Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine Pedal

So I wasnt really sure about this pedal when I first bought it I wanted something to add to my backing tracks as I play piano (the onboard string effects sound really fake and I wanted something more subtle) and guitar, all i can say is that it sounds a bit odd at first and you have to play around with the settings but if you like classical music and want to add a nice backing track to your guitar or piano when you play its a great pedal. Its very accurate and responsive. I am not a fine of the chorus and sax but clarinet, cello, and strings sound really good if you put your instrument (dry) a little over the middle point and your effects (wet) signal below the halfway point. It sounds really good on piano as well... there is no pedal out there that can simulate these effects for guitar so im a fan.So if this your kind of thing i would say you should try it. Ive only been playing around with this for 2 days so let's see if it actually lives up to the expectations. Its expensive though but the quality speaks for itself.

There are reviews all over the internet and by now I'm sure you've seen them. I've been very happy with this pedal and what it adds to my rig. I play in a worship band almost every Sunday. We often find a a need for extras sounds and musicians. This pedal allows me to create some new sounds and emulate some traditional Mellotron sounds. The tracking is perfect and the a few of the tones are excellent. The cello, string, flute, and choir sounds are very usable. The various horns and woodwinds are pretty forgettable but that isn't to say they won't be usable for some musicians.I did have a few minor issues:1) The volume level when played is determined by your initial attack. If you're unable to play evenly don't be surprised if the effect is unusable for you. I partially remedied this by using a volume pedal on the output to control the level.2) When the effect isn't on and your guitar rig is connected to the "dry" output, the "wet" output still sends the dry signal. In my application I have the wet output sent to a standalone delay pedal and DI box, straight into the PA system. An internal "dry kill" switch to remove the dry guitar signal from the wet output (while disengaged) would be a wonderful way to add value to the pedal. I called EHX to ask if there was a mod to do so but they sad that no such mod exists.3) The vibrato sound is ever present and unable to be switched off. I know this is part of the Mellotron "mojo" but it'd be nice to have more control.I know this has been mentioned on the various guitar forums but I'll mention it. This pedal sounds great but with only about half the sounds being really usable I'd much prefer an EHX simulator pedal such as the MEL9, B9, C9, or KEY9 with the ability to load up sounds via usb connection. I'd gladly pay twice as much if the pedal were well supported like the TC Electronic toneprint series.I highly recommend connecting this pedal directly to a console/PA and using a volume pedal as I have. One can use the dry output into their guitar rig and use a tuner to mute the guitar signal, leaving only the wet signal at the wet output. The MEL9 should be left "on" and a volume or mute pedal can control the output for live use. I've found that the wet tone direct into a guitar amp isn't as pleasing.In spite of my concerns I recommend this pedal as an addition to your pedalboard! It's been a lot of fun and gives a player lots of added tonal options.

I've been playing guitar for 40 years (actually, currently unable to due to spinal injury, but. ..)I own this pedal. My first stomp box was a 1970s EHX Small Stone. Powerhouse tank of a pedal. In the 1980s and 1990s my pedal board included a Ratt and an EHX Memory Man.I have a lot of EHX gear. PLEASE NOTE:People are complaining that with the Mel9 you cannot change your pick attack (on the keyboard this would be called velocity).You HAVE to use a Compressor BEFORE the Mel9! Any time you're using a pedal that involves tracking, especially one as involved as a Mellotron 17-18 second loop sound, you HAVE to use a compressor at the beginning of your pedal chain. Unless, of course, you are going for the unique sounds created with a straight up Mel9.The little box is absolutely amazing!It's polyphonic capabilities are mind blowing--especially from someone who grew during the time period when my Ibanez Tube Screamer, a chorus, compressor, and delay were the hottest pedals around. Plus, of course, the EHX phaser; That was $30 used in 1980!And anyone complaining about the price-- yes, the prices of EHX pedals has gone up. I paid under $100 for my Memory Man Deluxe 25 years ago.However, the pedals ALL contain new advances-- come on. .. the Mel9 perfectly tracks chords (when you use a compressor before the Mel9)! That's brilliant.Plus, all music gear is more expensive.I bought my Les Paul in 1985 for $600.Brand new with case.You can still get the Small Stone and Small Clone for decent prices.For the past 38 years I've witnessed the incredible strides and breakthroughs Electro-Harmonix has made in the stump box field.I think we're pretty darn lucky to have all these new inventions at our disposal.Don't forget the compressor before the Mel9 and you'll never worry about tracking with this pedal.I can't wait to play again.If you can play now--play some great music for me! Have fun!

So many sounds...user friendly, simple set-up!

First off, I love this pedal. It sounds great and can really be used in some cool ways. The reason I'm giving it 3 stars is the buffer. Basically the pedal sounds great when turned on but when you click it off your guitar tone will be thin, brittle and just generally lose a lot of life. I'm not a true bypass snob, I have several buffers on my board but this one is just not up to par. I use an effects switcher so that I can remove the mel9 from my signal path when not in use to workaround the buffer but if you don't have an effects switcher you'll probably find this pedal being one that you want to love but end up taking off of your board because you can't afford the tone loss.