[PaulDavisThe1st]

The old EMS hardware synths (and it bigger cousins) that used a pin matrix were often said to be much easier to grok than systems with cables.

[Blackthorn]

On that note there's a modern hardware synth that uses a pin matrix still -- Eaganmatrix (used in the Continuum and the Osmose).

IDK, some people say it's really hard to understand, but I think the pin matrix they use actually works really well.