Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio

Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio
AbbreviationMESS
Formation2016
FounderRobin Fox and Byron J Scullin
TypeNonprofit
HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
Location
  • The Atrium, Fed Square Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates37°49′03.8″S 144°58′09.9″E / 37.817722°S 144.969417°E / -37.817722; 144.969417 (Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio)
WebsiteMESS

The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) is an Australian independent non-profit arts organization founded by sound artists Robin Fox and Byron J Scullin in 2016. MESS features a collection of synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments which are available to use.[1]

The instruments in their collection are on loan from local musicians, including major contributions from Tony Osmond and Gotye.[2][3][4] Due to the size of the collection, only a third can be displayed at one time, so are rotated regularly.[1]

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.[4][1] Notable international musicians who have visited include Legowelt,[5] Clark,[6] and David Chesworth who was their artist in residence in 2017.[7]

MESS have also displayed their collection in exhibitions and public performances, which has included partnerships with Red Bull, Google, and the Grainger Museum.[8][9][10]

On 27 March 2021, MESS Synthesiser Orchestra performed at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne. The orchestra featured 40 synthesizers spanning from the 1960s to the present day.[11][12]

On 21 May 2025, it was announced that MESS would move from their headquarters in North Melbourne to Federation Square's Atrium.[13] MESS reopened on 19 September with plans for "expanded programs, greater accessibility, and the capacity to welcome more people than ever before to the studio".[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Like a Gym, But for Vintage Synths". Broadsheet. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  2. ↑ "Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) · Synthesizers: sound of the future · Grainger Museum Online". omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  3. ↑ "To switch off from work, this banker switches on a synthesiser". Australian Financial Review. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  4. 1 2 "Synths and sensibility: The story behind Melbourne's MESS". Red Bull. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  5. ↑ "LEGOWELT OFFICIAL WEBSITE". legowelt.org. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  6. ↑ "Inside the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  7. ↑ "David Chesworth during his Artist-in-residency at Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio, 2017 · Grainger Museum Online". University of Melbourne. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  8. ↑ "Melbourne Recital Centre is bringing three electronic pioneers to the stage for 'Synthesis'". Beat Magazine. 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  9. ↑ "Google have launched a massive interactive electronic music exhibition". Mixdown Magazine. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  10. ↑ Dwyer, Michael (2018-04-17). "Hipsters rejoice as synthesisers recapture the forgotten sounds of the future". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  11. ↑ "Synth orchestra coming to The Bowl". ABC Radio. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  12. ↑ "Mess at the Bowl". Broadsheet. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  13. ↑ "MESS moves to Fed Square, bringing electronic music to Melbourne's cultural heart". www.cbdnews.com.au. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
  14. ↑ "Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio reopens in new location with 1,000 rare instruments on display". DJ Mag. 2025-10-14. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
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