# Mellotron XL — Sounds from the original tapes

> Digital emulation of the original Mellotron and Chamberlin tape keyboard instrument. (iPhone/iPad app by Markus Resch.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mellotron-xl/id716634619 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Markus Resch](https://appshunter.io/developer/648885272)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $7.99
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 64 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.3 · 182 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-11-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mellotron-xl/id716634619/reviews.md

## What is Mellotron XL?

Description

This is the official and the only Mellotron app with sounds from the original library. It contains 18 sounds from both the Mellotron and Chamberlin library, emulations of the characteristics of different Mellotron and Chamberlin models plus a reverb.

This instrument supports Core Midi, Audiobus output (Audiobus 2 & 3) and midi input (Audiobus 3 only).

The Mellotron is a keyboard instrument that uses magnetic tape to play back recordings where each key has one tape. When you press a key, the tape starts and the corresponding pre-recorded note or sound is played back. When you release the key the tape is quickly rewound back to the start point.

Invented in 1950 by the American, Harry Chamberlin, it became popular among recording musicians when it was manufactured in the UK as the "Mellotron" (a hyphenation of "melody-electronics").

Before the introduction of digital samplers, this was the only way for keyboardists to play real instrument sounds like strings, flutes, rhythm ensembles and sound effects from a keyboard instrument.

Few people know about Mellotrons and Chamberlins, but almost everybody has heard the sounds they produce. Among the most well-known tracks are BeatIes "Strawberry Fields Forewer" (flute), Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin" (3 violins), Oasis "Wonderwall" (cello), Radiohead "Exit Music for a Film" (choir), Lana del Rey "Ride" (Chamberlin flute).

We at Mellotron.com have collected, conserved and improved Mellotrons since 1989, and have been making tape Mellotrons since 1999 (the MkVI and MkVII). Please check out our website www.mellotron.com for a more complete history, real hardware instruments, our new digital M4000D Mellotron and M4000D Mini, tapes from the original masters, parts, service and lots of more info.

## Key features

- 18 original Mellotron & Chamberlin sounds
- Model characteristic emulations
- Built-in reverb effect
- Core Midi support
- Audiobus output & input support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 64)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mellotron-xl/id716634619/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Hard to Access

*2025-04-13, version 2.0.3*

Could you make the next update more accessible to screen readers like VoiceOver?

### 2/5 — Flawed

*2024-07-10, version 2.0.3*

I would love to buy a ‘hardware’ Mellotron, but despite their seemingly quite modest specs and abilities, the digital versions are *way* out of my league, price-wise. Thought I’d try this just to access some classic sounds, in any case, and attempt some simple monophonic lines for a couple of songs.

Some lovely sounds are included, anyway - but getting them cleanly off my iPhone (no headphone jack…) meant buying a Bluetooth speaker with an ‘Aux’ out (fiddly, expensive). The Mellotron app, however, proved almost impossible to play on a phone, however… unless you were content with single-note drones. You *can* ‘concertina’ the graphic keyboard to around an octave-and-a-half (but why no documentation describing this feature..? It took me weeks to work it out…), though it’s still hell to ‘play’. Trying to access the sounds via Midi (using Audiobus and Sidecar) did work - eventually - but introduced a loud ‘click’ on the attack to each note rendering the sounds unusable (there was already a marked ‘lag’, even using the screen interface to trigger sounds…).

In all, I spent many hours (and over £100, in ‘support’ apps and additional bits of hardware) just trying to record a ‘real’ Mellotron tune on to a song… before giving up and just recording an actual flute part instead. So much for convenience.

So… the sounds are in there, but you’ll never find any serious application for them, sadly… and unless you’re thoroughly minted, you’ll never be able to be able to afford the (presumably far superior..?) hardware equivalent. Such a shame, and such a wasted opportunity. I love Mellotrons… but this could easily make me go off them…

### 4/5 — Beautiful sounds, currently weird MIDI behavior

*2023-04-06, version 2.0.3*

I love the sounds this app has to offer. I’ve tried controlling it with MIDI for the first time, though, and every note has an unpleasant click when I press and release a key. I’m not sure what’s causing this. MIDI is coming from an Elektron Digitakt, and the only workaround I’m finding is lowering the trigger velocity almost to zero. This is not ideal as the notes play back very quietly, and the clicks still occasionally appear.

