PLAN B analog blog

Got a few letters in response to my mention of the new Model 30, many
feeling that 23 HP wide was a STUUUUUUUUPID in that it will create a
gap in standard racks.  And they're right! 

I tried shrinking it down to 22, and while it works - why go that way
and have controls so close to one another - and there are A LOT on
this one: 13 pots, 11 jacks, five LEDS, four tactile switches, one
standard rocker switch...why push things?  So it's growing to 24HP.  I
have a prototype faceplate coming which will be the old width, but
hey, that's what prototypes are for.  

24HP may seem wide, but for what this does and what it replaces, it's
quite a net savings in the long run.


FYI: I may unveil it during our annual Sonic State video romp at this
year's Namm.  It depends how far along we are in it's development. This one can't be rushed, there's too much at stake and too much to QC.

As for the day to day, starting Monday we are going full-bore on the
Model 16. It should be available quite soon. 

- P

Hey Peter...

My feelings on the issue are that there's nothing wrong with odd panel
measurements :) The 'problem' quickly solves itself if you add a
second odd-sized device or blank, and so far I've had no panel size
complaints about the handful of odd-sized devices I've shipped so far.
I have no plans to change this practice... that's why 1HP is 1/5"
instead of 2/5" after all.

Plus, in many cases I think the height/width proportion looks far
better with odd sizes depending on the panel hardware configuration.

See you at the booth, bro!

-Scott

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure
that out)" <peter@...> wrote:
>
> Got a few letters in response to my mention of the new Model 30, many
> feeling that 23 HP wide was a STUUUUUUUUPID in that it will create a
> gap in standard racks.  And they're right!
> 
> I tried shrinking it down to 22, and while it works - why go that way
> and have controls so close to one another - and there are A LOT on
> this one: 13 pots, 11 jacks, five LEDS, four tactile switches, one
> standard rocker switch...why push things?  So it's growing to 24HP.  I
> have a prototype faceplate coming which will be the old width, but
> hey, that's what prototypes are for.
> 
> 24HP may seem wide, but for what this does and what it replaces, it's
> quite a net savings in the long run.
> 
> 
> FYI: I may unveil it during our annual Sonic State video romp at this
> year's Namm.  It depends how far along we are in it's development.
This one can't be rushed, there's too much at stake and too much to QC.

> 
> As for the day to day, starting Monday we are going full-bore on the
> Model 16. It should be available quite soon.
> 
> - P
>

I totally hear about the visual acuity issues associated with many
modules of the same width, all with pots in the same neat little rows.
 My only gripe with Analogue Systems'  synths.  You get a bunch of
those lined up and it really messes with my senses. 

This one we're working on though isn't like that.   Shit's all over
the place on this one.

- P



--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "nakedintruder"
<meatlog@...> wrote:

>
> 
> Hey Peter...
> 
> My feelings on the issue are that there's nothing wrong with odd panel
> measurements :) The 'problem' quickly solves itself if you add a
> second odd-sized device or blank, and so far I've had no panel size
> complaints about the handful of odd-sized devices I've shipped so far.
> I have no plans to change this practice... that's why 1HP is 1/5"
> instead of 2/5" after all.
> 
> Plus, in many cases I think the height/width proportion looks far
> better with odd sizes depending on the panel hardware configuration.
> 
> See you at the booth, bro!
> 
> -Scott
> 
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure
> that out)" <peter@> wrote:
> >
> > Got a few letters in response to my mention of the new Model 30, many
> > feeling that 23 HP wide was a STUUUUUUUUPID in that it will create a
> > gap in standard racks.  And they're right!
> > 
> > I tried shrinking it down to 22, and while it works - why go that way
> > and have controls so close to one another - and there are A LOT on
> > this one: 13 pots, 11 jacks, five LEDS, four tactile switches, one
> > standard rocker switch...why push things?  So it's growing to 24HP.  I
> > have a prototype faceplate coming which will be the old width, but
> > hey, that's what prototypes are for.
> > 
> > 24HP may seem wide, but for what this does and what it replaces, it's
> > quite a net savings in the long run.
> > 
> > 
> > FYI: I may unveil it during our annual Sonic State video romp at this
> > year's Namm.  It depends how far along we are in it's development.
> This one can't be rushed, there's too much at stake and too much to QC.
> > 
> > As for the day to day, starting Monday we are going full-bore on the
> > Model 16. It should be available quite soon.
> > 
> > - P
> >
>

Scott,

I Personnally think that it's a bit annoying to have them with odd measurement since there 
seems to be some type of standard on that...( I mean there's no need to do what others 
does ultimately... so don't take that personnal or anything) But That would be the only 
thing that ticked me off a bit with some of The Harvestman modules... However, i'm 
waiting for the Zorlon Cannon that should land at my door in some days... :D
so basically it's more or less a superficial "complaint" which will not stop me from getting 
the module, what really counts is what it got in its guts!...but it's still annoying, having to 
put in the same row two modules that you wouldn't maybe not put in the same row... eg: 
Zorlon Cannon which is more a sound source + Malgorithm which is a sound processor, so 
maybe you should try to stay in the even numbers...
anyway sorry for the rant... But what can I do? I'm an angry Frenchy from Montréal so you 
know... :P  
But Yeah...I can't wait to recieve my Zorlon Cannon, whatever hp it is...!!!!

so have all a good night and weekend! :D

g.

