This video, via Amateur Hour, takes a look inside the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation of electronic sound and music.
The studio features a fantastic collection of vintage and modern gear, including:
- an ARP 2600;
- an Alesis Andromeda A6;
- a Buchla modular system;
- several EMS synths;
- a Fairlight CMI 30A computer music instrument;
- an Elka Synthex;
- a rare Hammond Novachord;
- Korg MS-20 & Wavestation synths;
- classic Linn drum machines;
- a Make Noise Shared System;
- vintage Moog synths and modular synthesizers;
- a collection of Roland gear (Jupiter-8, TR-606, TR-808, TR-909, VP330 Vocoder and more;
- Sequential Prophet 10 and T8; a Triadex Muse-1; and
- a Yamaha DX-7.
See a full summary of the studio’s collection below.
An annual MESS membership costs $220 AUD (about US $165). Members can have access to the synth studio for $44 AUD/4-hour session.
In the video, M.E.S.S. founders Byron Scullin and Robin Fox discuss their amazing collection of vintage synths and the community they’re building around them.
Details on the Studio and membership are available at the MESS site.
Items in the collection include:
- Access Virus TI Desktop
- A332 Russian stylophone
- Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-1 drum machine
- Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-2L drum machine
- Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR6 drum machine
- Ace Tone Rhythm Ace R-1 drum machine
- Akai MPC4000
- Akai MAX49 controller keyboard
- Akai MPC60 hardware sampler
- Alesis HR-16
- Alesis Andromeda A6 (LE)
- Amdek PCK-100 drum synthesizer
- ARP Odyssey Mk II
- ARP Odyssey Mk III
- ARP Quadra Model 2461
- ARP 2600P
- ARP 3620 Keyboard
- Arturia MiniBrute synthesizer
- Atari 2600 with Synthcart cartridge
- Bandmaster Powerhouse drum machine
- Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
- Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
- Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-110 drum machine
- Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-220A drum machine
- Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-55 drum machine
- Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-550 MkII drum machine
- Boss DRP-II Drum Pad
- Boss Voice Transformer VT-1
- Buchla “modular synthesizer featuring:
- 1 x Buchla 24wls case and pelican case
- 1 x Buchla clone 258 VCO
- 1 x Buchla clone 158 VCO
- 1 x Buchla clone 296 Spectral Filter
- 1 x Buchla clone 266 Source Of Uncertainty
- 1 x Buchla clone 230 Envelope Follower
- 1 x Buchla clone 254 Quad CV Mixer
- 1 xBuchla clone 281e Quad Envelope Generator
- 1 x Buchla clone 292 Low Pass gate
- 1 x Buchla clone 207 Mixer
- 1 x Sputnik DDFX module
- 1 x Module housing Buchla 291 Filter/ Balance Modulator/ Sputnik Waveshaper
- 1 x Buchla 258 VCO clone module
- 1 x Buchla 259 VCO clone module
- 1 x Buchla 292e module
- 1 x Buchla 281e module
- 1 x Buchla 266e module
- 1 x Buchla 218 clone module
- 1 x Buchla 261e module
- 1 x Buchla 285e module
- Casio PT-7 synthesizer
- Casio CZ-1000
- Chamberlin M-2 tape playback keyboard
- Chamberlin Rhythmate 25 drum machine
- Chamberlin Rhythmate 40 drum machine
- Charlie Super Electronic mini organ
- Conn Min-O-Matic drum machine
- CRB Rhythm Boy 480 drum machine
- Dave Smith Instruments Prophet 08 Module
- Daisy CV Generator/Sequencer system
- Dave Smith Instruments Tempest drum machine
- Dierstein Ondes Musicales (Ondes Martenot copy)
- Digital Keyboards Synegy II+
- Digital Keyboards Kaypro 4
- Digital Keyboards Kaypro 10
- Digitech XP100 Whammy-Wah pedal
- Dubreq Super Stylophone 350s
- EMS VCS1
- EMS VCS3 Mk.1
- EMS VCS3 Mk.2
- EMS Synthi A
- EMS Synthi AKS
- EMS Random Voltage Generator
- EMS 8 Octave Filter Bank
- EMS Pitch to Voltage Converter
- EMS DK2 Kyeboard
- EMS TKS Keyboard Sequencer
- E-mu Systems SP1200
- E-mu Systems Emulator II
- E-mu Systems Emulator III
