June 7, 2009
This story begins with three elements.
First, I live in quite a lively part of downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market. Home to countless restaurants, bars, a strip-club and many homeless people.
Second, I also work late very frequently when events run late at the art gallery.
Finally, I have just recently got a DSI Mopho synth that I was jamming around with, this thing sure sounds bad-ass! It's like a single voice from a Prophet-08, sweet!
Last Friday I was walking home from work at 11 pm when I passed a group of about six people on both sides of me. Generally there are people waiting around here every night having a smoke outside the clubs, but this group was looking for something more. Just as I passed the group I saw one of them come up quickly from behind.
As I turned my head I saw him swing for my head. My first reaction was to duck and cover my head but I was holding both a pizza box and my synth. I freed one arm by dropping the pizza box, and with I swung my synth in self-defence.
Suddenly I felt another of the gang grab my laptop bag by the handle near my neck, but my reflexes led me to get out almost instantly as I dropped my weight to a crouching position. Obviously he wasn't able to hold on, and I quickly turned so nobody was attacking me from behind, but the group was already running away.
The Mopho is by no means a heavy instrument. It's compact, hand held and durably enclosed in a very sturdy case. It is however well enough made to do some serious damage in my angry hands. I guess I was swinging this "Killer Synth" around so much that I lost 4 knobs in the process, but on the upside the mob that attacked me backed away from my angry stance, preferring to keep their teeth that evening.
UPDATE: After emailing Dave Smith Instruments about my experience they were kind enough to mail me some replacement knobs for my synth. This is officially the best synth company ever!
The photos that were here are gone.
Ben says...
Hey, im from ottawa as well, was cool to see a story about this city up on synthopia, from now on whenever im downtown im carrying my yamaha effects rack and boss drum machine with me wherever i go!
On September 19, 2010
Alex says...
Thanks Alba, I’m glad that you shared my story, I may need to look at the Evolver or the Prophet08 next . . .
On September 16, 2010
Alba Ecstasy says...
I shared your story on my blog.
I agree you: I have an Evolver and is the best synth of my actual studio setup!
DSI rulez :P
On September 16, 2010
De ce sa faci muzica cu sintetizatoare hardware in locul celor virtuale | Alba Ecstasy says...
[…] clara ca sintetiatoarele virtuale nu au nicio greutate. Asadar, urmatoarea relatare este facuta de Alex Massaad [traducere si adapare Alba […]
On September 16, 2010
Scott says...
I agree with your comment on DSI, they are the best synth company ever :)
On September 16, 2010
Alex says...
Thanks for your comment. I’ve heard that a lot of bands loose gear loading in and out at clubs in Montreal, its almost considered a “right of passage” for indie bands here. As for safe, its pretty safe, there were lots of people around, this one gang just decided it would be fun to try and scare me or something . . . not very Canadian, maybe they just recently arrived in our great country . . .
On September 15, 2010
Enigmafon Records says...
Cool Story. At least they didn’t steal anything.
I always thought Canada was safe.. at least when i was in Montreal, i was told i could around late at night without having to worry about getting mugged..
On September 15, 2010