Saturday morning I was still feeling so jazzed about the Recording/Mastering classes that I started kind of daydreaming and making a fantasy wish list of the audio software and equipment I wish I could buy. And then I turned to craigslist with the intent of just getting a feel for what an okay basic synthesizer would cost me.
I’ve been using a Korg K25 midi controller for my work with Reason. It’s okay, but it’s very limiting as it’s only a 2-octave keyboard. The octave shift feature helps with this in terms of hearing the individual parts, but it’s still quite frustrating.
Anyway, I got on craigslist and lo and behold, the very first entry under the synth search was for an Access Virus KC. I’d been distantly dreaming about the TI for a time, and to unexpectedly encounter a deal on a slightly used KC model …
this! wowza!
I proceeded to begin an email conversation with the owner, which became rather amusing as he was rather abrupt with the tone of his correspondence, so I kept my responses rather curt and to the point as well while inquiring as to what form of payment he would consider. My bank is still out of state with a branch that doesn’t exist in CA, so acquiring funds short notice seemed potentially problematic. In retrospect I probably did sound rather sketchy in my inquiries, because Monday morning he called me a scammer and wanted to meet me to evaluate me as a “normal” person before granting me permission to see the synth in person.
I performed some clever antics with my bank and reassured the guy of my “normalcy”, agreed to meet for coffee, but left the cash back at my apartment. He brought a friend with him, I can only assume as back up if things went sour I tried to assault or rob or I don’t know. Anyway, I had a cup of espresso in my lap when he approached me at the designated coffee shop.
Things righted themselves pretty quickly with both parties reassured. I got a sweet ass synthesizer, and he got his money. And nobody got killed. Craigslist win.
When I pull back the cardboard flaps, it’s nothing but glorious light and harps and clouds twinkling in awe.
I had to hide it under a towel in order to make myself concentrate on work for the rest of the afternoon. And when T got home from work, he helped me set it up on my work table. I plugged it in, switched it on, and all the dials glowed red. Ah!
sooo f’ing cool!
Headphones on, the sound is so REAL. It’s not like soft synths at all. God, this is amazing: a giddy feeling in my stomach, a knot in my throat like I might start crying. A Virus! I’m using a Virus!
I need to read the manual. I have to read the manual. I don’t know anything about synths, I don’t know what any of those dials do! Let’s hope for a sharp learning curve!
Oh, and MUST acquire an audio interface so I can begin incorporating this beast into the creative process!
late night headphone girl
