Archival Electronics

[Christian Hofmann]

On Wed, 15 Dec 1999 12:41:49 -0000
"Andy Main" <mainas at aston.ac.uk> wrote:

> The future of the analogue synth is not that good.  I know that each does
> have its own characteristic sound (mainly due to its filter), however with
> dsp and software developments advancing so rapidly it is possible to emulate
> the sounds without the problems associated with the stuff we build
> (processors don't need tempcos!).
> 
> Take the Nord Modular for example - its fantastic you can have more modules
> than sense, and you can get even more from the net.  Now try carrying 30
> modules plus keyboard under your arm with your analog kit.
> 
> Don't get me wrong I love my analog stuff and do prefer it over anything
> else, but in ten years time there won't be a need anymore.

Hi Andy,
being a coward, I won't start an argument on real analog vs. virtual,
but I think the point is: will it be possible at all to repair a Nord (or
any other VA for that matter) in 10 or 20 years? I don't think so.
However, if the company will still be in business, they hopefully might
offer a (then) new machine that still supports today's algorithms, i.e.
synth models.

With a true analog it may no be an easy task, you can at least try to
emulate dead components that are no longer available, and keep the
machine kinda running. (Well, it may be difficult to find a Z80 CPU in
2020, that's why I already put some of them into stock... :-)

The situation might be slightly better for soft synths like Generator.
It's likely that a 2010 generation PC will be able to run today's Windows
software, even if the hardware will look pretty different.

bye
Christian