Semi-Modular Synthesizers ≠ Modular Synthesizers

Equipboard housekeeping question:

I feel like semi-modular synths like the Arp 2600, VCS3, MS-20, Moog Matriarch, etc would be best categorized here as "Synthesizers" and show up alongside the Minimoog Model D, Access Virus, Yamaha DX7, etc, categorically. This way, the "Modular Synthesizers" category can be exclusively Eurorack modules, Series 500 modules, and antique full-modular systems like Mood Modular, Buchla, Roland System 100, etc.

Semi-modular standalone synths are just too common these days to lump them in with fully-modular systems.

Any objections?

I agree with you that it does not exactly belong with the "Modular Synthesizers", but because of the hybrid nature, I am not sure it belongs with "Synthesizers" either. Seeing how something like a Moog DFAM can also be put in a Eurorack, where a Minimoog could not be. Would prefer to see them in their own category of "Semi-Modular".

I agree with you that it does not exactly belong with the "Modular Synthesizers", but because of the hybrid nature, I am not sure it belongs with "Synthesizers" either. Seeing how something like a Moog DFAM can also be put in a Eurorack, where a Minimoog could not be. Would prefer to see them in their own category of "Semi-Modular".

I feel you on the additional categories. It would be handy to be able to search and sort by sub-categories like:

1. Analog
2. Semi-Modular
3. Virtual Analog
4. Digital Synthesis (FM, Wavetable, etc)
5. Arranger Keyboard
6. etc.

Many instruments would fall into multiple categories, of course, but there's always tradeoffs. An OP-1, for example, is a "Groove & Production" box, a Synthesizer, a Digital Synthesizer, and a Sampler. If it showed up as #20 in one category, and #50 in a different one, I think I could live with that.

It's my current understanding that the site owners need to more or less stay close to how major instrument retailers categorize new gear (Sweetwater, Guitar Center, etc), for a range of different business-related reasons, which I am AOK with. Thus, a whole lot falls under "Synthesizers". If this is no longer the thinking/reasoning, or never was, I hope they'll chime in.

Fully in agreement.

I think semi modular is its own category. My Pittsburgh modular microvolt is a self contained instrument with a fixed signal path if you dont plug in a patch cable. That's definitely it's own type of instrument. And as mentioned above it can also be euroracked as the heart of a larger, custom instrument. I should really do that and add 2 more oscillators and some more mod sources for extra chaos but I digress.

For me, I don't like the idea of Eurorack modules that require a case with power rails sitting alongside self-contained products that are plug and play. New/beginner users could get the wrong idea and affiliate-link their way to buying a $100 module, not realizing the substantial investment needed to get sound out of the thing. I suspect that this is why Sweetwater keeps unhoused/non-powered modules separate from everything else, despite their otherwise broad and sometimes-wonky categories for synthesizers.

If you look at the category-breakdowns Equipboard has for guitar pedals, all things synth are being grossly underserved here.

I know Equipboard's thinking on categories comes from the categories Sweetwater & GC still use, but I doubt anyone here feels users are being well-served by having "Tabletop Synthesizers" stuck in DJ Gear.

And what's an Audio Sequencer ?

Given that semi-modular synths exist in both keyed and desktop/non-keyed formats, maybe the answer is to have an option to filter all the relevant synth categories by things like "semi-modular", "eurorack voltage compatible", and "eurorack-mountable"?

Update:

Biggest issues with current categories, synth-wise:

1. The "Synthesizers" sub-category needs to be narrowed down to "Keyboard Synthesizers". This would make it clear that desktop/tabletop synths go elsewhere.

2. The "Tabletop Synthesizers" category needs to be moved from "DJ Gear" to "Synthesizers, Keyboards & MIDI" to sit alongside the "Keyboard Synthesizers" sub-category. Also, we need to rename it "Desktop Synthesizers" as this is the more current industry-wide term.

