Wiardgroup

John Simonton of PAIA originated an inexpensive 19" rack 
mounting system he dubbed the Frac-Rac. This is based on a 
5.25" panel height with width multiples of 1.5", 3" and 4.5"

John Blacet went on to develop an very elegant power supply 
distribution system, and a bunch of great modules, including two 
modules developed along with Wiard: The Mini-Wave module 
and the VCO.

The single improvement I could make to the Frac-Rac system, is 
to make it so the modules could mount vertically in a Frac-Rac, 
or lay down in a shallow desktop enclosure. This could sit in 
front of another modular, and provide controllers and advanced 
voltage sources.

This would be a modular equivalent of the "Dual Joystick Manual 
Controller" that was discontinued.

The faceplates will look like miniature Moog 900 modules (which 
is what the 300 series prototype looked like) and to the extent 
practical, be capable of being fitted with 3.5mm, banana or 1/4" 
connectors. A depth of 1.5" will allow Switchcraft 1/4" jacks for 
support of MOTM systems.

John Blacet uses a 0.062" panel thickness because the printed 
circuit board is used to stabilize the faceplate against bending. 
(and a damn fine piece of engineering it is too). In order to fit a 
1.5" depth, the PCB will need to mount horizontally, parallel with 
the faceplate. Because of this, the faceplate thickness will be 
increased to 0.100" for adequate rigidity.

Useful modules would be:

A nice Joystick (Model 1209B, now shipping)
A fun random voltage/noise source (Noize Ring Model 1210)
A module to control an entire patch with one Joystick
(Joystick Axis Generator Model 1211)
A Universal level and impedance matching module which will let 
any type modular talk easily to any other type modular (Active 
Multiple)
A CV/Audio mixer module with some cool twist (prototyped, but 
needs more fun value)

All modules should be under $200.

So that is the general plan at this point. Produce a set of 
Frac-Rac or tabletop modules in Moog 900 color scheme, that 
support any connector type and are usable with anyones 
modular synthesizer, new or old.

Note that while I would like to support the Buchla 100 and 200 
series, they are so ungodly expensive that Wiard can not afford 
the liability of connecting to them. So, no Buchla support unless 
you sign a 7 page legal document (in blood), promising not to 
sue me no matter what happens.

Thanks for giving a clearer picture of what lies in store for the 
1200 series. of modules.  

> The single improvement I could make to the Frac-Rac system, is 
> to make it so the modules could mount vertically in a Frac-Rac, 
> or lay down in a shallow desktop enclosure. This could sit in 
> front of another modular, and provide controllers and advanced 
> voltage sources.

Seems like a logical improvement.  And goes well with the 1209 and 
1211 modules, as you indicated.  Not just a replacement for the dual 
joystick, but a total functionality upgrade (though perhaps not as 
cool looking:).  

> The faceplates will look like miniature Moog 900 modules 

I can hear Konkuro cheering already...personally I was sort of 
hoping for a continuation of the blue color scheme of the 300 
series, but this is simpler and non-controversial, and I'm sure 
you've answered enough aesthetics questions for one lifetime:).

> A nice Joystick (Model 1209B, now shipping)
> A fun random voltage/noise source (Noize Ring Model 1210)
> A module to control an entire patch with one Joystick
> (Joystick Axis Generator Model 1211)

hmmm...two joysticks and one each of the other two would make a 
pretty funky desktop-based controller...

> A Universal level and impedance matching module which will let 
> any type modular talk easily to any other type modular (Active 
> Multiple)

Nice.  I've been looking at all the different systems lately, and 
been wondering why something like this isn't on the market.  

> A CV/Audio mixer module with some cool twist (prototyped, but 
> needs more fun value)

Built in two-way vector mixing via LFO?  Somehow I think you'll come 
up with something much cooler than I can...

> All modules should be under $200.

:)  That should just about end people on synth-forums whining that 
Wiard modules are overpriced.  

>So, no Buchla support unless 
> you sign a 7 page legal document (in blood), promising not to 
> sue me no matter what happens.

Peake, I've got an old-fashioned fountain pen you can borrow...:)


JR "Bulldogge" Ross
& Snuffy, too:)