[sdiy] Reprinting Electronotes

[phillip m gallo]

Electronotes was an important event in the timeline of analog synth DIY.  A
CD compilation would indeed be an interesting and well worth paying for.

If you re-read various issues it is clear how much work Bernie Hutchins put
into the publication distribution of EN.  His description of his kitchen
prior to each months distribution is still a very clear image in my mind.

I guess it has become chic to paint him as some form of bad guy, however he
is personally responsible for erecting a forum which bound a widely
dispersed community together in pursuit of synth DIY.  The effort to procure
parts in volume to enable the cost effective construction of the various EN
designs was also above and beyond the call for someone who was not a "kit
provider".

It's a very different, less friendly era today.  EN originated as a "club"
not a business.  The proof of how fundamental Electronotes was can be seen
in many so called "contemporary" analog synth designs.

The lack of demonstrated copyright has meant to me that i have never
hesitated to copy a specific article or schem. for the direct personal use
by others (they are my property) but posting on the WEB seems a bit severe
without permission.

regards,
p






-----Original Message-----
From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
[mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of Ian Fritz
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 7:02 AM
To: Paul Perry; synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Filter Banks & CSound


At 04:16 AM 12/13/2002, Paul Perry wrote:

> >> > I don't like to put up circuits that appeared in Electronotes, since
> Bernie
> >> > is still selling back issues.
>I wouldn't hold back, particularly if stuff was submitted by others (as
much
>was).

Well, this was submitted by me, of course.  I don't think Bernie would
hassle me about posting my own work, but I generally don't do it unless
it's an updated version -- like the double pulse waveform generator or the
improved saw VCO on my site.

>So, I think he has been amply recompensed ;D (especially for some of what
>appear
>to be lecture notes recycled from his academic teaching).

I disagree.  I visited Bernie a couple of time while he was actively
publishing the newsletter, and I can tell you he worked incredibly hard at
putting out the material.  The original subscription cost was ridiculously
low for the volume and value of information provided.  It would have been a
bargain at twice the price.  Some of the later material was indeed
connected to his teaching work, but certainly not the main material on
basic synth circuits.  I think he is well entitled to continue making money
selling the back issues.

>I don't see him sharing royalties with any of his co-writers, some of whom
>are still
>flying the analog diy flag on this very list.

Well, we all benefited by having our work published.  When I publish in a
scientific journal I pay publication charges, I sign away the copyright and
I don't get any royalties, so I don't see anything unusual here.  Besides,
some of us have been getting the more recent issues gratis.

   Ian
   (Still flying the flag)

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