Hello everyone!
Thanks so much for all positive comments about our first Synthétik News. Without further ado, here’s #2!

 

EVENTS

The Synth Palace is now open! Directed by Peter Venuto, that place offers the largest selections of synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines, etc. available for rent. For more informations consult the website: http://synthpalace.com/





 

On November 12th at the Sala Rossa, our clients Esmerine will be launching their new record ''Lost Voices''. For more info about them and to check out some of their tunes, visit their site : http://www.esmerine.com/
 

 November 14th is the date for ‘’CJAM's Musician's Legal Bootcamp”, a free workshop detailing musician’s rights within the framework of the music industry. It’ll be presented in a ‘learning in a playful way’ by lawyers who are members of the Clinique des artistes de Montréal.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cjam-musicians-legal-bootcamp-tickets-19098500128?utm_term=eventurl_text

   


 









WHY YOUR SYNTHESIZERS SHOULD SEE FREQUENT USE


It is strongly reccommended that electronic musical instruments should be played frequently in order to maintain them. Our reccommendation is about once per month. This way, the life of the instrument (and certain electronic components) will be prolonged. For example, electrolytic condensers contain a liquid (electrolytes) that can leak or dry up (as mentioned in Synthétik News #1).

 

As well, simply manipulating the faders, potentiometers, and switches is a good habit, and even if the device isn’t on, it will prevent the lubricants from drying up. Incidentally, we’ve just finished restoring the faders of an Arp Odyssey, which were stuck to the point where they could break with any pressure. So, if you think you won’t be using your device for a period of time, we reccommend that you leave them all at zero, because the resistive part (made of carbon), might be damaged by the wiper due to oxydation.
The keyboard should be used regularly as well, so that the bushings (made from rubber) upon which the keys exert pressure get use and retain their flexibility. At the same time, you’ll prevent the keys themselves from oxidizing, thus producing a ‘’double-trigger’’ effect. Recently we repaired a Minimoog that had been played about once per month over the last 30 years (its owner kept up his jazz-fusion chops). The result : a supple keyboard even though the bushings were over 40 years old!
If you wish to store your synthesizer for any length of time, make sure that it’s in adry environment with an ambient room temperature. If you keep it in a road case, put in several packets of silica gel. If you leave your instrument on a stand, a dust cover will help protect its interior.

The more you play your synthesizer, the more you’ll familiarise yourself with it, and the better you’ll be able to quickly detect anomalies in its playing. A device regularly used will also be more reliable (think of your cars). And finally, apart from technical considerations, playing your electronic devices is also just fun!


Thanks and good playing,
Guillaume et Véronique
Artisans en lutherie électronique vintage