MELLOTRON Virtual Instruments
Mellotron User Guide
The Mellotron is a software plugin for Windows and macOS that
allows users to create and manipulate sounds using a virtual
keyboard. This user guide provides information on system
requirements, installation, and operation.
System Requirements & Product Support
For complete system requirements and compatibility information,
visit airmusictech.com. For
technical support, visit support.airmusictech.com.
Installation
- Double-click the .exe (Windows) or .pkg (macOS) file you
downloaded. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the
software. - Open the plugin application.
- Click Sign In to sign into your inMusic Brands Profile using
your Internet browser. If you do not have an inMusic Brands Profile
yet, you will be prompted to create one. - Once you have signed in, click Activate in the plugin window to
enter your serial key to unlock the plugin. You can unlock each
plugin on up to three devices at a time. - If you do not have a serial key, you can click Try Unlicensed
to explore the plugin with intermittent audio alerts. You can also
click 10-Day Trial to initiate a free, fully featured trial of the
plugin for 10 days. If you would like to purchase a serial key,
click the link to purchase a license at
profile.inmusicbrands.com.
Operation
Overview
The Mellotron has three main sections: Setup, Synth Controls,
and FX Controls. The Setup section includes the keyboard, tempo
display, settings, info, and preset options. The Synth Controls
section allows users to manipulate the sound parameters of the
virtual keyboard. The FX Controls section allows users to apply
effects to the sound.
Setup Section
The Setup section includes the following features:
- Keyboard: Click this icon to enable or disable the virtual
keyboard. When enabled, you can click these keys to input notes, or
view notes being played on an external MIDI device. - Tempo: Displays the current plugin tempo. To change the
tempo: - Settings: Click this icon to open the Settings window, where
you can set the following parameters: - Info: Click this icon to display the plugin version
information. - Preset: Click this drop-down menu to view the list of included
plugin presets. You can also click the up and down arrows next to
this field to move to the previous or next preset.
FX Toggle and Global Controls
The FX Toggle and Global Controls section includes the following
parameters:
| Parameter | Effects | Poly | Key Off | Key On | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Toggles the main plugin view between synth parameters and effects parameters. | Number of voices available. | Amount of key-off noise. Enables or disables key action noise on note off. | Amount of key-on noise. Enables or disables key action noise on note on. | Overall level of the plugin. |
| Value Range | Off, On |
Synth Controls
The Synth Controls section includes the following
parameters:
| Parameter | Clean | Model | Tape | Formant | Age | Sample Start | Cutoff | Amp Envelope Attack | Amp Envelope Release | Vel > Amp | Vib Speed | MW Vib | Vib AT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Enables or disables a cleaner sample sound. | Select the model type to apply to the sound. | Selects the tape loop sample. | Decreases or increases the harmonic resonance of the formant frequency. | Amount of sound degradation applied. | Starting point of the tape loop sample. | Amount of filter cutoff applied. | Length of time for the sound to reach full level. | Length of time for the sound to dissipate when the note is released. | The amount of effect velocity has on amplitude control. | Modulation speed of the vibrato effect. | Amount of vibrato applied from the mod wheel. | Amount of vibrato applied from aftertouch. |
| Value Range | Off, On | Varies depending on model type | Varies depending on tape sample | Varies depending on formant frequency | Varies depending on age | Varies depending on sample start point | Varies depending on cutoff value | Varies depending on attack time | Varies depending on release time | Varies depending on velocity level | Varies depending on vibrato speed | Varies depending on mod wheel position | Varies depending on aftertouch pressure |
FX Controls
The FX Controls section includes the following parameters:
| Parameter | Flavor | Compressor | EQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Click the button next to the effect name to enable or disable the flavor effect. | Selects an emulation type to color the sound. | Amount of EQ applied to the sound. |
| Value Range | Off, On | Varies depending on emulation type | Varies depending on EQ value |
Product Usage Instructions
To use the Mellotron software plugin:
- Ensure that your computer meets the system requirements.
