My evil modular plans

[charlest at parthenon.com]

 ----------
From:  synth1 at airmail.net
Sent:  Tuesday, April 22, 1997 1:36 PM
To:  analogue at hyperreal.com; electronica at noether.ex.ac.uk;   
synth-diy at horus.sara.nl; Terhume, Charles
Subject:  My evil modular plans


Jesus Christ!!!  I've fainted and died...
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Here are my plans (well, to date at least) for my modular projects

1) The $35/module synth

This will presented 1 module at a time on the website. All documents will   
be
in
PDF format. I plan to author in Visio Technical for the schematics (or   
maybe
OrCAD 4.3 DOS using Postscript output). The verbage will be MS Word 7.
(People who want these 'native' files can get them as well).

The modules are presented as a schematic, theory, parts list. No pcb. No   
front
panel.
All parts are either from Digikey/Mouser here in the States, or CEM chips
(from me!).
I will avoid CEM when possible (saving them for item #2).

The schematics will be a merge of Electronotes, Moog, ARP, and stuff I   
plain
make up.
These are presented "as is": hey, they're only $35 in parts!! Some   
modules
will have SPICE analysis
charts as well.

This is to encourage a "jumping off" point for DIYers. I suggest a   
contest
for:

a) nicest looking unit
b) best audio use . Make a big .WAV or something, let's all vote!

2) Re-Issue Digisound

These are updates/redesigns of the Digisound modules. Same "footprint".   
People
with existing racks can shove these right in. Presented (from me, at   
least) as
"semi-kit": all CEM chips + pcb + front panel. All other parts   
Mouser/Digikey
again.

Guessing these will average about $85 each (from me) plus the R's & C's   
(not
much!)
I may go off and buy 1000 good pots and throw those in as well. Note that   
in
my modules,
ALL pots/jacks are SOLDERED to the pcb. NO WIRES!!

Since everybody likes sequencers, I'll do that one first!

3) Titan Modular

Makes the Serge and Moog stuff look like a SH101. The no-holds-barred
design (for me. And anybody else who tags along!). This is a CD quality,
(but FAAAAATTTTTTT) modular using DSPs, Xilinx gate arrays, $25 optical
shaft encoders, etc etc. Fully MIDI. patchable, and reload-able using any   
old
computer with RS232. And the best part is, I expect a Moog 55 equivalent
to fit in the size of a Moog 15 cabinet and cost around $4000. Last time   
I
checked,
Moog 55s were around $15,000.

As a teaser, the "low end" VCO has 16 independent outputs!

4) Moog 35 on a ISA card

I am pondering doing a full EXACT copy (part for part, slop and all) all   
on
an IBM ISA card. Plugs into your PC. Can patch it, CakeWalk it, etc.
Guessing this will run about $750. Any response? Have I lost all
sense on this one???

Your kind comments and feedback welcome!

Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology

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