Free Mellotron Vst Plugins And Sample Loading A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The Mellotron, an electro-mechanical polyphonic tape replay keyboard from 1963, gained fame after the Beatles used it in "Strawberry Fields Forever." This unique instrument, known for its distinctive vintage sound, has remained sought-after in music production despite being relatively expensive in hardware form. For producers seeking to incorporate this nostalgic texture into their music without the cost, free Mellotron VST plugins provide an accessible solution. This article explores the available free Mellotron VST instruments, methods for loading samples, and compatibility considerations for various digital audio workstations.

Free Mellotron VST Plugin Options

Mel-Lofi by Audiolatry

Mel-Lofi stands out as a free Mellotron plugin emulation designed for digital audio workstations. This virtual instrument, classified as a ROMpler, captures the lo-fi charm and vintage sound of the iconic Mellotron. The plugin is particularly well-suited for producers working in Lo-Fi Hip Hop, Ambient, Chillout, or EDM genres, providing a balance of vintage warmth and modern functionality.

Mel-Lofi offers 23-24 multi-sampled presets distributed across five main instrument categories, including Strings, Brass, Vibes, and Flutes. Each preset retains the raw and vintage feel of the original Mellotron, delivering sounds with subtle imperfections that add character to music. The samples are carefully looped for smooth playability while maintaining that authentic, rough edge.

The plugin is available as a VST3 plugin for Windows and as both VST3 and AU plugins for macOS. However, it is important to note that Mel-Lofi is not compatible with Pro Tools AAX format. Users who find the plugin useful have the option to support the developers with a small donation.

Other Free Mellotron Options

While Mel-Lofi appears to be the most comprehensive free Mellotron emulation available, other options exist for producers willing to explore sample-based solutions. Grace Plugin, mentioned in forum discussions, is a sampler instrument that allows users to load samples across keyboard ranges easily. Unlike traditional Mellotron plugins, Grace does not come with pre-loaded samples, requiring users to provide their own sample files.

Additionally, Native Instruments Komplete Start is mentioned as a free collection that includes organ sounds, though it is not specifically a Mellotron emulation. For those seeking more authentic Mellotron sounds, various paid options exist, including NI Retro Machines MKII, Arturia Mellotron V, Wavesfactory Newmello I, UVI Mello, G-Force M-Tron Pro, and IK SampleTron.

Loading Samples into VST Plugins

Using Grace Plugin

Grace Plugin presents a flexible approach for producers who want to use Mellotron samples. As a sampler instrument, it allows users to load samples or presets directly through the plugin interface. To use Grace with Mellotron samples:

1. Create a dedicated folder for storing Mellotron samples
2. Download and unzip Mellotron sample files into this folder
3. Organize the samples in a way that facilitates easy access
4. Load the samples from the created location within the Grace Plugin interface

This approach requires some familiarity with sampler instruments, but it opens up access to a wide range of free sample content available online. Users can find raw sample packs relatively easily and incorporate them into their productions using Grace.

Loading WAV Files

For producers who prefer working directly with sample files rather than dedicated Mellotron plugins, the SB Mellotron Samples offer a collection of WAV files that can be loaded into any compatible sampler or instrument. These samples include woodwinds, various strings, brass, flute, and choir sounds from different Mellotron versions, with each note individually sampled to recreate the authentic Mellotron sound.

The SB Mellotron Samples package contains ten different instruments, all provided as WAV files in separate folders. To use these samples:

1. Download the sample files from the provided source
2. Extract the files to a location accessible by your DAW
3. Load the WAV files into a sampler instrument that supports individual sample loading
4. Map the samples across the keyboard as needed

This method provides maximum flexibility, allowing producers to use the samples in any compatible plugin or sampler that supports WAV file loading.

Compatibility Considerations

32-bit vs 64-bit Compatibility

One significant challenge for producers seeking free Mellotron plugins is compatibility with modern digital audio workstations. Many free Mellotron plugins are available in 32-bit formats, which cannot be used in 64-bit DAWs like recent versions of Cubase. Since Cubase 9, the software has been 64-bit only, which means older 32-bit plugins will not install and may be blacklisted by the DAW.

For users encountering this issue with a 64-bit plugin that has been incorrectly blacklisted, one potential solution is to attempt to reactivate the plugin within the DAW. This process may involve re-scanning VST folders or manually re-adding the plugin to the DAW's plugin list.

DAW Compatibility

When selecting a free Mellotron plugin, it is essential to consider compatibility with your specific DAW. Mel-Lofi, for example, is available as VST3 for Windows and VST3 & AU for macOS, making it compatible with most modern DAWs. However, it is not compatible with Pro Tools AAX format, which limits its use for Pro Tools users.

Grace Plugin, being a sampler, offers more flexibility in terms of compatibility, as it can load various sample formats. However, it requires additional steps to source and load Mellotron samples, making it less convenient for producers seeking a ready-to-use Mellotron sound.

Free Mellotron Sample Resources

SB Mellotron Samples

SonicBloom offers a collection of free Mellotron samples that were previously part of their Mellotron Live Packs. These samples are available to everyone and include woodwinds, various strings, brass, flute, and choir sounds from different Mellotron versions. Each note has been individually sampled to recreate the unique sound of the Mellotron.

The package contains ten different instruments, all provided as WAV files in separate folders. This format allows for easy loading into any sampler or instrument that supports WAV files. To download these samples, users may need to right-click the download button and select "Open Link..." if the default click behavior does not open an overlay.

Leisureland Mellotron Samples

Another resource mentioned in forum discussions is the collection of Mellotron samples available at Leisureland.us. This resource provides free Mellotron samples that can be loaded into sampler instruments like Grace Plugin. The samples are presented in a format that allows users to incorporate them into their productions, offering another option for producers seeking authentic Mellotron sounds.

Conclusion

For producers seeking to incorporate the distinctive vintage sound of the Mellotron into their productions without significant investment, free VST plugins and sample resources offer viable solutions. Mel-Lofi by Audiolatry stands out as a ready-to-use free Mellotron emulation with 23-24 presets across various instrument categories. For those who prefer more flexibility, Grace Plugin allows users to load custom Mellotron samples, while resources like the SB Mellotron Samples provide WAV files that can be used in any compatible sampler.

Compatibility considerations, particularly regarding 32-bit vs 64-bit formats, should be carefully evaluated based on the user's DAW. Modern 64-bit DAWs like recent Cubase versions cannot run 32-bit plugins, limiting some options. However, with the right selection of plugins and samples, producers can effectively recreate the nostalgic texture of the Mellotron in their music without substantial cost.

Sources

1. Steinberg Forum - Mellotron Plugin Help
2. Audiolatry - Free Mel-Lofi Plugin
3. Bedroom Producers Blog - Audiolatry Mel-Lofi
4. SonicBloom - Free SB Mellotron Samples