Electro-Harmonix Mel9chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Multiple users emphasize the Mel9 faithfully captures true Mellotron tape traits like wow/flutter and sustain choking, not a clean synth sound. Long-time Mellotron fans and even former Mellotron 400 players confirm the sounds are close to the real tape recordings.

@rodrigootero3820

well, this will never sound as a mellotron if you play a guitar and do bendings and stuff that are impossible in a basic, vintage keyboard as it was the original mellotron and chamberlain. The pedal successfully delivers the sound and 'samples' of the original, even the sustain choking when the tape ended. Probably you are hoping something else for the guitar, but is not fair to say that the pedal sucks, it just don't fit your expectations for your instrument. I used it in keyboards and it is heavenlylaunch

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March 12, 2025

@iplaymytele

I believe you are incorrect and you’re very harsh judgment , and Title of your video……….🧐👀\nI purchased one of the first Mel9’s when they were first produced and being delivered to music stores….! \nI even had a chance to talk to one of the design engineers at electro harmonix ..👍🏻🎶 He was extremely friendly and actually some how bumped my name to the top of the delivery list so I received it weeks before the time I was supposed to receive it …! 👀 for it being a “ emulator “ ….! I have been in the recording business for over 50 years… I have been able to use this pedal successfully on many live and recorded jobs. In my opinion the Orchestra strings chorus, and the flute sound extremely good….! ! ! They have that great ( Mellotron ) grainy Tape sound that is extremely close to the real tape recordings…👍🏻 I liked it so much on one of my guitar set ups, I purchased another and leave it permanently installed on my ( Yamaha Clavinova Piano ) …. 🎹❤️🎹 just because it is not a real Mellotron , WITH SAMPLED TAPE SOUNDS, DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT A USEFUL WONDERFUL MACHINE BECAUSE IT IS……\nProfessor, Jeff Galey ..launch

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January 7, 2025

@AnkothOfficial

I don't get why people say this pedal is \"glitchy\" or whatever, I have one and it's hands down the best pedal I own.\nTracks really well, especially with a Compressor pedal before it (in fact of you're worried about dynamic changes between fingerpicking and and flat picking, a cheap Compressor helps, but again the changes between the picking modes weren't at all drastic for me even with a Compressor). The sounds may not be great because it's a mellotron - a rather experimental instrument that made sounds using stripes of analogue tape, that sounded \"glitchy\" (warbly, it's called wow and flutter and happens due to the tape being worn), rather lofi and saturated too, just like this pedal. If you want an orchestral string pedal, then you should try the String9, but this one is the filthy, glitch mellotron which is meant to be janky. It's shocking the amount of people that hate this pedal on the basis that they don't know what a mellotron sounds like and expect idk, super clean orchestral sounds from the latest vst library by EastWest, or something. \nThe whole idea with this pedal is retro, janky, lofi and rather strange sound. I use mine as a pad whilst playing Thrash metal riffs, Punk Metal, Speed Metal etc. It helps make my guitar sounds bigger and more dramatic and heavy, and running the mel9 through an overdrive, like the ts9, also sounds great, as it helps form a unique tone that blends with my heavy guitar.\n It tracks flawlessly because there's no MIDI crap or anything triggering as its an effects pedal based on the POG and other pedals. It's a multi-fx unit. Back in the day people would have to buy the pog or other octavers and a handful of other FX pedals to shape their tone to get those sounds, or just run through rack mount units, whereas now EHX gave us a pedal that combines all those pedals for all those sounds into 9 usable presets on 1 small(ish) pedal, that probably costs way less than 5+ other fx pedals linked together and each set up a specific way, to achieve one of those nine sounds.\nThe fact you chose MIDI over this pedal just goes to show that you don't appreciate the old sounds and want the newest sounding sounds from the latest sample libraries. Fair enough. But don't compare a modern sample library to a vintage themed pedal. It's like comparing a cassette to listening on Spotify - different sound and different uses and different pros and cons. Clearly you're not an old school sound fan.\nThe mel9 has so much amazing uses and is super versatile too. As I said I play fast Thrash metal with it under my heavy distorted tone and it tracks well and helps add a large and more dramatic sound to those riffs, amd i usually overdrive the mel9s tone slightly too, so it adds weight and blends better with my guitar and sounds more cinematic and janky, like an analogue horror movie or something.\nListen to some Black Sabbath, In Lingua Mortua, Perihelion Ship, Opeth etc. They all use mellotrons and it sounds trippy and cinematic, and that's just scratching the surface, with mellotrons randomly appearing on other band's tracks like Enslaved's As Fire Swept Clean The Earth, Metal Church's Into Dust, Iron Claw's Devils, SOAD's Russian Roulette etc.\nJust play around with this pedal, sometimes you need some effects in front or behind it, as I said, compressors and overdrives help make it tighter and nastier, but plenty YT Ambient Guitarists like Chords of Orion love to pair the mel9 with massive reverbs and delays and play gentle stuff creating divine atmospheres like a meditation.\nMy advice would be looking up the bands that use or have used the mellotron in the past and seeing how they use it in their music, what effects they run it through and other stuff and maybe even covering some songs with mellotron parts, like you did Stairway, and ofc the usual shit people play helps create a good start (Wonder Wall (cello), Strawberry Fields (flute) etc.) It's a pedal that is super fun if you learn how to use it right.launch

