MOTM

> Synth companies are somewhere in the middle.  I have the service docs for
> all my Roland gear (which I bought for $15-20 each), but I remember I
> couldn't get the schematics for my MAM VF11 or Niche ACM. 

The VF11 schematics are a well-kept secret, and for a good reason. 
I know, because I have them, but I cannot tell details. (Sorry (;->) )
If you look at the market situation, and what the competition (in Germany)
had to "offer" when it was introduced, and the general behaviour of that
competitor, you can guess why.

> Yes, I know
> including schematics is necessary because they sell kits, but it's also
> unlikely that a competitor could offer a "clone" for less money without
> making significant sacrifices in quality.  The same applies to people
> cloning gear for their own use -- by the time they bought all of the parts,
> and had the panel and PCB fabricated, it would cost more than the kit.

If you're cloning for your own use, this is very true, because you want
the same quality. 
If your design is being stolen by a professional, however, it might be stripped
of everything that stands for quality, and marketing will sell enough to those
who cannot immediately tell the difference (which is the majority).

JH.


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