M-Tron Pro Library v3.0.0-R2R: How to Create Authentic and Inspiring Sounds with the Mellotron Software for Windows and Mac OS X
M-Tron Pro Library Win OSX v3.0.0-R2R: A Review
If you are a fan of vintage keyboards and classic sounds, you may have heard of the Mellotron, a unique instrument that used magnetic tapes to play back pre-recorded sounds of various instruments, voices, and effects. The Mellotron was used by many famous artists and bands in the 60s and 70s, such as The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin.
M-Tron Pro Library Win OSX v3.0.0-R2R
However, the Mellotron was also a very complex and fragile instrument, prone to mechanical failures, tape degradation, and tuning issues. That's why many modern musicians prefer to use software emulations of the Mellotron, such as the M-Tron Pro by GForce Software.
In this article, we will review the latest version of the M-Tron Pro library for Windows and Mac OS X, v3.0.0-R2R, and see what it has to offer to music producers of all genres and styles. We will also look at the features and benefits of using M-Tron Pro, as well as the pros and cons of this software.
Introduction
What is M-Tron Pro?
M-Tron Pro is a virtual instrument that emulates the sound and behavior of the Mellotron, using high-quality samples of original tapes from various models and sources. M-Tron Pro is compatible with VST, AU, and AAX formats, and can be used as a standalone application or within your favorite DAW.
M-Tron Pro was first released in 2008 as an upgrade to the original M-Tron plugin from 2001. Since then, it has been updated several times with new features, improvements, and bug fixes. The latest version, v3.0.0-R2R, was released in February 2020.
What is new in version 3.0.0?
According to the official website, version 3.0.0 of M-Tron Pro introduces some major changes and additions to the software, such as:
Four new interface sizes: Tiny, Small, Medium, and Large
45 new tape banks not found in the original M-Tron
19 tape banks from the original M-Tron remastered at Abbey Road Studios
Over 40 looped tape banks
Over 700 patches including many created by world-class artists and programmers
New synth parameters such as LFOs, envelopes, filters, etc.
New vintage-style ensemble and delay effects
New tape reverse, half speed, and flywheel brake options
New dynamic keyboard control and aftertouch features
New programmable MIDI CC response via MIDI Learn
New license manager system
Why use M-Tron Pro for your music production?M-Tron Pro is a versatile and powerful tool for creating authentic and inspiring sounds that can enhance your music production. Whether you want to recreate the classic sounds of the 60s and 70s, or explore new sonic possibilities with modern features and effects, M-Tron Pro can help you achieve your musical goals.
M-Tron Pro can be used for various genres and styles, such as rock, pop, ambient, electronic, experimental, soundtrack, and more. You can use M-Tron Pro to add texture, atmosphere, melody, harmony, or rhythm to your tracks, or to create entire compositions with its rich and diverse sounds.
M-Tron Pro is also easy to use and tweak, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that lets you access all the parameters and options you need. You can also customize your MIDI CC response, save and load your own patches, and browse the extensive library of sounds with ease.
M-Tron Pro is a must-have for any music producer who loves vintage keyboards and wants to add some magic and nostalgia to their music.
Features and Benefits
Nearly 200 tape banks with over 700 patches
One of the main attractions of M-Tron Pro is its huge library of sounds, which contains nearly 200 tape banks with over 700 patches. These sounds are sampled from original tapes from various Mellotron models and sources, such as the M400, the MKII, the M300, the Novatron, the Chamberlin, and more.
The tape banks cover a wide range of instruments, voices, and effects, such as strings, brass, woodwinds, keyboards, guitars, basses, choirs, vocals, flutes, organs, percussion, soundscapes, loops, and more. You can find sounds from different genres and eras, such as rock, pop, jazz, classical, folk, world music, etc.
The patches are organized into categories and subcategories for easy browsing and selection. You can also use the search function to find the sounds you want by name or keyword. You can load up to three patches at a time on each of the three layers of M-Tron Pro (A/B/C), and mix them together with individual volume and pan controls.
Four interface sizes and customizable MIDI CC response
M-Tron Pro also offers four interface sizes to suit your preference and screen resolution: Tiny (800 x 600), Small (1024 x 768), Medium (1280 x 960), and Large (1600 x 1200). You can switch between them by clicking on the magnifying glass icon on the top right corner of the interface.
Another feature that makes M-Tron Pro more user-friendly is the MIDI Learn function, which allows you to assign any parameter or option to any MIDI CC number. This way, you can control M-Tron Pro with your MIDI keyboard or controller in real time. You can also save and load your MIDI CC assignments for future use.
Vintage-style effects and filters
M-Tron Pro also comes with some vintage-style effects and filters that can add some color and character to your sounds. You can access them by clicking on the FX button on the top left corner of the interface.
