Modular Synth Panels

On Feb 5, 2008, at 2:11 PM, adaaxs wrote:
> If this is the case, why are we not using this process more.  I  
> mean pots, knobs and switches
> are usuriously priced.  There must be an artisan oriented shop that  
> would give us
> consideration.

it's more expensive to set up a shop to run photo-aluminum than  
silkscreening.

also, it's stepped out on a big sheet. you have to do a whole run of  
panels which is an integer multiple of the yield of the stepped  
layout, and then you have to either be smart enough to set up a  
dimensional drawing and pay extra for CNC programming and routing  
(which you are aware of), or you have to have sheetmetal tools (like  
me) and fabricate it yourself.

coming from a publishing background i was pretty equipped to deal  
with this, but if you're not used to dealing with the printing  
industry it is a bit more difficult (for example: don't even think  
about doing this stuff in Photoshop.) i now have a couple years  
experience in dealing with this stuff and quite frankly i won't ever  
look back. it's more work and more money (it might be cheaper on the  
outset but if you maintain a bunch of sheet metal tools like i do  
that has to be factored in, and i use cheap tools) but i totally love  
it.

however, alot of people seem to like silkscreening, and in fact the  
only complaints i've heard from people about my modules is "why don't  
you make real MOTM modules" so if you're doing panels for the whole  
MOTM thing that you expect to have full market penetration it would  
be a bad idea to use photo-aluminum.
---
Suit & Tie Guy
suitandtieguy.com
stgsoundlabs.com