Something like that! My gf is in Berlin and I took her to Schneidersladen. She's more interested in modular than me - I'm a bit intimidated, to be honest. But I have to say, this was the first time I ever felt comfortable and had fun messing about. Doepfer A-100 was set up and we both sort plugged and tweaked until something groovy started happening. Now, I'm fortunately poor enough not to be able to be tempted, but still, this was the first time I ever "got" the thrill. I think of myself as a "song guy," but I'm as much a sound fiend, so temptation comes twice as easy.
Following our modular moment, we carried on to Justmusic. I was happy to check out the Korg Prologue - definitely keen on that one now that I've played it. Hope it comes with a bottle of Windex, though! The Korg kinda tamed my desire for an OB-6. Meanwhile, we checked out one of the gorgeous walnut MiniMoogs. She'd never played one and wanted to know what the fuss was about. One note and all was understood!
To cap all this synth and beyond wandering, we headed across town to see my mate with the Mellotron. Did a few quick tracks, and added a slice of Solina as well. I mean, I live in this town and love it dearly, but having Julia here to share all these tricks and toys with has been brilliant. And having her show me that there's nothing to fear about modular except expense and addiction was, uh... Hmm.
Nice one. We don't get instrument expos here, I'm always jealous of these stories. I built expos/exhibitions/conventions for a living and I've built some very big broadcast industry trade shows, but it's all Kramer and Bose and Harmon etc displaying at those. Got about 200 RU worth of rack rails after one show from the Shure distributer's stand I worked on, still haven't used it all.
I'm also jealous of you getting to play a mellotron. I love the sound of those and they were the inspiration for me buying the E-mu. I was going to try to emulate one. I'd like to buy one of the new ones, but since I've pulled the E-mu out and am repairing it, I think I'll try again at the emulation.
My GF's have always loved my love of synths, but never actually played them. But they have always lived with me so we are never to long apart, so in that respect I have been luckier than yourself, though absence makes the heart grow fonder (and familiarity breeds contempt, just ask Liz or Kal or Bec).
I'm more of a sound guy than a song guy (though give me a bass, tell me what to play and we'll get through the gig) and have wanted to get into modulars for years now. I was spoilt by my first and second synths being an MS-20 and an M1 respectively, so expected all other synths to be as amazing. 10 years later I bought a Microwave XTk and an e5000. After finding that not much else comes close to those two for modulation structures/virtual patchbays (Dave did a good job on the Evolver but 4 slots is a tease after having 64 on the e5000), I've drooled over the concept of going modular, but was always put off by the the entry cost, thinking that the 500+ I thought was required could buy me a really nice desktop filter or analogue delay or step sequencer or 2nd hand synth/drum machine/sampler/multi fx.
This year I found a fellow selling eurocard frames for stupidly low prices so jumped in. It's already got me looking around my room for instruments I'm not really using and can't see myself missing if it's gone. That part is scary but also exciting as I'm thinking about how to structure a modular drum machine constantly, similar to 2000 when I first started to seriously pour my spare money into the electronic musical instrument pursuit.
Without access to 30 dollar frames w/rails, you can still get a foot-in-the door for under 200aud with a psu if you are shrewd. Elby Designs have 42HP 3RU frames w/rails, thread-strips and screws for under 50aud, then a Tiptop PSU will come in at 150aud (bloody Elby run out of my city I found out this week and I'm now kicking myself as the cost of driving to Rooty Hill is about difference in price between the frames I bought and the brand new frames Elby are selling!). Next thing you will buy is your first module. Good tip for module acquisition is to start making lunch at home and not eating our for work lunch. If you drink tea/coffee, also bring that from home in a vacuum flask as well as any morning tea food.
Well, it's a good tip for if you want to buy more synths too, but works better for modules
When I follow that tip, I have an extra 100ish in my pocket at the end of the week.
Great Anton, cats and synths go well together!
As long as you have the covers on, cats leave hair everywhere!