The effects include:
Ensemble: a chorus-like effect that simulates multiple tape heads playing slightly out of tune with each other
Delay: a tape echo-like effect that adds repetitions of the sound with adjustable feedback and sync options
Reverb: a convolution reverb effect that adds realistic ambience to the sound with various impulse responses
Tape: a tape saturation effect that adds warmth and distortion to the sound with adjustable drive and bias options
EQ: a three-band equalizer that lets you adjust the low, mid, and high frequencies of the sound
The filters include:
Low Pass: a filter that cuts off the high frequencies of the sound with adjustable cutoff and resonance options
High Pass: a filter that cuts off the low frequencies of the sound with adjustable cutoff and resonance options
Band Pass: a filter that cuts off both the low and high frequencies of the sound with adjustable center frequency and bandwidth options
Notch: a filter that cuts off a narrow band of frequencies around a center frequency with adjustable bandwidth option
Tape reverse, half speed, and flywheel brake optionsM-Tron Pro also lets you manipulate the tape playback in various ways, such as reversing, slowing down, or stopping the tape. You can access these options by clicking on the Tape button on the top left corner of the interface.
The tape options include:
Reverse: a button that reverses the direction of the tape playback, creating a backwards sound effect
Half Speed: a button that reduces the speed of the tape playback by half, creating a lower and slower sound effect
Brake: a knob that simulates the flywheel brake of the Mellotron, which lets you stop the tape playback gradually or abruptly
Dynamic keyboard control and aftertouch
M-Tron Pro also gives you more expressive control over the sound with dynamic keyboard control and aftertouch features. You can access them by clicking on the Keyboard button on the top left corner of the interface.
The dynamic keyboard control lets you adjust how the sound responds to your keyboard velocity and pitch bend. You can adjust the following parameters:
Velocity Sensitivity: a knob that determines how much the volume of the sound changes according to your keyboard velocity
Pitch Bend Range: a knob that determines how much the pitch of the sound changes according to your keyboard pitch bend
Pitch Bend Mode: a switch that lets you choose between two modes of pitch bend: Normal (the pitch bends up or down according to your pitch bend direction) or Fixed (the pitch bends up or down according to a fixed interval regardless of your pitch bend direction)
The aftertouch feature lets you modulate the sound with your keyboard aftertouch. You can assign aftertouch to one of four destinations:
Volume: aftertouch affects the volume of the sound
Pitch: aftertouch affects the pitch of the sound
Filter: aftertouch affects the filter cutoff frequency of the sound
LFO: aftertouch affects the LFO depth of the sound
Pros and Cons
Pros
Authentic emulation of the legendary Mellotron
M-Tron Pro is one of the most realistic and faithful emulations of the Mellotron available on the market. It uses high-quality samples of original tapes from various Mellotron models and sources, capturing all the nuances, quirks, and charm of this unique instrument. It also simulates the mechanical behavior and limitations of the Mellotron, such as tape hiss, wow and flutter, key click, tape length, etc.
Huge library of sounds from various genres and eras
M-Tron Pro also offers a huge library of sounds that covers a wide range of instruments, voices, and effects from various genres and eras. You can find sounds from classic rock, pop, jazz, classical, folk, world music, and more. You can also explore new sonic possibilities with modern features and effects. M-Tron Pro gives you access to nearly 200 tape banks with over 700 patches, including many created by world-class artists and programmers.
Easy to use and tweak with intuitive interfaceM-Tron Pro is also easy to use and tweak with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that lets you access all the parameters and options you need. You can switch between four interface sizes, customize your MIDI CC response, adjust the effects and filters, manipulate the tape playback, and control the sound with dynamic keyboard control and aftertouch. You can also save and load your own patches, and browse the extensive library of sounds with ease.
Affordable price and lifetime updates
M-Tron Pro is also a very affordable and worthwhile investment for any music producer who loves vintage keyboards. You can get M-Tron Pro for only $129.99, which is a great deal considering the quality and quantity of sounds and features it offers. You can also get lifetime updates for free, which means you can always enjoy the latest improvements and additions to the software.
Cons
Some tape banks may sound noisy or degraded
One of the drawbacks of M-Tron Pro is that some of the tape banks may sound noisy or degraded, due to the nature of the original tapes. Some users may find this annoying or undesirable, especially if they want a clean and pristine sound. However, this can also be seen as part of the charm and authenticity of the Mellotron emulation, and some users may actually prefer this sound. You can also reduce or eliminate the noise by adjusting the Tape parameter or using a noise gate effect.
Some patches may be too niche or obscure for some users
Another drawback of M-Tron Pro is that some of the patches may be too niche or obscure for some users, especially if they are not familiar with the history and context of the Mellotron. Some patches may sound strange or out of place in certain genres or styles, or may not fit the mood or theme of your music. However, this can also be seen as an opportunity to explore new sounds and experiment with different combinations and effects. You can also create your own patches by mixing different tape banks and tweaking the parameters.
