Modular Synth Panels group photo

Yahoo Groups archive

Modular Synth Panels

Archive for ModularSynthPanels.

Index last updated: 2026-03-30 01:07 UTC

Thread

A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by metasonix2000

Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.
I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read
every serious suggestion.

One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.
They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest
of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to
look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have
trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than
plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like
a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!

This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem
for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are
cheap...

On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look
kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,
and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.

Opinions are welcome.

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by John Mahoney

Hey, Uncle Eric! IMHO, buyers would consider a yellow Metasonix
module to be a badge of honor, worn proudly by the synth in which it
was mounted. Let's face it, your stuff has a reputation for being,
oh, let's say "unconventional". Hard for me to imagine someone who
likes your stuff yet insists on a uniform-looking synth.

So there's one opinion, worth the paper it's printed on! ;-)

John

P.S. I think some Frac buyers are interested in compactness and
uniqueness. Blacet and MOTM aren't cheaper than Doepfer, in my mind.

P.P.S. I'm mostly a 1/4" format owner, so the above hardly applies to me.


At 08:03 PM 7/12/2008, metasonix2000 wrote:
>[snip]
>On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look
>kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,
>and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.
>
>Opinions are welcome.

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by loopcycle

panel finish consistency and color does not seem to be a big deal in euro, compared to, say, SOME motm owners. the variation just between doepfer panels is huge--i have one module that looks nearly flat gray next to the 'usual' silver. cwejman is doing their own color, and nobody's complaining. IMO you should go with the yellow =)

but i dont know how many of us here are doing the euro format, since i think it draws less of the diy crowd. if you want to know what euro folks think, you might pitch the question over to the doepfer_a100 yahoo group?


--- On Sat, 7/12/08, metasonix2000 <synth@...> wrote:
From: metasonix2000 <synth@...>
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2008, 5:03 PM











Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.

I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read

every serious suggestion.



One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.

They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest

of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to

look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have

trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than

plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like

a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people

assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!



This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem

for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are

cheap...



On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look

kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,

and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.



Opinions are welcome.

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by david wright

yo dood
i think if you put out enough yellow modules to fill an entire euro rack
it would seem more appealing to someone with obsessive compulsive disorder
i'm too overweight to even think about 1/8" jacks and little knobs so dont listen to me!
thats a big undertaking for sure though!

dave



Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.

I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read

every serious suggestion.

One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.

They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest

of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to

look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have

trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than

plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like

a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people

assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!

This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem

for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are

cheap...

On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look

kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,

and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.

Opinions are welcome.












dave wright
www.notbreathing.com



Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by Julian Ware

I'd change the design so it fits in with the relevant modular color scheme, people care alot about this sort of thing, I sold some of my second-hand blue oakleysound modules in the MOTM format on ebay and lost a ton of money, many people were put off by the 'non-standard' format and told me so.

Also the Harvestman has now changed his much cooler black/orange design to the silver deopfer style, I presume for this same reason.


--- On Sun, 13/7/08, metasonix2000 <synth@...> wrote:
From: metasonix2000 <synth@...>
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, 13 July, 2008, 1:03 AM

Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.
I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read
every serious suggestion.

One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.
They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest
of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to
look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have
trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than
plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like
a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!

This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem
for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are
cheap...

On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look
kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,
and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.

Opinions are welcome.


Not happy with your email address?
Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo!

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by phil hendricks

Hi Eric,
It's a valid concern, that surprises me. As I have heard the I won't buy X
module because it doesn't match. Personally, I don't get it. But, if they
car that much about looks maybe offer a silver panel for $50-75, they
probably wouldn't mind spending that.
But please DO YELLOW! who cares.
Look any rack of higher end gear, nothing matches, who f-in cares?
Look at the high end module for the API 500 series racks no one gives a shit
about them matching.
And, the doepfer plates often don't truly match anyway, better to be
different than slightly off. And, in a large system that's mostly silver I
think the colored modules will get used or at least considered more...that's
pretty simple.
just have fun with it! yellow with dark purple legend would be my choice.
best,
phil


On 7/12/08 5:03 PM, "metasonix2000" <synth@...> wrote:

> Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.
> I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read
> every serious suggestion.
>
> One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.
> They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest
> of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to
> look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have
> trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than
> plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like
> a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
> assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!
>
> This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem
> for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are
> cheap...
>
> On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look
> kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,
> and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.
>
> Opinions are welcome.
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by phil hendricks

I guess I should add that anyone who seriously cares about looks wouldn't
have went with a Doepfer in the first place. It's, hopefully, as bad as it
gets. but again, don't care when it's on the cheap like this--put the money
into sound or make it cheap, nothing against Dieter, but it is quite ugly
and many of us still buy it. so... I want sound and function looks very,
very last.

