Keyboard
- Much lighter action through reduced friction in tape travel path.
- Non-warping high quality wood keys (manufacturer for Steinway Pianos).
- High precision tape pinch rollers with bronze center gives reliable tape transport.
- Stainless keysprings and padsprings.
- Ebony semi-tone keytops.
- Heavier aluminum keyboard mainframe.
- Keyboard action is easier to adjust and the keyboard is more responsive to the playing technique.
Tape transport
- Reduced friction through extra row of rollers.
- Two 6 mm tape guides (the old ones were 1 mm) gives higher reliability.
- Higher precision tape guide slots gives securer tape travel and improved sound quality.
- Longer playing lightweight tape frame that fits the M400. Increased playing time by ca 20%.
Tape headblock
- High-precision adjusted tone heads according to studio standard azimuth abolishes need for further adjustment. Azimuth adjustment on old machines was very erratic and inconsistent.
- Equidistant head placement gives excellent mix between adjacent tracks when the track selector is adjusted between tracks (Mellotronists call it the A-B and B-C positions).
Drive unit
- Stronger and more stable motor eliminates pitch changes when playing chords (old motor not suited for constant-speed applications).
- Stainless high-precision non-magnetizeable capstan that is wear-resistant. M400s have chromed standard steel capstans that easily get scratched or lose the chrome layer.
- Larger and heavier flywheel gives improved wow characteristics.
- Improved servo motor control gives better pitch sweep characteristics (remember Mike Pinder) and stable pitch (no more fine-tuning between takes or during shows).
- Two-speed switch for sound effects. Both preset speeds are adjustable.
- Increased pitch range and easy to adjust to concert pitch.
- The motor control has heavy duty and precision-selected semiconductors for long service life (our SMS4 motor boards from 1992 are still up and running).
Electronics
- Tube output stage for a great tone that resembles the MkII Mellotron.
- Improved circuit eliminates radio reception, noise and hum (often a problem in old M400s).
- Balanced output jack and high-quality pots that will never scratch.
- Swell pedal jack that does not change the output characteristics.
- Lighter unit due to optimized high-tech components.
- International standard 3-prong power connector (the M400 had a Bulgin 'standard' power cable that was very irritating to lose on tour, unless you were in the UK and in the 70's)
Cabinet
- Stronger but much lighter Baltic Birch Plywood cabinet with thick bottom panel. The old machines were made of very heavy fiberboard, but had a too thin bottom panel.
- Sturdy two-component spray paint.
- Hinged lid with no loose blocks or other parts.
- Slightly taller cabinet for easier playability.
Overall
- Heavier polished mainframe aluminum profiles for improved stability and durability.
- Heavier mainframe aluminum profiles for improved stability.
- Lower overall weight.
- Roadworthy flight case included, excellent for touring.
- Metric standard parts (has anyone heard of BA thread like the M400s had?).
- Choose freely from the Mellotron and Chamberlin library of sounds on any tape frame (the M400 came with a 'standard' set, other selections were at extra charge).
- Almost the original US price from 1973 (it was $3950 back then without case!).
- Improved remastered tape library with better sound quality than ever.
- Full spare part assortment for M400 machines (flywheel, capstan, wooden keyboard).
- High-precision cut tape, fits your old M400.
- Sturdy tape carrying boxes available, delivered with extra frames.
Technical data
Height: 34½" (87,6 cm) Width: 33¾" (85,7 cm) Depth: 22" (56 cm)
Weight: 98 lbs (44 kg)
Power: 115V or 230V, 50/60 Hz
Output: 600 Ohm balanced, independent jack for volume pedal
Signal to noise: - 60 dB
Tape velocity: 7,5 ips
Controls: Volume and Tone
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