MEL9 - Guitar effect pedal Electro Harmonix - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Mellotron Emulator Effects Pedal
Dimensions	4.5 x 2.75 x 2 inches
Weight	0.5 lbs (227 g)
Power Supply	9V DC, center negative, 100 mA (adapter included, no battery)
Sound Modes	9 tape-based sounds: 3 Cellos, 3 Violins, 3 Choirs, plus 3 additional via switch
Controls	Volume, Blend, Tone, Mode Selector (Choir/Orchestra), Effect On/Off switch (latching or momentary)
Input/Output	1/4" mono input, 1/4" mono output, internal 9V battery snap (not included) or 2.1mm DC jack
Current Draw	100 mA typical
Construction	Die-cast zinc alloy chassis, rugged construction
Bypass	True bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
Indicator	LED on when effect active
Compatibility	Works with guitar, bass, keyboards, and other line-level instruments
Cleaning	Wipe with dry cloth; avoid liquids and solvents
Safety	Use only specified power adapter; do not expose to moisture
Warranty	One year limited warranty (US), check local distributor
Country of Origin	USA (designed and assembled in New York City)

Frequently Asked Questions - MEL9 Electro Harmonix

What power supply does the MEL9 require?

The MEL9 requires a 9V DC adapter with center negative polarity and at least 100 mA current. A standard Boss-style adapter (2.1mm plug) is recommended. It does not run on a 9V battery due to its high current draw.

How do I connect the MEL9?

Connect your instrument to the Input jack and your amplifier or next pedal to the Output jack. Use standard 1/4" instrument cables. Plug in the power supply last.

How do I select different sounds on the MEL9?

Use the Mode knob to select one of three main banks: Cello, Violin, or Choir. The smaller toggle switch chooses the sub-variation (Mellow, Medium, or Bright). Nine distinct sounds are available.

Is the MEL9 true bypass?

Yes, the MEL9 uses true bypass via a mechanical relay, ensuring your dry signal remains uncolored when the effect is off.

Can I use the MEL9 with a battery?

The MEL9 is designed for AC adapter use only. A 9V battery compartment exists but is not recommended; the pedal draws too much current for practical battery life. Use a 9V DC adapter.

What is the Blend control for?

The Blend knob mixes the dry (direct) and effect (Mellotron) signals. Turn clockwise for more effect, counterclockwise for less. Fully clockwise is 100% wet (effect only).

Can the MEL9 be used with a keyboard?

Yes, the MEL9 works with keyboard, guitar, bass, or any line-level instrument. For hot signals, reduce the volume on your instrument to avoid distortion.

How do I clean the MEL9?

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the chassis. Do not use any liquids, cleaners, or abrasives. Keep the jacks and power connector free of dust.

What should I do if the LED doesn't light up?

First, check that the power adapter is plugged in and working. Ensure the adapter meets the voltage and polarity requirements. If still off, the unit may need service; contact Electro-Harmonix support.

Does the MEL9 come with a warranty?

Yes, the MEL9 is covered by a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. Keep your receipt. For details, visit the Electro-Harmonix website.

USER MANUAL MEL9 Electro Harmonix

Congratulations on purchasing the Electro-Harmonix MEL9 Tape Replay Machine. Now any electric guitar player can have access to nine magically quirky, dark and unique Mellotron® sounds. No more extra devices such as special and cumbersome 13-pin MIDI pickups! In addition to electric guitar, you can trigger the MEL9 with any instrument that produces an electrical output, such as a keyboard or a bass, down to 55 Hz or A1.

The polyphonic MEL9 has superior tracking; you can create single notes or chords with ease. The MEL9 will follow guitar bends, dive bombs, slurs, and any other guitar expression/performance techniques you can throw at it!

WARNING: Your MEL9 comes equipped with an Electro-Harmonix 9.6DC-200BI power supply (same as used by Boss® & Ibanez®: 9.6 Volts DC 200mA). The MEL9 requires 100mA at 9VDC with a center negative plug. Using the wrong adapter or a plug with the wrong polarity may damage your MEL9 and void the warranty.

GETTING STARTED

Connect the supplied power adapter to the 9V power jack. Plug your instrument into the INPUT jack; connect your amp to the EFFECT OUTPUT jack. Set the DRY knob to minimum (fully counterclockwise) and set the other top row knobs to 12 o'clock. Select a preset ("ORCHESTRA" is a good starting point) and step on the footswitch to turn on the LED. Play your instrument and adjust controls to your liking.

Mellotron is a registered trademark of David Kean, M. Resch AB and Markus Resch.

CONTROLS

DRY VOL KNOB

The DRY VOL knob controls the volume of the untreated instrument level on the EFFECT OUTPUT jack.

EFFECT VOL KNOB

The EFFECT VOL knob controls the overall volume of the selected preset at the EFFECT OUTPUT jack.

ATTACK KNOB

Use the ATTACK knob to set the volume swell speed, or the speed at which the effect begins to be heard. Turn the ATTACK knob down (fully counterclockwise) for a fast attack with minimum swell. Turn the knob up to increase the amount of swell and to have the notes fade in more gradually.

NOTE: When using the BRASS preset, the ATTACK knob adjusts the speed of a filter sweep. This adjustment controls how quickly the BRASS sound gets bright.

SUSTAIN KNOB

The SUSTAIN knob controls the amount of time a sound continues to play after you stop playing. When the SUSTAIN knob is turned down (fully counterclockwise), the fadeout time is at its minimum setting. Turn the knob up to increase the fadeout time.

