[sdiy] Patch Routing Idea...

[Budweiser]

Well, I've been thinking about this for about a week now,
an "easy" non-complicated way of patching an analogue
synth without wires. How about a "digital patchboard"?!
Hear me out...

Take a matrix of tri-colour LED's. Lets say 10 by 10. (Expensive
already). Along one side is a list of outputs (audio and CV),
and along the top is a list of inputs (again audio and CV). To the
side of this is a cursor diamond (up down left right), or even
better, 2 rotory encoders (one for up/down, the other for left/right).
There would also be another button for "making" a connection, 
and another for "disconnecting" a connection. So what we have
is a patchboard ala VCS3, but with no pins!

To make a patch, more the cursor LED which flashes in red to
to where you want to make a connection (eg VCO sawtooth output
to Ringmod X input). Press the "connect" button and the LED goes
green and the connection is made. Press the "disconnect" button,
and that patch is removed. While the cursor is on an assigned patch,
it flashes from green to red.

Taking this a little further, and from what I gather with complex
analogue synths, is that some sort of attenuation is required between
connections. Most components would have either attenuators on
their inputs of outputs, but in the cases there are neither it would
be cool to assign a "free" attenuator where ever you like. So why
not have 4 or even 8 assignable attenuators? There could be an
extra button which turns on some sort of "assign attenuator" mode.
The only problem I see with this is having to work out how each
attenuator is assigned (up to a maximum of 4 or 8). Any ideas?

The benefit of having a matrix like this would be no cables, the ability
to store "patches" (but not knob or switch settings), and a visually
stunning user interface. Another feature could be a "random" button.
Changing patches would also be a rather extreme means of changing
the characteristics of the sound, instantly!

~bud (bored shitless in applied mathematics classes, the more I attend
lectures, the more stuff I dream up!!!!)