Hey Richie, All -
I think that concern about space is understandable - it just depends on what your orientation is.
In my case as an ex-drummer, I'm interested in diversity and playability. Even a kit of electronic triggers takes up a bunch of space - so I'm not worrying about it.
Three of the MPSs in full regalia with Bridechamber 5U panels would take up 15U - why not make a cool box 15U wide and 2 rows high? On the second row you could put a couple EGs, filters, multiples, a Tau Pipe, a power supply a-la synthtech. Put handles on the box so you can lug it (carefully) around. Set it up high on it's own stand and sort-of behind the throne (move the gong aside slightly) so the audience can see it... trigger the thing with trigger-pads or whatever - and you're in business. Very cool indeed. Look great on Letterman <g>.
I mean the thing about analog is that it's big and funky and takes up space and weighs a lot - that's part of why the industry went digital in the mid-eighties. Like my TR-808 is bigger, clunkier, and doesn't have 1/100th of the function of my R-8 MKII... (both dinosaurs)... the R-8 even has some of the sounds of the 808... why bother? Answer: 'cause the 808 sounds different (duh), is more controllable (not samples) and has a level of coolness that the R-8 can't match.
So in that vein (and continuing to wax didactic) I think the infinitely cool thing about the MPS is that it's sound is completely controllable - it's apologetically a synth in the raw. Will and my way of thinking about this is: why spend the time building the thing if its going to have only a sub-set of its features?
Oh - I know why - I'm just being argumentative. The full feature set is more expensive. The full feature set takes up more space. All completely legit concerns. And besides, you may want some modules to only do certain things. Sure... and the PCB is the least expensive of the parts... just buy a half-dozen like "eric w f" and tailor them - makes perfect sense.
Or - an approach is to just go all-out...
Will and I have imagined a Mega Mega Percussive synth comprised of three TH MPSs and a rack-mounted, completely pimped-out with-all-the-mods-possible (plus some home-grown ones like separate trigger inputs for each voice) version of the eight-oh-eight org's midi-hook-upable TR-808. It will sit in its own case - 18U wide ('cause that's the standard width we're using for the rest of our synth) and two rows high (it'll take up all that space) - plus some extra space below for the 808 programming function buttons, etc.
We're gathering the PCBs and parts. Projected build in 2012 <sigh>. Lord knows where it'll live - under the grand piano? <shrug>
Bill (and Will)
--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, Ritchie DeCarlo <ritchiedrums@...> wrote:
>
> Don't get me wrong.........I'm very excited about this MPS.
> Just trying to figure out what makes the most sense.
>
> When this Module was first mentioned,
> I had visions of the old Syndrums, where you had a desk-top unit
> that produced 2 drums. NOT saying it has to be this way,
> that's just what I pictured. A single module capable of 2 drums(or 1-cym+1-drm)
>
> Before I dive into panel designs(and I definitely will...)
> Please post some of your potential applications.
>
> I'm thinking this 1-GIANT module will be great for multiple toms.
> Create some fat analog sounds with short decay,
> then send 4 or 5 pitches to it to produce 4 or 5 toms..........
>
>
>
>
> Â
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: eric f <ach_gott@...>
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Mon, May 10, 2010 8:58:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: ?? Thomas Henry Mega Percussive Synth
>
> Â
> My feeling on this is that you could hard wire certain options to eliminate knobs.
>
> I originally bought 6 PCBs intending to do just that. But since then I've decided that if I want a(nother) drum machine I ought to buy a(nother) drum machine and I want to keep my percussive range open to all creative possibilities with this. I might not keep all 6, we'll see.
>
> Practically speaking, I can't imagine that Scott could create 8 different panels to fit everyone's hard wiring in an economical way. You probably want to do an fpd.
>
> cheers,
> eric w f
>
> --- On Mon, 5/10/10, Ritchie DeCarlo <ritchiedrums@ yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> >From: Ritchie DeCarlo <ritchiedrums@ yahoo.com>
> >Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels ] Re: ?? Thomas Henry Mega Percussive Synth
> >To: ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com
> >Date: Monday, May 10, 2010, 7:30 AM
> >
> >
> >Â
> >It still looks like A LOT of Real Estate for 1 drum.
> >
> >This sounds like the type of thing people will want to use live also.
> >There must be a way to have a panel this Big accomodate at least 2..........
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ________________________________
> From: klstay <klstay@...>
> >To: ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com
> >Sent: Mon, May 10, 2010 12:53:56 AM
> >Subject: [ModularSynthPanels ] Re: ?? Thomas Henry Mega Percussive Synth
> >
> >Â
> >--- In ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com, "Ritchie" <ritchiedrums@ ...> wrote:
> >>
> >>Am I missing something?
> >>
> >
> >Other than enough cab space? ;-)
> >
> >I have 3 boards and have been waiting for this panel. The size seems acceptable to me. I am hoping to pair them with a quad bass++ module if/when that panel gets done. (HINT HINT.) Throw in some random arps and a MOTM 730 and it will be like having your own private Gavin Harrison!
> >
> >
> >
>