Gearheads Unite! Seattle Startup Patchwerks Hosts Second Synth Meetup April 10

The second Synth Meetup & Petting Zoo will take place Sunday, April 10 at the Melrose Market Studios (1 pm-6 pm, all ages, free). Organized by Patchwerks, the Seattle startup company that's in the process of finding a storefront to sell synthesizers, modular musical instruments, and sound toys, this event features musicians, vendors, and instrument inventors demonstrating their gear and allowing attendees to test it out, as well. The first Synth Meetup & Petting Zoo—which was put on by Patchwerks owners Cindy Desmarais and Tom Butcher and employees Andy Reichel and Shawn Dempsey—happened in January at tech firm Substantial's office and drew hundreds of people, highlighting the hunger for an establishment that can cater to this area's synth enthusiasts. It also served as a fruitful opportunity for musicians to exchange ideas and develop collaborative relationships.

In an email interview, Desmarais said Patchwerks expects more attendees for the second meetup and the company's arranged for manufacturer demos by Korg, Malekko Heavy Industry, Industrial Music Electronics (Harvestman), and Patchwerks itself. "Things are moving fast," she said. "We should have our airstream up and running by summer!"

Bring some headphones, a power strip, and your most acute attention span... and perhaps some earplugs. The cacophony of dozens of synths being played simultaneously is no joke.