CAUTIOUS STEPS (New Buchla Boat)

MORE KNOBS

KNOBBERY

For those of us seduced by the sounds of electronic synthesis there is another aspect of our cherished instruments that is often unspoken,  yet still a large part of our collective yearning...  the design ethic that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  This is especially true for those of us who grew up before the digital revolution and its sad offspring,  virtual synthesis aka soft synths.  Just the idea of a soft body extension is enough to drive a baby boomer into a doctor's office seeking solace and medication.  Yet beyond the concern of this virtual ether is the very real pleasure that comes with patching,  knob-twiddling,  navigating a forest of colored cables,  and creating (as well as tweaking and sometimes destroying) a "new" sound.  That unique sound is the product of experience and chance,  an exhilarating tightrope walk that makes sound synthesis fun and its hardware extensions so useful.  The most well-regarded synths of the past and present generally eschew LEDs and presets,  some are fully analog,  while others are analog-digital hybrids (thanks Don B).  All feature knobs of varied size,  color,  design,  and material,  sometimes on the same instrument.  Give the accompanying photo gallery and look,  and see which ones you recognize.

FOR DON VAN VLIET (and the dust of us)

CLAIRAUDIENCE?

AN UNUSUAL FIND

I recently stumbled upon this rather unusual keepsake at a neighborhood antique store,  and after some minor haggling over price,  I purchased it for a bit more than I wanted to pay.  What attracted me were its unusual markings,  superb craftsmanship,  and seductive aura of weirdness.  How could one resist such a combo?  Its intimate size (three and three quarters by three and an eighth by one half inch)  and rich patina of age make this object even more mysterious.  Seemingly it was not meant for hanging,  as its sides and back are lovingly tooled leather and gold leaf,  with tiny side medallions that pin leather and frame together.  Is it a nineteenth century funerary portrait that has been altered (defaced or enriched,  depending on one's point of view) by some unknown person (a disgruntled wife) or entity? And who was this man with hand-tinted rouged cheeks and menacing embellishments?  If anyone has any ideas about this object's history or use,  please write me via my blog.

CONTINUING STORY OF AN ABECEDARIAN

ZOMBIE BABY & FRIENDS