Putting together a list of analog polyphonic synthesizers you can purchase NEW today.

Updating spreadsheet here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgN0NVuHJkgldHhUVlVKdU1CUmM0OWU0U3Q2ZGQtZGc&usp=sharing

Some of you may want to see where I hang out most of my days:

… zero and one. Now first, let’s take a look at zero. Now nobody wants to be a zero. To be a zero means to be a nothing, a nobody, a has-been, a clod.
On the other hand, almost everybody wants to be number one. To be a number one means to be a winner, top of the heap, the acme. And there seems to be a strange kind of national obsession with this particular number.

Now, in my opinion, the problem with these two numbers is that they are just too close. It leaves very little room in there for everybody else. Just not enough range. So first we need to get rid of the value judgements attached to these two numbers, and to realise that to be a zero is no better, no worse than to be number one.

Because, because what we are actually looking at here are the building blocks of the modern computer age. Everything that can be expessed in words or numbers in any language can be communicated using this simple, foolproof system. It’s all here in a nutshell, the entire alpha-numerical system, the a to zee – the zero to infinity of digital intelligence. …

written and copyright:

Laurie Anderson – Home of the Brave – 1984

In last December (2013) I thought I’d treat myself to a Christmas present – and bid on a 2nd hand 1980’s Korg Synthesizer. To my delight, I won the auction – and was excited to receive my new toy.

Then things started to go wrong. The seller fails to send the item, and after much badgering and finally I lodged a dispute, she posts the item on the 10th January 2014 (note the original purchase date 16-Dec-2013) – so nearly a month later. Yes, Christmas was in there, but still, this is unacceptable. WARNING SIGN #1

Eventually I receive the item today (23-Jan-2014) and it is in extremely poor condition.

There was no power socket:

There was some major damage:

It was in very poor condition – and the cleanliness was terrible:

Picture of the box condition – bad packaging: no bublewrap or internal protection:

what is that coin? did she toss me a bit of change for her trouble?

This picture shows the box how it got damaged during transit – and how the rubber foot part of the keyboard poked through the cardboard! :

So was this the same as the seller’s description:

Vintage Korg Synthesizer great condition for being 30 years old.. Needs a new power cord. Tested and fully functional,, Great sound.

“great condition” – I dont think so!

“needs a new power cord” – didn’t get one – but yes, it also needs a new power socket!

“tested and fully functional” – how did you test it?

“great sound” – what?

Just to prove it – here is an actual screenshot of the original seller’s description of the goods:

Here is the picture the seller put on the ebay listing:

Here is the picture of the same area that I took:

Conclusion

Was there any signs from the seller or listing that this was a bad purchase?

I shouldn’t have bidded – for these reasons:

1. The seller had 1 bad comment – item not delivered.
2. There was only one picture on the listing
3. There were no questions asked about the item – you should always ask questions (like what’s wrong with the power cord? and can I see some more pictures? )

UPDATE:

Ebay/Paypal have ruled in my favour and refunded me. This post isn’t a dig at Ebay or Paypal – its a dig at dodgy people (scammers) – and hopefully someone learns from me.

analog synths require tuning, just like violins, guitars, pianos etc. They are analog, yes they have electronics in them, but they still require a human to make the sound unique. It’s time they are recognised as a contemporary instrument – instead of “oh, you just did that on a synth, you must be cheating”

Hilary Adamson is the premier newborn photographer in Perth.  She specialises in newborn baby posing and styling and has won awards. Through the AIPP, she has accreditation for being a professional photographer.

There’s a stack of examples of her work on her website and her facebook page.

She just completed an amazing maternity photo shoot – more about it on her blog here: http://www.hilaryadamsonphotography.com.au/maternity-photographer-perth-beach-shoot-22-wks-pregnancy/

It would be nice if there were DisplayLink 3.0 drivers for Linux so that I can use my USB 3.0 docking station properly.

At the moment I can only get USB and Network connectivity out of it.

I am running Debian Jessie  – 3.9-1-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 3.9.8-1 x86_64 GNU/Linux

The docking station I have is a Toshiba Dynadock U3

when I plug in the dynadock – this is what syslog says:

Jan 9 09:18:35 ranz-tosh kernel: [81942.004955] userif-3: sent link up event.<6>[81942.012137] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 17 using xhci_hcd
Jan 9 09:18:35 ranz-tosh kernel: [81942.030361] usb 2-1: New USB device found, idVendor=2109, idProduct=3431
Jan 9 09:18:35 ranz-tosh kernel: [81942.030372] usb 2-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=1, SerialNumber=0

lsusb says:

Bus 004 Device 009: ID 17e9:4305 DisplayLink

if I plug the HDMI cable in – nothing shows up in Displays – and nothing shows up in syslog