Rob Hordijk Design: Difference between revisions
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== Design Philosophy == |
== Design Philosophy == |
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| ⚫ | Rob's personal definition of a modular synthesizer is more to do with modulation than modularity; referring to functional modules as 'sections'. Everything is supposed to be able to modulate or effect everything else. All levels within the system are optomised for comparability with one another.<ref name=":2" /> |
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=== Ergonomics === |
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Inspired greatly by the ergonomics of his first syntheseizer, an EMS Putney, as much as negatively inspired by an early Doepfer system he owned, Rob's designs always keep the performing musician in mind saying, "the comfort of playing is much, much better in my opinion, with larger systems."<ref name=":2" /> |
Inspired greatly by the ergonomics of his first syntheseizer, an EMS Putney, as much as negatively inspired by an early Doepfer system he owned, Rob's designs always keep the performing musician in mind saying, "the comfort of playing is much, much better in my opinion, with larger systems."<ref name=":2" /> |
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| ⚫ | In keeping with this ergonomic priority the input and output jacks are all at the bottom of the modules keeping them well clear of the knobs.<ref name=":2" /> In response to a question about whether this rigid format becomes limiting Rob responded:<blockquote>"It is often a good idea if you design something to impose a certain limitation upon yourself. Basically the way I design is at first I go wild, and go complex, until I feel that I've hit some good stuff, and then I simplify. And this process of simplification is quite important because maybe I have a design that could have like 14 knobs and 18 connectors, and then by simplifying it back to 8 knobs and 10 connectors with the most important functions that actually tends to add strength to the design."<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>This design philosophy extends behind the face-plates too, where consideration for ease-of-construction is just as important. With few exceptions, all Hordijk modules consist of 8 pots and 10 jacks. This allows for two underlying PCBs, one for mounting all the interface components, and another for the underlying module functions.<ref name=":2" /> |
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In keeping with this ergonomic priority the input and output jacks are all at the bottom of the modules keeping them well clear of the knobs.<ref name=":2" /> |
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=== Chaos === |
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| ⚫ | Rob's personal definition of a modular synthesizer is more to do with modulation than modularity; referring to functional modules as 'sections'. Everything is supposed to be able to modulate or effect everything else. All levels within the system are optomised for comparability with one another.<ref name=":2" /> |
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Functionality-wise Rob also draws heavy inspiration from chaos theory which he studied in the 80s reminiscing, "in those days it was more about graphic functions and little pictures but I was curious about how to apply them to music." After some disappointing experiments he learned a couple of tricks that produce musical results.<ref name=":2" /> |
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Making a strong distinction between chaotic and 'random' behavior, Rob emphasises the way a disturbed chaotic system tends to seek stability, or a number of balanced states called 'strange attractors'; These balanced states can produce patterns, and when the patterns are short enough to be recognised can produce very musical results. He believes using these methods is the best way to breathe a kind of life or personality into electronic instruments.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Workshops and Lectures == |
== Workshops and Lectures == |
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