Wiardgroup

HI Paul,

Thank you for posting such a thoughtful and well worded 
message.

> 
> I'm not sure what you mean by this, exactly. The
> illusion of some 'huge' market? Not me: I started MOTM
> only to get a "decent" stereo out of the deal. My goal
> was to generate about $15K of profit over a *3 year*
> period. This can be referred to as the 'business
> side'.
> 

I should not have spoken for you. I at least had the illusion of a 
"sustainable" market place. That is a market place with a long 
term cash flow.

> In the ideal world, I would be 'Moog-like' and have
> other people run the business side while I get to play
> in the lab. I actually ran a spreadsheet and this
> requires like $256,000/yr in sales which is not
> possible (well, for me at least).
> 

I do not think it is possible for anyone at this time. Particularily 
with the investment in synthesizer modules done in thru hole 
technology. Forces in the electronic industry itself are putting 
great price penalties on "old" parts. The cost of Bakelite knobs 
went from $0.73ea to $1.56ea in ONE year!

> > 
> > But there was never a real marketplace. All we did
> > was fracture a 
> > tiny group of enthusiasts into even tinier groups
> > squabbling over 
> > plastic potentiometers and connector types.
> 
> This is the downside about the Internet: there is no
> "lightning bolt from above" monitoring what is said.
> There is no true way to convey irony, "just kidding",
> or any other real emotion. Also, I *severly*
> mis-judged the 'emotional content' of this tiny group.
> For example, I was told once that they wouldn't buy
> MOTM because "..you don't have the grace of musical
> spirit." Hmmmmmm. OK.......
> 
> Also, it took me over 2 *years* to figure out that
> Internet addicts like to "whack the hornet's nest", so
> to speak. And trust me, no one has BEEN whacked more
> than me (some deserved, mostly NOT). Then again, up to
> a *point*, it's sort of fun to 'spar' a *bit* but some
> folks seem to live for this sort of thing. Again, this
> caught me by sursprise. Just a newbie, I guess.

The other thing "some" people like to do is mis-quote us to each 
other. I was told you said some things, that in retrospect, I am 
sure you did NOT say, or that were quoted out of context.

In other words, certain individuals thought it would be a fun to set 
us against each other and watch the results. I am sorry I was 
naive enough to be taken in.

> Look: it's not some sort of 'race; or 'contest'. 

I guess that "Paul gives the competition the finger" thing was 
Rogers idea. I am sure it was intended humorously, but it 
bothered me at the time. Actually, it is a complement that Wiard 
could even be considered ABLE to compete with anybody.

It's all ancient history now.

> Every synth designer is quirky, proud, stubborn, protective,
> and is basically a *parent* of their designs. No one
> is going to ever catch Doepfer or PAiA in terms of
> numbers. No one is going to have the mystique of Moog
> or Buchla. Rather, each of us should be proud to "be
> in the game", to rejoice in our creations.

I have been searching for a metaphor that could explain the 
passion that people feel toward electronic music and 
synthesizers. It has to explain why people participate in 
something that doesn't really make any money, that requires 
hard work and sacrifice, and the only real reward is the pursuit of 
excellence itself. A hobby is usually more solitary, music 
requires an audience. The best metaphor I have found is that it 
is a sport.

That can at least explain the lifelong fascination, the passionate 
adherance, the willingness to sacrifice, and even the 
hooliganism.