Comments on trimmers and circuit design

[Eric Barbour]

Saul Stokes wrote:
 Take this Serge ring modulator for example.
> 3 of the trimmers have such a profound control over the waveshape that I
> couldn't imaging not sending them to pots on the front panel.  The actual
> schem shows that the final panel has no pots, only two jacks in and two
> jacks out. What's happening here is that the trimmers are only there to
> find the correct solution to the circuit, not aid in sound design.  This
> is too bad. This isn't the first time I've came across this. I would say
> that 15 of the 100 or so pots on my first modular were suppose to be just
> trimmers.

Things designed by "propeller heads" generally have that kind of
philosophy--design purity (whatever that is), not artistic usefulness.
Maybe there ought to be a law against degreed engineers designing
music electronics? (just kidding!!)

If I were doing that module, you can BET I would put all the
adjustments on the front panel......but then, I'm a degreed engineer
with
a thoroughly perverted value-system.....

-- 
Eric Barbour
Svetlana Electron Devices
Portola Valley CA USA