Photo credit: Hayley Robb, courtesy of the National Music Centre

John Leimseider

Electronics Technician |1952-2018

Resided inCalgary, Alberta, Canada

BiographyJohn Leimseider was a world-renowned synthesizer technician, specializing in vintage sound equipment and analog technology. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Connecticut, Leimseider graduated college with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a deep love of music and pursued a career as a professional keyboard player, touring with prog rock band Iron Butterfly in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. After relocating to L.A., Leimseider quickly gained a reputation as a highly-skilled synth technician. While working at MusicTek Services in North Hollywood, he serviced instruments and equipment for some of the most celebrated musicians of our time, including Michael Jackson, Tom Waits, Ray Charles, and Yanni. In 2002, Leimseider moved to Calgary and began working at the National Music Centre—then called Cantos Music Foundation. As NMC’s resident electronics expert and “living rock encyclopedia”, Leimseider cared for the growing collection of historic electronic equipment. He completed several major restorations during his time in Canada and was a beloved member of the NMC family. Leimseider passed away on September 13, 2018, at the age of 66. Affectionately known as JL, his legacy resides in the instruments and equipment he lovingly restored for others to use and make music.

Notable NMC Projects:

- Restoration of T.O.N.T.O (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer (2018)
- Reverse engineering of Hugh LeCaine’s Electronic Sackbut synthesizer (2017)
- Restoration of Hugh LeCaine’s Polyphonic Analog synthesizer (2017)
- Restoration of the Olympic Studios recording console (2015)
- Restoration of the Trident A-range recording console (2015)
- Restoration of the Helios recording console in the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (2014)
- Restoration of the Hammond Novachord synthesizer (2009)