Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

im still suprised at the number of DSI-Yes-men here, all so aplogetic for the poor company.  and dismissive of these valid criticisms of the PEK.  I have a number of complaints about the PEK, but the 4 voice issue  seemed to be the single biggest drawback to this synth in the marketplace, and its relatively easy to change. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR FLAGSHIP MODEL-- even the Prophet 08 has 8 voices., and it isnt cost prohibitive.

 I think DSI is just concentrating on what they think is currently 'hip' in synths--little tweakable desktop units to play with a computer, [as if keyboard synths are too old school]. But then what is so new about MOOG? , and the prices on the Voyager are insane  for a monosynth-- still they sell.



--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, Ravi Ivan Sharma <noision1@...> wrote:
>
> James, Tzachi and anyone else complaining:
> 
> Do you think that it is possible that the costs associated with opening up a PEK and replacing things would be more expensive than the cost of making a new PEK with the new knobs in a batch coming off an assembly line?
> 
> Have you priced taking in your PEK to a qualified repair shop, i.e. E.A.R.S. in NYC or the like and finding out how much it will be to replace the pots yourself? Wouldn't it be that only if it were far less expensive to do it that way, that you would be justifiably insulted by Dave Smith's price?
> 
> Why should the replacement be at a loss or no-profit to Dave Smith? Does the fact that one has a choice now, mean one was wrongfully deprived of a choice when one bought or didn't know what they were getting at the time? My PEKs encoders work fine.
> 
> Do you know that the new PEK costs $200 simply because of the new pots? And even it it is, couldn't it also be a function of a) overall costs, and b) manufacturer *choice* in how to price their product?
> 
> Why should  overall costs, and manufacturer *choice* in how to price their product not apply to the reissued PER?
> 
> Are instrument makers not allowed to raise their prices, or choose what prices to charge?
> 
> If not, why not?
> 
> Ravi
> 
> 
> On Mar 29, 2010, at 2:13 PM, James Elliott wrote:
> 
> > 
> > Not only that, why does the pot upgrade cost $400 for the PEK when the new PEK costs $200 more than the old one?
> > 
> > I think that people are looking at the $400 upgrade for the most part as an insult. I'd rather sell my PEK and take a huge loss on what I paid for it now and take that money (plus what I didn't spend on the upgrade) and buy something else with it then pay that ridiculous price for the upgrade to have a PEK that actually works (albeit with buggy software) to just take a loss on it in the future. $200 for the upgrade, yes - $400 for the upgrade, they must be smoking crack.
> > 
> > 
> > From: tzachi keinan <zahush76@...>
> > To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Sun, March 28, 2010 10:32:42 PM
> > Subject: Re: [DSI Synths] DSI - "no to 4 voice PEK upgrade"
> > 
> >  
> > Well, dsi may have re-issued the PER after hearing the demand (i was waiting for one myself), but they have also "upgraded" its price. It costs 250$ more than it did before they discontinued it. That's a shame.
> > The new PEK costs only 200$ more than it did - but at least for a reason: the new pot edition.
> > Why does the new PER cost more? What demands does that meet?
> > There's an option to add 4 voices to the PEK by an external unit. That's fine. Whatever. But now it costs more? Why?
> > 
> > --- On Mon, 3/29/10, em <musiclists@theplexu s.com> wrote:
> > 
> > From: em <musiclists@theplexu s.com>
> > Subject: Re: [DSI Synths] DSI - "no to 4 voice PEK upgrade"
> > To: DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com
> > Date: Monday, March 29, 2010, 5:00 AM
> > 
> >  
> > haha! i am going to try hard not to call you names in the spirit of the "nice internet" but really... ok well are those your expectations of other synth manufacturers? do you think that its reasonable to demand Roland or Yamaha to change some aspect of an existing product to meet your individual needs? what about other manufacturers such as cars, appliances, etc? if you do, then you clearly have an exaggerated sense of entitlement and thats great for you! just please keep it off this list.
> > 
> > DSI has been VERY responsive to its user-base, much more so than most manufacturers, especially those in the synth world. its not ideal for some people (like me) to have to have an external box for extra voices, but at least a product exists for us to do it. and when that product was discontinued, DSI listened and re-issued it. do you have any idea how much it costs and the risks involved in releasing a product? i guess you don't. thats why most manufacturers dont even bother going beyond the initial release and saving features for a new distinct product.
> > 
> > so in my opinion DSI has raised the bar dramatically in terms of responding to its customers, quickly and with focus. take your whining elsewhere wasteking - your nick truly exemplifies the kind of waste you've been in your critique of this fine company.
> > 
> > --- In DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com, "wasteking1" <wasteking1@ ...> wrote:
> > >
> > > ADDING VOICES TO THE PEK IS NOT THAT HARD---its already set up to do it through the polychain connection-- - all they need to do is link another 4-voice board up in line with the existing one INTERNALLY-- rather than having you buy a whole new external rack unit. (and provide a more powerful power cord/adapter cause it would need more amps.) this idea is NOT a 'new invention', its the same stuff DSI has already, just set up as a factory internal 'splice' , I dont see the big deal , 
> > > I also dont understand all the APOLOGIES on this forum for DSI's design limitations, rather than suport for an easy improvement that requires actually very little R+D. (the pot-mod wasnt much R+D either). Im suprised this crowd here is so complacent. Why not ask for something better. Something fairly easy , that would make this unit more useable OUT OF THE STUDIO--where carrying extra stuff is a drag.I assume the more peole demand it, the more they might respond. Thanks for the negative energy on this one. [And if cost was a problem, Look at MOOG ---as if that MONOsynth is a 'good deal'--- its 50% more than a PEK and they sell .]
> > > 
> > > --- In DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com, "meatballfulton" <hubcapbrian@ > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > --- In DSI_Evolver@ yahoogroups. com, "wasteking1" <wasteking1@ > wrote:
> > > > >i suppose every corporation appreciates its YES-men followers.
> > > > 
> > > > I'm not a yes man, I'm just realistic about what products DSI (or any mfr) can choose to offer. 
> > > > 
> > > > They have responded to so many customer request already: PEK and MEK, Mopho, pots instead of encoders, Tetra, PER reissue, etc. It's not like they don't listen!
> > > >
> > >
> > 
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