#portable synth

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The world seems to rotate back and forth from both big and small items.  Think of the era when super baggy pants were in fashion.  Kids went to school with pants that had leggings that were the size of their torso.  They even dragged on the ground whenever you walked, making it hard to keep them from getting destroyed.  The internet went through a period of time when font sizes were incredible small.  Perhaps this was because computer monitors had horrible resolutions at that time.  Now, we are beginning to see oversized fonts and large banners across every home page.  The same trend is also happening with music instruments. The whole tablet and smartphone revolution has cemented the idea that small gadgets DO work, and in some cases they are preferable to the larger alternative.  MIDI controllers have shrunk down in size which makes them portable and accessible.  Even synthesizers have felt the boom of smaller devices taking the public by storm.  Korg, like many other companies, has introduced smaller sized versions of their once large synthesizers.  They are cheaper, portable, and they give reason for an average tinkerer to go out and try something new.  Even the low-tech synths have their fans as well. http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/why-are-mini-synths-so-popular-579449

I think that most of us who have never touched a synthesizer before would prefer to buy a smaller unit before actually getting something that is full sized.  The term “full-sized” has many different meanings, but they certainly mean something different in the world of synthesizers.  Some of these units are huge, and they look more like the early tape fed computers of the 1970’s, than they do a synthesizer of these years.  I think it would be unreasonable to expect a first timer to buy anything that requires two people to pick up.  Modular synthesizers and racks are just about the last thing they would want to look at. When a company designs a smaller synthesizer, something I dare call “portable”, they are really trying to balance their focus between serious enthusiasts and first timers who just want to try a piece of the pie.  The trouble with analog synths in general is that their components are larger than digital components, so packing something into a smaller size presents challenges.  There are features that will have to be overlooked or omitted completely, since the sheer size and weight of the synth will work against the idea of being portable.  http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/07/22/the-analogue-solutions-station-x-synthesizer/

I would think that every musician has a piece of gear that never leaves the house, for one reason or another.  Personally, sensitive gear like a turntable is always a risk to move around – and one bad drop can literally ruin the entire device.  The irony is that turntables are built like tanks – yet the tonearm and needle is usually the Achilles Heel no matter how sturdy the rest of the body is.  A guitarist might have a few amps that they keep at the house – but rarely will they take their prized vintage amp anywhere.  Why risk it?  Synthesizers used to fall into the category of immovable – but these days live performers are more inclined to bring them outside. The performance value of a live show is remarkable, especially when using instruments that are usually confined to the household rather than brought outside.  Even the heaviest of synthesizers today, like the MS-20, are still relatively potable when compared to what Roland was producing back in the 1980’s.  You don’t need two men to lift these behemoths around.  Smaller items like the Maschine and MicroKorg are also a breeze to pack and haul, yet they are still capable enough to use.   http://createdigitalmusic.com/2013/08/summer-studio-portable-music-bbq-in-the-finnish-countryside-ms-20-maschine/