Back in the 40s and early 50s, building simple electronic projects was a popular hobby of many people. Back then, you could buy, you know, a few parts and - with tubes and build something on your kitchen table, and it would actually work.

I'm an engineer. I see myself as a toolmaker and the musicians are my customers... They use my tools.

By the time I got to building synthesizers, I had perhaps 20 years experience building electronic musical instruments.

One always has to remember these days where the garbage pail is, because it's so easy to make sounds, and to put sounds together into something that appears to be music, but it's just as hard as it always was to make good music.

What inspires me is not so much the music as the opportunity to interact with composers. I think that has driven everything I've done.

My training as an engineer has enabled me to design the stuff, but the reason I do it is not to make music but for the opportunity to work with musicians.

To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off.