So much of todays music is based on the concept of sampling. Modern keyboards rely heavily on sampling technologies. It's easy for us to think of it as an exclusively digital technique and fairly recent phenomena. The truth is that sampling goes back to the 40's and was originally an analogue tape technique. Harry Chamberlin invented the process and produced the first sampler, the Chamberlin, in 1946. About 100 of the instruments were produced in 1950's. They proved to be reliability problems and maintenance hogs. The history gets a little muddled at this point with the Chamberlin's main salesman (a former window washer) named Bill Fransen inking a production agreement with some brothers named Bradley in the UK that owned a tape head manufacturing business. They seemed to be under the impression that Bill Fransen was the inventor and Harry Chamberlin was unaware of the deal. A business venture named Mellotronics was formed and UK production began. It did not take long for this to come to the attention of Harry Chamberlin and he flew to the UK to investigate. Discussions (of a less than friendly nature) resulted in Harry selling the technology the Bradley brothers and the began to manufacture the Mellotron. Chamberlin returned to America where he and his son continued to manufacture the Chamberlin in a factory in Ontario, CA. Production continued through 1981 with around 700 total units having been produced. The Mellotron on the other hand became the name everyone associates with the technology having been improved by the Bradley's and produced.

The Mellotron has an impressive list of credits including The Beatles "Strawberry Fields Forever" and Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin". It was also used by the Beach Boys. To add insult to injury the Mellotron was often credited on the album even if the actual instrument used was a Chamberlin. All in all, it is hard to separate the mythology from the actual history with claims and counter claims on all sides.

The technology was conceptually simple with a tape head under each key on the keyboard. When the key was depressed a length of tape would be pulled across the tape head. When the key was released the tape would quickly return to it's resting place. If you wanted to hold a note longer than the taped duration you would release the key briefly to reset the tape and retrigger. This work best with full chords where individual notes could be reset at random intervals. To change from an orchestral pad to a jazz organ sound you would have to change a complete set of tapes, one for each key on the keyboard.

At this years winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA a new documentary was screened, Mellodrama: The Mellotron Movie. With interviews with Harry Chamberlin's Son, and well know artists and enthusiasts of the instruments the tale of innovation, intrigue and artistry is documented. Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues, Ian McDonald of King Krimson, Patrick Moraz of Yes, and many others make appearances and express their affections for this unique pioneering technology. With ample snippets of representative music a unique contribution to the world of music documented in an entertaining fashion, at least for music geeks and gearheads.

The DVD is available from Amazon for $22.49 Here. A great gift idea for the real gearhead or treat yourself.