Rediscovering old gear

[LPF83]

I recently created another thread about the joys of rediscovery of a specific synth I hadn't used in a while, and Soundquest pointed out that this could be a great topic to share experiences on.

Have you recently rediscovered an old synth or piece of gear that you've stored away because it's too good to let go?  Or maybe repurchased something you owned in the past that you realized you shouldn't have let get away?

Talk about it here!

[Manbird]

I recently created another thread about the joys of rediscovery of a specific synth I hadn't used in a while, and Soundquest pointed out that this could be a great topic to share experiences on.

Have you recently rediscovered an old synth or piece of gear that you've stored away because it's too good to let go?  Or maybe repurchased something you owned in the past that you realized you shouldn't have let get away?

Talk about it here!

Oh, no... I've been found out!
I'm on my third Micromoog, but I've posted about that one elsewhere.

I grabbed a Casiotone 201 not long back, my second. My dad bought me one when I was 13 and it changed my life. I don't remember letting that one go, but I probably traded it towards one of my early "real" synths. Anyway, mostly out of nostalgia, I bought one for a modest fee a couple years back, while my dad was still alive. He was happy to hear that that thing still meant something to me. And turns out, it's a great sounding keyboard, in its way. Had a rehearsal with a new band the other night... bass, drums, clarinet and me on Casiotone. It held its own... such a basic tone, but the "horn" sounds worked perfectly with the clarinet. Really, a lovely keyboard.

I do have other demons in the closet - a Casiotone SK-1, say - that I'm tempted to sell, just to clear up psychic space, mostly, but digging things out and plugging them in seems to count as a genuine "thing to do" sometimes, no?

[LPF83]

I recently created another thread about the joys of rediscovery of a specific synth I hadn't used in a while, and Soundquest pointed out that this could be a great topic to share experiences on.

Have you recently rediscovered an old synth or piece of gear that you've stored away because it's too good to let go?  Or maybe repurchased something you owned in the past that you realized you shouldn't have let get away?

Talk about it here!

Oh, no... I've been found out!
I'm on my third Micromoog, but I've posted about that one elsewhere.

I grabbed a Casiotone 201 not long back, my second. My dad bought me one when I was 13 and it changed my life. I don't remember letting that one go, but I probably traded it towards one of my early "real" synths. Anyway, mostly out of nostalgia, I bought one for a modest fee a couple years back, while my dad was still alive. He was happy to hear that that thing still meant something to me. And turns out, it's a great sounding keyboard, in its way. Had a rehearsal with a new band the other night... bass, drums, clarinet and me on Casiotone. It held its own... such a basic tone, but the "horn" sounds worked perfectly with the clarinet. Really, a lovely keyboard.

I do have other demons in the closet - a Casiotone SK-1, say - that I'm tempted to sell, just to clear up psychic space, mostly, but digging things out and plugging them in seems to count as a genuine "thing to do" sometimes, no?

I had to look the Casiotone 201 up because I wasn't familiar... but man, the wood alone is gorgeous.  The tone is definitely niche and not for every situation but as you said it really has something to the tone and your history with it and connection to your dad is another reason I personally probably wouldn't let it go.

I have been very tempted to buy a Roland S10 again.  This was the first sampler I ever owned (at a time when computers weren't very good samplers).  I think I paid $400 for mine used in 1987.  I had only owned it a couple of weeks when I showed it to my dad (was a pro guitarist) and he and I sampled his Les Paul into it.  That was so much fun, the samples that came out of that were probably not something that would wow anyone today but exploring that technology at the time with my dad (who is still to this day not a tech guy) was meaningful.  Not only that, but the S10 has something special in the sound (retro lo fi crunch that's hard to replicate), Espen Kraft talks about this all the time highlighting it as one of his favorite samplers.

[Manbird]

I recently created another thread about the joys of rediscovery of a specific synth I hadn't used in a while, and Soundquest pointed out that this could be a great topic to share experiences on.

Have you recently rediscovered an old synth or piece of gear that you've stored away because it's too good to let go?  Or maybe repurchased something you owned in the past that you realized you shouldn't have let get away?

Talk about it here!

Oh, no... I've been found out!
I'm on my third Micromoog, but I've posted about that one elsewhere.