Requires a lot of disk space and RAM to run smoothly
A final drawback of M-Tron Pro is that it requires a lot of disk space and RAM to run smoothly, due to the high-quality samples and features it uses. According to the official website, you need at least 8 GB of disk space and 4 GB of RAM to install and use M-Tron Pro. You may also need a fast processor and a good audio interface to avoid latency and glitches. If you have a low-end computer or a limited storage capacity, you may have some issues with running M-Tron Pro.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
M-Tron Pro is a virtual instrument that emulates the sound and behavior of the Mellotron, a unique instrument that used magnetic tapes to play back pre-recorded sounds of various instruments, voices, and effects. M-Tron Pro uses high-quality samples of original tapes from various Mellotron models and sources, capturing all the nuances, quirks, and charm of this instrument.
M-Tron Pro offers a huge library of sounds that covers a wide range of instruments, voices, and effects from various genres and eras. You can also explore new sonic possibilities with modern features and effects, such as LFOs, envelopes, filters, ensemble, delay, reverb, tape saturation, EQ, tape reverse, half speed, flywheel brake, dynamic keyboard control, and aftertouch.
M-Tron Pro is easy to use and tweak with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that lets you access all the parameters and options you need. You can switch between four interface sizes, customize your MIDI CC response, save and load your own patches, and browse the extensive library of sounds with ease.
M-Tron Pro is also affordable and worthwhile investment for any music producer who loves vintage keyboards. You can get M-Tron Pro for only $129.99, which is a great deal considering the quality and quantity of sounds and features it offers. You can also get lifetime updates for free, which means you can always enjoy the latest improvements and additions to the software.
Recommendation and ratingIn conclusion, M-Tron Pro is a fantastic virtual instrument that emulates the legendary Mellotron with great accuracy and authenticity. It offers a huge library of sounds from various genres and eras, as well as modern features and effects that can enhance your music production. It is also easy to use and tweak, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface that lets you customize your sound and MIDI CC response. It is also affordable and comes with lifetime updates, making it a great value for money.
If you are looking for a versatile and powerful tool that can add some vintage magic and nostalgia to your music, M-Tron Pro is the perfect choice for you. You can get M-Tron Pro from the official website or from other online retailers. You can also download a free demo version to try it out before you buy it.
We give M-Tron Pro a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on its sound quality, features, ease of use, price, and updates. We highly recommend M-Tron Pro to any music producer who loves vintage keyboards and wants to create authentic and inspiring sounds.
FAQs
What are the system requirements for M-Tron Pro?
According to the official website, the minimum system requirements for M-Tron Pro are:
Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only)
Mac OS X 10.9 or higher (64-bit only)
Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor
4 GB of RAM
8 GB of disk space
An audio interface that supports ASIO (Windows) or Core Audio (Mac OS X)
A MIDI keyboard or controller
An internet connection for activation and updates
How do I install and activate M-Tron Pro?To install and activate M-Tron Pro, you need to follow these steps:
Download the installer file from the official website or from the link provided by your online retailer
Run the installer file and follow the instructions on the screen
Choose the destination folder and the plugin formats you want to install
Launch M-Tron Pro as a standalone application or within your DAW
Create an account or log in to your existing account on the GForce Software website
Enter your serial number and click on Activate
Wait for the activation process to complete and enjoy M-Tron Pro
How do I update M-Tron Pro?
To update M-Tron Pro, you need to follow these steps:
Launch M-Tron Pro as a standalone application or within your DAW
Click on the Settings button on the top right corner of the interface
Click on the Check for Updates button on the bottom left corner of the Settings window
If there is a new update available, click on the Download button and wait for the download to complete
Run the update installer file and follow the instructions on the screen
Restart M-Tron Pro and enjoy the new features and improvements
How do I get support for M-Tron Pro?If you need any support for M-Tron Pro, you can contact the GForce Software team by using one of the following methods:
Email: support@gforcesoftware.com
Phone: +44 (0) 845 833 0279
Online form: https://www.gforcesoftware.com/support
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GForceSoftwareLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GForceSoftware
You can also check the FAQ section on the official website, where you can find answers to common questions and issues related to M-Tron Pro.
How do I get more sounds for M-Tron Pro?
If you want to expand your sound library for M-Tron Pro, you can purchase additional tape banks and patches from the GForce Software website or from other online retailers. Some of the available expansions are:
The Streetly Tapes Vol. 1: a collection of 24 tape banks and over 100 patches from the original masters of the Mellotron, Streetly Electronics
The Streetly Tapes Vol. 2: another collection of 24 tape banks and over 100 patches from Streetly Electronics, featuring rare and unreleased sounds
The Streetly Tapes Vol. 3: the final collection of 24 tape banks and over 100 patches from Streetly Electronics, featuring more rare and unreleased sounds
The Optigan Vol. 1: a collection of 25 tape banks and over 150 patches from the Optigan, a home organ that used optical discs to play back sounds of various instruments and rhythms
The Orchestron Vol. 1: a collection of 12 tape banks and over 50 patches from the Orchestron, a professional version of the Optigan that used higher-quality optical discs and sounds
The Chamberlin Vol. 1: a collection of 25 tape banks and over 100 patches from the Chamberlin, a precursor to the Mellotron that used paper tapes to play back sounds of various instruments and voices
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