BENCH NOTES

Welcome back to Bench Notes! 

Fall is in full swing and don’t we know it. Although the season has barely begun, it’s brought a deluge of instruments through the shop - including 57 instruments in active repair right now. We love this newfound fall energy, and it’s given us the opportunity to open up a spot on our small-but-mighty team. If you know anyone who might be a good fit, please pass on our link - you’ll find it in the section below. 

And if you ever wanted to get deeply technical and learn more about the evolution of synthesizers, you’ll want to join us at the Audio Engineering Society event we’re sponsoring this month. More details below!

WE’RE HIRING!

After a slow start to the year, synth work in Toronto has been picking up again, and a spot has opened up in our shop’s little team. We’re looking to add a part-time synth repair tech and we need your help finding the right person!

We’re looking for someone who…

• Loves vintage synths

• Knows their way around a circuit board

• Wants to deepen their understanding of analogue and digital synthesis

• Won’t give up on a problem until they’re uncovered every angle

• Likes dogs 

If this sounds like someone you know, please help us out and share the posting with anyone you think would be interested! We’re accepting applications all through September.

THE EVOLUTION OF AUDIO SYNTHESIS

On September 24th, the Toronto Audio Engineering Society (AES) is hosting an event open to all on “The Evolution of Audio Synthesis.” This event will explore the history of sound synthesis, with insights into modular and its applications in contemporary music. Join us and the good folks at AES to learn more about:

• A variety of synthesis techniques such as subtractive, additive, and FM, and how they’ve driven innovation in sound design and performance

• The electronics behind audio circuits, including a technical breakdown of components like oscillators, filters, and amplifiers, and how voltage-controlled systems power sound synthesis

• VCAs, DACs and ADCs and how they can be combined together in embedded systems to make polyphonic programmable analogue synthesizers

The event will cap off with a round-table discussion about future trends in synth technology. 

As a humble sponsor of snacks at this event, we’re excited to attend this deeply nerdy and illuminating journey into the past, present, and future of audio synthesis! There are a limited number of spots, so if you’re interested in joining us there, be sure to register and save your spot!

THE JUNK DRAWER

Some other tidbits from last month worth sharing:

• Our government is taking a survey of Canadians’ opinions on developing a Right-to-Repair policy, which would make repairing consumer technology easier for everybody! Follow this link to get informed and speak your mind before September 26th.

• Both 808 and 909 days have come and gone this year. If you own either of these legendary drum machines, show them some love!

• We love to spotlight new releases from our customers in our newsletter - submit yours by email to us if you have any music coming soon or that has come out in the past year!

• After a bit of time out of the spotlight, London has reclaimed her throne as Employee of the Month. She even learned “place”!

LOCAL EVENTS

Synth and synth-adjacent happenings in the GTA.

Monday, October 14th | Toronto Electronic Music Open Mic

On the second Monday of each month, our friends at TEMOM hold an electronic music open mic night at Handlebar. 15 minute sets. All live. All musical styles. Drop by at 8pm and enjoy!

Every Wednesday | Render File

You can often catch our talented tech Sam making noise at Render File on Wednesdays. This casual event stars a different video game playthrough each week with an improvised score by a live band. Check it out at Wenona Craft Beer Lodge every Wednesday at 8pm.

Saturday, September 21st | Frequency Freaks

Frequency Freaks Synthesizer Workshops are free educational synth events that encourage sharing gear info and sound-design techniques in the Toronto synth community. They’re held in association with Arraymusic at 155 Walnut Avenue.

Got any suggestions for local events we can add here? We’d love to hear about them! Just reach out and let us know.

If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading this third edition of Bench Notes! Feel free to let us know what you think, share it with a friend, or suggest new topics you’re curious about.

—The Team at Synths When