- EDP Gnat Special
- EDP Spider
- EDP Wasp
- EDP Wasp Deluxe
- EDP Caterpillar
- EKO Rhythmaker drum machine
- EKO Ritmo 12 drum machine
- Electro Dynamic Corporation EDC SR-99 drum machine
- Electro Harmonix EH 0400 Mini Synthesizer
- Electro Harmonix DRM-15 drum machine
- Electro Harmonix Golden Throat II talkbox
- Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer
- Electro Harmonix Rhythm 12 drum machine
- Electro Harmonix Super Space Drum
- ELI CR-7030 drum machine
- ELI CR-8030 drum machine
- Elka Synthex
- Elka Drumstar 80 drum machine
- Elka The Sidekick 32 drum machine
- EMS Vocoder 2000
- EMU Drumulator drum machine
- Ensoniq EP5
- Eowave Ribbon Controller
- Fairlight CMI 30A computer music instrument
- Floyd Engels replica theremin Diamond Speaker with Reid Welch Claratone speaker
- Gibson Clavioline monophonic synthesizer
- Gibson Maestro Rhythm King MRK-4 drum machine
- Gibson Maestro Rhythm Jester drum machine
- Gisman RN 160 drum machine
- Gulbransen Teeny Bopper drum machine
- Gulbransen Select-A-Rhythm drum machine
- Hammond Auto Vari 64 drum machine
- Hammond Novachord
- Hammond Solovox
- Hartmann Neuron
- Heil Sound HT-1 Talkbox pedal
- Hillwood Super Variation HR-2 drum machine
- Hohner D6 Clavinet keyboard
- Hohner Rhythm 80 drum machine
- IVL Pitchrider 4000 pitch-to-midi effect pedal
- Jasper Mini-Rhythm KR30 drum machine
- JAX JAX 230 Auto Rhythm drum machine
- JHS Pro Rhythm SD-1 drum synthesizer
- John Bowen Solaris
- Kay R-12 Rhythmer drum machine
- Keio Korg Doncamatic DE-20 drum machine
- Keith McMillen Instruments Quneo midi controller
- Kent K-110 drum machine
- Kent K-85 drum machine
- King Beat 7 drum machine
- Korg MS-20
- Korg MS-20M
- Korg MS-20 mini synthesizer
- Korg MS-50
- Korg SQ10
- Korg MS-04
- Korg M1 EX
- Korg Wavestation
- Korg Wavestation AD
- Korg 01/W Pro X
- Korg Mono/Poly
- Korg PolySix
- Korg PS3200
- Korg PS 3010 keyboard for PS3200
- Korg PS3300
- Korg PS 3010 keyboard for PS3300
- Korg Cliphit drums
- Korg Mini Pops 120 drum machine
- Korg Mini Pops 5 drum machine
- Korg MICROKorg
- Korg KR-55 Rhythm 55 drum machine
- Kuzweil K2000
- Kurzweil PC3X
- Linn LM-1 Linn Drum drum machine
- Linn LinnDrum drum machine
- Lowrey Cotillion, Model D575 organ w/ custom road case
- Maestro MRK-1 Rhythm King drum machine
- Maestro MRQ-1 Rhythm Queen drum machine
- Maestro Rhythm Queen MRQ-1 drum machine
- Maestro Rhythm ‘n’ Sound G-2 module
- Maestro TH-1 Theremin
- Make Noise Black and Gold Shared System modular synthesizer (Eurorack format)
- Market Electronics EP-2 Echoplex echo unit
- Market Electronics EP-3 Echoplex echo unit
- Mattel Optigan model 35002
- Mattel Optigan model 35002
- Mattel Synsonics drums
- Maxon VOC TM-505 Talking Machine talkbox pedal
- Monome Model 128 Music Controller
- Mooer Synth Drum
- Moog Minimoog Model D
- Moog Memorymoog Plus
- Moog Source
- Moog Sonic 6
- Moog Micromoog
- Moog Minimoog Voyager XL
- Moog Model 12
- Moog Model 15
- Moog Mother 32
- Moog System 55
- Moog Sequencer complement B
- Moog 953 duophonic keyboard
- Moog Etherwave Plus theremin
- Moog Etherwave Pro theremin
- Moog MiniMoog Model D synthesizer
- Moog Minitaur analog bass synthesizer
- Moog Moogerfooger MF-108M Cluster Flux effects pedal
- Moog Moogerfooger MF-101 Low-Pass Filter effects pedal
- Moog Moogerfooger MF-103 12-Stage Phaser effects pedal
- Moog Moogerfooger MF-105M MIDI MuRF effects pedal
- Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 Ring Modulator
- Moog Voyager analog synthesizer
- Moog Taurus bass synthesizer
- Moog Theremini theremin
- MTI Auto Orchestra 16R drum machine/synthesizer
- Multivox Rhythm Ace FR-3 drum machine
- MXR 185 drum machine
- National Panasonic RD-9844 drum machine
- NDK drum machine
- Novation Supernova II Anniversary
- Oberheim OB-Xa
- Oberheim OB-8
- Oberheim DMX
- Oberheim Matrix 12
- Oberheim 8 voice SEM
