Another new synth - Kawai K1 Mk II

I used to have a Kawai K1 MkII keyboard, but replaced it a long time ago with a K1R module. Though it's very much a 'poor man's Korg M1', I like the Kawai's sample-and-synthesis sounds. You still can't beat the 2 Moon Sky preset...
The K1R module lacks the K1 Mk2's effects and drums, but they aren't much of a loss. Anyway, having sold most of my classic analogue monosynths, I had some space for keyboards, so I picked up a K1 MkII from eBay for a ridiculously low £50.
I won't get rid of the K1R, though, as it now looks as if I might not have space to set up the K1 Mk II after all - see the next post....

New synth - Oberheim OB12

I just got an Oberheim OB12 from eBay. Not that cheap, £360, but it's in perfect condition, and importantly doesn't have any problem with the display, which often goes wrong.
I was hoping it would replace my sold Elka Synthex, Juno 60, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey and Crumar Spirit, and it does - but it looks like it will replace my Yamaha CS60 too. It has velocity and aftertouch sensitivity, an arpeggiator, a ring modulator, polyphonic portamento and an effects unit; it does the lot. It sounds a little harsh and digital for something that's supposed to be virtual analogue, but so what. Viscount being Italian, the manual's a bit garbled, but I think the Viscount contribution to the design is what's given it the Synthex touch. And it's nice to have so many knobs and sliders to play with. So I think I'll sell the Juno 60 now; then my main keyboards will be the Roland D70, Quasimidi Raven Max and Korg DW8000, plus the Oberheim - I think that should be enough to dominate the world.

New Doctor Who action figures from Character Options, 2009 Dalek Bubble Bath

I'm pleased to have picked up from Forbidden Planet the latest Doctor Who Classic action figure sets from Character Options; the Fourth Doctor Adventure Set, and the second of the Classic Daleks sets. I'm particularly taken with the Saucer Pilot Dalek (the one with the energy collector dish on the back) and with the Fourth Doctor, a very convincing representation of Tom Baker (with a choice of heads). And you can't beat a Dalek with bombs strapped to it. There are more out next month, including another Dalek with a Jon Pertwee figure, so I'll be first in the queue. And I've picked up the Dalek Supreme Bubble Bath... the last one in Forbidden Planet as, Boots and the like don't seem to be stokcing it this year... but I did get the last of last year's black Dalek bubble baths fro Boots for £1.25... and I'm still working on some mods for the first Classic Dalek set. I got some Plastruct and brass tubing to try to fabricate the claw, but it's tricky...

Vintage Years of Airfix and Revell Fairey Rotodyne

Got an excellent book recently - The Vintage Years of Airfix by Roy Cross. Collecting his artwork from the classic years of Airfix model kits, it's a very high quality production and has all my favourite artwork in it, from the Fairey Rotodyne to the DUKW. Published at £35, I got it for £26 from Amazon. I also got the reissue of the Revell kit of the Rotodyne - looking forward to building it, though I still mean to get another couple to do 'What if...?' finishes.

More Doctor Who action figures

Apart from the nice-looking Hartnell and Troughton Dr Who action figures coming out this month, I see Character Options now has some great packs scheduled for August, including four new classic Daleks, and a four-pack with Tom Baker, Mummy, Death Robot and Suicide Dalek. Want!

John Foxx at the Apple Store, Regent Street

I went to see John Foxx last night at the Apple Store, Regent Street. A bit shambolic - no sign outside or inside that the performance was taking place, and jabbering fuckwits fiddling with iPods throughout the show. But quite interesting - John played Yamaha piano and Alesis reverb over one short film from the Quiet Man project, read over another, then held a short Q&A. Mark Gatiss introduced. No chance so far as I could see to buy CDs, but I'll have to catch up with the latest titles eventually.

Three Keyboard Cat Moon T-shirt - the T-shirt of the gods

I'm a bit slow picking up on these things, so I was the last to see the Keyboard Cat videos on YouTube, and the last to find out about the Three Wolf Moon t-shirt on Amazon; but even I can appreciate the sheer wonder of the Three Keyboard Cat Moon t-shirt. As I post, it's only a suggestion on www.threadless.com - by the time you read this, it will probably be the biggest-selling clothing item of all time.