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Ken McBeth's obsession with his synthesisers has done his love life no good at all...

Ken McBeth with one of his many synthesisers

In the early 70s, electronic music was the thing - think Chicory Tip and Brian Eno. And it was Ken's thing, as were the stretchily weird sounds eminating from Dr Who.

Synthesisers were too expensive for Ken, but fate took a hand in the form of the local music shop where Ken and his pals were allowed to play display models. The addiction kicked in.

Ken decided to build his own. It was puzzling going at first, Ken not knowing one end of a resistor from the other. But he persisted and now Ken's flat is overflowing with synths and bits related to synths.

When he started building synthesiser, Ken was married. He's not now and realises that an obsession - Ken's word - can cause you to neglect those around you. Ken warns people, if you have a partner - be careful. Friends - he still has them - look on amused and for the most part, tolerant.

Building and repairing sythesisers is Ken's business, but he says he's got his act together now and can control the obsession. "Not everyone wants to talk about voltage control oscilators."

 Listen to Ken's full story

  Listen to an extract of Ken's synthesiser music - Analogue Madness