MOTM Update

[Paul Schreiber]

For those interested parties........

The last hurdle to opening the MOTM kit floodgates has been solved. I have
located a (somewhat) local sheet metal shop that will supply panels 

1) in a timely manner
2) for a decent price

After hurling several computer parts through various windows whilst saying
bad words about AutoCAD LT97, I finally figured out how to beat a drawing
out of the printer. Now that I created a master template, I can whip out a new
panel drawing in less than 1 hour.

So now it's zoom 900MPH towards releasing the next set of modules. As of today,
it look like the 3rd week of Oct. I will starting accepting orders, and shipment less
than 1 week after that. 

The website gets a facelift (in sections) on Oct. 1. I think the new site will be a aid
for not just MOTM but other stuff as well. The CEM section will be MUCH better organized.
I will post in Oct. the first of "DIY for $25" module section, write several new tutorials,
and another trivia.

The goal is by the end of December, all the "core" modules will be available (VCO/VCF/VCA/EG)
as well as the others.

I am re-thinking the "big wooden case" into probably a smaller, 2 row X 16U wide "road case"
(Tolex, handles, etc) which I think is more in-line with what people are asking for (if I'm
wrong, just tell me!). The cost is about 1/2 of what I originally planned. Also, there is a 1U
tall compartment for stuffing in your favorite MIDI-to-CV converter.

The next 3 modules are:

a) Sub-Octave Multiplexer
b) Dual 2:1 VC switch. I redesigned it to accept EITHER audio or CV, switch
selectable for each mux. I also decided against the window comparator and will
have a simple one instead.
c) Dual VCLFO. The Moog filter is still on the bench. As some of you have discovered, these
Moog ladders can be touchy. I'm still tweaking the sound. But it's about done. The VCLFO
is a simple, fast kit (uses a 3374) that is needed anyway. A nice feature is that the slow speed
can go as low as 1 cycle in 5 minutes! This is due to the Gilbert cell used in the triangle VCO
(you can feed it nanoamps and it will work fine). The main problem is stuffing all the jacks on the
panel in a way that makes sense. Since it is a 3374, you can sync it (I'll probably implement
the 3340 type hard sync).

The next batch after these will be

a) Simple EG. Non-3310 based (I'm running out, actually!) 1U wide.
b) Preamp/Moog filter/env follower (no CEM)
c) Dual VCO (3374 w/external analog multipliers)
d) Utility panel (mixer, interters, multiples-to-banana)
e) Dual VCA (3330 based)


And lastly the 15-mode Xpander filter w/MIDI. Then, I think I'll take a little break!!

Remember, I am always open for suggestions. I do pay royalities!

Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology