the economic value of synthesizers
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:48 pm
we know computers capable of sending apollo missions to the moon are basically worth dirt these days, you could find them on the sidewalk. so electronic components are going the way of generic goods. almost sold by weight.
but isn't it amazing that the main part of a synthesizer sticker price comes from .... the enclosure (and the required wood end parts of course), potentiometers, and knobs and other controls.... ???
so that in fact, it is not so much the sound producing electronic chips and guts that cost the most , but just the user interface.... basically knobs, switches, pushbuttons, leds..... moreover electronic circuits are not labor intensive, but installing a potentiometer (like anybody who's done electronic assembly work would know) Is labor intensive, and jacks up the needs (and expense) for QA/QC.
that situation i think is specific to electronic: it is not likely that tomorrows concert pianos will be priced mainly according to the value of the pedals or white and black keys ( unless like liberace one orders a plexiglass grand, or 24 k gold keys).
did any body wonder how much of the cost of an alesis andy comes from just all these controls, AND the assembly, even at far east rates ??
and this probably explains why playing hardware as opposed to software will become more and more expensive: tweaking a knob is already become a luxury, ... an addicting luxury.
but isn't it amazing that the main part of a synthesizer sticker price comes from .... the enclosure (and the required wood end parts of course), potentiometers, and knobs and other controls.... ???
so that in fact, it is not so much the sound producing electronic chips and guts that cost the most , but just the user interface.... basically knobs, switches, pushbuttons, leds..... moreover electronic circuits are not labor intensive, but installing a potentiometer (like anybody who's done electronic assembly work would know) Is labor intensive, and jacks up the needs (and expense) for QA/QC.
that situation i think is specific to electronic: it is not likely that tomorrows concert pianos will be priced mainly according to the value of the pedals or white and black keys ( unless like liberace one orders a plexiglass grand, or 24 k gold keys).
did any body wonder how much of the cost of an alesis andy comes from just all these controls, AND the assembly, even at far east rates ??
and this probably explains why playing hardware as opposed to software will become more and more expensive: tweaking a knob is already become a luxury, ... an addicting luxury.