I grabbed a Casiotone 201 not long back, my second. My dad bought me one when I was 13 and it changed my life. I don't remember letting that one go, but I probably traded it towards one of my early "real" synths. Anyway, mostly out of nostalgia, I bought one for a modest fee a couple years back, while my dad was still alive. He was happy to hear that that thing still meant something to me. And turns out, it's a great sounding keyboard, in its way. Had a rehearsal with a new band the other night... bass, drums, clarinet and me on Casiotone. It held its own... such a basic tone, but the "horn" sounds worked perfectly with the clarinet. Really, a lovely keyboard.

I do have other demons in the closet - a Casiotone SK-1, say - that I'm tempted to sell, just to clear up psychic space, mostly, but digging things out and plugging them in seems to count as a genuine "thing to do" sometimes, no?

I had to look the Casiotone 201 up because I wasn't familiar... but man, the wood alone is gorgeous.  The tone is definitely niche and not for every situation but as you said it really has something to the tone and your history with it and connection to your dad is another reason I personally probably wouldn't let it go.

I have been very tempted to buy a Roland S10 again.  This was the first sampler I ever owned (at a time when computers weren't very good samplers).  I think I paid $400 for mine used in 1987.  I had only owned it a couple of weeks when I showed it to my dad (was a pro guitarist) and he and I sampled his Les Paul into it.  That was so much fun, the samples that came out of that were probably not something that would wow anyone today but exploring that technology at the time with my dad (who is still to this day not a tech guy) was meaningful.  Not only that, but the S10 has something special in the sound (retro lo fi crunch that's hard to replicate), Espen Kraft talks about this all the time highlighting it as one of his favorite samplers.

It's touching to note how many synth-supportive dads there seem to be amongst the Forum peeps. Of course, I told my dad "For my 16th birthday, instead of a car, can you buy me a Prophet 5?" He made clear that he had no intention of buying me a car - or a Prophet! That might've been the year I got bongos, though!

I kinda missed out on samplers back in the day... used them in the studio, but as much to repair tracks that had lost a tooth or two. It's only since I switched from PT to Logic that I've become a sampling fiend. That said, not having a history with such, I'm not as tempted to purchase hardware. Sounds like your Roland would be worth a re-own...

One blast from the past that's turned out to be as fab as I remembered is the Effectron II delay. It was another of my first bits of teenage kit and I grabbed one for sale not long ago. Every time I see someone in a forum panic because the Prophet 5 has neither in-built fx nor stereo outs, I pat the Effectron on the back for the fine job it does. My P5 runs through it full time... In the same way that the Prophet has that "beautiful blur," so does the Effectron, despite it being a digital effect. It never feels like it's doing a specific task, it just sorta does a thing that always works/sounds good...

[Soundquest]

The Doepfer Dark Time sequencer was a recent rediscovery for me.  Using just the switches and knobs was a refreshing alternative to more sophisticated options that I now have.  I'll probably always keep it just because of it's old school design.

[Manbird]

The Doepfer Dark Time sequencer was a recent rediscovery for me.  Using just the switches and knobs was a refreshing alternative to more sophisticated options that I now have.  I'll probably always keep it just because of it's old school design.

I'd kinda love one of those. I have a Dark Energy module, which was my "swine flu inspired" reentry back into the world of analog(ue) synths. The Dark Time is lovely bit of gear.

[Manbird]

A funny update... I mentioned the Casiotone 201 earlier as the first real keyboard I owned. The one I bought a couple years ago gets a lot of use. An ironic twist is that I find myself programming my Prophet 5 with Casio-esque patches these days. Sorta reedy but thicker-than-thin tones...

[LPF83]

A funny update... I mentioned the Casiotone 201 earlier as the first real keyboard I owned. The one I bought a couple years ago gets a lot of use. An ironic twist is that I find myself programming my Prophet 5 with Casio-esque patches these days. Sorta reedy but thicker-than-thin tones...

Nostalgia on the ear is a powerful thing.  The first synth I ever purchased new was a Kawai K5.  I didn't buy it because it was my dream synth, I bought it mostly because of how good it felt to play when I tried one at the store.. and the fact that original MSRP was around $2,300 USD....they weren't selling well so I was able to pick one up for a few hundred bucks, and it was well worth that at the time even just as a MIDI controller (even to this day it might be the best feeling keybed I've played).  The promise and potential of additive synthesis was also very attractive, but I didn't realize what a brutal introduction to learning synth programming that would be!  I still have not encountered a synth quite as difficult to program.. additive synthesis is tricky!  Luckily I had a good editor for the Atari ST.

