So, for what seems like the 100th time in my life, I’m getting back into music. Some things are a little different this time. The primary difference is $$$.
A quick history of my keyboard collection. In the 90’s, at the peak of my creative period, I had 3 main keyboards: the Ensoniq ESQ1, the Roland Alpha Juno 2, and the Oberheim matrix 6R. The Juno and the Matrix 6 were sold off and I added a Casio CZ (varying models over time, but eventually the CZ1, which was top of the line), and later, a Roland RD-600. A little later on yet, I added a General Music Equinox Pro-88. I had these 4 boards for a long time, but eventually sold the ESQ1. Then later, I didn’t think I needed two 88-key boards, so I sold the Equinox. That left the Casio and the Roland. And I got by on that.
But, I regret – REGRET – selling every one of those keyboards. I should have just put them in storage. I lost a lot of money selling every one. And that regret has cost me as I try to reclaim those old sounds.
Now to the near present. I wanted to "remaster" my old recordings and to do that, I needed the original sound devices. I started from my most recent stuff and am working backwards. So a lot of my newest stuff, I was using the Yamaha SW-1000 sound card. This sound card is obsolete for computers now, but there was a professional module called the Yamaha MU-80. I bought one. It seemed like it didn’t have the right sounds, so I also bought an MU-100. That was a wild goose chase, so now I have an extra sound module I don’t need.
Going back further, I needed the sounds from the Equinox. This synth is quite uncommon. If it does come up for sale, it ain’t cheap. I scanned the internet hard, and eventually had to jump on one that suddenly appeared on eBay. It was only the 76-key model, which was actually better for me. And that was a big blow to the wallet. But, it was just what I wanted.
Now inspired, I started seeking out other synths. I picked up one from Craigslist for $400, a nice sounding Korg I’d never used before. Then I made a pawn shop run and got a newer Roland synth that needed some help. That one’s all fixed up and going good right now. I made another pawn shop run and picked up a dead Roland synth that is queued for professional repair someday. And along the way, I resurrected an old thrift store purchase that was sitting in my closet. Finally, I made a long drive to pick up the one synth that started it all, an Ensoniq ESQ1. Again, not cheap, but still, part of the plan.
I need to be realistic and say I’m probably never going to own another Oberheim. They are even more expensive than the Equinox I bought. And the Alpha Juno, I have a great software VST version of it that will suit my needs.
So where am I now? Let’s take stock (in order of purchase): Roland RD-600, Casio CZ-1, Alesis QS-8, Yamaha MU-80, MU-100, General Music Equinox, Korg DW-8000, Roland D-70, Ensoniq ESQ-1, Roland Juno Di. That’s 10 that I count.
And where to put all these? I only have a stand for two. They’re in the closet, but they need cases, so now this is my new buying spree. I’ve purchased 2 used cases in the last few days and I still need two 76-key cases and one more 61-key case. I have two 88-key cases from when I owned the Equinox Pro-88.
To offset a little of this cost, I’m selling off a lot of duplicate CDs I’ve collected over time. I also have CD players to get rid of. Money comes, money goes. Hobbies keep coming back.
So let’s do this again.
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