Nod to The Legend · The instruments · 1963
The Mellotron
Tape-replay keyboard, after Harry Chamberlin
Each key of the Mellotron plays a strip of tape with a real recorded flute, string or choir note, building on Harry Chamberlin's earlier design. It opens the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever".
Still heard: The idea of playing recorded instruments from a keyboard is the root of every sample library.
Related legends
- Tony Visconti and the Eventide H910: Producer, and the first Harmonizer
- Rupert Neve: Console and preamp designer
- The SSL 4000 Console: Solid State Logic, founded by Colin Sanders
- Bob Moog: Synthesizer pioneer
- The Fairlight CMI: Sampler by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie
- Delia Derbyshire: BBC Radiophonic Workshop