Wiardgroup

> Not trying to start a flame war here, but I found John
> M.'s remarks from a very recent Analogue Heaven post
> regarding the Wiard intriguing - so I thought I would
> send them to the Wiard list to see if Grant (or anyone
> with a 300 series)could shed some light on these 2
> items listed in the post below:
> 
> Jack placement (centering)
> 
> Functionality of the LEDs on the top of the panel

The human race has traditionally recognized two distinct classes 
of objects: Functional objects and aesthetic objects. 

The difference is that functional objects can become obsolete 
and be replaced by more modern designs. They decrease in 
value with the passage of time.

Aesthetic objects never become obsolete and they always 
increase in value with time. No one claims the Mona Lisa is 
obsolete (but someone surely will, just to prove me wrong ;^) 
and it is worth a LOT more today, than when it was first painted.

The acoustic violin was not "replaced" by the music synthesizer 
because musical instruments are aesthetic objects and do not 
become obsolete. Musical instruments are traditionally 
ornamented to make them more pleasing to be around, and to 
plainly mark them as aesthetic objects deserving of thoughtful 
consideration and careful treatment.

The reason that analog modulars almost became extinct is 
because their inventors viewed them as functional objects, and 
so they were presented as such. Because the inventors 
presented them as functional objects, their customers saw them 
as replaceable, and this is why the University of Chicago put 
their Buchla in the dumpster when they got their TX-816 digital 
synth. But a University would never think of throwing away a violin 
because they bought a cello.

The Wiard has the added expense of ornamentation to clearly 
mark it as being in the tradition of musical instruments as an 
aesthetic object, and not a replaceable device.

The Wiard is the first electronic modular deliberately designed to 
correct the oversight of presenting a music synthesizer as only a 
functional object. The Wiard is presented as an aesthetic object 
which will not become obsolete, and will always increase in 
value. Even today, second hand Wiard instruments sell for more 
than the new price. 

People make nonsensical remarks about the graphics, because 
they are confusing the Wiard with other objects called "modular 
synthesizers". These were envisioned by their designers as 
functional objects, and are not in the same class as the Wiard.

Some people just don't get it.