The Memotron is a virtual
Mellotron
The Mellotron is an electro-mechanical musical instrument developed in Birmingham, England, in 1963. It is played by pressing its keys, each of which pushes a length of magnetic tape against a capstan, which pulls it across a playback head. ...
, based on digitized samples from the original keyboard's sounds. Manufactured by Manikin Electronic, it made its first appearance at the
NAMM Show
The NAMM Show is an annual event in the United States that is organized by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), who describe it as "the industry’s largest stage, uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology commun ...
in 2006.
Jordan Rudess of
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of the ...
used a Memotron on the band's Chaos In Motion Tour in 2007 and 2008, and can be heard playing it on the live album ''
Chaos in Motion 2007–2008''.
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboardist best known as a former member of the progressive rock band Yes (band), Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his solo albums released in the 1970s.
Born ...
uses the Memotron when playing live.
For the recording of the 2009 live album ''
The Six Wives of Henry VIII Live at Hampton Court Palace'', Wakeman used two Memotrons.
Tangerine Dream use two Memotrons live (2023).
References
Keyboard instruments
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