- Download and install the software by double-clicking the
appropriate file for your operating system and following the
on-screen instructions. - Open the plugin application and sign in to your inMusic Brands
Profile. If you do not have a profile, you will be prompted to
create one. - Activate the plugin by entering your serial key or using the
Try Unlicensed or 10-Day Trial options. - Use the Setup section to enable or disable the virtual
keyboard, adjust the tempo, access settings, view version
information, and select presets. - Use the Synth Controls section to manipulate the sound
parameters of the virtual keyboard, including selecting a cleaner
sound, model type, tape loop sample, formant frequency, age, sample
start point, filter cutoff, amp envelope attack and release times,
velocity level, vibrato speed, and vibrato amount from mod wheel or
aftertouch. - Use the FX Controls section to apply effects to the sound,
including enabling or disabling the flavor effect, selecting an
emulation type for the compressor effect, and adjusting the EQ
value.
MELLOTRON
User Guide
English
Manual Version 1.0
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the AIR Mellotron plugin instrument. The AIR Mellotron plugin is a recreation of the legendary tape sample keyboard machine featured on countless classic Rock albums. This plugin instrument version is designed for fresh, creative music production with a wide array of parameters, settings, and controls to craft an expansive range of keyboard instrument sounds. Start with the six sound categories and venture off into a wide variety of sound shaping sections, notably, the new Flavor section. Add different effects like Flutter or Noise to give your Mellotron Keyboards more texture and character for a new classic sound that is truly your own. This user guide explains the features and functions of the plugin instrument. For more information on using this plugin with other software, please refer to your software’s documentation for adding and using plugin instruments.
System Requirements & Product Support
For complete system requirements and compatibility information, visit airmusictech.com. For technical support, visit support.airmusictech.com.
Installation
1. Double-click the .exe (Windows) or .pkg (macOS) file you downloaded. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
2. Open the plugin application. 3. Click Sign In to sign into your inMusic Brands Profile using your Internet browser. If you do not have an inMusic
Brands Profile yet, you will be prompted to create one. 4. Once you have signed in, click Activate in the plugin window to enter your serial key to unlock the plugin. You can
unlock each plugin on up to three devices at a time. 5. If you do not have a serial key, you can click Try Unlicensed to explore the plugin with intermittent audio alerts.
You can also click 10-Day Trial to initiate a free, fully featured trial of the plugin for 10 days. If you would like to purchase a serial key, click the link to purchase a license at profile.inmusicbrands.com.
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Operation
Overview
Setup Section FX Toggle, Global Controls
Synth Controls
FX Controls
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Setup Section
1
2 5
3 4
1. Keyboard: Click this icon to enable or disable the virtual keyboard. When enabled, you can click these keys to input notes, or view notes being played on an external MIDI device.
2. Tempo: Displays the current plugin tempo. To change the tempo:
· Click the number and use your keyboard to input a new value.
· Click and drag the tempo value up or down using your cursor.
· Click the Tap button at regular intervals.
3. Settings: Click this icon to open the Settings window, where you can set the following parameters:
· Output: to select an audio hardware driver in your computer system. Click the Test button to play a test tone for checking your audio output settings. (Careful! You should lower the volume on your audio system beforehand.)
· Sample Rate: Click this drop-down menu to select the desired sample rate for your project. This depends on the available sample rates of the type of MPC hardware you are using or of your audio interface (i.e., select 96000 Hz only if your interface allows a 96 kHz sample rate).
· Audio Buffer Size: Click this drop-down menu to set your audio system’s latency. Lower values result in a more immediate playing response but also more CPU consumption. If you are working with larger projects, this may cause audible clicks and pops. Higher values are more CPU-friendly but can produce more delay between pressing a pad and hearing the corresponding sound. The ideal audio buffer size also depends on your computer’s CPU performance. Experiment with this to find the best setting for your system.
· Active MIDI Inputs: Displays available MIDI input devices. To enable a device, check the box next to its name.
· Bluetooth MIDI: Click this icon to open your system’s Bluetooth settings menu, where you can select a Bluetooth-enabled MIDI device to control the plugin.
4. Info: Click this icon to display the plugin version information.
5. Preset: Click this drop-down menu to view the list of included plugin presets. You can also click the up and down arrows next to this field to move to the previous or next preset.
