Synth collection at Studio Bell
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Synth collection at Studio Bell
I've recently returned from a rather delayed honeymoon, part of which was spent in Calgary. Whilst we were there my lovely wife took me to the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, where they have, amongst lots of other cool things, an entire floor occupied by old synthesizers, audio equipment and other instruments.
There's a good collection of the obvious classics, along with some weird and wonderful bits and pieces and one-off custom instruments. I spent quite a long time wandering around, reading things and taking photos, and thought that there's probably people on here who'd be interested in said pictures.
The last picture is the view into part of the tech team's workshop, full of things that are presumably either going to end up on display or are being restored/repaired for use in the studios there.
A very cool place.
There's a good collection of the obvious classics, along with some weird and wonderful bits and pieces and one-off custom instruments. I spent quite a long time wandering around, reading things and taking photos, and thought that there's probably people on here who'd be interested in said pictures.
The last picture is the view into part of the tech team's workshop, full of things that are presumably either going to end up on display or are being restored/repaired for use in the studios there.
A very cool place.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Stereo Minimoog..!
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Ooooh, nice!
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Luke W wrote: ↑Tue Oct 04, 2022 6:36 pm I've recently returned from a rather delayed honeymoon, part of which was spent in Calgary. Whilst we were there my lovely wife took me to the National Music Centre at Studio Bell, where they have, amongst lots of other cool things, an entire floor occupied by old synthesizers, audio equipment and other instruments.
There's a good collection of the obvious classics, along with some weird and wonderful bits and pieces and one-off custom instruments. I spent quite a long time wandering around, reading things and taking photos, and thought that there's probably people on here who'd be interested in said pictures.
The last picture is the view into part of the tech team's workshop, full of things that are presumably either going to end up on display or are being restored/repaired for use in the studios there.
A very cool place.
That Buchla box, I’d be up for a one synth challenge if I had that, or was lent it.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Wow - there are some mighty unusual synths in those photos!
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Martin Walker wrote: ↑Tue Oct 04, 2022 11:53 pm Wow - there are some mighty unusual synths in those photos!
And an M1!
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
OK, who’s up for a visit? clubs, society’s, etc etc, they sometimes have outings, an annual "jolly"
All of us synth fans could all chip-in and go visit this place, it would be "immense fun" (understatement) or do I need to take my medication?
All of us synth fans could all chip-in and go visit this place, it would be "immense fun" (understatement) or do I need to take my medication?
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
I used all my air miles (blew the lot, 20 years of business travel) a few years ago, And even an economy ticket might be a stretch for a boys weekend away to Calgary
But it does look like a fun place to visit.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
There are definitely some that look like they're permanently set up for geeks-a-gawkin', but there are also some studios there that seem to be putting lots of nice things to good use.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
I can never figure out, even in a lot of working studios, why people put keyboards on high stands, you certainly can’t play properly at that height, and any form of in-depth knob twiddling is definitely out.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Maybe just off camera there's one of those mobile set of stairs like they have in libraries?
Only with a set of LEDs taped to the side to make it blend in...
Only with a set of LEDs taped to the side to make it blend in...
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
In my stranger moments I've thought of a multi-tier keyboard stand that had the top tier keyboard about 30cm above head height, with the keyboard itself mounted vertically (so with a Moog form-factor the knobs would angle down towards you)
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
MarkOne wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 9:44 am
In my stranger moments I've thought of a multi-tier keyboard stand that had the top tier keyboard about 30cm above head height, with the keyboard itself mounted vertically (so with a Moog form-factor the knobs would angle down towards you)
It’s very tiring, and makes my arms ache reaching up all the time.
I think about pipe organ manuals, on large organs, they never seemed to bother me, the height and distance was never uncomfortable, an organ console is a perfect layout, you never have to strain, a keyboard studio should be the same.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Because (as in my own case) they are being driven from another keyboard and editor. A good example is/was my Yamaha reface series keyboards - never meant to be played from their own keyboards, or edited from their own controls, so they can go way up high out of the way.
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
I did think of your set up Elf and wondered how you managed.
Your explanation explains everything!
Your explanation explains everything!
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Re: Synth collection at Studio Bell
Is that the collection that belongs to the Audities Foundation? If so I think they also have the red wraparound Helios console from 10CC's Strawberry Studios and a bunch of other very cool recording equipment. I hope it all gets used.
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