The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) is an Australian independent non-profit arts organization founded by sound artists

Robin Fox Robin Fox (born 1934) is an Anglo-American anthropologist who has written on the topics of incest avoidance, marriage systems, human and primate kinship systems, evolutionary anthropology, sociology and the history of ideas in the social sci ...

and Byron J Scullin in 2016. MESS features a collection of synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments which are available to use. The instruments in their collection are on loan from local musicians, including major contributions from Tony Osmond and Goyte. Due to the size of the collection, only a third can be displayed at one time, so are rotated regularly. Access to MESS is provided through an annual membership, allowing members to book out instruments and play them or record with them in the space. Notable international musicians who have visited include Legowelt,

Clark Clark is an English language surname, ultimately derived from the Latin with historical links to England, Scotland, and Ireland ''clericus'' meaning "scribe", "secretary" or a scholar within a religious order, referring to someone who was educate ...

, and

David Chesworth David Chesworth (born 1958, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom) is an Australian-based interdisciplinary artist and composer. Known for his experimental and at times minimalist music, he has worked solo, in post-punk groups (Essendon Airport, Whadya ...

who was their artist in residence in 2017. MESS have also displayed their collection in exhibitions and public performances, which has included partnerships with Red Bull,

Google Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...

, and the

Grainger Museum The Grainger Museum is a repository of items documenting the life, career and music of the composer, folklorist, educator and pianist Percy Grainger (b. Melbourne, 1882; d. White Plains, New York, 1961), located in the grounds of the University o ...

. On 27 March 2021, MESS Synthesiser Orchestra performed at the

Sidney Myer Music Bowl The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor bandshell performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain on Linlithgow Avenue close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinc ...

Melbourne. The orchestra featured 40 synthesizers spanning from the 1960s to the present day.

References

{{Authority control Music in Melbourne Non-profit organisations based in Australia