Your Favourite Classic Factory Demos

These days, it seems easier than ever to research your next potential synthesizer purchase. For every new model, a legion of videos are released on YouTube; patch flips, deep dives and reviews offer the synthesist a fairly good measure of an instrument's sounds and idiosyncrasies - it's true that nothing tops trying it out for yourself, where you might suddenly decide that the shift key placement is a complete dealbreaker; so synth events & (declining) physical shops remain an important resource.

Back in the 90's however, physical shops were all we had (outside of magazines & promotional VHS/audio tapes) - along with an array bizarre music shop customs and rituals. Manufacturers knew that shop assistants might have a tough job; internalising all the key strengths & features of a gazillion synths, so created a single button that allowed the synth to sell itself - the demo button.

In response to my original article, several readers have suggested their favourites of the era. Let's take a look.

Korg M1

Marc Gainey: "My favorite is Korg's M1 written by Don Muro. He carries a theme through the songs and really shows off the power of the instrument. I got a chance to meet Don and he was incredibly nice and generous with his time."

Alesis QS Series

Netochka Nezvanova: "The Alesis "Q Card" demos have always been favorites of mine."

TORLEY: "OMG! ME TOO!!! And the diversity of the built-in QS demos, from prog-rock to robot-pop. Unlike various others, the Alesis line has not gotten a true virtual recreation to this day."

Yamaha PSR 38

Litui: "The good demos stay with ya (sunglasses emoji)."

Thanks for the picks, dear readers! I think we had a little of everything there; atmospheres, rock'n'roll, dance, electronica! Let's raise a glass to the lost art of the factory demo, see you again next time!

Posted by MagicalSynthAdventure an expert in synthesis technology from last Century and Amiga enthusiast.

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