"Synth-pathy" for the Pro One Synth! A Homecoming...
Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10:14PM The "less rational" side of me likes to believe that my keyboards are living, breathing creatures. That side of my character must stand up and have her say tonight. In saying that, the rational side of me would like to prepare you for a post that is a bit off of the usual burrito.
You see, the "less rational" side of me usually is distracted with things like song writing, eating avocados, injecting red wine straight into my bloodstream, etc.... but I can't help but share my sympathy for my Pro One synth. Or should I say "synth-pathy"? Damn, I'm good.
Anyway, we traveled to North Hollywood to scoop up my newly repaired Pro One from Big City Music. One of my favorite places to visit, we had a short wander with Roger around the "candy shop"! And what a candy shop it is.... a massive Analogue Systems Modular, Analogue Solutions Vostok Suitcase Synth, LL Electronics RozzBox (the one with the "tube filter"...hmmm!),Moog Taurus Pedals, Future Retro's Revolution Synth, Jomox's XXX 999 Drum Machine, Metasonix pedals and Moogerfoogers, the Minimoog OS...and, sitting quietly in the corner dripping patch cords from her face like a 3 year old child with a plate of spaghetti, was the one that makes my heart sing: the ARP 2600. (via AutomaticGainsay on YouTube.)
We made our way to the main room where a few machines in a similar state that my Pro One used to be in were undergoing "minor surgery". I spied a Roland TB 303 & a Moog Prodigy ( maybe - I could only see the back) and maybe an OB-8 or two ?? Anyway, I began wonder: is my Pro One happier here? I bet I'm taking her away from all her new friends!
This scenario brought to mind that movie that traumatized many children in the 1970's - "Snoopy Come Home"....Oh, the dispair that flooded forth when Snoopy and Charlie Brown were seperated...Who remembers this? Via TickleMeCthulhu on YouTube:
If this doesn't make you sob, then perhaps you need to put some marshmallows in your hot cocoa. Or maybe some bourbon...
We said our goodbyes and sped off into the hills for Los Feliz. The Pro One sat mournfully in the back seat (behind her securely fastened seat belt) and I thought...well, Farfisa & Vox Jaguar will be happy to see you; so will Rhodes and Whurly! Well, here's the good news:
Happy keys indeed....but Pro One hasn't met the "new" Yamaha CS5 yet.... Stay Tuned!
Reader Comments (7)
Wow, I'm currently repairing my pro-one too. New bushings, new caps, a new 'A' key. He's had a rough life up to this point it seems. Although it looks fantastic, the trauma is on the inside ;)
The new bushings are heavenly; mine have been replaced and also the noise /ext knob "function" was kaput. Its as if she's got a new pair of trainers and a new hairdo!!! The inner trauma of a Pro One is perhaps why they snarl so nicely!
ha!
Congratulations! :)
Your Pro-One is again at home.
have fun!
marko
Thanks Marko, we've finally gotten her to eat though the only one she'll talk to is the Farfisa. What did I do?
Oh, how I wish I hadn't sold my Pro-One long ago. It was my favorite analog out of many, many others. There are lots of them out there though, so maybe we will meet again.
Jeepers, soundxplorer! I hope you'll meet again. Someone should start a website that reunites owners and their synths....THAT would be waaaaay better than the Jerry Springer Show - unless you started bringing on the DX-7's...they would be they synths with all the burger eatin' illegitimate children with one eye. Great. Baby DX7'S.
Hmmmmm. Why do I drink coffee this late at night?
I agree with you our synths are living, breathing creatures. I recently purchased a Korg Prophecy off ebay to replace one I had sold. When I opened the box my heart dropped, it was hardly in the mint condition described.
I sat down and played it and it sounded dull and lifeless, I regretted selling my other one even more. The pitch wheel wobbled(stated in ad)so I performed immediate surgery, carefully unscrewing the many screws which held her together. With a bit of "creativity" I was able to secure the pitch wheel, I also removed a guitar pick which was inside. Once it was put back together a careful cleaning with mild detergent brought new life into her dull coat.
It seemed to radiate as I put it back on the stand and plugged her in, unbelieveable! it sounded so sweet, as if she were singing with joy and happiness.
Later that night as it sat quietly covered in my studio I swear I could feel it's contentment and joy at her new home.
Perhaps my removal of the pick and fixing the pitch wheel were like surgery, removing a foreign object which kept it from performing at it's best.
Rational? who needs rationality? I'd much rather follow my heart.
Thanks for a great site!:)