RE: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by T3h caTmaN

go YELLOW only!!  please.

go frac. & motm, my formats.  please.

build a screw euro. module that eats poopfer modules & shit out something useful!!  please.

d.

To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
From: synth@...
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:03:38 +0000
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year.
I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read
every serious suggestion.

One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners.
They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest
of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to
look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have
trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than
plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. "If it doesn't look like
a Doepfer, I won't buy it." Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!

This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem
for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are
cheap...

On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look
kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them,
and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.

Opinions are welcome.



Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-13 by Todd Fletcher

Could you do yellow, and include stickers to cover the front panel?  Or a reversable panel.  MOTM on one side Euro on the other.  Or what if your modules were cubes, each side a different format.  Well if you do give in, at least give the bastards yellow mounting screws or washers.

Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-14 by squidb0i

I'd buy it no matter what color it was, but there are anal retentive types that you could sell to
if only it were sphincter-silver. *shrug* If you're going for maximum market penetration,
you may as well just go with the flow and do your take on the silver face.


That said, screw Euro!
15v Frac for the win!
=D

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-14 by prophei

i hate the fact that my euro setup is all silver. have some balls and make it
whatever color you damn well please.

:)



Quoting squidb0i <endif.org@...>:

> I'd buy it no matter what color it was, but there are anal retentive types
> that you could sell to
> if only it were sphincter-silver. *shrug* If you're going for maximum
> market penetration,
> you may as well just go with the flow and do your take on the silver face.
>
>
> That said, screw Euro!
> 15v Frac for the win!
> =D
>
>
>
>
>


--
"Intelligence is the capacity to receive, decode and transmit information
efficiently. Stupidity is blockage of this process at any point. Bigotry,
ideologies etc. block the ability to receive; robotic reality-tunnels block the

ability to decode or integrate new signals; censorship blocks transmission."
--Robert Anton Wilson

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-14 by John Mahoney

-----Original Message-----
>From: metasonix2000 <synth@...>
>>
>> i hate the fact that my euro setup is all silver. have some balls
>> and make it whatever color you damn well please.

It's pretty obvious that Eric has balls! ;-)


>Heh. On the Doepfer group, someone just posted this.
>
>http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Doepfer_a100/message/15982
>
>Luckily there have been VERY few like this.

I can only laugh at seeing "Metasonix" and "least common denominator" in the same context. Somebody just doesn't get it...

John

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-14 by prophei

i completely understand the sentiment, i really do... but still, it seems that
these boring standards happen because people never break free. not that it is
my business to expect you to take the financial hit for the team (if there
would truly be one)... but i have always appreciated your willingness to stuff
it to the other guy in regards to your art and vibe.

maybe you could do a smaller run in color at first to test the waters, then
switch to the silver if it really hurts your sales?




Quoting metasonix2000 <synth@...>:

> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, prophei <prophei@...> wrote:
> >
> > i hate the fact that my euro setup is all silver. have some balls
> and make it
> > whatever color you damn well please.
>
> Heh. On the Doepfer group, someone just posted this.
>
> http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Doepfer_a100/message/15982
>
> Luckily there have been VERY few like this.
>
>
>
>


--
"Intelligence is the capacity to receive, decode and transmit information
efficiently. Stupidity is blockage of this process at any point. Bigotry,
ideologies etc. block the ability to receive; robotic reality-tunnels block the

ability to decode or integrate new signals; censorship blocks transmission."
--Robert Anton Wilson

Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re:A question for you about Eurorack/Doepfer

2008-07-14 by prophei

well yes, he surely does (i am assuming) haha
my point was that he continue to have them, as it has always brought a charm to
his product line that others completely miss.

it is hard to turn a corner at NAMM and see in huge letters "FUCKING FUCKER" on
an amp without almost losing ones bowels in sheer joy. seriously.





Quoting John Mahoney <jmahoney@...>:

> -----Original Message-----
> >From: metasonix2000 <synth@...>
> >>
> >> i hate the fact that my euro setup is all silver. have some balls
> >> and make it whatever color you damn well please.
>
> It's pretty obvious that Eric has balls! ;-)
>
>
> >Heh. On the Doepfer group, someone just posted this.
> >
> >http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Doepfer_a100/message/15982
> >
> >Luckily there have been VERY few like this.
>
> I can only laugh at seeing "Metasonix" and "least common denominator" in the
> same context. Somebody just doesn't get it...
>
> John
>


--
"Intelligence is the capacity to receive, decode and transmit information
efficiently. Stupidity is blockage of this process at any point. Bigotry,
ideologies etc. block the ability to receive; robotic reality-tunnels block the

ability to decode or integrate new signals; censorship blocks transmission."
--Robert Anton Wilson