[sdiy] SSM2040

[bayne d'artagnan]

On 10/31/07, JH. <jhaible at debitel.net> wrote:
> > They are yours. You should enjoy them however you see fit.
>
> Absolutely. But ...
>
> How much are SSM2040's going for these days? 100 Dollars? more?
> Reason enough to sell them to a polysynth owner and to use a discrete
> version in a monophonic synth, IMO.

I know that's the common sentiment. I just don't share it. $100 isn't
enough to offset the time involved with breadboarding a 2040. I build
most stuff on copper clad breadboard and discrete circuits take a LOT
longer to build. IMO, the convenience value of integrated chips FAR
outweighs their street value. PC boards equalize the equation
somewhat, but not completely.

The MOTM 440 is not a universal replacement and it's FAR more
expensive than homebrewing the same filter around a 2040 even if said
2040 costs $100. Note that I'm comparing kit price to homebrewing. It
might be that the board + parts is less than a 2040 + (minimal) parts
but one has to source the parts and that takes time as well.

The argument that chip owners have any responsibility to polysynth
owners cannot be made on a purely pragmatic basis. It is an
ideological argument and a shallow one at best. One could apply the
same shallow reasoning to suggest that if you aren't playing your
polysynth then you should make sure that it gets into the hands  of
someone who will play it.

Judging by sale prices almost everywhere people view analogue synths
as an investment. It's your own responsibility to make sure that your
investment is maintainable and will provide a return. You have no
claim on the enjoyment of others to maintain your own enjoyment or to
provide a return on your investment.

Of course I socket all of my chips, but that's just for convenience of
repair or for when I find a better use for the chip. One has no
obligation to feel any guilt whatsoever for extracting enjoyment from
their own property.