A funny topic came up on the Waldorf List regarding the smell of synths. There was mention of the smell of vintage analog. It was pretty funny to think about, but it made me stop for a second and realize something I do every now and then. I'll be too busy to play my synths, but I just need to get the sense of them, so I'll walk in my studio, take a look and a big whiff! Seriously, there is something about the smell of electronics. So.... How many of you have walked in to just take a sniff and then leave? :) Fess up. Remember this is anonymous so no one is going to judge you. A whiff of what?!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
16 comments:
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Vintage synths have the same smell as an old guard electronics shop (the few that still exist) or of a surplus shop that focuses on electronics.
ReplyDeleteTo get a true sense of this smell, visit the HSC warehouse in silicon valley on Central and Lawrence http://www.halted.com/
That place is THE smell of vintage electronics.
-Steve Electronics
http://www.streetelectronics.com
The CS-80 has the best smell. When you spread that synth open, wow.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure inhaling the mold spores in a 37-year-old Moog cabinet last month shaved some weeks off the end of my life.
ReplyDeletedidn't feel right about any of the options in this vote. i totally smell new synths right out of the packaging and old plastic synths. give me a 303 or 101 and i'll stick my nose right in the battery compartment. it's all out of curiosity. when i get a new synth i expect a new car smell. and older plastic synths i check to see if it was made with those old pungent plastics. i view old metal and wood synths like school desks. it probably smells but i'm trying not to think about it. i've never had a synth that i returned to smell on a regular basis though.
ReplyDeleteSynthesizers put us in touch with the primordial beasts within us all. The smell of sizzling circuit boards harkens back to cave pleasures like grog seasoned in burt oak casks and bbq. The sweetest smell in my studio wafts from my echoplex, and HP oscillators. However, I suspect this is due to the novel collection of dust more than the unique collection of components.
ReplyDelete"Smelled like... Victory!"
ReplyDeleteInitially the question seemed a bit creepy, but I think there's a lot of validity behind it.
The smell of a used synth (vintage or not) tells you a lot about its history.
- Was the studio a smoking studio?
- Was it stored in a dry environment, or is there an indication that it was damp?
- Is there a very light burning smell that indicates you should shut it off immediately and clean it?
And like new cars, there is something nice about anything that smells new.
I recently let go of a Hammond S1 that was the source of much warmth on cold days and an abundance of "old electronics" smell. I have always loved that smell. I have nothing to stink my room up in that particular way now. Does anyone care to bottle it as an air freshener (vintagener?)
ReplyDeleteHa, weird poll.
ReplyDeleteI like the smells of both new and old synths, but I don't stick my nose in them.
I also like the smell of new and old books and have a compulsive urge to stick my nose in the pages an inhale deeply.
I love the smell ofnew gear, but old stuff can often smell, well, old. When I first got into music in the 80s, the little equipment I had was mostly Roland and Boss. It allhad a particular smell that I can still smellif I think about it. I just opened upthe battery cover of my SH-101 (that my parents gave me for christmas in 1984) and it still has the faintest hint of that wonderful smelll. Awwwwwwww yeeeeeahhhh.
ReplyDeleteThe Dave Smith Evolver keyboard I just got is (unfortunately) virtually odorless -- but the box stunk to high heaven. It smells like wet cardboard thathad been stored in a sausage factory.
My ensoniq mirage has a nice slot on the left where one can insert those cardboard pine air-fresheners.
ReplyDeleteThe Karma has one too.
Good idea that.
wooden cabinet + a lot of 30 years old components inside makes up for one of the best smells in my studio. I think the Yamaha SS-30 is my winner... :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Matrix, I've done that too. Much work and no play in a week or two, nothing can ease the longing faster than a deep draft of studio air...
electronically yours, jesper
A friend once bought a synth hardshell case. I opened it and said "oh, there was a c70s roland in this case" he asked how i knew that and i said "the smell" - its true. certain vintage synths had certain smells. i can tell a roland from an sci from a moog but i have a hard time placing yamaha analogue - not sure why. (fyi i have done a lot of synth repair so this is how i got to know the various smells)
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one but I'm not alone!.
ReplyDeleteI now feel confident enough to cancel my therapy sessions.
With the money I'll save I can bid for the GX1 that's coming up for auction.
Imagine what thats gonna smell like!
Mr Sponge
it's true.. i remember when i used to shop at black market over in hollywood.. or whenever i go to music tek, or somewhere like that.. there is a scent that collects in a room filled with old rolands, moogs, arps, and oberheims..
ReplyDeleteI don't know about smells..though Rolands 106's always smell of perfume. I think it's funny to see the wildlife which coolects and dies within the synth case. I remember in particular, the weird spiders and beetles inside an arp odyssey from the west coast of America.
ReplyDeleteLOL. This is a funny poll, but is relevant. My synths are from 1983-1988 and all have their own smell. My Yamaha QX-3 has an extremely strong smell even when it is off. Its a sweet, moth ball kind of chemical smell that is strong but interesting. I sometimes take a wiff of my synths when they heat up after being powered up, and make sure they are not over heating or starting to smell like burning plastic or metal. The QX-3 MIDI sequencer (1987), out-reeks all my synths. I love my synths and their scents. Is something that only synth freaks can truly love? :)
ReplyDelete