Last year, I recorded some improvisations using the #SomaCosmos “drifting memory station”, actually I had wanted to release them on Bandcamp. Now listening back, evaluating. Trying to get back in the vibe and then decide.

I notice I don't have any video footage for any of the pieces. But perhaps it doesn't even matter.

Videos with Soma Cosmos in the title attract some viewers on YouTube… it's all about gear on YT. Also, my video demoing the #Ensoniq #ESQ1 #synthesizer works well. Videos with original music however… nobody wants to see these.

This video has reached over 3000 views, which for me is a lot, for the professional YouTuber is below entry level, so let's watch it on Makertube again… https://makertube.net/w/ift9cDiXKnYTGNLQYGLtp6

#YouTube #PeerTube #MakerTube #Recording #Music #Musicianship

Today I replaced the empty battery of my vintage #Roland #Juno106 #Synthesizer.

An empty battery in this old unit results in complete amnesia of all sound presets. (Unlike the #Ensoniq #ESQ1, that – at least with later firmwares – comes up with the factory presets in such an event, and then continues having dementia…)

The first time I had done so, I had installed a battery holder to make things easier. The original battery is soldered into the board.

Always fun is to restore the backup via the #tapeInterface with that #datassette sound.

I really love how the Juno 106 is constructed. Easy access if you know those 6 screws… it's a pretty well-made, all-solid device.

Today's Roland (and BOSS) gear feels like cheap plastic toys compared to this. I guess you have to go for an expensive #Sequential synth today if you want this quality.

The Juno 106 synthesizers were made from 1984 to 1988. My dad had bought this unit brand new when I was a kid.

Ensoniq ESQ-1 Digital Wave Synthesizer - Preset Demo - Repair Photos - No Talking

https://makertube.net/w/fWwMo4piQ753A7EHmH9dPr

Fault-searching this Ensoniq ESQ1 synthesizer! Mega-cool, but: no sound; no display.

EPROMs were damaged but putting in new 3.5 ROMs affected nothing.

Main-board power supply (+5V, +-12V) seems to be OK at least (or unfortunately, because that would have been a pretty easy fix maybe...)
#ensoniq #esq1 #synthesizer #repair

The #Ensoniq #ESQ1 I have in the #studio right now (a loaner from my regular occasional production partner) was apparently once submerged due to flooding ( a fact my buddy didn't discover until after he bought it LMAO) and yet it still works flawlessly (after some pretty thorough cleaning -- but not so thorough there isn't still fine silt on some of the keys).

They really did use to build stuff different.

#VintageGear #VintageSynth

Right now I have, in my possession, a #Roland #MKS50, a #Kawai #K4r and an #Ensoniq #ESQ1 (all synths, in case you don't know). I've got a #Tascam 414 (4-track cassette multitrack recorder), a #Yamaha #REX50 (effects unit, basically an SPX-90 with added distortion algorithms) and an #Alesis #Quadraverb (more effects). All I need is an SR-16 drum machine and I could make an album like it was 1990 again.

#MusicProduction #VintageGear #1990 #GenX #GearOfMyYouth