Do you have a synth that makes you sad?

trackerjack · 2022-08-13T11:58:37.432Z

Sad, no.
Angry? Holy crap.
But always, always at my own lazy/ignorant/chaotic self.
It can be very therapeutic at times.

Also, not constantly giving myself shit for it, or for not turning stuff on for a few days, if I don’t feel it.
Glad I left that phase behind.

I’m in a very lucky position in that it’s all just a fucking great hobby.

However, to OPs question.
I know that, getting a synth and not really digging into it from the get-go. Even barely touching it for weeks. But they’ve all come around for me at some point and I knew they would. (yeah, I’m just convincing myself…)

But I know exactly why I got every single piece (at least in the last 5-10 years), and despite some overlap, never actually resold anything.

I spend a crazy amount of time in my decision process usually, before ever pushing the button, rarely ever any impulse buying (the last one was and I’m on a bit of a diet now).
Still, no actual disappointments.

Looking around my room makes me happy even on days when the pretty lights are off.

yoyz2k · 2022-08-13T12:00:02.261Z

My notation x-station 25 is maybe the only synth i have which make me sad.
It has decent polyphony, but it’s bulky for it’s size. And it’s not so good as a bassline synth, more decent as a poly synth but it require another midi keyboard to fully operate it.

One day 10 years ago my cat decide to use it as cat litter, don’t know how my cat manage that, but the bottom of the keybed was filled and some key refuse to work anymore. After lots of weekend work to clean it up completely. I was able to solve all it’s issue and make the synth fully cleanup. It was the only disaster made by my cat. It took me quite a lots of time to fix.

But it’s still not a synth I’m able to do anything about it.
My first real synth, but I have never done anything with it. Just played the preset. And I don’t fully master it on all it’s possibility.
Sad story for a synth that I bought new around 15 years ago.

Other synth which make me sad was a korg ms2000, I bought one year after they novation, which was second hand. It was half broken but the sound worked but not everything was working. All preset was quite horrible. I discovered that it was not me or preset after multiple attempts and saying to myself, curious it sound so weird.
It finish in a trash after multiple attempts…

the_PMO · 2022-08-13T16:26:38.350Z

I got in on the last preorder batch of the S2400 in the late fall of 2020. It was a self reward for making it through the first part of the pandemic and maintaining the last bit of sanity I have. It didn’t arrive until the following summer. I’ve played with it twice but no bond has yet been made. I’m not averse to the idea that I’ll one day really digging in to it but right now I just don’t have the bandwidth. I suppose that could be considered making me sad.

I haven’t been musically productive for most of the last two years. I’m not particularly inspired as of late. This, to me, is much more sad.

I assume a lot of people here, like a lot of folks everywhere, the last few years have taken a toll on general mental health and wellbeing. I would guess that it’s going to take quite sometime for some sort of healing to happen.

Claid · 2022-08-13T17:25:10.220Z

I get a bit of a stomach-churning reaction to seeing an Octatrack in the flesh. Not because I hate them but because I find them so unappealing to use despite how powerful they are. I have the tug of GAS and the horror of knowing I’d just sell it again.

I have similar reactions to the classic semi-modular Dreadbox synths. They sound great but semi-modular just ain’t for me. I had an Erebus V2 and V3, sold 'em both with a heavy heart.

onthebannedwagon · 2022-08-13T17:34:22.388Z

Yea, I really feel that and can’t figure out if it’s our times or simple my time.

williohm · 2022-08-13T18:02:52.766Z

the_PMO:

the last few years have taken a toll on general mental health and wellbeing.

Mood:

NeonMelk · 2022-08-13T19:00:29.789Z

Jupiter 8 : Because it’s not even conceivable to have one.
Buchla Command : Because a few years back i could buy it, but i wasn’t into synthesis.
My Digitone : Because it’s the love of my life but… actually back in it’s box for a future intervention, “thanks” to a faulty encoder.

Nonetheless

I have the Jupiter 8 Vsti and it’s better than nothing.
I have the Buchla Easel Vsti and it’s better than nothing.
I’m using this hiatus with the DN for a better learning of my Synths plugs, adding what the DN taught me about synthesis.

So it’s all good and i’m not really sad.
But i’m pissed for sure.

license · 2022-08-16T07:25:48.805Z

Cyclone TT-303 and Analog RYTM. Not sad, exactly, just sort of detached; I can’t find my voice in either of them yet. So far it always feels like I’m visiting someone else’s place and the vibe is a bit off.