NOTE: When using the BRASS preset, the SUSTAIN knob adjusts the amount of "lip buzz"—characteristic of brass instruments such as trumpet—heard at the onset of new notes. "Lip buzz" is a subtle addition to the BRASS preset, and at times you may have difficulty hearing the impact on the sound produced by adjusting the SUSTAIN knob.

PRESET KNOB

Turn the white numbered knob to select a preset sound.

DRY OUTPUT JACK

The DRY OUTPUT jack outputs the signal present at the INPUT jack through a buffer circuit. In either EFFECT or BYPASS mode, the dry signal is always present at the DRY OUTPUT jack.

EFFECT OUTPUT JACK

The EFFECT OUTPUT jack sends the mix set by the DRY and EFFECT volume controls.

BYPASS FOOTSWITCH

Press the BYPASS footswitch to toggle the MEL9 OUTPUT jack between buffered BYPASS and EFFECT mode. The status LED lights when you are in EFFECT mode.

PRESET DESCRIPTIONS

1. ORCHESTRA – This sound represents a full orchestra—including an octave below the normal guitar—and produces a gigantic, full sound.

2. CELLO - This sound of a solo cello includes the cello's natural vibrato.

3. STRINGS – Presenting the sound of a small four-piece string section, including natural vibrato.

4. FLUTES – This preset presents the classic solo flute sound heard on many recordings.

5. CLARINET – This sound of a solo clarinet sounds great both as a solo (played monophonically) instrument and when playing chords.

6. SAXOPHONE – This funky vintage British solo saxophone sound is perfect for playing Beatles-like rock lines. It blends great with an overdriven guitar.

7. BRASS – This preset is a trumpet-like sound, and when playing chords it produces a great brass section sound. As noted earlier, the ATTACK and SUSTAIN knobs work differently for this preset than for other presets. The ATTACK knob controls a filter sweep for brass synthesizer sounds and the SUSTAIN knob adds the "lip buzz" characteristic of trumpet/brass sounds.

8. LOW CHOIR – This sound is a full low-voiced choir made up of many voices.

9. HIGH CHOIR – This sound is a higher-voiced choir made up of many voices.

NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS

- Buffered bypass

- Input impedance: 1MΩ

• Output impedance (for both output jacks): 500Ω

- Current draw: 100mA

TIPS ON GETTING OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE FROM THE MEL9

1. The MEL9 is generally best used as the first pedal in an effects chain. Place modulation, delay, and reverb effects after the MEL9. The unit will not perform well if placed in the effects loop of a guitar amp.
2. If a guitar's pickup has a weak output, performance can be improved by putting a clean boost or a compressor in front of the MEL9. Avoid placing a distortion or overdrive in front of the MEL9. Placing distortion or overdrive in front of the MEL9 will muddy up the input signal and cause the tracking to be unstable. If you want to add overdrive or distortion, place it after the MEL9.
3. The MEL9 tracking response is limited depending on the preset chosen, and the type of electronic instrument you use to trigger the effect. On guitar, the usable range for these sounds goes up to about the 23rd fret on the high-E for some presets, and to only the 16th fret for others. On bass guitar, the MEL9 tracks only about as low as the open A-string.
4. The MEL9 imitates Mellotron ^ sounds, so the MEL9 will only sound as real for any of the nine instruments as the Mellotron ^ does. For example, the FLUTE preset is the same as the Mellotron's flute which is a recording of a real flute.
5. Pay attention to performance gestures (vibrato, trills, slides, and so on) and the settings for ATTACK and SUSTAIN. If you want to mimic a Mellotron ^® , play pianistically with as little guitar inflection as possible. If you want to simulate an actual sound such as a cello, adapt your performance gestures to help mimic the actual sound. Otherwise, let your creativity guide your approach to playing the MEL9. And that means you should feel free to go wild by combining atypical performance techniques with traditional sounds. So what if an actual clarinet does not let you bend a note up a whole tone or more? Now you can go for it!

- WARRANTY INFORMATION -

Please register online at http://www.ehx.com/product-registration or complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 10 days of purchase. Electro-Harmonix will repair or replace, at its discretion, a product that fails to operate due to defects in materials or workmanship for a period of one year from date of purchase. This applies only to original purchasers who have bought their product from an authorized Electro-Harmonix retailer. Repaired or replaced units will then be warranted for the unexpired portion of the original warranty term.

If you should need to return your unit for service within the warranty period, please contact the appropriate office listed below. Customers outside the regions listed below, please contact EHX Customer Service for information on warranty repairs at [e-mail] or [phone]. USA and Canadian customers: please obtain a Return Authorization Number (RA#) from EHX Customer Service before returning your product. Include—with your returned unit—a written description of the problem as well as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, RA#, and a copy of your receipt clearly showing the purchase date.

United States & Canada

EHX CUSTOMER SERVICE

ELECTRO-HARMONIX

c/o NEW SENSOR CORP.

55-01 2ND STREET

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Europe

JOHN WILLIAMS

ELECTRO-HARMONIX UK

13 CWMDONKIN TERRACE

SWANSEA SA2 0RQ

UNITED KINGDOM

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

To hear demos on all EHX pedals visit us on the web at www.ehx.com Email us at [e-mail]

FCC COMPLIANCE

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment under FCC rules.