Rich Aucoin - Synthetic: Season 3 (2024)

Can machines sing? Rich Aucoin answers with a resounding “yes.” In his project Synthetic: Season 3, he explores the history of synthesis and dance music. From March 2020 to February 2024, Aucoin recorded the album in music centers in Calgary and Los Angeles, bringing historical synthesizers back to life.

“Moog” was created on the 1970 Minimoog, beloved by Kraftwerk and Parliament-Funkadelic. “ElectroComp” uses the 1969 EML ElectroComp 200, while “Optigan” combines breakbeats with a Mattel organ from 1971. “M1” features the Korg M1 (1988), a hit of the late ‘80s era.

Rare instruments also play a role: a modular Calgary synthesizer from the ‘80s in “Delta Music Research,” the sitar-like 1979 Sonica in “Sonica,” and the EMS Synthi 100 (1971) in “Synthi.”

Each synthesizer tells its own story, connecting the past and future in one joyful present.

Tracklist:
1 Waldorf Wave
2 Synthacon
3 Delta Music Research
4 M1
5 Moog
6 Sonica
7 Octave The CAT
8 ElectroComp
9 Synthi
10 Optigan