jook Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 Howdy, I've just recently discovered that the GEM Promega 3 actually has Rhodes, Wurlitzer AND... Mellotron (string and choir) voices! The latter definitely doesn't get mentioned enough, and I can't find anyone who's commented on it. So... is there anyone here who's tried their "choir-o-tron" and "string-o-tron" setting? Better yet, can anyone record (or point me to) a demo with these voices? While I'm at it, I'm also curious about their Rhodes and Wurlies. The website piano demos for the board sounds incredible.. but i was kinda disappointed at the demos for the rhodes and wurlies coz they were drenched in reverb, and excessive effects. OK for that 80s sound, but i much prefer the really dry 60s/70s electric piano sound. Can anyone comment on how they sound dry - do they at least compare to the physically modelled, freeware (but awesome) MrRay and MrTramp VSTi's? Again, if someone has this board would be so kind as to post some recordings, I would just like, totally dig it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangefunk Posted September 2, 2005 Share Posted September 2, 2005 I think the mellotron voices are okay... nothing to get excited about... are they authentic...? Probably, but I seem to think they don't sound as good as others I've heard... The rhodes is superb in the low to mid regions.. the high end is too plinky... so no soloing for me on the rhodes sounds... but the comping is excellent.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jook Posted September 12, 2005 Author Share Posted September 12, 2005 Slight bump of this topic... as I'm still hoping to hear one... does anyone have recordings using their Promega 3? I'd like to hear more of the rhodes and wurlies (with minimal effects) ... i also love the sound of the honkytonk piano on their website. "What do you call the sound of a donkey being hit by a bus? ... eehonky *TONK*!" ahem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Hi jook, I'd be happy to make a couple mp3's for you, but you have to tell me exactly what to play. I've never in all my years of whatever I've being listening to tried to identify mellotrons, or rhodes, or wurlies.... So name some tunes (preferably simple ) or send me the scores. "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 I did a little digging into mellotron sounds, and discovered it was used on Strawberry Fields. Ok, I could play that intro, but it doesn't sound quite right. Was that a flute-o-tron? "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jook Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 Hi gangsu, I really appreciate you doing this just for our/my sake. Thank you in advance! The Mellotron was indeed used on Strawberry Fields, and yes, that is the flute sound. I would guess that this is what the "flute-o-tron" setting on the Promega is supposed to approximate. Shame if it doesn't quite sound right, but would be interesting to hear it nonetheless. The Mellotron was a quirky keyboard which had tapes of real instruments recorded (in this case, flutes) connected to each key. Strike a key, and it'll play the sample, then rewind it. This primitive mechanism gave it the quirky sound that it became famous for. Similarly, the strings and choir sounds also had an unique sound to them. I'd really be happy to hear you play anything with these sounds... whatever inspires you The Wurlitzer is famously used on Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" so that would be a sorta classic example... um, Rhodes is used on The Doors "Riders Of The Storm" ... but this was in fact played as the second half of the GEM demo on their website but again, I'd love to hear anything you'd like to play. any jazz standards (summertime? it aint necessarily so?), blues, classical, its all good. For the rhodes and wurlies, i like them mostly dry... maybe a lil bit of tremolo, but without too much reverb. But obviously, its up to you! If you absolutely must have suggestions, I can give some more, but it makes me feel like i'm being so unfair and demanding.... directing what people should play for my benefit... again i'm really appreciative of your efforts here. Thanks again for your kind, kind (kind) offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 No problem, jook. I see your request as an opportunity to open my ears. The promega doesn't have a FLUTE-O-TRON, so no wonder it sounds wrong. Sorry, I figured that was the legit name, not something cute the Italians came up with. Well can you think of any famous tunes that used the string-o-tron or choir-o-tron? I think it's funny that the tape would run out after approx 8 sec. I'll keep that in mind. Hahhah, What'd I Say is just not something you'd ever hear me play. But I suppose I could try. Go ahead, be demanding! I'm here to learn. I'm also kind of swamped this week with a return to work and a scheduled sort of life, so be patient. "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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