It is with heavy heart that I report the passing of John "PAiA" Simonton,
sometime last
week, following a battle with cancer.

John created PAiA something like over 30 years ago, and was a constant source of
inspiration, education, and affordable synthesizers to at least a couple of
generations of
us. I know that I am immersed in my career today, in part, because of the
knowledge and
skills I obtained from reading John's "Lab Notes" in Polyphony magazine
(ancestor to
Electronic Musician) and building his synthesizer circuits.

I had a computer sequencer, D/A and multiplexed S/H outputs YEARS before almost
anyone else I knew because of his designs (mid-to-late '70s!), and my early
experiences
with his 8700 computer/controller laid hugely valuable groundwork for my
subsequent
involvement with computers and other hi-tech meldings of art and machines.

And, of course, my fond memories of solder fumes and analog circuitry eventually
led me
right here to MOTM...

I never met him in person, but we shared some great emails over the last few
years--- I
just had to thank him for affecting my life so positively--- he said he always
got a kick out
of hearing about the success of his customers in their 30s who first bought a
kit from him
back when they were teenagers (like me!)... :)

If I hear anything further about services, etc., I'll pass them on--- but
mainly, I just wanted
to speak up in honor of this fine gentleman and genius--- I shall greatly miss
his
presence in this world. My sincere condolences to his family and PAiA
colleagues.

Thank you, John!!!!! Rest well, my friend.

-Russell