If you’ve into Eurorack modular synthesizers, you’re probably familiar with Pittsburgh Modular, which makes both individual modules and complete systems.
In the latest episode of the Art + Music + Technology podcast, host Darwin Grosse interviews Pittsburgh Modular founder Richard Nicol.
Here’s what Grosse has to say about the interview:
Richard talks about his start as a fledgling builder, his work with other circuit designers, his vision for the product line and his perspective on module creation. It was really intriguing to hear about his ideas, but also reassuring to see a plan laid bare.
An awesome interview, and a great way to understand how a database developer becomes a “modular mogul” (triple-grins to this – wait until you hear about his personal modular system…).
You can listen to the interview with Richard Nicol of PIttsburgh Modular via the embed below, or at the A+M+T podcast site:
You can find out more about Pittsburgh Modular’s gear at their site.
Enjoyed that, he’s a cool guy. Pittsburgh modules are great. Thanks synthhead!
I have some Pittsburgh modules and one thin I just don’t understand. Why are they soldering IC’s right into the PCB? Is it too much to ask for a socket? Recently I had to change an IC in a Doepfer module and all I had to do was pull IC out and install a new one, no problem done in a minute. Desoldering and soldering IC back isn’t much fun.
It is a cost consideration, otherwise known as cutting corners. On that front, I found him a little arrogant.
It does add cost and over time, can decrease reliability. I have seen sockets make less reliable contact over time when I was working as a full time tech for a large manufacturer. While they are nice when you have to do a repair or if trouble shooting a new circuit, it really is very easy to desolder an IC on the rare occasion you need to replace one. I am not a big fan of them myself as most components are very reliable.
Hey at least their stuff isn’t all SMT construction.
That makes it really tough to ever fix anything.