OK, how about this sci-fi idea: you buy module, and patch it into the large
button-based matrix (like EMS AKS, but buttons instead of pins.) You label
rows and columns yourself. It is like large DIY matrix panel.

And style of the buttons Well, if engaged, they should be lit, like those
old style elevator keys.

Regards, and don't take this too seriously,

Zoran

>From: "mrb" < boredom_cz@... >
>Reply-To: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
>To: Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: 1 Module Ideas: Universal "breakout box"
>Date: Tue, 09 May 2006 20:48:06 -0000
>
>Hey everyone:
>
>This may be a *bit* hard to explain, but it's been kicking around in
>my head for ages, and I planned to manufacture and get rich off it
>(snicker) but instead, i'll share it and see if anyone else thinks
>it's viable!
>
>The Universal Breakout Box module would be a control interface for a
>"knob box" like the Doepfer Pocket controller, to solve the problem
>many people like me have with the Doepfer: when it's VERY patchy, it's
>hard to get in there and turn knobs on the fly.
>
>The module part of the "system" would be a single wide (4 "channels")
>or double wide (8 "channels") where each "channel" would consist of an
>input jack, an attenuator knob, and an output jack. Any signal path
>you would like to attenuate manually could be "finely" attenuated with
>the knob on the panel, and then "coarsely" attenuated with the knob on
>the breakout box, which would connect to the panel by a cable (serial ).
>
>This completely passive system (although gain stages, buffers, etc.
>would be a cool addition) would allow you to have a tabletop box for
>controlling any parameter of your synth in real time. The knob of
>each channel would be "between" the input and output, allowing you to
>diversely control anything without having to reach in there, possibly
>knock something out, etc.
>
>This makin sense
>
>
>