ISOLATION CHOIR

Expansion Pack for M-Tron Pro

THIS MANUAL IS COPYRIGHT GFORCE SOFTWARE LTD 2020.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION.
ALL TRADEMARKS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED.

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ISOLATION CHOIR EXPANSION PACK FOR M-TRON PRO
The idea for the Isolation Choir came after a Sonic Talk episode where two
moments collided. Firstly, we made mention of our 20th anniversary and how it felt
disingenuous to make a big song and dance about it when the world was in the midst
of the Covid-19 epidemic. The overriding feeling at GForce Software HQ was rather
than pat ourselves on the back, it was a time to try and give something back to those
who’ve supported us over the years. But the question was “What to do?”
Secondly, and on the same Sonic Talk podcast, Jamie Lidell made mention that he’d
done a sample pack called ‘isolation loops’ and as part of this pack he’d recorded
himself pitching a series of chromatic notes so that people could use them in a ‘tron’
type way.
The idea came to us immediately. Why not create a set of choirs for M-Tron Pro and
give them to our customers as a way of saying, “Thank you for your support over the
last 20 years, here’s something from the heart in these challenging times.”
Also, because Covid-19 affects the lungs, the notion of people singing out in unity
and defiance seemed incredibly poignant.
The vast majority of the inclusions here were contributed by artists & musicians in
self-isolation, and who had the courage to bare their souls in the hope of benefiting
others.
As library curator Dave Spiers says, “Sat self-isolating in my home studio, having had
an initial dialogue with each contributor, as each vocal recording came in I focussed
on chopping and editing the individual notes, tweaking and pitch shifting where
necessary… but also being careful not to iron the character out of their contributions.
It was only after I’d completed a set and put them into M-Tron Pro did the impact of
these lone and self-isolating voices hit me. It was hugely emotional.”
We think the results of such a first rate bunch of friends and artists are genuinely
moving. Plus, in keeping with the Mellotron® being the world’s first sample replay
instrument, many of the recordings were made with whatever was close to hand -
be that a simple phone microphone or a more elaborate studio set-up. Of course
recording the M-Tron Pro’s full 35 note range is not for the fainthearted and
according to Streetly Electronics Martin Smith even Paul McCartney couldn’t manage
it - so some trickery was used where necessary courtesy of Melodyne and Izotope’s
wonderful RX software. Likewise, if a contributor couldn’t stretch the full eight
seconds, it didn’t matter, we’d leave it as is.
Regardless of (or maybe because of) the varied technology used from recording
to completion, we think this is a truly personal and emotive library, and the journey
in making it has been humbling and magical on a human level. We hope this all
translates as a suitably appropriate way of saying, “Thank you for your support, and
we sincerely hope you and your loved ones emerge from this situation unscathed.”
We’ll leave the last words to ace contributor, Angie Pollock, who, on hearing the
Isolation Choir in use, commented, “I can’t quite explain the feeling when I listened to
what we had made, but it was a very magical & emotional moment in a horrendous
cloud - everything stopped for something beautiful, which is what we all need !”
Stay safe - stay courageous - stay creative.
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ISOLATION CHOIR EXPANSION PACK
Alex Ball Ahh
If you’re not familiar with Alex’s YouTube Channel you should be. In short, Alex is a
sickeningly talented musician who, like us, shares a deep love of the history behind the
vintage instruments we revere today. His Electromotive documentary is the definitive
telling of the ARP instrument story.
https://www.facebook.com/AlexBallMusic/
“At the time of recording I was one of the fortunate ones who was just keeping indoors
for the sake of those who needed that. The situation strangely gifted me the time to
finish a huge ARP documentary project I’d been working on for a year and the lovely
chaps at GForce took two whole days out of their schedule to help me with that in the
winter of 2019, so when Dave emailed about this choir it was a pleasure to setup a