The sound was never really quite what I wanted out of a synth.  It had its own sound, unlike other digital synths at the time, so it would have been great for someone who already had the other bases covered and wanted a character synth. 

But even though tonally it didn't grab me at the time, when I listen to audio from one now, it takes my mind back to simpler times and always pleases my ear.  I've even found myself amused when I get a "K5-ish sound" out of one of my other synths, and every now and then I find myself looking at used ones online.  I sold mine when I was in college, wonder how she is these days?

[LoboLives]

For me it’s actually not so much a piece of gear I owned but one that is older and likely abandonware at this point. The Pioneer/DSI collaboration of instruments, specifically the SP16. I was obsessed with it when it was first released more or less because it wasn’t being marketed properly and it was flying under the radar and Pioneer wasn't doing their due diligence...but I digress.

I’ve come across more and more videos and demos of people using it and I have to say, having sold the ISLA S2400....if I had the choice, I’d actually get the SP16 over a new S2400. Warts and all. No support and all. Perhaps it’s the DSI connection or just the ease of use of the machine or how underrated and misunderstood it is...but, much like the Prophet X, I feel this need to get one to showcasing their potential of just how great of an instrument it is.

The other would be the Roland System 8. Zero interest in the Jupiter or Juno emulations but the System 8 engine itself has such a distinctive character and can come up with such unique sounds that very few other synths can that are currently in the market. It’s plastic build quality and limited patch memory aside, there’s something special here and I think Roland did themselves a huge disservice by not embracing the System 8 as its own synth rather than a device to play a select few VSTs. The idea of a strange sideband Filter with FM oscillators being modulated by an LFO Run through a Juno Chorus and lush Reverb being layered with an analog pad on the Prophet 6 or OB6 is a lot more appealing sonically than a digital emulation of Juno or Jupiter being layered with the P6/OB6.

[Manbird]

Just re-stumbled upon this thread while looking for something else in the Other Hardware zone. I'm pleased to say I'm now using my Casiotone 201 in regular rotation. It's no longer a nostalgia trip, but a viable rock machine. I supported Julian Cope on a few dates during his 2011 and 2012 UK tours. Besides a Mellotron, he had a Casiotone of whatever model always ready for certain songs. Turns out he's way deep into the whole Casiotone trip. Don't know if he's used my beloved 201, but deffo a 202, so yay!

I'm looking around and the only synths of mine that *don't* get regular use are my Korg MS-10 and MS-20m. Probably only because I don't have space for them. To say, I look forward to rediscovering them one of these days, esp cos I know I love the sounds they make.

[LPF83]

Every time I think about selling one of my synths that's used less than the others, I try to think back to the specific reasons why I bought a particular piece of gear in the first place.  And every time I do that, I usually gravitate more toward retention based on whatever reasons manifested rather than selling and trying something new just for the dopamine fix of exploring new hardware (which is no doubt a real thing real... the basic element of G.A.S... and can be a rewarding hobby in itself for those inclined).

There are a few pieces that I probably should let go.. but it's difficult when there isn't a lot that's new that's tugging at my wallet right now.  It's like I have what I need in the synth department at the moment... and I'm not sure that's a problem that needs fixing?

[Soundquest]

In same sort of space Lpf83.  But I have to admit, I'm kind of prowling looking for something to add just for that get something new Gas.  I really don't need it

[LPF83]

In same sort of space Lpf83.  But I have to admit, I'm kind of prowling looking for something to add just for that get something new Gas.  I really don't need it

I do need to confess to having fallen off the wagon just a bit recently with a "minor purchase"... minor in the sense of relative cost, but not minor in sound.  Through the Donner website I was able to score a Donner L1 module and the mini keyboard that attaches to the module for $300USD (I had to do it in two separate purchases, module first then apply coupon offer from the module toward the keyboard).

