From: ricard@axis.se (Ricard Wolf)
Subject: Re: Vintage Synth Re-Issues, what do you think?  Would you buy?
Organization: Axis Communications AB, Lund Sweden
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 08:35:13 GMT

In article <1992Oct2.173153.12835@netcom.com> metlay@netcom.com (metlay) writes:
>In article <1992Oct2.020719.21799@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> eirikur@ranger.enet.dec.com (Eirikur Hallgrimsson) writes:
>>You know, playing around with a Fender synth. has made me think about applying
>>their vintage guitar re-issue concept to synth marketing.....
>
>Don't go away folx, tomorrow he invents the glass jackhammer. (Actually, that's
>a good name for a band....Glass Jackhammer....hmmmm.....)
>
>>Ok.  TR-808, what else?
>
>I disagree about the TR. It'd be too expensive to rebuild, and inevitably 
>people would claim that it didn't sound "right."

Exactly. Isn't the bottom line that these machines are vintage machines and
we like them because they _are_ vintage machines. Moog tried to replace
the Mini with the Source - didn't succeed. A TR808 is a TR808; a CS80
is a CS80 (pitch (un)stability included). Trying to build a small,
better CS80 will result in something which is not a CS80, but probably
a cross between a D50 and a K3 (or something). 

Fact is, modern technology has made analog technology obsolete; not the
sound, but the actual cost of building the stuff. I'm no digi-fan; I 
wouldn't get a D50 if I got paid for it (hm, well, then I could sell it
I guess and buy a Mini...), but most people are happy with their M1's and
that's who Roland, Korg and the other guys build their stuff for. 
(Ok, I know the Matrix-6 / 1000 and a few others still have the sense to
use analog filters and vca's, however, the oscillators are part digital.)

>
>>Roland D-50  (mucho temptation to ask for cleaner PCM and a few other things)
>
>Harg! Glub blug dip woot-boof wammie! (Translated: Phoo! I'm sorry they built
>these the FIRST time!)

My thoughts exactly...

>
>>Moog MiniMoog
>
>No one would trust the circuit board layout unless Moog did it himself....

And why would he do it. He's done it once (or one of his staff). People
seem to be saying give me a Mini at $5 and the size of a match box. Well
folks it can't be done. You want a Mini, get a Mini. (A local keyboard
shop has four of them...)

>>Gleeman Pentaphonic?  (Now I'm getting silly)
>
>No, you're not. We need more clear plastic see through synths!

...With lamps that light up when the various voices are played. 
The only one these days who seems to have these forsights is Mr Jarre...

>
>>What would your list of re-issues look like?  Would you buy them?
>
>Hmmm. I'd bring back the ARP Quadra and the Roland GR-500, and I'd
>own one of each. The Yamaha CS-80 MUST be buildable in a more efficient
>hardware design nowadays....

Yeah, but with what charm...?

>
>Hell, a PolySix with the Korg MIDI retro would make a good MIDI analog
>synth for people who were starting out.
Very true. However, probably the majority of people would start checking
their wallets and buying some digital thingy instead...

... just my 2 cents worth. ....

/Ricard
-- 
Ricard Wolf                   / | \  / | /-           email: ricard@axis.se
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