A synthesizer image simple enough it can be engraved

September 22, 2009 11:30 AM

In search of a fairly simple online image of a synthesizer for a wedding ring engraving.

I have decided to go with this wedding ring set for my upcoming ceremony. I've contacted the jeweler and am good to go except for the images I need to supply.

I found the perfect one for my ring--an iconic, simple image of an open book. However, for the groom's ring I'd like a synthesizer image as they are near n' dear to my beloved's heart. Unfortunately, my Google Image Search-fu has failed me; all I can find are extremely cheesy, generic clip art synths or the kind of cool synths he loves but only in hyper-detailed photographic images. Ideally I'd have an online black and white drawing or stamp (or otherwise simple kind of image) of a cool, iconic synth like a Wasp or MS20. Do you have any pointers for where to look, or better yet, images on hand that might fit the bill? Thanks.

The jeweller also said this when I inquired about what kind of image would work: "any graphic should do--but not too linear, as it's cut through one sheet of metal & soldered onto the interior piece."

I'm not sure I understood what she meant by that, actually.

(And just in case you're wondering, the reason I didn't put this in the shopping category is the shopping part, namely the ring, is taken care of; it's the hunt for an image that's the problem.)

posted by ifjuly to Grab Bag (8 answers total)

Wikimedia Commons has some images you can use freely. Any image manipulator can make them black and white for you.
posted by spasm at 11:54 AM on September 22, 2009

Have you tried scrounging Matrixsynth? You're unlikely to find a better source of synth-pr0n.
posted by lekvar at 12:30 PM on September 22, 2009 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I think an actual image that is recognizable will be difficult on a ring.

How about a symbol representing a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) which is a fundamental component of an analog synth. See here (the circle with a wave in it).

Or a graphic of ADSR.
posted by cosmac at 12:35 PM on September 22, 2009

Instead of an entire synthesizer, what about a portion of a keyboard like this?
posted by jenny76 at 12:45 PM on September 22, 2009

Best answer: Along the lines of cosmac and jenny76's suggestion, you might consider just using an iconic portion of the synth, like the Roland Juno's VCF panel, or even the VCF schematic form the MS20. They'd be more likely to reduce well enough for a proper engraving.
posted by lekvar at 4:23 PM on September 22, 2009

Best answer: Would this design from a belt buckle be too complicated?

While looking around, I also found this awesome audio wave form ring, which I realize isn't what you're looking for, but it is just so damn awesome.
posted by orme at 6:15 PM on September 22, 2009

as it's cut through one sheet of metal & soldered onto the interior piece

Also, this looks like they are maybe laser cutting the image out of the ring, leaving a stencil type image, then soldering in another metal behind it. This would be why they recommend against too many lines, I guess.
posted by orme at 6:21 PM on September 22, 2009

Response by poster: Some follow up: Thanks, y'all! You gave me a few different directions to go in and some more possibilities to consider (I thought the VCO thing was way cool because my dude never stops yapping about VCO this and VCO that, ha)...I personally am very smitten indeed with those audio wave form rings, yowza. And I mentioned the ADSR suggestion to him and he grinned a mile wide 'cause he loves envelopes...anyway, it turns out the jeweler generously agreed to simplify an image of a mini moog for me, so no complicated paring down of graphics for clueless and frazzled me after all. Huzzah!

I love knowing there are other synth-y geeks here; it makes my guy seem a little less like a freak. (I kid because I love!) Thanks again.
posted by ifjuly at 11:27 PM on September 23, 2009