A virus had just begun its spread. In a time when uncertainty was about to flourish, I got sick.

Today I was able to re-orient myself quickly to a task through what I am now calling a Brain Pin.

My wife and I were talking recently about how we feel like we’re floating in a constantly numbing “Groundhog Day” fugue state. Instrument building is a super effective way to change my entire frame of mind, much like getting deep into an improvisation or track editing session. So while it’s not anywhere closely related to my day job, my unconscious probably doesn’t see it that way. Regardless, it serves to dissipate the stress all around me.

Consider a jazz band you’ve heard or seen live, or really any type of music where improvisation plays an important role. Great bands work together effortlessly, and when things go sideways or “wrong notes” are played, they quickly adapt to the changing conditions in order to keep the music going. This emergent complex system manifests itself in the awesome jams you hear.

It’s 909 day so it’s time for a synth post! Though not a drum machine, an equally cool device all the same. Here’s the story of how I finally found the perfect solution for prettying up my beloved MicroBrute by replacing the cheap rubber knobs.