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "nakedintruder" <meatlog@...> wrote:

>
> 
> Hey Peter...
> 
> My feelings on the issue are that there's nothing wrong with odd panel
> measurements :) The 'problem' quickly solves itself if you add a
> second odd-sized device or blank, and so far I've had no panel size
> complaints about the handful of odd-sized devices I've shipped so far.
> I have no plans to change this practice... that's why 1HP is 1/5"
> instead of 2/5" after all.
> 
> Plus, in many cases I think the height/width proportion looks far
> better with odd sizes depending on the panel hardware configuration.
> 
> See you at the booth, bro!
> 
> -Scott
> 
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure
> that out)" <peter@> wrote:
> >
> > Got a few letters in response to my mention of the new Model 30, many
> > feeling that 23 HP wide was a STUUUUUUUUPID in that it will create a
> > gap in standard racks.  And they're right!
> > 
> > I tried shrinking it down to 22, and while it works - why go that way
> > and have controls so close to one another - and there are A LOT on
> > this one: 13 pots, 11 jacks, five LEDS, four tactile switches, one
> > standard rocker switch...why push things?  So it's growing to 24HP.  I
> > have a prototype faceplate coming which will be the old width, but
> > hey, that's what prototypes are for.
> > 
> > 24HP may seem wide, but for what this does and what it replaces, it's
> > quite a net savings in the long run.
> > 
> > 
> > FYI: I may unveil it during our annual Sonic State video romp at this
> > year's Namm.  It depends how far along we are in it's development.
> This one can't be rushed, there's too much at stake and too much to QC.
> > 
> > As for the day to day, starting Monday we are going full-bore on the
> > Model 16. It should be available quite soon.
> > 
> > - P
> >
>

At 12:43 AM +0000 12/21/07, (i think you can figure that out) wrote:
>I totally hear about the visual acuity issues associated with many
>modules of the same width, all with pots in the same neat little rows.
>My only gripe with Analogue Systems' synths. You get a bunch of
>those lined up and it really messes with my senses.

I'm glad that you think about this stuff for Plan-B. It certainly shows in some of your layouts.

To me, this is one of the subtile joys of working with Buchla stuff. The modules each have a shape to them that helps you navigate without paying much attention to it, leaving more of your brain free for creative expression. At least, that's the way it feels to me.

-C

-- 
Chris Muir           | "There are many futures and only one status quo.
cbm@well.com         |  This is why conservatives mostly agree,
http://www.xfade.com |  and radicals always argue." - Brian Eno

Mike Brown also does a good job of keeping each Livewire product
different in this regard. It's good.  We're actually working on our
first which will incorporate PCB mounted pots (Model 30), which frees
the design up a lot to throw controls where we want them.  I'm going
to have to purchase 1000 of the things so it would be fair to expect
I'll use them on other new products as well.

Another design I've always fancied is Wavemaker.  I think they look
great. 


- P


--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Chris Muir <cbm@...> wrote:
>
> At 12:43 AM +0000 12/21/07, (i think you can figure that out) wrote:
> >I totally hear about the visual acuity issues associated with many
> >modules of the same width, all with pots in the same neat little rows.
> >My only gripe with Analogue Systems' synths. You get a bunch of
> >those lined up and it really messes with my senses.
> 
> I'm glad that you think about this stuff for Plan-B. It certainly
shows in some of your layouts.
> 
> To me, this is one of the subtile joys of working with Buchla stuff.
The modules each have a shape to them that helps you navigate without
paying much attention to it, leaving more of your brain free for
creative expression. At least, that's the way it feels to me.

> 
> -C
> 
> -- 
> Chris Muir           | "There are many futures and only one status quo.
> cbm@...         |  This is why conservatives mostly agree,
> http://www.xfade.com |  and radicals always argue." - Brian Eno
>

I would have no problem with 23HP, if a 1HP blank panel was included 
with the module. If you didn't know, Doepfer is discontinuing their 1HP 
A-100B1.

The gain of space by having two odd HP modules in the same row seems 
quite unlikely though.

Me too! :-)

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com
> 
> Another design I've always fancied is Wavemaker.  I think they look
> great.
> 
> 
> - P
>