Wiardgroup

Okay, you guys have had a lot of fun with comments on 
comments based on my original "comment" about the Wiard 
Celtic Tatoo Patterns. No offense to Grant was intended.

As with the Technosaurus, I think that the panel designs would 
get in the way of the funcionality. For me, it's not at all about the 
color. I've got 3 grey 2600's, an Arp "Holloween" sequencer, OB 
SEMs and MiniSeq, a hacked Minimoog (just the box with extra 
pots, jacks and switches, a SonicSix, an OB-8/DSX and an 
Xpander/XK and that doesn't even get into the rack, computer or 
digital stuff - black, grey, blue, cream, orange (my DIY modular 
has orange knobs on black panels with red and black banana 
jacks and no legending (yet)).

I used to gig with the OB-8, it's the main thing I have that has 
patterns on the the front panel (lateral blue lines) that have 
nothing to do with function. It still drives me crazy, especially in 
low light - and those lines are straight! For me, the art should 
come out of the synth, not be on the front panel.

Some of the other comments here show the designs as a real 
deal breaker. Some complain that MOTM is too plain - well, it 
seems that Wiard is at the other end of the spectrum. Even with 
the strange Graves kitchen utensils and small appliances at 
Target, there is "function over form" (in fact, the form quietly 
enhances the function in many cases), I wonder if the Celtic 
thing reverses those attributes. But, that is the designer's 
perogitive.

Barry

You're pulling our legs, right?

John Loffink
jloffink@austin.rr.com 

 (my DIY modular
> has orange knobs on black panels with red and black banana
> jacks and no legending (yet)).

In general? - a little bit. About the DIY modular? - I'm afraid not. I 
got a bunch of these orange sort of inverted double chicken beak 
knobs (a beak flairs out on each side) for free. I started this 
project over 15 years ago with a bunch of PAIA EK-X Curtis 
based kits, parts of it are functional and much is unfinished - 
hence the lack of legending, etc. I have a chart that tells me 
what's what and I used red jacks for outputs and black for inputs, 
which helps me get around. Anyway, my wife says it's the ugliest 
thing in the studio and makes me keep it covered when she's 
working in there.

Barry

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "John Loffink" <jloffink@a...> wrote:
> You're pulling our legs, right?
> 
> John Loffink
> jloffink@a... 
> 
>  (my DIY modular
> > has orange knobs on black panels with red and black 
banana
> > jacks and no legending (yet)).

Oh yes, I've seen it - there ain't no way the wife would let me have 
one of those, the funny thing is we have a good bit of (tasteful) 
nude art. I'll show her the CGS and maybe she'll at least let me 
expose my orange knobs. ;-)

Barry

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "Les Mizzell" <lesmizz@b...> wrote:
> 
> What? You guys have never seen Ken Stone's famous "Cat Girl 
Synth"?

> 
> Now THERE'S some panel art I tell ya!!
> 
> 
> http://198.164.142.50/~cgs/
> 
> 
> 
> Les Mizzell
> 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> "Did you ever walk into a room 
> and forget why you walked in? 
> I think that's how dogs spend 
> their lives." -- Sue Murphy 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What? You guys have never seen Ken Stone's famous "Cat Girl Synth"?

Now THERE'S some panel art I tell ya!!


http://198.164.142.50/~cgs/



Les Mizzell

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Did you ever walk into a room 
and forget why you walked in? 
I think that's how dogs spend 
their lives." -- Sue Murphy 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Just looked at the CGS panels again - not as risque as I 
remembered - the actual Cat Girl ones are cute, but still wouldn't 
fly in my household. I like the plainish (by comparison) gradient 
ones, too - with sectional definition and little diagrams. There are 
infinite ways to do this stuff - I guess my original point (did I have 
one?) was that if a mass producer of modules has an artsy 
pattern (or a lurid color scheme, remember those 80's ART FX 
units in the pink and grey?) on their front panels, it'll be off putting 
to some. To extend someone's vehicle analogy: how many mass 
produced cars do you see with patterns (well many do have 
pinstripes!)? On the other extreme, if they are too plain, others 
will complain. Maybe it's kind of a liberal vs. conservative taste 
thing. I guess my tastes run more conservative. Layout, 
connector type, knob size, legending, graphics, etc. all contribute 
to the functional aesthetic. The bottomline for a synth is how it 
sounds, not what it looks like, but what it looks like can effect 
who will buy it and even how they use it. Again, no offense to 
Grant, Ken, Paul or Jurg(?).

Barry


--- In wiardgroup@y..., "coyoteous" <satori@t...> wrote:
> Oh yes, I've seen it - there ain't no way the wife would let me 
have 
> one of those, the funny thing is we have a good bit of (tasteful) 
> nude art. I'll show her the CGS and maybe she'll at least let me 
> expose my orange knobs. ;-)
> 
> Barry
> 
> --- In wiardgroup@y..., "Les Mizzell" <lesmizz@b...> wrote:
> > 
> > What? You guys have never seen Ken Stone's famous "Cat 
Girl 

> Synth"?
> > 
> > Now THERE'S some panel art I tell ya!!
> > 
> > 
> > http://198.164.142.50/~cgs/
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Les Mizzell
> > 
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > "Did you ever walk into a room 
> > and forget why you walked in? 
> > I think that's how dogs spend 
> > their lives." -- Sue Murphy 
> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

some people are so seriously against panel artwork, they don't even want 
labels on the controls! ;)

mark

just kidding.

