Mellotron inside

YouTube via btpro. Audio comes it at 1:21.
"Mellotron is an ancient sampler. It records a sound in analog tape without using the computer technology.

Mellotron was used a lot in progressive rock.

One tape recorder supports each keyboard. This tape recorder is only for playback, and the recording is not possible.

There are three trucks in each tape, and each truck can play a sound recorded beforehand. A violin section, a solo flute, a solo cello are recorded in normal tape.

There is one motor in the main body bottom and turns the big pulley which there is in the main body right with a belt. A long capstan sticks to a pulley. This capstan always turns under tape when switched on.

A pressure pad and a rubber pinch roller are installed under the keyboard. When a key is pressed, a pinch roller holds the tape to a capstan, and tape begins to work.

A pressure pad pushes tape to the playback head at the same time, and a recorded sound is played.

The tape is over from a start in 7-8 seconds. Therefore, the sound stops suddenly on the way. A spring sticks to each tape, and the tape is rewound at the top position by about 0.5 seconds when release a key.

When you want to change a sound recorded in tape, you move the position of the head in right and left with a truck selector.

A famous performance :
King Crimson, Yes(Rick Wakeman), Herbie Hancock, Moody Blues"