I’m saddened to learn that John Simonton, synthesizer kit pioneer and founder of synth kit maker PAiA Electronics, has died. Simonton broke ground by bringing synthesis to the tinkerer, in an affordable, kit form. He’s considered by some to be the “Godfather of DIY synths.” There’s already a blog devoted to memories of Mr. Simonton and his creations. To his friends, family, and colleagues, our condolences.
For more on John Simonton and PAiA, see:
Music thing’s memorial tribute, ode to the greatness of PAiA, and DIY reader report
Brilliant and wacky creations in the PAiA hall of fame
Craig Anderton’s extensive Interview with John Simonton for Synapse Magazine (now-defunct publication, via the folks at Cyndustries; image above by Rhonda Fleming for Synapse)
In the Synapse interview, Simonton says he built the PAiA for the “experimenter.” In the age of Make Magazine and the new DIY renaissance, his vision seems especially apt.