how I got here

(Here's a vid about me: Youtube). Back in the day when I was getting this website started (2004) it was quite hard to come across demos of some synths on the Internet. Besides, when I was a kid I had this vague belief that synthesizers were a kind of marvellous instruments which could make totally wicked sounds (which actually turned out to be true). But after following the synth environment more closely, I found myslef surrounded mostly by classic (read: cheesy) sounds, which were nowhere near the sound of my expectations. And I said to myself: 'Sweet Mother of God, what the heck is this?', and what followed was an acute need to dig up all the possibilities that had been overlooked or ignored by the average synth users. The purpose of my website was to provide the net-surfers with the opportunity to listen to some machines from the history of mankind and to experience it all in a slightly different way to the traditional one. Once you see my video, you'll know what I mean;)

what I do now and how it happens

Then I felt I needed a break. Then I came back after 6 years of slumber / retirement to continue making video demos of synths, as it turned out that a lot of people liked my video work and my approach to sound design. If I find an interesting synth to work with, it usually takes me several weeks or months to tweak it inside out, understand it and make some interesting patches (do the synth justice), record the material, and then edit it into the final form that you see on Youtube. I want to retain my artistic freedom and honesty in my reviews, so I don't want to receive free stuff from anybody - I buy my synths. Also, I'm a perfectionist to a certain extent and I prefer quality over quantity, so it will take relatively long for a demo to arrive, but I hope that when you finally watch it, you'll agree it was worth the wait.

I don't see any point in theoretical discussions and churning out essays about the meanders of technology; 90% of the bits and hertzs and stuff is redundant, it's just a distraction. This synth uses SSM chips! But that one has CEMs! Whoaaa ! - who cares. Just play it and see what it's worth for you, and decide if it gives you enjoyment or not. Life's too short to care too much about expertise, the ever-expanding quality and all the marketing gibberish. I suggest we all focus more on things like melody, originality, ease of use, etc. Also, I advise you not to read my words literally, otherwise you might grow ulcers, or - god forbid - get offended. As somebody said, "in 100 years we'll all be dead", so I don't take life - nor my or your opinions & emotions - too seriously.

If you like what I do and you want me to carry on, you can give me a chunk of your energy via Patreon or Paypal. I will convert this energy into my next synth demo. I hope this energy comes back to you in a form of inspiration or a renewed desire to dig at your synth. I'd rather not become an "influencer", make dramatic faces in my thumbnails and clickbait-y titles, or offer you "amazing" crap that you don't necessarily need, so right now your support is my only source of dependable income from and for my artistic endeavors. If you do not wish to use Patreon or Paypal, you can support me each time you buy gear in Thomann and Perfect Circuit: explanation.

Consider this site a sound-motion-picture gallery. Of course I do write a couple of sentences about each synth, but anybody can write anything, not to mention that writing about sound is pretty absurd, so I mainly focus on demos of the synths, as I like the audiovisual medium more and find it more communicative, valuable & entertaining.

personal thoughts (from GAS times)

Don't be misled into thinking that this is some kind of a way to become a happy and fulfilled person or musician. Life does not become much brighter, easier or more enjoyable just because you have 50 cool synths and piles of colorful crap... If you cross the line, it actually gets darker. I don't believe it a big or sensible feat to gather tons of instruments believing that large amount of equipment will allow you to achieve fantastic results. It's just exchanging money for devices, paper for plastic. The things you own end up owning you - remember? In my opinion, the greatest feat - or art - is to extract something interesting and original from a limited set of tools. Ironically, life without limits becomes boring and pointless. That's why I sold 90% of my synths that you see on my old photographs.