Holy Grail of Synthesis, The Middle Ground DIY Kit.

[CHERRYHOMES THOMAS]

Well, basically, I am an avid synthesist, who has recently decided to take 
up electronics, and DIY synthesis, very recently. I would like to add my 
electronics background at the moment is not what it should be. I am 
rectifying that at the moment :)

I am looking into building an Elektor Formant modular synthesizer, after 
reading the compiled Word 7.0 document containing the articles, the front 
panels, the foils, and the component layouts, as well as all the other 
relevant figures, I was piqued :)

I do intend to also study the mathematical theory behind various synthesizer 
aspects, so that I may attempt a synthesizer design based on DSPs (a la 
Wavetable, Physical modelling, FOF, whatever). The sky is the limit :)

Or would a virtual (software) synthesis approach be more viable?

Cheers
Model500
 ----------
From: M Tencza
To: CHERRYHOMES THOMAS
Subject: Re: Holy Grail of Synthesis, The Middle Ground DIY Kit.
Date: 23 June 1997 01:29

CHERRYHOMES THOMAS wrote:
>
> Yes,NOW would be the time to re-release such kits.. I would KILL to be 
able
> to
> build a modular similar  to  what  I  had built with my old Moog-55, back 
in
> the late 1970s :)
>
> Model500
>  ----------
> From: owner-synth-diy
> To: Dave
> Cc: analogue; synth-diy
> Subject: Re: Holy Grail of Synthesis, The Middle Ground DIY Kit.
> Date: 18 June 1997 17:24
>
> >Mr. Vaughan,
> >
> >I would have to agree.  I read some materials lately (either by or about
> >Craig Anderton of PAIA) regarding the discontinuation of the old modular
> >kits.  The primary reason, apparently, was the keyboard itself.  From 
what
> I
> >read, supplying an appropriate keyboard became cost-prohibitive during a
> >period when Japan was flooding the market with "low-priced" digital
> >instruments.  However, since the FATMAN is capable of converting digital 
to
> >control voltages and, according to PAIA, capable of driving other older
> PAIA
> >modules, it doesn't make sense that they wouldn't offer kits again -
> >particularly in light of the popularity of these old machines.  I have a
> >small self-designed PAIA modular system that I would love to expand,
> >especially with some of the later 4720 (I think that's the number) 
modules.
>
> >
>
> I don't understand why PAIA doesn't re-release these old kits?  Surely 
they
> still have the schematics, documentation, etc. and the parts are 
available?
>
> Seems to me that the new MIDI/CV capable kits they've released (FatMan, 
and
> CV8Gate or whatever it's called) solve this problem.  I think I'll try
> contacting them (if they aren't already reading this list, which I'm sure
> they are -- Hey PAIA!) and harrassing them until they see the light that 
we
> want these kits back and are prepared to pay for them.
>
> PAIA are definitely positioned to be able to start offering these kits and
> become the world recognized leaders in the DIY-Synth kit industry.  I just
> don't get why they don't do this, perhaps it's just a matter of time... 
and
> harrassment by the masses (so far, you and me and a few other
> AH/Synth-DIY'ers...).
>
> >But what I would really like to see is the reintroduction of the Aries
> >Modular System kits.  These were considerably more expensive, but as I
> >understand they were also much more stable and sofisticated (I've never
> >actually heard one).  Perhaps here again the availability of a
> >practically-priced keyboard was the problem.
> >
>
> I don't know much about these guys -- I'll do a web search but if you've
> got some info you could send me in the meantime please do.  I'm very
> interested in this -- When I get back to Los Angeles (in Tokyo for another
> 2 or 3 weeks) I plan on getting together with some venture capitalist
> buddies (oxymoron!) of mine and proposing a good look at this field.
>
> If anyone is interested in starting a cottage industry dealing with DIY
> synth kits, or if you have a business plan, and/or financial planning
> completed for this sort of thing, definitely contact me.  I may just have
> to fire the first shot across the bow of these sleeping beheamoths like
> PAIA, Moog, etc... :)
>
> j.
>
>  --
>
> Jay Vaughan
> jay at teklab.com


Jay,

I really like the sound of this potential venture. European companies
such as Doepfer have already started this analog reintroduction, and
Yamaha along with Roland are also taking this direction.

Bottom line is: Analog began in the states, and can be reborn here also!

I'd like to have further discussions with you on this topic.
Tell me about your background.

Thanks,

Mark