Another Synth Guru Has Left Our Presence

November 29, 2005 9:16 PM

John "Paia" Simonton died late last week. His company, PAiA is one of the grandfathers of the DIY synth scene. I have one of his modular synths half-constructed in my garage. He helped create an American buzz for electronic music and DIY music gear in the 70s, and was highly influential till his passing away.
posted by blackvectrex (10 comments total)

blackvectrex is a fucking awesome account name and I wish I had thought of it myself.
posted by jonson at 10:14 PM on November 29, 2005

I've been tempted by several of their kits. I built the PAiA theremax kit, and it works pretty well (much better than the other N theremins I've built over my lifetime). I still can't play it that well tho, but that's user error.

http://www.thereminworld.com/gal-pom2k3.asp

(the skull one second from the bottom--march 2003)
posted by Larzarus at 10:22 PM on November 29, 2005

that's too bad. i've built a few paia things, they're a great company.
posted by TechnoLustLuddite at 11:16 PM on November 29, 2005

Here is an update of posts on Analog Heaven.

Also, a blog where people are posting memories.

ps... thanks, jonson!
posted by blackvectrex at 1:01 AM on November 30, 2005

.
posted by nonreflectiveobject at 4:15 AM on November 30, 2005

will the company go on? i've spent hours peering at the badly photocopied product sheet, but never bought anything. always thought i might one day...
posted by andrew cooke at 5:50 AM on November 30, 2005

My home studio contains a number of PAiA kits and I plan to build more over time. I hope they continue John's work.
posted by tommasz at 5:52 AM on November 30, 2005

I built one of their Gnomes ages ago.
posted by mike3k at 7:39 AM on November 30, 2005

.
posted by Foosnark at 10:12 AM on November 30, 2005

gads, how i used to drool over the paia catalog.
posted by 3.2.3 at 7:00 PM on November 30, 2005