Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

This is one of those weird items that seem to sound good in videos but is thin and lifeless in person. Arpeggios are a mess after 3 notes..The high notes are all pretty much the same sound regardless of the setting. The fact that there is no "save" feature renders this useless for live performance...either that or you have an expensive 1 trick pony. Not sure if this was defective but I can't imagine how anyone gets a usable sound out of this thing.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I'm on pedal number 3. First one just made a "whooshing" sound. Found out through EHX website there was a batch of bad microchips. Pedal number 2 worked fine on day one and died the next day. Pedal number 3 is ok so far. I've had it for a week and a half now with no issues. Fingers crossed. Really cool pedal. I love the effects. Probably obvious since I stuck with it through all the trouble.

Comments about MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

This pedal allows me to shift from straight guitar to organ, flute, orchestral sounds, and more then back to guitar for a more varied take on my music. I was sold on the YouTube demos and really pleased with the MEL9 when I received it.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

Amazing pedal ... met all my expectations. I had purchased the C-9 and am happy with it after trying the B-9 and a Superego which I was not thrilled with ... with that said, the Mel-9 is an incredible compliment to the C-9 when run together or used independently. I did add a Mooer Spark Echo after (which adds reverb + delay)
The Mel-9 does track better that the C-9.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

Well worth the money. Great on all settings but orchestra and strings have that extra coolness that just draw the creativity out of me! Genuine 70s mellotron sound in spades! Dont hesitate to add this one to the collection!

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

This guitar effect now adds nine Mellotron sounds to a guitarists selection to add to, or layer home or studio demo's or professional recordings. I have already used it on an original, 2 tracks, the Orchestra sound, then later in the song, the High Choir sound. SOUNDS AWESOME. No longer will you have to wait for your keyboard player to get around to adding his part. Guitarists will now just DO IT THEMSELVES. I had to order it thru Guitar Center. I know most guitarists who try this in the store, WILL BUY ONE. They will sell themselves with just one demonstration.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I'm still digging into the wide array of tones this baby offers. The mellotron sound seemed so out of reach before this sucker came along. If you appreciate early Crimson, Genesis, Moody Blues, Yes, etc...this pedal will create those atmospherics. I ordered from Guitar Centre.com got it in 72 hours.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

Completes many soft ballad tracks that I've been working on!

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

the power cord that came with it had issues, but other then that. It worked great with my acoustic martin. I used the cello sound at church and people were like WOW! They got a laugh out of the choir sounds but it worked great.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I have and use Roland guitar synthesizers (GR-1, GR-20, GR-55), so was eager to see how this unit would work as it uses the straight guitar signal and does not need the special hex pickup. All-in-all, it works pretty well. I chose the Mel9 because I am a fan of early progressive rock bands, and a set of Mellotron sounds would be a unique addition to my repertoire. A week later, I also got the Synth9.

The technology to find polyphonic pitch information from the guitar signal is amazing, but not perfect. With minor adjustments to my playing, I was able to get the performance I wanted, sometimes using a pick and other times plucking chords with my fingers. Getting consistent or predictable dynamics (note volumes) across the fretboard takes a bit of practice and is occasionally frustrating. There can be tracking glitches with complex playing, but all-in-all, with a little practice it works well for laying down the kind of tracks you would expect from a Mellotron.

The sounds are quite good, but remember that they are imitating a Mellotron, so there is a sameness and quirky character to them. The pedal is simple to use, with no configuring needed. Just plug in, set your output volume, and play. Except for the trumpet sound, the two Ctrl knobs adjust attack and release of the sound. Increasing the release adds a reverb tail to the sound. I found I could set these knobs to one position that works most of the time for all the sounds. Therefore, although there is no way to save program settings, the pedal is usable for live performance or when you need to quickly change between sounds by just turning the sound selector knob. (The Synth9 pedal, on the other hand, could really use a way to save program settings because the Ctrl knobs greatly impact each sound.) The pedal is meant to go at the very beginning of your effects chain and is monophonic with no stereo capabilities built in.

I use it with a Trio Plus for looping and developing musical ideas.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

The first when I purchased worked about two days send it back and got another one and waited 12 weeks for the replacement other than that love the sound it adds a ton of fullness to my acoustic set

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

What I always wanted in a Pedal

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I am a hobbiest guitar player and plan to do some
Studio recording. The mel9 will be a great asset
To what I can do.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I use this item for background sound-strings and brass-for my guitar lead playing. The cello and flute tones I use for alternate choruses to the guitar lead. I'm working on using the other settings but I'm sure they'll be really useful, too. One great gadget!

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

Great product and worth every dime, and every minute.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I am starting to use this for the Brass Mellotron sound in my band. It sounds great! I actually bought it for the incredible Orchestra sound, which is really eerie, just like the sound of King Crimson's first album! Not that we play Crimson, but it is perfect for Prog Rock bands to implement. The Clarinet sound as well as the Flute sound are the most overall useful sounds that can be added to many songs, as long as the Dry knob is turned to about 12 o'clock. That way the pure guitar sound is blended with the Mellotron sound.

This pedal is really great for songwriting, as you can build on each track with different sounds. I highly recommend it!

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I bought this after watching many demo videos,hoping to use the orchestral setting for songs like Kashmir,and the low choir for songs like Metal Heart.It has some latency issues,and it just sounds harsh and digital to me.It smooths out as the note sustains,but the initial sound makes me cringe.I am playing an Ibanez guitar through a Fender bandmaster from the 1960's,so it's a very warm and mellow sounding amp when you want it to be.I really wanted to like this,but I don't see myself ever using it,especially in front of an audience.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

I play acoustic hollow bodies & sing solo. Thought I'd try to broaden & enhance my sounds. This model has very sweet blend of strings & choirs & other orchestra instruments. 9 choices of voiced backups or could solo on various instrument sounds.

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

The Footswitch works great!!!!!!

Comments about Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Guitar Effects Pedal:

Use it with a keyboard. The mellotron was not a stringed instrument. Strings sound is str8 ballz.