mic late one night whilst rendering off a video file for the documentary and fire off 35
notes. I discovered I kind of suck at holding a consistent “ah” for 8 seconds, but that
didn’t matter and neither was it the point. I hope this brings some joy and inspiration to
anyone who uses it.” Alex Ball
Angie Pollock Ooo
Keys player and backing vocalist for Goldfrapp, Peter Gabriel, The Lightning Seeds
and many more. In addition to being a great musician she’s also a superb animation
artist and one of the most fun people to hang out with. It’s also a little known secret
that Angie and Dave Spiers were the last people to leave an Underworld after-show in
December 2019!
“I’m at my Mums and came out of London to hers before lockdown as it was her
birthday on the 28th March and I didn’t want to miss it. Then we were isolated for two
weeks because my niece fell ill - (she’s better now !! ) during that isolation my Mum
was also then told to shield for 12 weeks and if I return to London I can’t see her until
her shielding is over - so I’m staying put, isolating except when I take the dog out.”
http://www.angiepollock.co.uk/
Anna Kumble Ahh
Lolly, the pseudonym of Anna Kumble, burst onto the UK pop scene in the Summer
of 1999 releasing a series of commercially successful albums and singles. Following
on Anna became one of the faces launching CBBC Digital and hosted MTV Select
presenting various shows for both.
“I feel honoured to be asked to be part of this choir. 2020 is a year our generation is
enduring so this is a sweet, simple project to be part of and to commemorate with. If
we can’t be together physically, synthetically will do and be just as beautiful!”
 ChamberTron Female Ahh
An original and timeless Chamberlin solo female taken from our ChamberTron For
M-Tron Pro Expansion Pack, and remastered specifically for this vocal Library.
https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/chambertron
Clangotron Female Ahh
We’ve been sitting on these lovely performances for years. The original idea was for
our friend Putte to produce a ClangoTron library dedicated to esoteric and hard to find
instruments. However, despite good progress the project was never really completed
due to various members of the Clangolin sound design collective (Oliver Frick,
Mirella Kern & Niko Lazarakopoulos) moving on to pastures new. At some point we’ll
release some of the other esoteric recordings created for the ClangoTron project.
ClangoTron Whistler
A male whistle from the unreleased ClangoTron library outlined above.
Dave Spiers Ahh
In a moment of ‘put your money where your mouth is’ GForce Software co-founder
Dave agreed to humiliate himself and record his own voice for your amusement.
Actually, this isn’t his first attempt at singing. He did an album about (not) growing up in
the 70s.
https://davespiers.bandcamp.com/releases
Jamie Lidell Haa
A gentleman who should need no introduction. If he does, go and buy all his records
and then thank us! From his work with Cristian Vogel as Super Collider right up to his
solo work and projects with Simian Mobile Disco, what can we say other than “we’re
huge fans and honoured that he gave us a vocal bank for this project.” Indeed, if it
weren’t for Jamie, this project wouldn’t have happened.
https://jamielidell.bandcamp.com/releases
http://jamielidellmusic.com/
“Brilliant stuff. Love the idea too. Time to give back.” Jamie Lidell
Les Pressure Ahh
Les Pressure is a composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. He made his first
original professional recording at the age of 13 in 1966.
The Moog Music factory was located in Williamsville, a suburb of his Buffalo, NY
hometown when he met Bob Moog in 1973. From that fortuitous meeting going forward,
he represented many influential synth companies thru the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
“My vocal booth is a Catholic Church Confessional that came from the church a few
doors down from our house. Some years back, they wanted to eliminate it, and cut
down to two Confessionals, so I bought it, and have it in my studio. My wife Jane and
I actually confessed in this very confessional, back in 1971 when confessing was a
prerequisite to marriage. Next year will be our 50th wedding anniversary.
Thanks Dave, for inviting me to participate!” Les Pressure
www.soundcloud.com/les-pressure
www.lespressure.com

