Tron History

The unique, easily recognizable, and instantly classic sound of the “Tron” instruments started with the Chamberlin keyboards in the 1950’s, and peaked with the Mellotron 400, in the 1970’s. This precursor to today’s samplers uses tapes to play back prerecorded sounds at the touch of the keys. They are large and easily broken, but have such a unique sound, it’s difficult not to love the nostalgic tone and instant ‘vintage’ gratification that comes from hearing one. Whether you know it or not, you’ve heard the sound of a Mellotron or one of its siblings. Just about every famous artist or band has used one in a song at one point or another. Possibly the most famous example of the “tron” sound can be heard in the opening bars of “Strawberry Fields Forever”. This is the classic “tron” flute that is still widely used by artists today. Mellotrons have been used in countless songs, and just about all genres, from ‘60s and ‘70s rock, to the hip-hop of today, this is an instrument that works with just about everything.

One of the amazing things about the “tron” instruments is that, although relatively few have been made, they still bear a large relevance in today’s music. In fact, they are in such high demand that the makers of the original Mellotrons, Streetly Music, began making them again in 2007 (although with some upgrades to ‘modernize’ them). Unfortunately for most of use, though, these hand-made keyboards are out of all but the most die-hard enthusiast’s price-range.

Enter SampleTron, the next step in the history of the “tron” family of instruments.

Click here to read more about "Tron" instruments sampled in SampleTron.

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