Moog Music Forum

Due to unfortunate circumstances I need to put my minimoogs in storage
for an undetermined amount of time. I realize that storage is one of the
worst things that can be done to electronics.

A friend of mine suggested that I vacuum seal them "as shown on TV"
This sounds like it would be OK. I think the conditions at the time of
vacuum sealing the synths would be important.

I hope this idea is not too crazy. I'm taking all suggestions.

Thanks,
Harry

Simply put it in an ATA carrying case, with silica gel packs to absorb any excessive moisture inside the case, and don't store it in a basement, or any other place with uncontrolled temperature and humidity.

You may have guessed, from my suggestions, that moisture is the #1 enemy of electronics as it will oxydize and corrode metal parts in keyboard contacts, opened pots and trimpots, connectors, and even the aluminum inlays of the front knobs!

I know, my Minimoog D had been improperly stored for too many years in a damp basement inside a cardboard box. I bought it for cheap because I had to spend a whole week to fix it...

Sorry you have to "put it on ice" for a while... (don't do that litterally either! )

I'm a fan of cardboard for storage, as I feel it absorbs moisture and allows air flow quite well. I usually use a cardboard box and surround the electronic unit with packing paper, and throw in an aforementioned silica gel pack or two. And, most importantly: location, location, location! Never in a wet basement or hot attic, shed, garage, etc. If you don't have storage room within your house or studio, many public storage facilities offer indoor climate-controlled units, with 5'x5' units usually going for reasonable monthly rates.

Thanks for the thoughts/idaes. Good and Bad for me is that I have several minimoogs.
ATA cases will not work money-wise. Cardboard boxes might be my only choice. The
moisture pack sounds like a good idea. I may be able to keep a minimoog here and there
with friends. I can use one at a time until I get settled.

Harry

Store it flat.
ATA cases are great for protection from crushing damage, but a synth should be bagged first to avoid the foam from affecting the finish.
If you can, occasionally turn the knobs and switches and play the keyboard every few months.
A silica pack or two probably isn't a bad idea.
If there is any chance of flooding, store it on top of other things.
A plastic drop cloth over it may save it damage from a leaky roof too.

Good luck getting settled. I am envious of your Mini surplus issue. I would gladly become a friend and allow you to store one in my climate controlled room.

All joking aside, good luck and I am glad you got some good advice here.
-e

Yes, best of luck to you, Harry. Hope this temporary situation doesn't last for too long... I feel for you, as I'm primarily a drummer and my drums are in storage until I get my life in order too (had to sell the house)... I'm lucky I can still play my synths in my temporary apartment though...

Alain.

Regarding knobs or sliders, it's wise to keep them at the zero position before storing any electronics. I was told this by Dave Sesnak at Wine Country years ago when my Prophet's pots were being buggy. If you leave the wiper inside a potentiometer in any position along its sweep path for an extended period of time, it may leave residue at the spot as corrosion occurs, which could cause some issues.

I'll be glad to hang on to one for you. I have plenty of space where it will receive lots of TLC.

Hope you get your situation worked out soon.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

I was wondering what people thought about the "vacuum
seal" idea. I would imagine that the climate that the vacuum
sealing was done at should at an agreeable environment for storing
a minimoog.

Due to the fact that I have several minimoogs the cardboard boxes
will have to due. I will be using the silica packs as suggested.

Thank You,
Harry

As long as the synth itself isn't in a high vacuum, I can't see why it would be a problem.
Less oxygen should slow down corrosion.