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 more than a few people sleeping rough. It’s the kind of neighbourhood that’s charming at noon and a coin flip at midnight.
Second, I work late very frequently when events run long at the art gallery. Walking home alone at odd hours is just part of the job.
Finally, I had just recently picked up a DSI Mopho synth that I’d been jamming around with, and this thing sounds bad-ass. It’s basically a single voice from a Prophet-08, that same fat analog Dave Smith filter and oscillator character crammed into a little desktop box. I’d been carrying it back and forth so I could keep tinkering at home, which is how it ended up in my hands at the worst possible moment.
Last Friday I was walking home from work at 11pm when I passed a group of about six people spread across both sides of me. Normally there are folks out here every night having a smoke outside the clubs, but this group was looking for something more. Just as I cleared them, one came up fast from behind.
I turned my head and saw him swing for it. My first instinct was to duck and cover, but both my hands were full — a pizza box in one, the Mopho in the other. So I dropped the pizza and swung the synth.
Right then another one grabbed my laptop bag by the strap near my neck, but I dropped my weight into a crouch and slipped it before he could get a grip. I spun so nobody could come from behind, and by then the whole group was already running off into the dark.
The Mopho is no heavy instrument. It’s compact, hand-held, sealed in a genuinely sturdy case. But it’s built well enough to do some real damage in angry hands. I figure I was swinging this “Killer Synth” around hard enough that I lost four knobs in the process. On the upside, the mob backed off from my stance and decided they’d rather 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!
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