3. The "Sound Modules" category needs to be renamed to "Rackmount Modules", "Rackmount Synthesizers", "19" Rackmount Synthesizers" or similar so it is clear this is for the now-extinct 19" rack mount and half-rack formats. There is no longer a need to distinguish between what the industry used to call "sound modules" and "true synthesizers", because the days of rack-mount ROMplers full of piano sounds are well behind us, and nobody will be offended or confused to see a few of these old ROMplers sitting next to other rack mount gear more in line with a true synthesizer. People cared back when true synths were almost extinct, but now that the tables are turned, it's a non-issue, I suspect.

4. "Modular Synthesizers" needs to be expanded to encompass at least 3 sub categories: Semi-Modular Synthesizers, Synthesizer Modules (un-powered, un-housed), and Modular Cases & Accessories. The Semi-modular category would ideally be 2 categories: one for keyed and one for desktop, but IDK what the best compromise is here.

5. "Audio Sequencers" needs to be renamed to "MIDI & CV Sequencers" and moved from "DJ Gear" to "Synthesizers, Keyboards & MIDI > MIDI". Anything that is primarily aimed at sequencing external gear, rather than producing its own sounds, would go here: old dedicated midi sequencers from the 80s and 90s, CV sequencers for Modular, hybrid MIDI/CV sequencers, etc.

6. Audio Samplers needs to be reworked to clarify that it's for old 19" rackmount samplers and sampling keyboards, but NOT for MPC and Elektron-style self-contained "Production & Groove" products. I also think this category would be better served over with Synthesizers, Keyboards & Midi than DJ gear. Separate categories for keyboard and rackmount samplers would be great.

7. It's weird that drum machines are over with the DJ Gear... isn't it? That product category was never specifically aimed at DJs until the likes of the Pioneer Toriaz, which, ironically, would probably go under Production and Groove, which is not in with the DJ Gear.

8. Electromechanical keyboards like the Rhodes, Clavinet, OG Mellotron need their own category. This is an extinct product segment, but they don't belong in any of the existing categories, unless we want to expand Organs to include 1970s electric pianos and the like, which seems odd.

9. A new category for knob-based controllers and control surfaces needs to be created. The DAW Controllers category is overrun with these non-DAW-specific controllers, most of which are MIDI-based, but some are high-end HUI control surfaces and other such automated-fader and big-knob goodness aimed at ProTools types, but not specifically tied to any one DAW... or just rename it "Control Surfaces" and let it be the catch-all that it is, with no specific attachment to DAWs.

I know these sound like demands I'm shouting out, but I'm sure there are solid business/technical reasons why a lot of this isn't in-place already.

Ideally, we'd have a system where a piece of gear could exist in multiple categories. So an Elektron Octatrack, for example, could be in with the Samplers AND in with the Groove Boxes, and maybe even in with the Desktop Synthesizers, Drum Machines, etc... but if we are locked into just one category per item, I think some of the changes above would make it easier for users to pick the "right" category when adding or editing gear, which would make the gear ranking system here more meaningful and useful.

I know these sound like demands I'm shouting out, but I'm sure there are solid business/technical reasons why a lot of this isn't in-place already.

I don't know about that. I've watched this site expand organically and a lot of that growth was organized ad-hoc.

I'm on board with all your suggestions and would be happy to implement the item moves a few days a week once the categories are set up the way you just specified.

I agree with pkennethk. These category changes make way more sense. I never understood how Groove Boxes and Production-based samplers ended up in DJ Gear on retailer sites. Other than non-electronic music artists being put in charge of the site format on these retail sites. I am a DJ and Producer and I don't feel that my Production Gear and my DJ Gear belong in the same category, let alone in the same room. :P

Thanks for the support, Jim & dj_k9 :)

We should marinate on these for a little while, see what other ideas shake out. I'm going to check out how Perfect Circuit and a few others categorize their products and make sure we're not missing anything big.