Wiardgroup

I for one like the fact that Grant has decided to give his creation a 
personality.  As with any synth, you'll eventually become familiar 
with its functions and layout, so 100% immediate recognition of 
controls and function over form really isn't too important.  
Konkuro's right, its all about the electronics.  And Grant has that 
base covered 100%.  So I'm glad to see that his artistic and 
creativity has not only been expressed in his circut designs, but 
also the frontpanel graphics/color choices, creating a musical 
instrument, not just a tool.  The even jack field and LED strip are 
done for manufacturing reasons, which I'm sure all of us who have 
built any moderately large electronic device can appreciate.  (And 
Grant is building hundreds of these modules!)
  Ill take personally and artistically designed aesthetics over 
purely funcional aesthetics any day if I have the choice.  Everyone 
has their own opinions, no one is right.  If you look at the synth 
that Konkuro decided to buy, I'm not surprised with his opinions on 
the topic.  This list is primarily Wiard owners so its also not 
suprising the opposition Konkuro's opinions have recieved.
   Personally, I prefer a more east coast/vanilla single function 
module layout over a very dense functionality ala Wiard, but the 
personality and creativity put into this system is first rate, much 
applauded.  As an instrument one will inevitably spend hours in front 
of, it's my opinion that it should be pleasing to look at, use and 
grow with.  I look at a modular as more of an exploration instrument, 
a gateway into a sonic galaxy versus say a guitar or flute which is 
more of a mastery type of instrument.  If all you're worried about is 
hitting that note perfectly every time, then who needs any 
personality?  The instrument has indeed become a tool.  A modular 
synth imho, is something the sonic explorers out there will grow with 
and get close to, so the more personality and charm the better.  Im 
guessing there are more "sonic explorers" in the Wiard camp than in 
that of any other Marque.  Drawn in by the quirkyness and personality 
of the machine, Grant has made electromechanical art for these 
intrepid explorers. . .   

later,
~Steve

(anything but classical is dirty blip bloop sequenced noise!  . . . 
what a joke!)