INTERVIEW
Some 7 years ago I decided to make an electronics DIY constructor for
my son. It basically was a modular constructor consisting of small boxes,
each hosting some component (LED, potentiometer, for example), that
were interconnected via patch cables to make electronic circuits. When I
had some 20 different boxes developed, I searched the internet for schematics
of “something that makes sound”, and come across Music From Outer Space… In next three-four years I built virtually all DIY projects in all possible formats (my monster rack had both +-12V and +-15V rails) that were available online. But the eurorack boom hadn’t begun, yet.
- The company started with models of the Soviet Polivoks synths. What was the
connection to that sound?
It was more to do with the availability of original components. I just decided to make
rack-mount Polivoks clone with a midi implementation. I found schematics and PCB
drawings online, redrew PCBs, etched them at home, and actually made the synth. But before that I built the Polivoks VCF DIY kit, I ordered somewhere, and it was developed around western analogues of programmable opamps that were used in the original
Polivoks. And it didn’t sound nearly as good, as my VCF. So, I decided to make my first DIY kit to offer it on Muffwiggler. And honestly, I do not give a f**k about that soviet heritage. That was pure nightmare.
- You started with and since
have made plenty of DIY kits,
PCBs & panels available. Is the
DIY something you will focus
on in the future too?
Honestly, with launch of first modules from Black series focus has shifted to factory built eurorack modules. But, as I feel nostalgic about DIY, we definitely will continue offering DIY kits and will develop some more in future.
- How did you manage to create such a
wide range of modules so quickly? And
not just cheap modules that people only
keep for a while. You've a large range of
very strong modules, Polivoks, Black
Series, Fusion Series how did it all
happen?
Like many eurorack companies, Erica
Synths started in my bedroom (literary),
where I had soldering station, did all
packaging for sending first orders, etc.