This April will see an innovative new studio populated by vintage synthesizers open in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) will provide a unique experience for musicians and members of the public. Patrons will be able to book studio time and gain access to a vast collection of vintage synths, drum machines, MIDI saxophones, theramins and more.
The non-for-profit project is the collective brainchild of audio-visual laser artist Robin Fox, and Byron Scullin who works and lectures in sound design.
Scullin believes the purpose of the project is more about celebrating the machines via their use than having the collection on display to view. “We want it to be like a museum, but one where you can use and touch everything,” he told Broadsheet. “And also like a gym – come down and work out on a synth.”
The collection is so vast that only a third of it can be on display at any given time. As a result, members will be able to experience a different array of artifacts every 22 weeks.
MESS memberships are to be limited to 500. A membership will cost $220 a year, and members can reserve an instrument online for a four-hour session at $44 per session. Although that might sound dear for up-and-coming musicians, the money will be going directly to the up-keep of the vintage instruments and to their owners.
The inaugural MESS autumn season will commence in April 2016. Memberships are available now, as is a list of the instruments that will be available first up.
