On Thu, 1 Dec 2005, paulhaneberg wrote:
> So, to summarize, in exchange for going with a slightly different
> finish on panels we could reduce the lead time to a week or two,
> reduce the cost by as much as 70%, and improve the graphics. That's
> the trade off.
>
> But, we could even go beyond that! It may be possible (at a higher
> cost of course) to combine silkscreening of areas on the panel with
> the laser etching process for something truly spectacular. You
> could truly customize your synth!
I don't think I can vote because I have two completely contradictory
reactions to this possibility. The first is a traditionalist's
reaction to the loss of a very good design: textured surface with
crisp silkscreening, knobs that instill some confidence, secured
mounting of panel to rack and pcb to panel, knob-and-jack grouping
and the resulting workflow. This backed up by a dislike of slightly
incompatible conventions (motm vs synth.com mounting, the lovely
AS vs doepfer 2mm gap, etc.) and knockoff stylings.
Then there's the radical: Great we have a whole different technology
for surface treatment. Why not completely revisit the whole layout
issue? Laser etching gives you enough control that you could
probably do halftoning on the surface. What can you do with that
possibility? The fine and precise rulings might let you achieve
an instrumentation look something beyond cultoftheknobs or modcan.
Or go an entirely different direction with some kind of organic
look unlike anything previous (for some reason, Buchla's in this
direction in my mind).
I'm completely split on this one. All I can say is beware of
committees and democracy, truth is found elsewhere...
m
--
Monty Brandenberg