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December 29, 2024

@8BRInteractive

So, you're blasting the Mel9 because it replicates the intricacies and limitations of the actual Mellotron and VAKO Orchestron? Neither the Mellotron nor the Orchestron were any good for shredding. If you tried to play fast on a Mellotron, the mechanisms for the playback heads couldn't keep up - you'd be going too fast. Same for the Orchestron. By the way, the choir sounds are very close to those of the Orchestron. Do you remember \"Stargazer\" by Rainbow? That's what I'm talking about.launch

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October 23, 2024

Owners describe building layered, orchestral textures using loopers, choirs, and flutes over sustained chords for immersive ambient or prog sounds. It's frequently praised as addictive when combined with reverb and delay in a slow, atmospheric style.

@walterwoodpecker5869

This charming bit of equipment is meant for someone (such as myself) who is a senior and grew up on groups like Yes, King Crimson, old Genesis, the Strawbs and anything Rick Wakeman.\nAnd I enjoy it best late at night in my small studio with my looper and a bit of whiskey. I don't think I would pull it out in public.launch

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January 13, 2025

@ElBrooklyn1

Actual mellotrons are glitchy, unpredictable beasts that need constant maintenance to work properly. EHX made a rare, expensive and unusual sound accessible to guitarists. That’s why people rave about this pedal and the other “9” series effects. Like a lot of effects, it requires that you adapt your playing style to what it does best. It doesn’t work well with fast arpeggios or complex chords that layer tons of notes on top of each other. But a mid-tempo triad arpeggio will sound great. Rather than insult the pedal in your title and commentary, you’d be better off stressing that it didn’t fit well with your style of playing. “It sucks! (For me).” I find that layering the choirs and flutes over loops with plenty of stereo reverb and delay is an absolute win. But I definitely play differently when it’s switched on because I’m looking for the pedal’s sweet spot not what normally sounds good on an unprocessed guitar.launch

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January 7, 2025

@markharwood7573

The Mel9 is the heart of my main board. Dry (a mix control) is set to zero, so the wet & dry channels have their own FX. The Mel9 goes through phaser, shimmer and volume pedal. With a 12-string electro-acoustic guitar I find that the orchestra, low choir & high choir track best, but flute is a lovely sound for the occasional lead line.launch

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June 24, 2024

@jcameronferguson

I have always loved the Mellotron and its ghostly, ethereal tone possibilities. Though an inveterate multi-instrumentalist, I am admittedly less skilled on keys than on guitar/bass/percussion, and I despaired of finding a Mellotron 1) in working order, 2) that I could play competently. This pedal is outstanding for on-the-fly string arrangements, but I also found the flute setting adapts especially well to tremolo effects. Needless to say, the pedal features prominently on an album I'm currently recording. You showcase it so well!launch

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September 18, 2023

The orchestra, strings, cello and choir settings are repeatedly named favorites, sounding convincing especially with big sustained chords or slow swells. Several users specifically build their tone around these voices while avoiding weaker ones.

@micahflanders6789

I use this pedal frequently, the key to using it is subtlety (pretty much never going full wet). It’s not going to sound authentic, so less is more.\n\nThe orchestra, cello, strings, and high choir are good in most cases, particularly with big sustained chords, and slow swells for melodies.\n\nThe sax, brass, and low choir aren’t that good, while the flute and clarinet sound best above the 5th or higher. Also despite the tracking being good on a pitch level (to a certain point), it’s not great at fast tracking.launch

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November 9, 2025

@paulsantamaria2605

I've had this pedal for about 3 years and use it for all string sounds, plus some of the choirs. Lots reverb needed and def a good comp pedal like the Boss CP 1X.launch

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May 30, 2025

@iplaymytele

I believe you are incorrect and you’re very harsh judgment , and Title of your video……….🧐👀\nI purchased one of the first Mel9’s when they were first produced and being delivered to music stores….! \nI even had a chance to talk to one of the design engineers at electro harmonix ..👍🏻🎶 He was extremely friendly and actually some how bumped my name to the top of the delivery list so I received it weeks before the time I was supposed to receive it …! 👀 for it being a “ emulator “ ….! I have been in the recording business for over 50 years… I have been able to use this pedal successfully on many live and recorded jobs. In my opinion the Orchestra strings chorus, and the flute sound extremely good….! ! ! They have that great ( Mellotron ) grainy Tape sound that is extremely close to the real tape recordings…👍🏻 I liked it so much on one of my guitar set ups, I purchased another and leave it permanently installed on my ( Yamaha Clavinova Piano ) …. 🎹❤️🎹 just because it is not a real Mellotron , WITH SAMPLED TAPE SOUNDS, DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT A USEFUL WONDERFUL MACHINE BECAUSE IT IS……\nProfessor, Jeff Galey ..launch

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January 7, 2025

@jeffbrinkerhoff5121

Couldn't be happier with the mel9, contemplating adding a 2nd to my board. It makes the guitar a controller and requires specialized technique. I have a friend who constantly changes gear because \"it doesn't do what I want it to\". A guitar is not a sax or a string section. I use the brass setting to emulate an Indian hand-pumped organ, sax setting makes funky triad stabs, string & orchestra are used a lot. I also use a bass9 and C9 with my looper rig for sonic gigantism. I love 'em.launch

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October 25, 2024

Users report success running the Mel9 with electric violin, bouzouki, 12-string acoustic, piezo classical guitar, and keyboards, not just standard electric guitar. It's also described as an all-in-one alternative to buying several separate effects pedals.

