[sdiy][OT] analog innovation...

[Neil Johnson]

(I think this thread is moving OT, so I've added [OT] to the subject for
those that use mail filters)

> True. Unfortunately most Reaktor users I've seen only want stupid
> squelching noises, to put on their totally derivative techno tracks.

He he he he ......... *beep* *bwoop*

> Puh-lease! All this is of no importance to 99% of musicians, as well as
> society as large. Keep some perspective--PhD candidates are working on
> things like trustable computing systems, not music devices-- because
> that's where our corrupt society is shoveling all the money.

And some (like at our place) are also working on how bad they are.

> (I've been reading this new book HACKING THE XBOX. Fascinating, how
> Microsoft keeps trying to slap digital-rights management bandages onto
> the totally insecure and open structure of the PC. Arrogant fools.)

The DMCA is certainly having a chilling effect on all sorts of different
areas.  I just wonder how long it will be before we hear of the first list
member being slapped by the DMCA because they sketched out the circuit of
an old module..?

> >I think we should introduce a new saying:  "What would Raymond Scott do?"
>
> He'd wire something up using a telephone step-by-step switch. Which, by
> the way, are really cool and fun to play with. Sadly they have
> disappeared completely from the surplus channels.

Depends who you know :-)  I can still get old exchange uniselectors (I
have a few sitting at home) from guys I know who're into restoring old
telephone exchanges.

> If it doesn't involve a HT plate supply, violent chemical reactions,
> or ionizing radiation, it ain't serious to me.

I _like_ welding :-)  I think _every_ electronics engineer should be able
to arc weld, if nothing else than to appreciate what even 30 amps can do,
given a sufficiently low-impedance source and a flux-coated rod.

Also handy for constructing rack frames and boxes for synth modules
[adding some synth-diy content!]

Neil

--
Neil Johnson :: Computer Laboratory :: University of Cambridge ::
http://www.njohnson.co.uk          http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~nej22
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