Chamberlin

This is the official and the only Chamberlin app with sounds from the original library. It contains 8 sounds from both the Chamberlin library and an emulation of the sound characteristics of the M1 Chamberlin.

This instrument supports Core Midi, Audiobus output (Audiobus 2 & 3) and midi input (Audiobus 3 only).

The Chamberlin is a keyboard instrument that, like the Mellotron, uses magnetic tape to play back recordings where each key has one tape. When you press a key, the tape starts and the corresponding pre-recorded note or sound is played back. When you release the key the tape is quickly rewound back to the start point.

Invented in 1950 by the American, Harry Chamberlin, it became popular among recording musicians when it was manufactured in the UK as the Mellotron (a hyphenation of "melody-electronics").

Before the introduction of digital samplers, this was the only way for keyboardists to play real instrument sounds like strings, flutes, rhythm ensembles and sound effects from a keyboard instrument.

Few people know about Chamberlins and Mellotrons, but almost everybody has heard the sounds they produce. Among the most well-known tracks are BeatIes "Strawberry Fields Forewer" (Mellotron flute), Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin" (Mellotron 3 violins), Oasis "Wonderwall" (Mellotron cello), Radiohead "Exit Music for a Film" (Mellotron choir), Lana del Rey "Ride" (Chamberlin flute), Air Soundtrack to "Virgin Suicides" (Chamberlin Female Voice), GOTYE "Somebody That I Used to Know" (Chamberlin flute).

We at Mellotron.com have collected, conserved and improved Mellotrons since 1989, and have been making tape Mellotrons since 1999 (the MkVI and MkVII). Please check out our websites www.mellotron.com and www.digitalmellotron.com for a more complete history, real hardware instruments, our new digital M4000D series of instruments and the Mellotron Micro, tapes from the original masters, parts, service and lots of more info.