KVR Audio

Scot Solida · Post by **Scot Solida** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:06 pm

I am saddened to learn that John Simonton, founder of PAIA electronics, has passed away.

Like many people, I got my start in DIY electronics by building a PAIA kit. PAIA's insistence on easy-to-follow manuals and economic designs meant that I was able to build a working project the very first time I picked up a soldering iron.

At a time when I could scarcely afford to eat, PAIA projects gave me a way to add gear to my studio, and taught me a whole lot about how it all worked. I learned a lot about how an electronic signal works, and this has aided me in my career as a sound designer. It certainly helps in patching my modular system.

Looking around the studio, I see that much of it was DIY, and a lot came from PAIA. I have built many Theremins, and my own Theremin is an adaption of PAIA's Theremax design (as is the one I custom made for Edward Ka-Spel of the Legendary Pink Dots). I have made PAIA compressors, synth modules, pres and other effects. I have an unfinished PAIA Fatman synth on my workbench even as I type this. My son has a PAIA 9000 series modular.

My life has been better because John Simonton and PAIA have been a part of it. He will be missed. He may not have been a "big name" in the synthesizer industry, but his impact was profound. There are countless electronic musicians of my generation who learned synthesis on a PAIA modular system when other modulars were out of financial reach (or simply not being made!)

Goodbye, John. And Thanks.

You can find the obituary on the PAIA site: www.paia.com

vurt · Post by **vurt** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:09 pm

never used his gear myself but the name is synonymous with the art of home building.
sad indeed

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:16 pm

Sad news. Don't believe I was ever able to afford his kits but they inspired me to homebrew what I could. *salute*

Ian B · Post by **Ian B** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:19 pm

Larry Hendry has also died recently (neither of the names mean much to me tbh

) but I noticed a thread over at CM about these two deaths http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/10/ ... synth.html

Scot Solida · Post by **Scot Solida** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:23 pm

Ian B wrote:Larry Hendry has also died recently (neither of the names mean much to me tbh ) but I noticed a thread over at CM about these two deaths http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2005/10/ ... synth.html

Yep. Larry was also a force for democratizing modular synthesis and electronics. I have a Blacet Time Machine that he custom-mounted in a Synthesizers.com panel.

I can't help but think of either of these fellows when I patch the Big Modular...

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:28 pm

A sad day indeed... I was always well aware of Johns stuff, though never committed.

These are strange and changing times when the cornerstones of what we grew up with as musicians are leaving us... Very sad indeed.

Best wishes to the team and of course to Johns family...

Dave

Soniccat · Post by **Soniccat** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:29 pm

First synth I ever owned was the Paia Fatmn and have a couple of the fx kits that I built over the years. This would not have been possible without someone like John Simonton to make his kits available.

Sad news for the DIYer.

tconrardy · Post by **tconrardy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:30 pm

Yep..I remeber building a PIA GNOME..and also some other modules and even a guitar sustain effect. A sad day indeed, but wonder how old he was? Guess it does not matter, just like when Bob died recently..he will be missed!

mckenic · Post by **mckenic** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 5:36 pm

62 Tim... cancer.

tconrardy · Post by **tconrardy** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 6:53 pm

mckenic wrote:62 Tim... cancer.

man..still quite young!!My mother in law died of cancer so I can relate.

Landphil · Post by **Landphil** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:13 am

I had no idea he was the publisher of Polyphony magazine. I still have a few of those. I've been to their shop a few times over the years...I love the smell of phenolic and electronics! A quad noise gate was the only kit I ever built.

Sad to hear this news. Go well, John.

Sad News for DIY Fans...