear the choir and string sounds, is on recordings from the US Autobahn tour, 1975. Flür's biography explains how Kraftwerk visiting the Vako company during the tour, and bought an Orchestron, and began using it on the tour. It really is very simple! --feline1 11:10, 19 Feb 2005 (UTC)
thanks
Knowing that all Wikipedians do appreciate some feedback now and then — It is nice that this article was there when I needed it. Femto 12:02, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)
I thought i started this article earlier this year but maybe i only added to it? anyway my name isn't there and i can't remember now, i didn't know Vangelis used it in AC? that makes me want one even more now :) Nick Boulevard 22:11, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)
