The little-known instrument heard on many famous songs

The Mellotron is a little-known and often misunderstood musical instrument that is getting some love courtesy of a new documentary called "Mellodrama."

WNYC's excellent "Soundcheck" program provided a nice overview of the Mellotron and its enormous impact on music over the past 50 years. The Mellotron, which was sold in the States as the Chamberlin, was the first electronic sampler, using a variety of keys to trigger prerecorded sounds on strips of tape. Crude technology, yes, but it was good enough to serve as the foundation for tons of classic songs, including "Strawberry Fields Forever," Nights in White Satin," "2112" and "Kashmir." Today, the Mellotron is relatively ancient technology, but even Kanye West has just discovered its magic.

I've known of Mellotrons for years, after first reading about them on the liner notes to "In the Court of the Crimson King."  But I never really knew what they did or how they worked or that it basically sampled the sounds of other instruments. Or that its use was so widespread, and not just to add quick textures to songs. I've been inspired to go back and listen to lots of old music with a near ear.

So, we have documentaries on the Mellotron and the Theremin (see previous post). What's next? The E-bow, as suggested by a Soundcheck reader? Naw. My vote goes to the Linn drum machine, which for better or worse, dramatically changed drumming with its robotic precision but flat sound.