UVI Mello Mellotron library review

8

Hey what’s good fam!

Back with another review from the fine folks over at UVI

Today I’m checking out Mello

Let’s see what’s up.

So what is Mello?

melloIf you haven’t guessed, it’s an instrument library dedicated to the classic sounds of the Mellotron

This is an instrument from back in the 60s that was really a sampler at heart, at least it was “sample based”

You had keys and a crazy system of tape machines that were attached to each note/key on the keyboard, 8 seconds long.

So each key was basically playing back a single tape “sample”. Crazy stuff, but it’s a classic sound and I for one am a fan, expecially of the flutes and strings.

Well, Mello is UVI’s take on this instrument, from the detailed capturing, to the dedicated interface as well as their own additions, rolled into a ready to play library.

Quick Specs

How does it sound?

Reel to Reel Tape RecorderIt sounds old and worn, as you would expect an instrument based on tapes to sound.

If you’re a fan of the Mellotron sound then you will be pleased. For me I really like the key and mechanical noise, as well as the overall sound of the samples themselves.

They didn’t try to “clean it up” but allowed the real character to shine through, or at least what I would imagine the character of such an instrument to be.

It sounds undeniably like tape, and tape that isn’t in the most pristine condition. You can hear some warping and imperfections as you play the sounds but I feel that’s what makes the instrument special.

I liked the addition of the delay, as it really gives you a but of flexibility with the sound. I also like the fact that they allow you to “extend” the range of the keys so play across more octaves than originally intended.

The sound is great, not in a “high quality, super clean” sort of way, but more of a “high quality, character capturing” style.

So what’s the bottom line?

If you like the sounds of a Mellotron, then you will dig this instrument.

4subsI give Mello 4 out of 5 subs, it’s a really great representation of a classic  instrument that is instantly playable and ready to be tweaked. 

There really isn’t much to say about it in terms of features as it’s pretty straight forward, though the filter, reverb, and delay make it flexible so you’re not just “stuck” with the orignal sound.

Don’t forget, it’s in UVI Workstation, so you can take advantage of the great collection of effects that are in the UVI Workstation itself, to tweak your sound even further.

Go on over and check it out: http://www.uvi.net/en/vintage-corner/mello.html

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

8 Comments

  1. Michael Parson-McNamara · Edit

    Hey Joe
    I already have this, but have not figured out how to install it without the iLOK, which their website says is an option.

    I have an iLOK in my older P4 PC, but don’t have any room on my lap top, unless I do a hub, I suppose.

    Any help? or guidance?
    Thanks Michael

    Reply
    • If it’s an option for this license, you would download the ilok license manager, and then for the license you can drag it to your computer instead of the ilok. But you would have to first upload the license from your ilok to the cloud/server. Not all products are able to be licensed this way though.

      Reply
    • Yep, they gave this one away a while ago, still the same in terms of the activation with the ilok/license center. Maybe that older one can’t be moved to the computer activation and only the newer version can, not sure. Mine doesn’t show as available to move to the computer, I got mine when it first released.

      Reply
  2. Michael Parson-McNamara · Edit

    I think it wasn’t that long ago… fall of 2013? The email that came with the download link, said it didn’t require an iLOK or I interpreted it that way, so maybe mine is a newer version, with the “license on the PC” option. Obviously, you need to use the iLok to get it installed. I am not using the P4 PC much, so I suppose I could move it till the installation gets done and the license installed. I remember lots of folks having trouble with iLoks and ? Windows 7?, so I guess I avoided the whole issue. Will post here if I get it working and let your readers know.
    Michael

    Reply
  3. Michael Parson-McNamara · Edit

    This “don’t use the new iLok” software scare/thread was a while back (Jan?). I noticed a lot of complaining and just put off installing the free Mello from UVI.

    Thanks for all the input, Joe! I will give it a try.

    Michael

    Reply
    • No problem, I think that was around the end of the year when they were first updating to the manager that runs on your computer and moving away from the website manager. It’s all good though, at least for me 🙂

      Reply

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