John Loffink wrote:

>You're pulling our legs, right?
>
>John Loffink
>jloffink@austin.rr.com 
>
> (my DIY modular
>
>>has orange knobs on black panels with red and black banana
>>jacks and no legending (yet)).
>>
>
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>wiardgroup-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> 
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
>
>
>

> What? You guys have never seen Ken Stone's famous "Cat Girl Synth"?
> 
> Now THERE'S some panel art I tell ya!!
I actually prefer that....especially the Gate Sequencer.
Celtic scripts remind me of the YE OLDE GIFTE SHOPEE signs that proliferate
in Wales (a place I hated growing up in).
No other faceplate contributions I promise ( for those of you obviously very
sensitive on the subject).
CW

Why not wear sunglasses or simply squint if you
don't like the Celtic art? ;-)

I have a custom Technosaurus Selector "C" system,
which has no blue "Saurus skin" graphics, as Jurg
calls it. It's white text and lines on a black
panel, and having used a regular System "D" on
occasion, I note that the blue art actually helps
the black knobs to stand out a bit better, and
thus aid in physically locating the knobs a hair
faster than on my system. (The knobs are black
plastic and can "blend" into the black panels.)

It is possible to order a system with this color
scheme (or "lack" of a color scheme). Grant made
a red Wiard to order; "color is just a matter of
money. How bright do you want to go?" (Paraphrasing
sign seen in "Mad Max")

My kudos to Grant for following his vision. 

Easier,

-Mike

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "coyoteous" <satori@t...> wrote:
> Okay, you guys have had a lot of fun with comments on 
> comments based on my original "comment" about the Wiard 
> Celtic Tatoo Patterns. No offense to Grant was intended.
> 
> As with the Technosaurus, I think that the panel designs would 
> get in the way of the funcionality. For me, it's not at all about the 
> color. I've got 3 grey 2600's, an Arp "Holloween" sequencer, OB 
> SEMs and MiniSeq, a hacked Minimoog (just the box with extra 
> pots, jacks and switches, a SonicSix, an OB-8/DSX and an 
> Xpander/XK and that doesn't even get into the rack, computer or 
> digital stuff - black, grey, blue, cream, orange (my DIY modular 
> has orange knobs on black panels with red and black banana 
> jacks and no legending (yet)).
> 
<snip section about OB-8>

> 
> Some of the other comments here show the designs as a real 
> deal breaker. Some complain that MOTM is too plain - well, it 
> seems that Wiard is at the other end of the spectrum. Even with 
> the strange Graves kitchen utensils and small appliances at 
> Target, there is "function over form" (in fact, the form quietly 
> enhances the function in many cases), I wonder if the Celtic 
> thing reverses those attributes. But, that is the designer's 
> perogitive.
> 
> Barry

--- In wiardgroup@y..., "its_peake" <its_peake@y...> wrote:
> Why not wear sunglasses or simply squint if you
> don't like the Celtic art? ;-)

Or not buy it! ;-)

> I have a custom Technosaurus Selector "C" system,
> which has no blue "Saurus skin" graphics, as Jurg
> calls it. It's white text and lines on a black
> panel, and having used a regular System "D" on
> occasion, I note that the blue art actually helps
> the black knobs to stand out a bit better, and
> thus aid in physically locating the knobs a hair
> faster than on my system. (The knobs are black
> plastic and can "blend" into the black panels.)

It's good to know there is an option, I guess I missed that on the 
website (along with the module details). <G>

Can I take your order?

I'll have a System D, hold the skin and I'd like to substitute an 
order of big ass MOTM knobs with the shiny silver inserts for the 
stock ones (so I can find them). <G>

Do you want fries or a drink with that?

No, I'm trying to quit. <G>

(not to compare the TS to fast food, it's a joke [with a point])

> It is possible to order a system with this color
> scheme (or "lack" of a color scheme). Grant made
> a red Wiard to order; "color is just a matter of
> money. How bright do you want to go?" (Paraphrasing
> sign seen in "Mad Max")

Good to know as well - but there's something not quite right about 
"plain'll cost ya more", if that is even an option in this case - like 
the Nicholson toast bit in "Five Easy Pieces."
 
> My kudos to Grant for following his vision. 

As well (even though it probably doesn't seem like it), I just wish it 
were more compatible with mine (different drugs, I guess [that's a 
joke, too]). 

BTW, after looking at the Wiard patchsheets and PDFs, the funtionality 
does look both unusual and powerful. The "Wiard_hints" sheet in the 
archives is informative, as well. I hope I get to see one in person 
some day.
 
> Easier,
> 
> -Mike

Thanks for the info, Mike.

Barry