MATRIXSYNTH: Wavemakers


Thursday, November 24, 2005

Wavemakers

Title link takes you to John Loffink's Wavemakers website, home to an obscure and fascinating line of modular synths during the 70s and early 80s. The site covers the history of Wavemakers, photos, music, catalog, documents and links. Make sure to check out the history for a fascinating and unfortunately sad story behind Wavemakers. Also make sure to check out John's Microtonal web site.



"Wavemakers was a mobile operation, beginning in Ann Arbor, Michigan, later moving to Edmonds, Washington. The company began in 1970 around the University of Michigan, creating custom modules for the university and area musicians. These were large format modulars with varied size control knobs and 1/4 inch jacks. "

"Wavemakers was the brand of synthesizers and electronic music equipment created by "kb electronic music instrumentation," initially a collaborative effort between Terry Kincaid and David Bates. Their company officially started in 1970 and continued until the early 1980s."

"Terry died unexpectedly of pneumonia in February 1995. Hard working to a fault, he was on the phone that very day helping customers of the software company that he worked for, and tragically considered himself too busy to go to the hospital for medical help.

Barton McLean recalls an anecdote about Rick Petersen's "Natural Causes," a piece of music accomplished on the Wavemaker 4. Barton sent it to Terry Kincaid, who was deeply moved. Terry sent a letter back saying that after hearing Rick's piece he realized why he worked so hard at developing new instruments. David S. Bates passed away in 1974 and Terry Kincaid passed away in 1995, but their Wavemakers instruments leave a legacy that is just now being rediscovered."

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