[sdiy] first synth?

[TooManySynths]

> > I did not mean to sound critical of anything else.
> In
> > fact, I have not tried MOTM, so, if their manuals
> are
> > like paia/heathkit, I stand corrected. 
> 
> The MOTM manuals are the best I've ever seen. 
> For instance, every piece of shielded cable is
> trimmed to
> the right lenght, shield and inner wire separated
> and tinned,
> ready to put into the pcb and solder them. 
> There is a description for every tiny step in the
> manual,
> with checkboxes and even suggestions to take a rest
> at
> the right moment (;->). 

My apologies to Paul.  For whatever reason, I just
assumed they were "more techie." I should just be
quiet about things I know nothing about.  I would say
those are definately a notch above PAIA in terms of
build ease.  

Personally, however, I have no desire for this type of
handholding.  It isn't that I criticize it. I'm also
quite sure that if I wanted an MOTM module, I'd buy
the kit as opposed to an assembled version.  It's that
the reason I build/mod synths in the first place is
because they can be personalized.  So, while I have
two of the three PAIA 9700 kits, I have neither of the
front panels.  I have no interest in PAIA's normaling
scheme, and I have mods planned for both kits before
they're even built.  So no matter how well made the
front panels and instructions are, they do me no good,
as I would most likely change them anyway. So I guess
I disagree that it is a pleasure, perhaps for you, for
me I get really bored and impatient with the
instructions and will just stuff the board with parts
and solder in bulk, that way, I don't need to take so
many breaks :)  Of course, I NEVER expect the kit
manufacturer to help me debug my problems either.

Good instructions are essential for a kit that is
successful across all ability levels for sure, but I
prefer kits that don't include front panels or
beginners instructions, frankly, because they are
usually cheaper. I bought the last of the PAIA EK
series bare boards, I'd buy more if they had em.

Daryl






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