### 4/5 — Need to control volume via MIDI CC!

*2022-10-22, version 2.0.3*

Love this app and integrated with my midi keyboard but I want to map the volume knob to an expression pedal. It’s of that pitch knob is mapped to the right place automatically but not volume. It’s neither mapped to midi cc 7 or cc11. It seems the volume isn’t mapped and can’t be mapped to any midi cc. Adding this feature would allow me to use this…

### 2/5 — Midi isn’t working.

*2022-07-04, version 2.0.3*

Midi isn’t working, shows up in Audiobus and AUM but doesn’t trigger. The update history says midi support was added. I feel misled. Sounds are beautiful though, shame it appears the only way I can use them is to manually sample them. Can’t even use software to due that without midi working.

### 5/5 — I don’t normally write reviews (mellotron micro owner)

*2022-07-02, version 2.0.3*

For a while was using a knock off version of “mellotron sounds” that is pretty decent in my honest opinion,
while on the go.
holy crap tho the triple layering between the 3mellotron models past expectation

And for the price comparable to an actual mellotron 
You can’t go wrong 🤌🏻

### 3/5 — Love everything except doesn’t work in AUM

*2022-04-24, version 2.0.3*

I love everything about app other than I can’t get it to work in AUM, which is HUGELY disappointing. If it was AUV3 compatible, I’d give it 5 stars.

### 4/5 — How do I map knobs?

*2022-02-21, version 2.0.3*

4/5
Fiddling without a pitchbend knob twitching? Something to be added I gather.

### 4/5 — Almost Perfect

*2022-02-09, version 2.0.3*

I love this app and the sounds it emulates. I mostly use it with midi, but sometimes I use the on screen keys. The one small issue this app has is the slight delay in sound after a key press. My review will become 5 stars once they fix the latency issue. It’s mostly noticeable when you try to play a faster progression. Thanks!

### 1/5 — Rip off

*2021-10-26, version 2.0.3*

No way to buy more samples just an ad for the company for the digital versions maybe 2 samples here I would use I feel ripped off would like a refund but probably too much hassle to get one

## Frequently asked questions about Mellotron XL

### What is Mellotron XL?

Mellotron XL is a mobile application that digitally recreates the sounds of the original Mellotron and Chamberlin tape keyboard instruments. It provides 18 authentic sounds derived from the original tapes, along with emulations of different instrument models and a built-in reverb effect.

### What kind of sounds does Mellotron XL offer?

The app features 18 distinct sounds taken directly from the original Mellotron and Chamberlin libraries. These include iconic instrument sounds like strings, flutes, and rhythm ensembles, famously used in classic songs by artists like The Beatles, The Moody Blues, and Radiohead.

### Is Mellotron XL compatible with other music apps?

Yes, Mellotron XL supports Core Midi, allowing for MIDI input and output. It also integrates with Audiobus, supporting Audiobus 2 & 3 for output and Audiobus 3 for MIDI input, enabling seamless use within a mobile music production workflow.

### What is the history of the Mellotron?

Invented by Harry Chamberlin in the 1950s and later popularized as the Mellotron in the UK, it was a revolutionary keyboard instrument. It used magnetic tape loops for each key to play back pre-recorded instrument sounds, offering keyboardists a way to access realistic instrument sounds before the advent of digital samplers.

### How much does Mellotron XL cost?

Mellotron XL is a paid application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided description, indicating a one-time purchase for full access to its features and sounds.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.3 — 2020-01-03

Will still play audio when device is in silent mode
Minor graphic bug fixes

(2.0)
Fix for crashing app
New improved graphics
Amount of characteristics
Reverb unit
Core midi support)
Double tap knobs to reset

### 2.0 — 2019-11-18

Fix for crashing app
New improved graphics
Amount of characteristics
Reverb unit
Core midi support
Double tap knobs to reset

### 1.14.0 — 2019-01-12

Update with fix for glitchy audio issue that some users have experienced.

### 1.1.3 — 2017-11-27

This version fixes an issue with low velocity input via midi keyboard.

### 1.1.2 — 2017-09-26

This version fixes an issue with low velocity input via midi keyboard.

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## More apps by Markus Resch

- [Mellotron](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mellotron/id648885269)
- [Mellotron Updater](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mellotron-updater/id1507995104)
- [Chamberlin](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chamberlin/id1534293584)

All apps by Markus Resch: https://appshunter.io/developer/648885272

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*