[sdiy] MIDI isn't musical : Flame bait?

[Gene Stopp]

Here's something I have a viewpoint on... (and by the way, I'm enjoying the
"is MIDI musical?" thread and I'm very happy to see such an emotional issue
discussed in such a reasonable and flame-free manner! I only have time for
one mail list these days, and I'm happy to say that this is it).

I plan on someday getting the chance to build more instruments (kids are in
the way at the moment, but that's part of another thread!). I'd like to get
some nice wood, and a nice piece of aluminum, some nice old pots and knobs,
and an old Pratt/Read keyboard, and build an "Instrument". An "Instrument"
is self-contained; mine would have a power cord going in and an audio cord
going out. I would not want to repackage a purchased MIDI keyboard, and I
would rather use a MIDI-CV converter in a rack module. So this is where
either an analog or digital interface would be appropriate. Especially if I
want to say "I made that!". :)

Don't get me wrong - I have MIDI controllers up the wazoo (including my
wife's WX-5) and MIDI-CV converters and modulars without keyboards and
rack-mount stuff too... but half the time I enjoy playing "Instruments".

Ingo has a totally valid point, but I did want to volunteer an answer to his
question.

Best Regards,

- Gene



-----Original Message-----
From: Ingo Debus [mailto:debus at cityweb.de]
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 11:06 PM
To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
Subject: Re: [sdiy] MIDI isn't musical : Flame bait?


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Back to the original question, why build a "analog" resistor string CV
keyboard, or a digital one (using priority encoders, latches and a DAC)
today instead of using a MIDI keyboard and a MIDI-to-CV converter? I
can't see any reason why a non-MIDI keyboard could outperform a MIDI
keyboard in any respect. And if one wants an alternate controller where
MIDI is no longer appropriate (Theremin, whatever) the CV inputs of the
synth are still there.

Ingo