The most noticeable and demanding version from the new generation of Mellotron is the M4000D. M4000D was received with open arms by a wide range of keyboard community and got some good reviews. Since the 2010 presentation in the NAMM show, Mellotron M400D has become widely popular and got some mixed certified hit at the NAMM show.
Read this article to find more about the technology beyond this model of iconic Mellotron synthesisers.
The components of Mellotron M4000D
The Mellotron M4000D is developed by the Mellotron company and they claimed M4000D offers features that is rarely seen in new keyboards. So, Let’s dive right in and see what we have in the new M4000D.
M4000D has a 24-Bit uncompressed audio playback, while the samples with 100 Mellotron and Chamberlin sound comes as a factory preset. Additionally, you have a cartridge slot in the back part of the synthesiser where you can insert other 100 sounds into each.
The body comes in as custom-built classic Melltoron style wooden keyboard. Each key has a depth sensitivity, polyphonic aftertouch and absolute MIDI in and out. The back part of the keyboard contains 3 output socket, one master socket, one direct A socket and one direct B socket. There are line outputs as well with the same A, B and Master sockets. There are 5 ports for sustain, expression 1, expression 2 and phones effects as well as a volume pedal. There is also a special format expansion card slot, midi in and out and thru. The model also has Fuse and AC/DC voltage ports.
The interface of M4000D
The left interface of course was changed by the keyboard. Now, it has two mini TFT display, two knobs by each side of the display that associates with their respective display. They are called ‘Select A’ and ‘Select B’. This part of the synthesiser also has an on and off toggle switch as well as an A/B mix lever which allows to adjust or blend between two A and B sounds. In the bottom part, we have our classic, Volume, Tone and Pitch shifter knob. Many musicians wish the creators of this musical instrument also added a pitch bender for this, but I assume they wanted to keep the original look and feel.
Note, all the sounds are still taken from the classic Mellotron maintaining its originality. Even though the behaviour is not the same as original one, still does the job so good!