I've always loved the sound of a real SH-101 and none of the soft-synth renditions ever appealed to the tone snob in me, and I wasn't willing to pay what the vintage ones go for, given their limits.  This is a very nice alternative I think, given the price -- I don't think the same tone and filter is available in a soft synth.

The module arrived a couple of days ago and I was able to confirm the sound is what I had hoped it would be, so I'm happy with the purchase.  They keyboard has not yet arrived (this evening or tomorrow maybe) so I will have a chance to play with it more after it does.

What I like:  The sound(!!), the second envelope, the price, the form factor and the fact the module and keyboard can be separated for easier mobility, the immediacy of the sliders, the fact its a cheap synth but doesn't come from the evil monopoly maker of cheap synths, etc.
What I don't like:  No ability to save patches.. and that they were unable to replicate the gain characteristic of the noise generator of the SH-101, although the second envelope seems like more than compensation for that and something that is ultimately more useful to me.  The build quality is unremarkable but it does the job and is good enough given the price.

Conclusion:  I will keep it, I don't have anything else that does this particular type of sound so well.

[Soundquest]

In same sort of space Lpf83.  But I have to admit, I'm kind of prowling looking for something to add just for that get something new Gas.  I really don't need it

I do need to confess to having fallen off the wagon just a bit recently with a "minor purchase"... minor in the sense of relative cost, but not minor in sound.  Through the Donner website I was able to score a Donner L1 module and the mini keyboard that attaches to the module for $300USD (I had to do it in two separate purchases, module first then apply coupon offer from the module toward the keyboard).

I've always loved the sound of a real SH-101 and none of the soft-synth renditions ever appealed to the tone snob in me, and I wasn't willing to pay what the vintage ones go for, given their limits.  This is a very nice alternative I think, given the price -- I don't think the same tone and filter is available in a soft synth.

The module arrived a couple of days ago and I was able to confirm the sound is what I had hoped it would be, so I'm happy with the purchase.  They keyboard has not yet arrived (this evening or tomorrow maybe) so I will have a chance to play with it more after it does.

What I like:  The sound(!!), the second envelope, the price, the form factor and the fact the module and keyboard can be separated for easier mobility, the immediacy of the sliders, the fact its a cheap synth but doesn't come from the evil monopoly maker of cheap synths, etc.
What I don't like:  No ability to save patches.. and that they were unable to replicate the gain characteristic of the noise generator of the SH-101, although the second envelope seems like more than compensation for that and something that is ultimately more useful to me.  The build quality is unremarkable but it does the job and is good enough given the price.

Conclusion:  I will keep it, I don't have anything else that does this particular type of sound so well.

I didn't even know that little unit existed.  I checked out a few videos.  It does sound good.

[LPF83]

In same sort of space Lpf83.  But I have to admit, I'm kind of prowling looking for something to add just for that get something new Gas.  I really don't need it

I do need to confess to having fallen off the wagon just a bit recently with a "minor purchase"... minor in the sense of relative cost, but not minor in sound.  Through the Donner website I was able to score a Donner L1 module and the mini keyboard that attaches to the module for $300USD (I had to do it in two separate purchases, module first then apply coupon offer from the module toward the keyboard).

I've always loved the sound of a real SH-101 and none of the soft-synth renditions ever appealed to the tone snob in me, and I wasn't willing to pay what the vintage ones go for, given their limits.  This is a very nice alternative I think, given the price -- I don't think the same tone and filter is available in a soft synth.

The module arrived a couple of days ago and I was able to confirm the sound is what I had hoped it would be, so I'm happy with the purchase.  They keyboard has not yet arrived (this evening or tomorrow maybe) so I will have a chance to play with it more after it does.

What I like:  The sound(!!), the second envelope, the price, the form factor and the fact the module and keyboard can be separated for easier mobility, the immediacy of the sliders, the fact its a cheap synth but doesn't come from the evil monopoly maker of cheap synths, etc.
What I don't like:  No ability to save patches.. and that they were unable to replicate the gain characteristic of the noise generator of the SH-101, although the second envelope seems like more than compensation for that and something that is ultimately more useful to me.  The build quality is unremarkable but it does the job and is good enough given the price.

Conclusion:  I will keep it, I don't have anything else that does this particular type of sound so well.

I didn't even know that little unit existed.  I checked out a few videos.  It does sound good.

