Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Interesting back and forth going on here, for what seems to be the same type of back and forth going on 10 plus years ago, but now mostly about 'format'...really?

I guess I just don't get why this thing called "Synth-DIY", gets so tangled and confused with: "I'd like to build a modular synth kit" or "I gotta have that module that can do this weird thing" and all the way up to: "It's got to look like this". Maybe I am completely wrong here but I've always felt that a synth, of whatever breed, is about sound mainly.

Well, these are indeed all the joys of modular synthesis, but do not necessarily always cross over into the: "I'm gonna design and make my own synth module (or whole system)".

While the whole world-wide community, or those better known from here and other now fairly classic "modern" modular instigators, have always embraced the entire range of skill-sets that one may enter in upon, I think it's fair to note that DIY also carries with it some sense of learning, innovation, progression, etc. Also some tolerance and acceptance of changes good or bad that may occur. I've personally not seen or known of anyone who has made much money in this endeavor, so it's been usually by their own interests in the topic, that information even gets shared at all. I do feel that one's family, financial responsibilities, etc (i.e. eating and such) are a wee bit more important than 'broken promises' in a very precarious, by nature, tiny little cottage industry.

While I choose MOTM back in the now historic early 2000 period, (a rather large system at that, and for probably all the same reasons as anyone choose), I did so without any feeling that there was suppose to be any written or spoken guarantee that it would be fully supported/developed in 10-20 years. I mean: this wasn't a new line from Yamaha, Roland , or Korg... It was a DIY thing, and way better than most as far as the quality, solid-ness of what one could put together and make some noise with. But the other offerings out there are really just as cool and viable as anything. Just get used to solder fumes, and getting your fingers burnt, and you are most of the way there.

I've long since gotten over the format thing. Yeah, it took some time, but now I'm sorta drooling over the very cool and very new concept modules coming out in that format. Just can't afford any of them now! But, if/when that opportunity arises - sell the house, car, kids, to get some - I'm just gonna build me a Euro cabinet to put the darn things in. Can't understand why a 'modular' cannot be a 'modular', right? That's the whole point! Yeah graphics are different, bla, bla, but that's what's so cool about "Modular".

And really, probably to really anger some, but put a smile on the face of others: DIY really comes down to: eventually learning how to layout and make your own PCB, get your owns parts, make your own panel, put it together and pray it works...then spend way too much time debugging the darn thing when it doesn't - then finally: have a working module that goes: Bleezle-Blorp - Winka-Doo. And it's the closest you'll ever get to the spirit of true DIY. And very much worth it! Other than that, maybe you're just a person who can follow good instructions and put together a kit...That's cool too, but not really very DIY. It matters not though actually.

But where there's a will there's a way and I'm sure most here would agree that the 'synth obsession' thing, is for all purposes really some sort of strange clinically undiagnosed condition. I know this because I have many, many musician friends, much more capable than I, who could and will verify this on a stack of Bibles after seeing my beast - heavily modified.

So, don't be bummed cause 5U isn't currently going to be 'around'. It IS. Just start looking into how to make any of what's out there already (Tons-O-Schematics) in 5U format. It's part and parcel to what DIY is. Again, I really do not wish to demean anyone who does not have confidence or current skills in this process, but if your crazy enough to be doing this in the first place, then I believe you do have the where-withal, to make, break, and innovate - and keep 5U going along till the cows come home.

Best All,

Rog