- Oberheim DMX drum machine
- Octave Voyetra Rev 4
- Octave VPK-5
- Olson Rhythm Beat X-100 drum machine
- OSC Oscar
- Paia Drummer Boy drum machine
- Paia Programmable Drumset
- PPG Wave 2.3
- PPG Wave PRK FD
- PPG Waveterm
- RA Moog Melodia Theramin
- RCA theremin
- RCA 106 speaker
- RCF Ayra-6 monitor speaker
- RCF Ayra-6 monitor speaker
- Realistic Concertmate drum machine
- Redshift Audio Enabler
- Regal Rhythm RE 175 drum machine
- Rhodes Mark 7 Electric Piano
- Rhodes Chroma
- Rising Rhythmer drum machine
- RMI Explorer keyboard
- Rocktron Banshee Talk Box
- Roland Jupiter 8
- Roland System 101
- Roland System 102
- Roland System 103
- Roland System 104
- Roland System 109
- Roland System 700 (center panel)
- Roland TR-808
- Roland D50
- Roland R-8
- Roland JD-800
- Roland Juno 106
- Roland Juno 6
- Roland Jupiter 6
- Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Mk 5
- Roland MPG-80
- Roland V-Synth XT
- Roland V-Piano
- Roland VP330 Vocoder
- Roland CR-68 drum machine
- Roland CR-78 drum machine
- Roland CR-5000 drum machine
- Roland CR-8000 drum machine
- Roland HPD-10 percussion pad
- Roland MC-303 Groovebox
- Roland Rhythm 330
- Roland SH-1000 synthesizer
- Roland SH-101 synthesizer
- Roland SH-5 synthesizer
- Roland SVC-350 vocoder
- Roland TR-33 drum machine
- Roland TR-505 drum machine
- Roland TR-55 drum machine
- Roland TR-606 drum machine
- Roland TR-66 drum machine
- Roland TR-77 drum machine
- Roland TR-808 drum machine
- Roland TR-909 drum machine
- Roland VT-3 Voice Transformer
- Sakata DPM48 drum machine
- Sears Rhythm-Matic drum machine
- Seeburg Rhythm Prince
- Seeburg Select-A-Rhythm drum machine
- Selmer Clavioline monophonic synthesizer (currently being repaired)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet 10
- Sequential Circuits Prophet 600
- Sequential Circuits Pro-One
- Sequential Circuits Prophet T8
- Sequential Circuits Prophet VS
- Theremin Studio theremin (built by Lev himself)
- Transaudio Procase 6
- Transaudio 3 Oscillator Rack
- Triadex Muse-1 Sequencer
- Triadex Muse-1 sequencer + LS-1 Light Show + AS-1 Speaker)
- Univox JR-5 drum machine
- Univox SR-55 drum machine
- Univox SR-95 drum machine
- Viscount R64S PCM drum machine
- Waldorf Wave
- Watford Rhythm Generator drum machine
- Wavefront Classic theremin, cabinet “zero” prototype
- Wavefront Travel Case theremin (black)
- Wavefront MIDI Wave theremin interface
- Welson Supermatic S12 drum machine
- Wersimatic WM24 drum machine + WM24b accompaniment module
- Westminster Model 2900B Portable AM/FM transistor radio
- Wild Media Systems S-Talker K2-type talkbox
- Wurlitzer 140B electric piano
- Wurlitzer 700 electric piano
- Wurlitzer 5020 Swingin’ Safari drum machine
- Wurlitzer Sideman drum machine (currently being repaired)
- Yamaha DX7
- Yamaha DX1
- Yamaha FS1R
- Yamaha TX816
- Yamaha VL1 V2
- Yamaha EX-42 Organ w/ speakers
via Spud
mother of pearl
Very cool
Just Awesome!!!! We need one of these State Side!
This is just great!
I work there and love the place. Nothing else like it around the world. We do get quite a lot of tuned in international artists popping in as well as locals.
AMAZING and awesome idea.
I will be signing up for a membership.
I’m buying an mpc live and it would be so amazing to take it in and record my jamming to audio tracks.
This has made my day, I never thought I’d ever be able to play half these synths and this has put a massive smile on my face. Excited!!
I love the polyvoks, since we got Mess now I can say I’ve pretty much played every synth of my dreams.
Just amazing. That’s all I can say,
Brilliant idea. But do you have to bring your own recording equipment?
They supply mixer, you can bring laptop or mobile device. I think maybe there’s an audio interface you can loan. And they have wifi.
Very cool, though studio fees on top of membership costs make it rather expensive.
SYNTH HEAVEN