Thanks, all! It seems like the general consensus is that I can get by with about 1/2 to 1/3 of what I’ve got, which is what I suspected. Of course, the hard part is actually letting go…
Part of the problem is that I moved from a flat in Berlin, where I had to keep things to a minimum, to a big house in the US, where I built myself a studio/office (which my wife mostly stays out of) that has “allowed” me to pile up stuff to the point that it’s gotten out of hand. COVID anxiety buying hasn’t helped, either. It seems to magnify the effect of GAS. Some people buy a fancy car when they hit middle age–I seem to have acquired a car’s worth of gear.
I think the advice that resonates with me the most is to consider whether I want to trade in some of that “good enough” stuff for maybe one really powerful, higher-end synth to go along with the Elektrons and a few specialty pieces (the DFAM, NDLR, pedals). Some days I like to make old-fashioned house or techno and others droney post-rock or ambient (I didn’t even mention all the guitars!). But I definitely never set out to collect a museum of ok synths, which is what has kind of happened…
Some of the suggestions made me feel defensive, which is a good sign that they’re on target. So I’m not gonna try to defend my choices, just listen (which is a lesson I’ve learned in my marriage, too!).
You guys are great.