After the keyboard arrived, I realized it's kind of an essential accessory to the module.  Supposedly Donner is planning more modules that use the same magnetic keyboard.  I guess I'm veering off topic by discussing new purchases in this thread, but it is a nice little mono synth for the price.

[Manbird]

I’m in the U.K. just now, away from my synths and typing on a tiny phone screen, but since we’re playing “newly discovered synths” in such a terribly off-topic way, I’ll say that I quite miss my newly acquired KARP 2600m!

Sold my System 8 to pay for/make space for it. Utterly love it. It’s such a classic and it feels it and sounds it even as I barely scratch the surface.

My trip to England came up suddenly, and I have that “but… new synth!” pang going…

[LPF83]

I’m in the U.K. just now, away from my synths and typing on a tiny phone screen, but since we’re playing “newly discovered synths” in such a terribly off-topic way, I’ll say that I quite miss my newly acquired KARP 2600m!

Sold my System 8 to pay for/make space for it. Utterly love it. It’s such a classic and it feels it and sounds it even as I barely scratch the surface.

My trip to England came up suddenly, and I have that “but… new synth!” pang going…

I sometimes regret not picking one of those up when they went on sale for $999 many years back.  But I also have a bit of an aversion to patch cables.  It's a weird psychological thing, and no one should be like me in that regard.  I have a bag of patch cables I want to try out on my MFB Dominion I, but the bag just sort of sits there, lonely and wanting, while I keep telling myself "one of these days".  Oooh...  I actually managed to bring the topic back around to one of my lovely pieces of old gear, that I should spend more time rediscovering, because the Dominion I is a gem.

[Manbird]

The 2600 can be used without patch cables, just to say. Such an immediate Sound it has.

Funny about your patch cable trip. We’ve got a small modular upstairs and my Taiga sits next to the 2600 in the basement. I’ve got quite into patching, often without much idea of what I’m doing. The “what happens if…?” approach.

The 2600 is new enough to me that being away from it for ten days automatically qualifies it as a synth to be rediscovered upon my return, so the integrity of the original topic header is tenuously honoured!

[LPF83]

The 2600 can be used without patch cables, just to say. Such an immediate Sound it has.

Funny about your patch cable trip. We’ve got a small modular upstairs and my Taiga sits next to the 2600 in the basement. I’ve got quite into patching, often without much idea of what I’m doing. The “what happens if…?” approach.

The 2600 is new enough to me that being away from it for ten days automatically qualifies it as a synth to be rediscovered upon my return, so the integrity of the original topic header is tenuously honoured!

I have a pretty good understanding of signal routing and the cause/effect of routing one thing to another, but I'd rather have a deep modulation matrix in a menu like on the 3rd Wave than patch cables, just because there's something about physical wires being in the way of my hands moving for this or that.. and yeah it can be mitigated with shorter cables but then I need to worry about which cable is the right length to go where and suddenly I feel like an electrician more than musician.. heh.
But yeah absolutely, I've heard the 2600 without patch cables and its still a nice sounding synth.

[Manbird]

The 2600 can be used without patch cables, just to say. Such an immediate Sound it has.

Funny about your patch cable trip. We’ve got a small modular upstairs and my Taiga sits next to the 2600 in the basement. I’ve got quite into patching, often without much idea of what I’m doing. The “what happens if…?” approach.

The 2600 is new enough to me that being away from it for ten days automatically qualifies it as a synth to be rediscovered upon my return, so the integrity of the original topic header is tenuously honoured!

I have a pretty good understanding of signal routing and the cause/effect of routing one thing to another, but I'd rather have a deep modulation matrix in a menu like on the 3rd Wave than patch cables, just because there's something about physical wires being in the way of my hands moving for this or that.. and yeah it can be mitigated with shorter cables but then I need to worry about which cable is the right length to go where and suddenly I feel like an electrician more than musician.. heh.
But yeah absolutely, I've heard the 2600 without patch cables and its still a nice sounding synth.

Funny, but the physicality of patch cables is part of their appeal to me... the tactile aspect of patching up a synth with wires isn't far from the plain old knob twiddling. I'm generally not a menu/screen dude. I love my Prologue, but only barely dive deeper into what it can do because of the fussy (which button does what thing?" thing.