SynthFest UK is back!

[Paul Gilby]

SynthFest UK, Octagon, Sheffield - Saturday 8th October 2022


SynthFest UK, the largest synthesizer event of its kind in the UK returns to the Octagon, Sheffield this October after a two year break, with 40 manufacturers already confirmed to be exhibiting along with seminars and product demo workshops running throughout the day. Some of the industry’s top retailers will also be at the show, stocking a wide range of synths and related products for you to buy and walk away with on the day!

Advance Tickets are now on sale, priced at just £12.50 (usual price £15).
https://sosm.ag/SynthFestUK2022

Exhibitors
SynthFest is the place to be to get hands-on with all of the latest synths. From boutique Eurorack and Modular brands such as AJH Synth, Knobula, Wang Synth, Analogue Solutions, Motas and Expert Sleepers, to renowned keyboard manufacturers such as Yamaha, Korg, Moog, Nord, Arturia and Roland. In addition to hardware, a range of soft-synth and virtual instrument developers will also be exhibiting.
https://www.synthfest.co.uk/exhibitors

Seminars and Demos
A programme of free seminars and product demo workshops will run throughout the day, including:

Synth Guru - Paul Wiffen
It started with Vangelis... 40 years of Sound Design
SynthFest UK 2022 synthesizer event show
One of the great talks lined up for this year’s event. Synth programmer and performer Paul Wiffen traces his parallel career in sound design for some of the world's leading artists and his work with major synthesizer manufacturers. Paul will be on stage with his synths and an RGB Laser Harp to help him deconstruct some of his most famous sounds for Jean-Michel Jarre and Stevie Wonder, as well as showing clips from films he's worked on. His career started off with Vangelis programming the iconic Yamaha CS80 sound for Blade Runner followed by further work on The Bounty, 1492 Conquest Of Paradise and Alexander film soundtracks.

50 Years Of The E-Mu Modular
SynthFest UK 2022 synthesizer event show e-mu modular
Another free seminar at SynthFest UK. To celebrate the 50th birthday of the E-Mu Modular at SynthFest UK 2022 Tony Wride of Exclusively Analogue will be taking people back to the beginning in 1972 and describing what makes the E-Mu Modular so desirable. Today this pioneering modular synth is largely unknown though numerous famous musicians have used, or indeed are still using, the E-Mu Modular to great effect.

Further seminars will continue to be announced in future updates.

Modular Meet
As always, the gathering of enthusiasts’ gear will feature some incredibly rare synthesizers, plus unique modules and experimental creations from talented electronics designers.

Education
If you are interested in studying Music Technology, the exhibition will be attended by a number of top Universities offering a wide range of full and part-time courses.

Tickets
Advance Tickets are available now via Eventbrite priced at just £12.50 (usual price £15).
https://sosm.ag/SynthFestUK2022

See website for further details.
https://www.synthfest.co.uk

[Drew Stephenson]

Expect to see a few of the regulars there!

[Folderol]

Expect to see a few of the regulars there!

Oh yes

[BJG145]

This year's event will be hosted by the new SOSBot.

[Drew Stephenson]

This year's event will be hosted by the new SOSBot.

[Martin Walker]

[zenguitar]

[IAA]

Excellent. Looking forward to it!

[Arpangel]

Sheffield?
I can’t think of one reason to go beyond the borders of Kent these days, even if my legs could carry me.
What would attract me to a gear show? I’m having trouble.

[Folderol]

What would attract me to a gear show? I’m having trouble.

How about the people?

[Drew Stephenson]

Sheffield?

Yeah, it's grim down south.

[BillB]

This year's event will be hosted by the new SOSBot.

Brilliant - it's nice to have a LOL at least once a day.

Looking forward to what is shaping up to be a very nerdy event: sound design for Blade Runner! Wow!

[Luke Wood SOS News Editor]

Despite having eyed it up once or twice in the past I've not managed to get along to SynthFest before, so I'm very much looking forward to it.

[Drew Stephenson]

It's good fun, even for non-synth people like me.

[The Elf]

It's a fabulous event, and it's growing each time. There's pretty much everything you would expect, but the joy is finding the things that you might *not* expect. I've found solutions to problems I didn't even know I had! This is the joy of having many cottage industry exhibitors alongside the big names.

There will be gear there to see and try out that you simply would not be able to get to any other other way, and 'on the day' bargains, as my credit cards (and those at the after-show meet-up) know only too well!

Some of the seminars and events are amazing. I invariably come away feeling inspired. My particular favourite from previous years was a breakdown of the creation and development of the Dr Who theme. Seeing someone writing audio code during a musical performance was pretty amazing too! It's a great chance to speak with some of these guests.

I'll be looking after the stall-holders as ever, so if you see me do feel free to prod me in the ribs and say 'hello'. I'm always happy to meet forum regulars between beating out the (proverbial, not literal!) fires on the day!

I can tell you that I'm as giddy about the return of Synthfest as anyone, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

[Luke Wood SOS News Editor]

It's good fun, even for non-synth people like me.

I've spent some time poking around on a Summit on more than one occasion recently, so I fear my time in that category may be nearing an end...

[Drew Stephenson]

I've spent some time poking around on a Summit on more than one occasion recently, so I fear my time in that category may be nearing an end...

Ha! Fear for your credit card as well.

Actually just a quick build on the Elf's comment above, the seminars and talks have been uniformly excellent at all the events. Fascinating stuff from historians, enthusiasts and pioneers.

[Arpangel]

What would attract me to a gear show? I’m having trouble.

How about the people?

Oh no, not people.



Besides, most of those I admired are now dead.

[tea for two]

SynthFest UK, Octagon, Sheffield - Saturday 8th October 2022



Seminars and Demos
A programme of free seminars and product demo workshops will run throughout the day, including:

Synth Guru - Paul Wiffen
It started with Vangelis... 40 years of Sound Design
SynthFest UK 2022 synthesizer event show
One of the great talks lined up for this year’s event. Synth programmer and performer Paul Wiffen traces his parallel career in sound design for some of the world's leading artists and his work with major synthesizer manufacturers. Paul will be on stage with his synths and an RGB Laser Harp to help him deconstruct some of his most famous sounds for Jean-Michel Jarre and Stevie Wonder, as well as showing clips from films he's worked on. His career started off with Vangelis programming the iconic Yamaha CS80 sound for Blade Runner followed by further work on The Bounty, 1492 Conquest Of Paradise and Alexander film soundtracks.

Tickets
Advance Tickets are available now via Eventbrite priced at just £12.50 (usual price £15).
https://sosm.ag/SynthFestUK2022

See website for further details.
https://www.synthfest.co.uk

Paul Wiffen's sound design for this Elka Synthex preset is just Gothic.
Really hammer it when playing.
It's still one of my favourite parts of JmJ's compositons.
JmJ kept its Gothic heaviness.
And the simple strings JmJ composed oh my goodness feels transcendent.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sDCFN8WuLI0
I love going cave blasting heavy when covering it.
Also sometimes gentle subtle.

This Vangelis I didn't know Paul did sound design (then again there's a trillion gazillion things i don't know).
It's still one of my favourite Vangelis compositions.
The simple notes of the lead the way it rips right through you.
The simple piano going deep into you transporting you.
The ebb and flow of the accompaniment.
Feels like into eternity as the track name suggests.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i75_co_3zmU

[Drew Stephenson]

Just seen that there's a rail strike planned for next Saturday.

Hope everyone's got their travel sorted?