Thanks to many gracious contributors, we now have a PA. It’s not the best system available these days, but it is sufficient and a great deal for the cost — we can build with it, and that is what is fantastic. Now to build a way to power it off-the-grid... thoughts?

The parasite in my brain must be a big fan of the Doobie Brothers.

I need to call her…

Michael McDonald has been a menace for the last three months... Some of his tunes — along with what he recorded with the Doobie Brothers — have been eating my brains. All day. Every day. Just like those sorry bastards in “Forty Year Old Virgin”. A constant internal loop. I have no idea why… 🤷🏻‍♂️

What’s up with songwhip? Anybody else experiencing unusual behavior from that site?

More evidence I am “old” is the recurring internal debate I have about why I need not just a drill press, but a good one. Something old and heavy, likely to require a truck to move. I also do not own a truck. I cannot shake the feeling this is eventually going to happen.

Anybody have a clarinet they wanna donate…? I am serious.

Event today! Spread the word. 🙏

Been jamming with a couple fellows here, and am excited to share some of what we have come up with on the fly. Not sure how I will organize it all, but plodding through the sessions and extracting some delicious dishes. Stay tuned.

Ugh so after all the shenanigans with my SH-101 it still does not work… 😭

Thanks to John Michie for the link. Not sure what took Bluesky developers so long to figure out how to make this come together. 🤷🏻‍♂️ But for anybody else… cleanfollow-bsky.pages.dev

This fuckin guy… www.psypost.org/new-paper-un...

Nothing says MASCULINE like a $200M ballroom, fellas.

Anybody want to buy a previously owned (never used) Akai Force?

Well, isn’t that interesting… www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...

Sent my sisters care packages from Hawaii, and slipped in my TV remote just to keep them on their toes.

I am rejecting a Kennedy Center Honor, again, from that orange turd. No, it hasn’t been offered. But I am rejecting it, no less.

Anybody gotta KPR77 that doesn’t work (and wanna sell)?

A scorpion stung my poor puppy in his cute chin. 🥺

It is incredible how much time a live set requires to process, if the end goal is to make edits, mix, and polish to a nice shine. For me, it is easily a 4x timeline to simply listen — before doing anything, no less deciding on edits, and everything else.

Social media is a worm farm.

Take a look at Jetfinger’s incredible DIY modular rig… 🤩

Here is the live stream of yesterday’s Hawaii Synthesizer Club event. We demo’d a double-up of the Make Noise easel (2x 0-Coast, 2x 0-CTRL, & 2x Strega), as well as presented a set by Jetfinger and his stellar DIY synth. www.youtube.com/live/yVgLog1...

If you have time tomorrow, join us in Hilo. Jetfinger’s performance will be something to behold. Going to attempt to livestream portions of the event, so check out my YT for that (10-2pm HST).

On August 2nd (10-2pm), Hawaii Synthesizer Club will be hosting another meetup at the Hawaii Science & Technology museum.

Are you angry yet — so pissed off that you will finally throw yourself against the machine, no matter the outcome?

ehh…? 😱😳 reverb.com/item/8637511...

I love how the functions of a module can morph in utility. Here is a ring modulator being demonstrated, later used as a VCA. AKA “Patch programming” www.elby-designs.com/webtek/euro-...

Just picked up a friggin monster module today: the Boredbrain Optx v2 light-pipe ADAT rig. Really looking forward to integrating it into the recording process. With my Mackie 24/8 mixer, it gives me 8 bus from the mixer then an additional ten individual channels. Massively powerful. 🔥

Snagged this US Army radio box at an auction for $3.73. Considering making it into some kind of DIY synth. Suggestions / recommendations? 🙏

SH-101 all bettah!! John @ Treasuretronics in Cincy (Cheviot) found the cure — a simple cold solder on the output. The man is a stud and has always been super great. Thanks for the support. Recommended. 👍 💯 👍

Where has Colin Benders gone? Used to enjoy watching him tool around on his system. Dude kinda disappeared…

Tempting trade convo via Reddit: Octatrack mkII (mine) for an Analog Rytm mkII theirs). Prospect also wants an additional $200 for the Rytm. 🤔

My SH-101 is seeing the doctor at Treasuretronics (Cincinnati, OH) today. Hopefully John can suss out the issue of the output dropping out. Question: should I have him add MIDI capability?????

IYKYK (YPDK)

🌴 530am in the Jungle 🌴

Met some cool people at the HSC meetup yesterday. It was an early start (3am), and late day, plus 4+ hrs of travel, but worth the effort. Many new friends were made; the future of electronic music on the Big Island looks bright. Already have ideas brewing for the next one. 🖖🙂

Tomorrow is the HSC “Petting Zoo” meetup at the Hawaii Science & Technology Museum (10-2pm). We have some awesome pieces of gear slated, and what should be a cool modular demo and exposition (1pm). Attendees need headphones with a 1/4” plug, in order to play the gear. Hope to see you there! 🤙🙂

Sugaar Pan’s latest LP “Lorategi” — a dreamy walk through a hazy meadow, with beautiful flute and guitar contrapuntal pieces, feels deeply connected to nature. Moments reminding me of the trippy interludes of The Incredible String Band. Calming experience. 🥰 sugaarpan.bandcamp.com/album/lorate...

Excited for next Saturday’s Hawaii Synthesizer Club meetup. We have a great selection of tools scheduled to show for the Petting Zoo, and what should be an interesting generative modular patch that I hope to video / record. The space itself is also DOPE.

So priveleved to witness this every year on local TV stations. This is the second night of Merrie Monarch 2025, a small example.

Girlfriend: “Where do you think your ‘Jamaican’ wig should be stored?” Me: “Down by the beach, boyeeee!” 😂

Hosting a “Petting Zoo” and live generative modular synth exposition on 10 May 2025 in Hilo. Will take place from 10am - 2pm at the Hawaii Science & Technology Museum. Please bring a pair of headphones w/ 1/8” connector and a 1/4” adapter, to experience the synths.

Had a dream I was after a style of song called “Dub Siren” and in my dream it was Jungle. So here is some Hx on the subject… www.musicradar.com/music-tech/r...

I’ve been concerned about “Aminal Prisms” being used to train AI, and have since intentionally published experimental noise and sketches to poison the well. I’m still producing, now sitting on hundreds of hrs; until a serviceable tool surfaced, I decided my gems would have to await release. 🙏Benn🖤

Man, Spinscott… 🤯 youtube.com/shorts/_D5be...

The red-glue JD800 adventure has commenced. Have disassembled the keybed. Pulled all keys. Spent hours removing as much of the toxic sludge from the PCB as possible using toothpicks. Next step: caustic soda bath for keys and weights. 🥵

$50 score from the auction house in Kealakekua

mundus sine caesaribus