[sdiy] The future of synth DIY

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Dan Gendreau" <gendreau at rochester.rr.com>
Subject: [sdiy] The future of synth DIY
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 19:09:22 -0500

> Heavy title, but I think this could be big...
> 
> With ongoing complaints about discontinued ICs, I thought it might be nice
> to see some good news for synth DIY's future...

I have concerns about this myself. Going against common beleif I see
that analog knowledge is infact becomming more and more important for
the industry. There are so many analog properties in there that messes
up the digital logic, that the industry needs analog knowledge.

I see DIY as being an important entrypoint where people learn analog
properties and gets interested in dwelving deeper into it. Also, I see
that having it floating around as a hobby helps creative solutions in
the industry worktime aswell.

So when the industry is killing of chips and thru-whole components,
they can run into a situation where they to some degree bite their own
back bigtime. If continous recruitment drops and knowledge is fading
due to inactivity, then having sufficient with engineers being fluent
in analog design can become a show-stopper for further advancements in
digital communication and development.

I'm seriously worried about this!

> The ppl over at www.slashdot.org are having a dicsussion about recent
> developments in "printable" computer technology:
> http://slashdot.org/articles/01/03/01/2058229.shtml
> 
> It seems that a few companies are developing a technique based on inkjet
> printer designs that would allow inexpensive custom IC fabrication. Its the
> same technique they are developing for the new Light-Emitting Polymer
> displays by printing semiconducting polymers onto a plastic substrate. The
> circuits are fairly slow thus far (you probably cant make a 1MHz CPU), but
> audio-frequency range circuit designs are probably quite feasible.
> 
> If it develops far enough, personal chip fabs could become very affordable
> and people on the net could start Open-Sourcing their own analog synth IC
> designs!
> 
> I know, I know... its all still vaporware, but I can dream cant I?
> :)

Sure you can. I'm worried about process variables, if it is too
spread, then it will not be very well suited for precission audio
solutions.

However, if I could roll my own chips, then that would be great!

Couldn't someone make a silicon minifab? I mean, even at the cost of
5000-10000 USD it would be ultracool to have! ;)

A inkjet based thing could be cheaper yeat, but I have my doubts...

Cheers,
Magnus