A gift from the Universe

Things like this don't happen that often so when they do I tend to sit up & take notice, and this time in particular I give thanks to the Muses.
An old friend and an unforeseen set if circumstances has led to a most fortunate series of events, the end result being that I was asked to store a Yamaha C7 Grand Piano. Needless to say I was ecstatic. The piano was delivered at 8 am this morning - before I'd even had my coffee! I promise some video later this week, but for now I leave you with these photos of the instrument being delivered. I hear by give THANKS to the energies involved and promise to honor this most relevant of gifts. :)

How to make a fake "virtual" virtual synth

OK, so here's the situation:

I have a Sequential Circuits Pro One Analog synth. I got it a long time ago.... and actually, if you must know, it was a gift. So I've been very attached to it; I kept it in good shape, hardly ever using it on gigs etc. (except for the firat 2 years with the Machine). It's a really good sounding instrument.

Anyway, When I joined the Mahavishnu Project, it became a necessity. It also became obvious fairly quickly that these instruments were not built to withstand the rigours of playing hard core fusion - screaming solos, fast sound changes, etc. And that the keyboard was simply too short. It started to suffer...

And then, the inevitable happened: It "failed" - but in an unusual way. Starting with the A above the low F, every 6th note was out. This was nothing less then bizarre. I brought the instrument to my tech. I explained to him what happened, and asked him what he thought it would take to repair it. His response was "I have no idea - I've never heard of this problem".

Lovely.

Well it's obvious now as well that I'll need to get my grubby keyboardist paws on a REAL performance synth - a Minimoog Voyager. Current economic trends, however, are forcing me to put this purchase off for an indefinite period of time. Damn. (If you'd like to help me acquire this instrument, go to the Nailblog and put something in the tipjar, here. I will come to your house and give you a free concert on it for you and your friends, and let you play with it for as long as you like. I could also lay down synth tracks on your next CD. Or chase away local wildlife. What would you want me to do?)

Meanwhile, I've got gigs to play. (No, they don't pay enough for me to buy the Moog). And I'll need to use something....

Here's my temporary solution:

Virtual Analog rack synth (novation A-Station) + Controller Keyboard (MAudio Key49) + small block of wood + velcro = ANALOG STYLE SYNTH.

1) The M-Audio Controller, with velcro installed:

2) A Novation A-Station virtual Analog synth module. It'll have to do.

I specially cut piece of wood. Basically, a 12" long piece of 2x4 cut diagonally across it's center...

The assmebly: First, attach the wood to the keyboard, thus:

Then attach the module, and viola!!! Instant synth. Just add electricity. The wood holds the module at the perfect angle for operating the knobs.

So this is what I'll be using in place of a real good ol' analog synth for what looks to be an indefinite amount of time. It oughta fool 'em for a few minutes, anyway.

See you on the road. :)

Filed under: Novation