Wiardgroup

As far as I know, the Aries modulars were produced by a group 
spun off from MIT. The early modules used 4 big knobs and later 
modules used up to 8 knobs. The first Wiard system was built 
on Aries module frames using 8 knobs and 16 jacks.

I couldn't fit all the functions I wanted in that number of jacks, so 
the production Wiard was increased to 10.5" in height. Aries 
faceplates are 9" x 3" and Wiard are 10.5 x 2.83" (17/6).

The Aries was the first to introduce the incredibly sensible idea 
of putting the jacks on the bottom away from the knobs. The later 
modules had some very advanced designs (including the 
multi-pulse waveshaper (whoops gotta program a bank with 
that)). Ron Rivera of Rivera Music Services designed some 
modules (or was rumored to). The later generation Aries dual 
VCA was the basis for the Mixolator faceplate design. It 
introduced the X,Y and Z notation along with the continuously 
variable linear to log slope control.

The early designs were essentially right out of Electronotes, and 
so are based on Terry Michaels designs (Terry is down the 
street here in Milwaukee). They follow the electrical standard laid 
out by the Arp 2600 and are fully interpatchable with Wiard and 
Blacet modules.

They are also constructed of excessively good electronic parts, 
but this did not help in the long run. It was the failure of the 
majority of the $12 Allen Bradley sealed military pots in the Aries 
that made me realize that ALL pots will eventually fail, no matter 
how much you pay for them. As a consequence, the Wiard is 
designed so the pots are extremely easy to replace, requiring 
just pliers and a small screw driver, no soldering tools are 
needed.

I have always felt that the all black faceplate / black knob design 
looked retarded. In my experience, the harder something tries 
look important on the outside, the less important it usually is.

If the Aries designers had been utterly confident that the internal 
electronics were World Class, They would have decorated the 
modules to look like something that fell out of a French 
whorehouse window, or another design that would call attention 
to their superior quality.

But instead, Aries merely did the absolute minimum of design 
needed to make them functionally usable (perhaps because 
they were not original). A more courageous designer would have 
been concerned with creating an object that posessed lasting 
beauty, an instrument that both sounded and looked beautiful.

So while the Wiard was very much influenced by the Aries 
excellent electronics, ease of use, clear sound and innovative 
panel layout, I dumped the dorky "learning lab" look in favor of an 
appearance appropriate for musical artists.

Oh yea, and not a single LED anywhere on a stock Aries 
envelope. Fortunately, most of them have this oversight corrected 
by now.