We completely understand your sentiment. But the 4U version is likely to lack support because it uses very small knobs - smaller than the 3/4" knobs Tellun uses, for instance. The 5U version is probably more viable because it uses the 3/4" Tellun-style knobs.
Now, in our defence, the wave-shaper idea wasn't ours really. As I recall, it was JH who mentioned them early on when he was considering what features to include on the pcb. He ultimately decided against it. But on the existing PCB, he mentions providing a raw output from each oscillator specifically to feed a waveshaper.
Our own opinion is that Scott Deyo would do best to make the 5U version for sure. As you say, in that case, a sister-module could provide the wave-shapers. We already considered this exact thing.
The 5U version has the exact features of the 4U version, by the way. The 7U version has no more knobs and switches than the 5U, but because there's extra room, inclusion of the waveshaper jacks becomes possible.
So feature creep? Well - I suppose so. But we were thinking of it more as a full implementation of the modules possibilities as mentioned by JH.
Clearly not everyone's going to want the 7U version. The 5U will be more universal. But we'll end up doing the 7U version one way or another - FPE would cost us $300. If it comes to that, so be it.
But again, we think the 5U version is the way for Scott to go... with the inclusion of a few of the 7Us for those that want them - I think there are several people who will want one.
But that's just our opinion - 'cause Scott asked.
Bill and Will
--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Laity <synthetic@...> wrote:
>
> I'd be happy with the 4u version, I don't want half my cabinet taken
> up with this thing. Seems like the module is getting feature creep,
> keeps growing knobs and outputs. Maybe there can be a basic panel and
> expansion panel?
>
>
>
> On Sep 13, 2009, at 12:38 PM, wjhall11 wrote:
>
> > Will and I were talking about this -
> >
> > We think that the two Living VCO panels worth considering are both
> > counting-dial (Vernier) versions; the difference being a 5U and a 7U
> > version.
> >
> > The 5U version uses the smaller knobs for all 16 controls except the
> > three verniers. There are no significant modifications to Jurgen's
> > design or suggested hook-ups. I can't quite recall, but two of the
> > switches may be something Will suggested, but if so, they're very
> > straightforward additions - of that I'm certain.
> >
> > You can read about our ideas and see our panel designs here:http://www.dragonflyalley.com/constructionJHLivingVCO.htm
> >
> > OK - so that's the 5U panel...
> >
> > The other panel worth considering is a 7U design. If you increase
> > the knobs to standard MOTM size, you need 7U of space. You can
> > implement the 7U with the verniers off-set a bit to make more space
> > in the "driver section" for the switches (the design on top on our
> > page), or you can even out the grid as suggested by Greg James (the
> > design below the others on our page).
> >
> > In either of these cases, there's space for an extra row of jacks -
> > so we figured we'd build three wave-shapers into the module... a
> > relatively straightforward thing to do using 3 MFOS VCO pcbs for
> > their wave-shaper circuits.
> >
> > You could implement the 7U panel without the waveshapers and extra
> > row of jacks.
> >
> > But if you really didn't want the verniers, you could do the Rough /
> > Fine tune idea a-la Dave Brown.
> >
> > So to re-cap - I guess here are the choices:
> >
> > 1. Verniers and small knobs 5U
> >
> > 2. Verniers and large knobs 7U, offset verniers and including
> > waveshapers
> >
> > 3. Verniers and large knobs 7U, even verniers and including
> > waveshapers
> >
> > 4. Verniers and large knobs 7U, offset verniers no waveshapers
> >
> > 5. Verniers and large knobs 7U, even verniers no waveshapers
> >
> > 6. No verniers, different design
> >
> > Bill and Will
> >
> >
> > --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Ben Stuyts <ben@> wrote:
> > >
> > > On 10 sep 2009, at 03:54, Scott Deyo wrote:
> > >
> > > > So what am I making here? One vernier and one non-?
> > > > Keep in mind, this will make each one more expensive.
> > >
> > > I'd like a vernier-style panel. I love the looks of them.
> > >
> > > Ben
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>