I hope it’s just a self-fulfilling prophecy that I need to consciously work through in either case. They both have lots of potential, obviously in very different ways.

Suspect_Frequency · 2022-08-16T21:37:59.634Z

I sometimes have sad’s that make me synth.

ramcmdr · 2022-08-17T12:17:25.732Z

Doepfer Dank Energy Mk1 (you read that right). I’d been interested in a Dark Energy for ages but wasn’t keen on the changes to the filter character in the Mk2/3. Saw a used Mk1 seemingly in good condition for a low price and nabbed it. When it arrived it REEKED - every time I powered it on the odour would just get worse and worse. Maybe the previous owner smoked a lot in the studio? I took the thing apart and gave it a thorough clean inside and out, even left it in a tray of baking soda after reading that was supposed to help, but to no avail. My partner at the time suggested leaving it by an open window for a few weeks to air out and finally the aroma cleared. Despite all the hard work, with great sadness, after this experience it just felt somehow tainted and I sold it. Safe travels smelly Dank Energy, this was a few years a go and I hope the flavour didn’t return for the new owner

williohm · 2022-08-17T12:31:57.110Z

ramcmdr:

When it arrived it REEKED

Lol I’ve owned 3 different Korg monologues, which I always end up selling, and I swear that 3rd one smelled like cat pee even though it was new shipped right from the warehouse.

ramcmdr · 2022-08-17T12:38:50.486Z

It’s a mystery right? The Dank Energy didn’t look particularly dirty and when I opened it up there wasn’t much inside. Maybe the wooden panels absorbed something? Wonder why your third monologue was so stinky

Fuseball · 2022-08-17T12:47:55.401Z

Jupiter 6. I bought it from a friend at a great price but never really loved using it that much. It takes up so much space and I was all set on selling it.

That friend died 18 months ago from alcoholism. The synth still has a lot of his patches on it. I still don’t love the synth but I can’t bring myself to move it on. Makes me sad just thinking about it.

williohm · 2022-08-17T13:02:41.440Z

You could make some tracks using the Jupiter 6 patches, release a little album dedicated to the memory of your friend, and this could help you move on, perhaps.

GS · 2022-08-17T13:03:14.497Z

Most synths makes me sad because they rarely find a place through the final mix and I end up selling them all. I had Junos, 101’s Odyssey, Micromoog… and I sold them all. Right now I only have a MicroFreak and I’m not sure I will keep it.
I sometimes miss my SEM but I can’t be sure if I would really use it in my music. Though I think it could blend nicely with concrete sounds.

m0ld · 2022-08-17T13:13:46.854Z

Right now, all of them. Carpal tunnel flare up has been going on for weeks and I haven’t been able to do any music. Saw a physical therapist yesterday but it might be a while before I can safely play anything again.

Francis · 2022-08-17T13:14:06.104Z

Eventually the SP16 made me sad. It sounded great and loads of potential but I found I ran out of road with it. Then they took all the suggestions from the feedback and released the squid. I have been poised to get one cheap several times but that lingering sadness stays my hand.

michaeljk1963 · 2022-08-17T13:25:14.529Z

Same here. I keep my OT because I know that if I sell it, I will wonder if I should have. I just rewired much of my studio after having purchased a desk to put behind my main keyboard controller. The only two pieces left to fill are the Octatrack and the Analog Four. I love the Analog Four and keep it in my living room with headphones for immediate fun. The Octatrack sits in a gig back in my closet so I don’t have to remember I am not using it every time I fire up the music studio. Sad. So much potential, so many frustrations to overcome whenever I try remember how to use it.

Fuseball · 2022-08-17T20:57:45.346Z

Yeah, I’ve had something like that in the back of my mind for a little while now. Even if I sold the synth after, it would feel like it had served me well.

ObscureMachines · 2022-08-19T12:28:24.068Z

Back in the day of $400 Juno 106 there were no new analog synths coming out. The Arturia Minibrute was the first new analog released in a sea of digital synths. They had marketing vids and were sold out everywhere.

I traded a guy a mint JX3P ($200 trade value)+$250 cash for one. I like their aesthetic, but the sound leaves a lot to be desired. Certainly doesn’t sound as good as a JX3P.

It was a stupid trade and as much as I don’t like the Minibrute I can’t seem to get rid of it cause it would be such a huge loss. Could get maybe $150 for it. I probably keep it around as a reminder of not to make stupid deals.

I sometimes wonder how that JX3P is doing and who has it…makes me sad that it’s not me.

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