Synthfest

Synthfest was an absolute triumph, no other way I can put it. It's amazing to think I didn't get to any of the stalls around the wall on the main hall, so missed Teenage Engineering, Nord, Soundgas and even Rubadub, where I'd planned to get a new envelope module and possibly another case. I even missed picking up the General CV module from ES which was my only actual plan of the day. Typical!

I chatted to just about everyone though, even Rich Olpin all too briefly and I never got to return the coffee. Some people I failed to find but plenty I did and was delighted to chat to Gaz Williams, who is just as nice as he seems from the Sonic State videos. He also has good taste - bought an Atmegatron as I did cos they were selling them off.

In an act of stupidity, while clearing away some of the bedding used by the Danish guys, I kicked it through the loft hole and onto the hard laminate floor below. Amazingly, it survived with only a wobbly bass knob and a slight dent to a corner. And some of the personalities developed since I reviewed it are fabulous - really liked the Strings. The delay one was something I suggested - I haven't got the overlay for that yet as he ran out - indeed totally sold out of them. A lot of fun ahead.

Other than that 8-bit wonder, I loved the Touche controller and was most fascinated by the GR-1 granular synth.

Indeed, this was the only photo I took all day. Great UI and the kind of different approach that would, ordinarily, have had me baggsying it for review. It was nice to be asked several times to reconsider my retirement, and of course there's tempting enough gear if I ignore all the toy-town stuff for baby fingers. Trying to resist though. SOS very kindly treated me to lunch and then Kim treated me to a curry later - a really excellent Southern Indian one which we enjoyed along with Airsculpture. So far resisting the Cosmic Smokers gig offer, mostly because it's at the bloody scout hut and I really don't enjoy going there. Pete and I may do some recording again though, that'd be nice.

The book was received really well and sold well too even though it was much more expensive than I'd anticipated. A lot of hard work but the result is great, even if someone added an 'of' between my biog's phrase 'library music' turning it into 'library of music' - presumably they thought they were helping in some way.

Today I spent some time taking my coffee machine apart as it was full of compacted coffee - someone helping again, trying the random approach to operation. Sigh. I think it's mostly clear now but I realised that coffee-free mornings are not for me.

Bought latest Carbon Based Lifeforms download, another Tom Waits CD arrived and I ripped loads of ivy and strangly plants out of the garden. Good day.