Not trying to be a Debbie downer, but trying to understand what these instruments give you that a mellotron sample library for any other sampler might not give you? Is it just that it is focused at doing just those sounds with no other distractions?
1 Like
The sounds/keyboard/knob controllers all in one portable package.
2 Likes
I’m in the same boat.
I would prefer one instrument, designed as such, with its limitations and charm, rather than ten plug-ins/libraries/high-end controllers.
The later are just “love killers” to me, as French say. Not sure how to explain it better.
2 Likes
I have a friend that bought a M4000D Mini a while back and brought it out for her show, back when house concerts were more common in this area.
Several of us also thought “ehh, this thing is gonna sound the same as a Mellotron software app”. Then we actually laid hands on the thing. We just could not believe how amazing it sounded. “Sounds great” does not do it just justice at all.
Oh and the build quality… You’d think it’d be a step down from the full size M4000D but naw, it’s got the heft, reassuringly solid feel to the keys/keybed, etc. you’d expect from a quality keyboard - no cheapo MIDI controller keyboard vibes there!
Some people play live with a laptop and controller(s). Some people don’t want to play live with a computer. I’m familiar with both points of view. Probably need an audio interface with high quality DACs to get comparable sound quality with your laptop - UA Apollo minimum maybe?
3 Likes
2 Likes
That is one creative and sexy setup 
1 Like
I have a micro and I dig it!
3 Likes
I played the micro at a music store tonight. Man it sounded awesome. Gonna have to boot up my software later to convince myself I don’t need it. lol.
2 Likes
Is anyone using a Micro? Has it stood the test of time? Logic tells me using software is the way to go since I would mostly be pairing it with a sampler, but the hardware version was so nice.
1 Like
I had a Micro and sold it, I do have the Arturia mellotron VST but rarely use it, I do miss the Micro for sure.
1 Like
Still loving my Micro… 
2 Likes
Love my Micro! Would love to get the bigger one someday
1 Like
Do you all find that those 100 sounds are pretty much the core of what you want from a Mellotron? From messing around with it at the shop, it seemed like a good selection, so perhaps the lack of expandability via cards isn’t an issue.
Also, do you find most sit in a mix pretty well. Obviously the classic sounds will, but I’m wondering if that’s true for most of the onboard stuff.
I broke out my copy of M-Tron Pro today that I bought years ago (I only have the basic patches). It felt like a night & day experience with using the hardware unit.
When I was searching for a Mellotron, I discovered the Memotron from Manikin. With this company, you can buy extra sounds and import them via an SD Card or you can buy the Extended version. I love my Memotron.
1 Like
For some reason I actually really like the size and aesthetic of the micro. Kind of crazy.
It sounds pretty great here.
1 Like
I bought the Desktop version and use it with a Keystep 37.
1 Like
I’m not trying to convince you or anyone, I’m just giving an alternative that worked for me.
1 Like
The micro is a great instrument. I love mine and use it all the time in different settings like psych folk experimental stuff and acid house.
But you need to know that it has some major limitations that you’ll have to accept, and these limitations are all supposedly in the name of faithfully recreating some experience or whatever. The limitations I’m talking about are:
- the range of notes you can play,
- no midi control over parameters (switching presets yes but no remote control of tone, mix, attack, decay—so incredibly frustrating at first, now just a disappointment)
- attack and decay are not quickly accessible
- the samples do not loop
So, if you’re able to have your hands on it and play it like that, it’s really an awesome experience. But, if you want it to be part of a larger hardware midi setup be aware of its limitations.
4 Likes
Thanks for the thoughtful post! This is exactly how I would use it. I am more of an instrument person than a midi/sequencer person.
It’s definitely tempting, but I’m still on the fence. Part of me thinks it’s crazy when decent software versions are available, but that’s really true of any instrument these days I guess.
Also, the onboard sounds sounded great when I tried them out and 100 is probably more than enough, especially since you can blend them. Those expansion cards are too expensive for me to consider anyway.
I use mine scarcely but it’s not going anywhere.
Refer to my earlier answer: same point of view after all this time 
1 Like