Maddie Jones Ahh

Duncan Parsons Ahh & Ooo MADI (Maddie Jones) is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from
Cardiff, Wales. And who kindly contributed thanks to one of our favourite people on the
Aside from being the code caretaker for M-Tron Pro and VSM (and engineer of
planet, Gaz Williams. She describes her work as ‘electro art-pop for weirdos’.
something else in development that shall remain nameless for the moment), polymath
Duncan also plays drums for The John Hackett Band and writes records and produces https://linktr.ee/madibanduk
his own albums.
http://www.duncanparsons.roughdraftaudio.com/

“Cup of tea in hand, I Ooo and I Aah.

Matt Berry Ahh
Microphone at the ready, Broken, my tears are the rain. Aside from his iconic appearances in The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, and
Springtime in lockdown. I can sing no more. Toast Of London, Matt is also a first rate musician with a wealth of albums released on
the uber cool Acid Jazz label. Matt provided his vocal take about one hour after the call
I sit at my desk. Sunlight breaks o’er me. to arms went out and was one of the very few who managed a full 35 note range.
Voices emanate from me, The Isolation Choir sings. http://www.themattberry.co.uk/
Quietly rain falls. Angels heal my heart.”

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Melly Mixed Choir
One of the greatest Mellotron choirs consisting of a mix of male and female voices, and
which was specifically remastered for the Isolation Choir. Layering these original tape
banks with the newer vocal recordings can lead to some seriously evocative new choral
textures.
Mike Rose Ahh
Mike was working in McDonalds when Pete Waterman called up to offer him a job after
hearing some of his work. Assuming it was a wind up, Mike put the phone down on him
so Pete called back and told him not to do that again. Since then Mike’s written and
produced more hits than most of us have had hot dinners. His credits include Sting,
Kylie, Boyzone, S Club 7, East 17, Gabrielle, Alison Moyet, Toploader, Roachford, Lolly,
Dead Or Alive, Alexander O Neill, Rosie Gaines, Sugababes and more.
Nate Williams Ahh & Doo
An insanely talented multi-instrumentalist solo artist and regular with Jamiroquai. We’ve
been fans of Nate’s since we heard his solo EP Them + Us. Nate’s contributions came
to us from the wilds of North Wales and he very kindly provided two lovely vocal sets
consisting of Doo’s and Ahhs.
https://natewilliamsmusic.bandcamp.com/
Neil Rough Ahh
Long time friend, ace guitarist and “not three bad” singer, Neil sent us his contribution
from his shed in North Yorkshire within an hour of our call to arms, while his wife, the
lovely Mrs R, was tending her borders.
Special thanks to Gaz Williams, Andy Partridge & Izotope Inc. And everyone who
contributed.
LEGAL NOTICE
All third party product names used in this product are trademarks of their
respective owners and are in no way associated or affiliated with GForce
Software Ltd. These trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to
identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were
studied and or recorded during development of this product.
The data contained within this product is licensed to you for use in your own
musical compositions both for commercial and personal projects. Redistribution
of the data in any other form is strictly forbidden.
Put simply, we went to a great deal of expense and effort to provide M-Tron Pro
users with something very cool and unique and we do not want to see any of this
work miraculously appear in other products or provided in other formats.
At a time when we need to be supporting small, independents, please
understand that most piracy is all about ad-revenue and kick-backs made via
affiliate deals, advertising pop-ups and cyberlocker ‘premium accounts’ etc.
It’s an industry worth millions of dollars where the only people who don’t profit
are the creators. it is also often linked to money laundering and other wholly
unsavoury activities, and we ask that you choose to support those who create
so that they can continue to create, instead of those who seek to profit from the
work of others for nefarious means.
Thank you.

Putte Electronic Ahh

Putte’s inclusion on this library is important to us as he was one of the first people to send
us a CD after we initially released the original M-Tron. His work stood out from everything
else we’d received, and over the years this Stuttgart resident has become a good friend
of ours. He’s a composer for films, produces his band and others and is a local politician
on top. It’s also a little known fact that he was in a 90’s German boy-band.
http://putte.de/

St Peter’s Church Choir Ahh & Ooo

Two banks - one of ‘Ahhs’ and one of “Ooos’ that both appear in our M-Tron Pro library
but which have undergone a modicum of remastering specifically for the Isolation Choir.

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