@joemanganese

A mellotron is a mellotron, not a synth. This said, it is very important not to have pedals in front of the Mel9, expecially eq and compressors. I use the Mel9 since years and there are no alternatives really if you want some strings in the background, given the fact you can control the attach with the Mel9, a unique feature not found on other 9 series pedals. Of course, an RG55 roland with a midi guitar can give optimal results, but for simple tasks I honestly believe it is a decent choice. I made a recording of the Mel9 \"hit the road jack\" if you want to test how it works with saxophones, not bad really.. Anyway thx for the work also for the other pedals man!! good job . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slqdv8v3Zaslaunch

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December 10, 2024

@afewminuteslater-v2w

The Mel9 was also a huge disappointment to me on guitar. It's too sensitive to anything related to the instrument (pickups, dynamics, picking style, fretting, amp, ...), and it's too difficult to get consistent results while playing even by playing the same note! Compression helps, but it's not enough to overcome the issues. HOWEVER, I've found this pedal is AMAZING on keys or synths, particularly by using a steady basic wave (sine, sawtooth,...) as trigger. It's like having a good-quality VSTi, but in pedal form, so you don't have to worry about any DAW, computer, iPad,... just use this pedal on a cheap Casio keyboard and you'll get the perfect Mellotron simulator available. 👌launch

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November 2, 2024

@jcameronferguson

I have always loved the Mellotron and its ghostly, ethereal tone possibilities. Though an inveterate multi-instrumentalist, I am admittedly less skilled on keys than on guitar/bass/percussion, and I despaired of finding a Mellotron 1) in working order, 2) that I could play competently. This pedal is outstanding for on-the-fly string arrangements, but I also found the flute setting adapts especially well to tremolo effects. Needless to say, the pedal features prominently on an album I'm currently recording. You showcase it so well!launch

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September 18, 2023

@patrickbuzzo1970

I ' m using it with the irish bouzouki, one acoustic and one semi hollow electric. The acoustic has a piezo ( it's a Hora brand) ,while the electric has two Gfs humbuckers. Because they are both doubled strings instruments, the sound coming out from the Mel 9 has amazed the members of my band! If anybody reading this comment has a 12 strings guitar, i would warmly suggest it!launch

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October 25, 2021

Several users found the pedal performs exceptionally well when triggered from a keyboard or steady synth wave rather than guitar, calling it like having a quality Mellotron VST in pedal form.

@afewminuteslater-v2w

The Mel9 was also a huge disappointment to me on guitar. It's too sensitive to anything related to the instrument (pickups, dynamics, picking style, fretting, amp, ...), and it's too difficult to get consistent results while playing even by playing the same note! Compression helps, but it's not enough to overcome the issues. HOWEVER, I've found this pedal is AMAZING on keys or synths, particularly by using a steady basic wave (sine, sawtooth,...) as trigger. It's like having a good-quality VSTi, but in pedal form, so you don't have to worry about any DAW, computer, iPad,... just use this pedal on a cheap Casio keyboard and you'll get the perfect Mellotron simulator available. 👌launch

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November 2, 2024

@Paul_Lenard_Ewing

To get the best out of just by a cheap keyboard and you have the world's cheapest real Mellotron. Robert Fripp did just that when the pedal came out. He used it for encores with several versions of Crimson.😇 For a start the parts are usually slowly played using both hands as one. In short you do not have to know anything about the keyboard to get it all happening over just a couple of weeks.launch

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October 23, 2024

@johnspokus

My issue is the selection of sound gets \"stuck\" on mine . If I go back to the first selection, Orchestra, it will sound like a weird backwards effect. That is the only sound I like. So I got that one working again, put a piece of tape over the knob and will never change the setting again. I control mine with a Casio workstation keyboard. I usually mix the Orchestra sound with some type of string ensemble from the Casio. The Mel 9 just adds a little lo fi element to the Casio patch to produce a more satisfying Mellotron effect.launch

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October 22, 2024

One buyer calls it the best $220 spent in a long time, and another notes it likely costs less than buying five or more separate pedals to achieve the same range of sounds.

@DingusGlurt

I fell in love with this pedal when I first saw it 2 years ago. I thought it would be one of those pedals that in theory sound great, but in actuality are useless. I finally got one yesterday and have to say it is the best $220 I’ve spent in a long time.launch

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October 21, 2018

@MrGREYMATTERS

I'm running a self built electric violin through this pedal in a local Prog band! It works GREAT on the full range of the instrument!launch

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June 22, 2017