"Usually, if I buy something and I don’t use it for six months, it goes. But that doesn’t mean I have less because usually I just buy more. It’s your fault, guys!"
As a prominent figure in the world of synthesis, Alessandro Cortini accumulates a lot of gear and some pretty sweet gear at that. A staple figure in Nine Inch Nails, Cortini’s prolific resume also includes a lengthy body of solo work and his status as frontman for the electronic–alternative outfit SONOIO.
I have truly enjoyed each and every piece, but at this point, my hope is to find the right home for such an interesting, quirky family of creations." - Alessandro Cortini
We’re more than happy being the ones to blame for keeping the synth maven stocked with gear, and we’re even happier to announce we’ll be the ones helping to sell some of it. Cortini’s moving studios in the near future, so he teamed up with us to create the Official Alessandro Cortini Reverb Shop, which launches on Tuesday at 10 AM.
"It’s hard to part with a lot of these pieces," Cortini told us. "But times call for a more compact studio setup. I have truly enjoyed each and every piece, but at this point, my hope is to find the right home for such an interesting, quirky family of creations."
The shop spans years of Cortini’s work, showcasing a treasure chest of rare studio gear, modular and traditional synthesizers, samplers, and more. Stay tuned for an announcement when the shop opens, and take a look below for a taste of what’s to come.
Highlights From the Shop
Tree Audio Roots Console – Custom Seafoam Green
A legend in the recording world, this eight–channel Roots console is an all–tube wonder Cortini used extensively on recent recordings. In his words, "The easiest way to describe it is that everytime I record something, it sounds good."
EMS Synthi AKS Synthesizer
Looking like a cross between a suitcase and a game of Battleship, the EMS Synthi AKS is a coveted rarity among synth enthusiasts for its tactile interface, a maverick pin–based matrix, and overdriven sound. This rarity is one of a handful of models which sport the build of the mkII and the circuit board of the mkI.
Swarmatron Stereo Custom Synthesizer
This stereo–version Swarmatron is a one–of–a–kind piece that was made specially for Cortini. Fun fact, it's the same model that Trent Reznor used for his work on the film The Social Network.
Ciat Lonbarde Cocodeer 8–Bit Delay and Plumbutter Drama Machine
Two dizzying arrangements of knobs, switches, and colored ins/outs, these soundscapes–in–a–box were used to create the glitched nightmare intro track "The Eater of Dreams" on the Nine Inch Nails album Hesitation Marks.
Ciat Lonbarde Cocodeer 8–Bit Delay and Plumbutter Drama Machine