Steppers have seventies music taped
An
Astrosyn International Technology product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 25, 2008
Iconic electromechanical instrument beloved by progressive rock bands is reborn using Astosyn stepper motors.
Stepper motors and drivers from Astrosyn play an integral part in a new version of the classic 1970s keyboard - the Mellotron.
This iconic electromechanical instrument beloved by progressive rock bands generates its sound from strips of prerecorded tapes located under its keys.
The new model M4000 Mellotron developed by Streetly Electronics has 35 separate lengths of magnetic tape carrying recordings of various instruments, which need to be conveyed to the precise position required under the playback heads.
For this, an Astrosyn MY1805 size 34 stepper motor has been used, controlled by a P808 driver.
A sprocket fitted to the stepper motor drives a Reynolds chain which loops around the front and back drums holding opposite ends of the tapes.
A digital interface relays commands from the keyboard to Astrosyn's driver, which ensures the stepper motor transports the selected tape to its precise position.
"Astrosyn's products play a key part in updating this instrument", says Martin Smith, one of the men behind the rebirth of the Mellotron.
"They understood our requirements straight away and their recommended stepper motor and driver are working admirably".
A major challenge was ensuring the resolution was correct.
Each tape is divided along its length into eight stations representing different instruments, and it is essential that the attack of the note that was recorded is lined up precisely on every head.
Acceleration and deceleration also had to be controlled so that the tape lands gently in position.
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