To: analogue@hyperreal.org,
From: Mark Pulver mpulver@midiwall.com,
cc:
Subject: SEM Mods
Date: Thu, 12 Feb 1998 14:30:32 -0600

---

Since it looks like the topic of doing SEM mods and such might be starting
again, I think it's useful to pass on this message from Kevin Lightner.
He's done a few, will more than likely do more in his lifetime, and was
recently involved in a conversation on a Sonic State message board about this.


> Kevin Lightner.... Re:Ye Olde Oberheim Abbey 04-Feb-98
>
>- Thanks for mention :)
>
>The most often overlooked things I've seen in doing the SEM patch stuff,
>besides the obvious fit and finish, are the actual ergonomics of
>the mod. How is it to be used? Polyphonically? A big modular? An expander
>for something that exists? These are the points or questions
>I've often seen overlooked or unconsidered:
>
>Do you have any mults? Any attenuators? If you're using the "Ext" in points
>on the SEM, are you sacrificing the env's or lfo's from being
>used? How is jack labeling to be done? What jack types? Are they compatible
>with others in your system? (If your using bananas, do you
>have a good ground to your serge or buchla or whatever?) If using 1/8" or
>1/4" jacks, is any jack normalling to be done? Can it operate
>without patchcords? Are you going to use just gates or gates and triggers?
>Is "everything" to be brought out? (if not, why and what?)
>
>There are about 20 more of these things I could write... but it gives you
>an idea about how complex it can be.
>
>The connectors on the back of the SEMs are only so usable as far as these
>mods go. Other points must be either broken, or summed in.
>(and what if you want to take out an SEM later, is everything NOW on
>connectors?) When one actually sits down and thinks about what
>should or shouldn't be included, it can be a bit maddening to decide.
>
>The tech who says "I'll JUST add some patch points" or "Ya ONLY have to
>hook some wires to these here points", is the one to steer
>clear of.:) (...and yes, I've made plenty of compromises and mistakes too!)
>
>There's an old adage that comes to my mind when modding synths, "Anything
>you CAN control, you HAVE to control". -K
>
>Kevin Lightner
>email: majmoog@synthfool.com


In asking Kevin for his permission to reprint this here, he also had this
to say:

>My MAIN point though, is that I see this whole "just hookup some
>patchpoints" thing to be underestimated as far as difficulty. Because of
>this, owners then don't pay their techs enough for a clean or well thought
>out job and basically get what they pay for- a poor job.
>
>I'm not the god of synth mods, so my opinion is only that, an opinion. But
>I wish people would FIRST figure out EXACTLY what they want and how they're
>going to accomplish it. One should be honest about their own capabilities
>and make the distinction between what they truly have experience doing and
>what they are really just guessing at. This is absolute stuff, "unfixable
>in the mix."


Food for thoought, and something for the AH archives...

Mark

_________________________________________________________________________
Mark Pulver - http://www.wwa.com/~mpulvera.com/~mpulver The "Son of The MIDI Wall"
The "Son of The MIDI Wall"
* Nord Modular Info -> http://web.wwa.com/~mpulver/nordm.htmeb.wwa.com/~mpulver/nordm.htm *
*