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FX Toggle and Global Controls
Parameter Effects Poly Key Off
Key On
Level
Description Toggles the main plugin view between synth parameters and effects parameters. Number of voices available. Amount of key-off noise. Enables or disables key action noise on note off. Amount of key-on noise. Enables or disables key action noise on note on. Overall level of the plugin.
Value Range Off, On
140 0100% Off, On 0100% Off, On 0100%
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Synth Controls
Parameter Clean Model Tape
Formant
Age Sample Start Cutoff Amp Envelope
Attack Release
Vel > Amp
Vib Speed MW Vib AT Vib
Description Enables or disables a cleaner sample sound. Select the tape loop sample.
Decreases or increases the harmonic resonance of the formant frequency. Amount of sound degradation applied. Starting point of the tape loop sample. Amount of filter cutoff applied.
Value Range Off, On 8 Voice Choir, Boys Choir, Flute, Violins 1, Violins 2, Violin -12 0 +12
0100% 0100% 0100%
Length of time for the sound to reach full level.
Length of time for the sound to dissipate when the note is released.
The amount of effect velocity has on amplitude control.
Modulation speed of the vibrato effect.
Amount of vibrato applied from the mod wheel.
Amount of vibrato applied from aftertouch.
0 ms 32 s 0 ms 32 s
0100%
0.03 30.00 Hz 0100% 0100%
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FX Controls
Parameter Flavor
Compressor
EQ
Description
Value Range
Click the button next to the effect name to enable or Off, On disable the flavor effect.
Timbre
Selects an emulation type to color the sound.
Varies
Timbre Depth Amount of timbre emulation applied to the sound.
0100%
Flutter
Amount of speed fluctuation of the sound playback. 0100%
Vinyl Distortion Amount of vinyl distortion noise applied to the signal. 0100%
Vinyl Noise
Amount of vinyl noise such as clicks and pops applied 0100% to the signal.
Click the button next to the effect name to enable or Off, On disable the compressor.
Threshold
Signal level after which the compressor will be applied. -30.0 0.0 +10.0 dB
Ratio
Amount of compression applied.
1.0:1 20.0:1
Attack
Length of time to apply the compression.
0100%
Makeup
Amount of additional output gain for the compressed -20.0 0.0 +20.0 dB signal.
Click the button next to the effect name to enable or Off, On disable EQ.
Low
Amount of attenuation or boost applied to the low
-12 0 +12 dB
frequency band.
Low Mid
Amount of attenuation or boost applied to the low-mid -20 0 +20 dB frequency band.
High Mid
Amount of attenuation or boost applied to the highmid frequency band.
-20 0 +20 dB
High
Amount of attenuation or boost applied to the high frequency band.
-12 0 +12 dB
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Parameter
Description
Value Range
Delay
Click the button next to the effect name to enable or Off, On disable delay.
Time
Amount of time between the dry signal and the delayed signal.
1/16 16/4
Feedback
Amount of signal fed back into the delay line.
0100%
Reso LP Freq Low pass frequency for feedback resonance.
100 16000 Hz
Reso Bell Freq Center frequency for feedback resonance.
100 16000 Hz
Reso Bell Gain Amount of gain applied to the resonant frequency.
0100%
L/R Ratio
Reduces the delay Time in either the Left or Right stereo field. This is useful for creating offset, panned delays.
50:100 100:100 100:50
Mix
Wet/dry amount of the delay effect.
0100%
Spring Reverb
Click the button next to the effect name to enable or Off, On disable spring reverb.
Pre-Delay
Length of time between dry signal and reverberated signal.
0 250 ms
Time
Length of reverb tail.
1.00 10.00 s
Lo Cut
Center frequency for reverb signal low-cut filter.
20 1000 Hz
Diffusion
Rate of increasing density of reverb reflections. At lower settings, the sound of individual reflections is more present. At higher settings, reflections are more uniform.
0100%
Width
Stereo width of reverb signal. Higher values give wider 0100% stereo separation.
Mix
Wet/dry amount of the reverb effect.
0100%
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Trademarks and Licenses
AIR Music Technology is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. macOS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
airmusictech.com
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