Tone Profile

Ethereal and melancholic, these iconic pads provide a swirling, slightly unstable string-like texture, crucial for the song's otherworldly atmosphere. The sound is characterized by its slow attack and the distinctive warble of the Mellotron.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Recorded in June-July 1969 at Trident Studios, London.
• Produced by Gus Dudgeon and engineered by Ken Scott.
• The iconic Mellotron parts were performed by Rick Wakeman.
• The Mellotron used was a MkII model, loaded with the '3 Violins' tape set.
• The instrument was recorded direct into the studio's Helios mixing console.
• The distinct wobbly and slightly melancholic sound is characteristic of the Mellotron's tape-replay mechanism.

Recreation Tips

• Use a high-quality Mellotron emulation (e.g., GForce M-Tron Pro, Arturia Mellotron V) or samples, specifically the '3 Violins' or 'String Section' sound.
• Recreate slow attack and release characteristics, possibly using a volume pedal or MIDI CC automation for expressive swells.
• Apply a lush plate or hall reverb (e.g., Valhalla VintageVerb, UAD EMT 140) to create a spacious, otherworldly feel.
• Subtle pitch modulation (LFO) or dedicated wow/flutter plugins can enhance the vintage tape character.
• Avoid over-processing; the slightly imperfect, organic sound of the Mellotron is key.
• Consider layering two slightly detuned Mellotron tracks panned apart for a wider, richer texture.

Recommended Gear

• Mellotron M4000D(Keyboard)
• GForce M-Tron Pro(Plugin)
• Arturia Mellotron V(Plugin)
• Valhalla VintageVerb(Plugin)
• Universal Audio EMT 140 Plate Reverb(Plugin)
• Ernie Ball VP Jr. Volume Pedal(Pedal)