[sdiy] Synthesizer by Committee

[Thomas Strathmann]

On 12/9/10 22:34 , Paul Perry wrote:
> But I am a strong proponent of designing the panel first,
> otherwise you end up with things like the DX7.

But designing the panel first (or at least before thinking about the 
implementation of the specs in hardware/software) has not helped much in 
this particular instance. The front panel looks cluttered and not very 
inviting. I remember the "fantasy" synth/workstation that was done in 
the 90s by the German Keyboards magazine. I don't have the issue here 
and hence could not look it up, but as far as I recall there were 
several designs for the front panel/enclosure and all of them looked 
better than this (at least to me). But I guess the Amazona team did not 
have a professional product designer on board (although the mere 
presence of a professional does not guarantee a great and usable desing).

	Thomas