Tony, I would like to see you reconsider and stay on the MOTM list. I have been on this list for just about a year and the one thing that I REALLY like about this list is it's diversity. I have learned a lot about 'my new hobby' from the influx of differant ideas and opinions. Tony, your ideas and opinions do count and are apprechiated by the majority of us on this list. So what if you happen to sell PCB's. I think that what you're doing helps strengthen our hobby, fans our interest, fills the DYI niche, and make us want to build more Modules! I know that if I happen to buy a PCB from you or anyone else 'cause I happen to be in the mood to get a little more daring and try something DIY that it won't stop me from buying all the MOTM modules and I'm sure most everyone on the list feels that way too.
My 2 cents
Al (The lurker speaks) Wagner
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Allgood [mailto:oakley@...]
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 4:00 AM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [motm] Paul the Sloth
Hi all,
I didn't know whether to reply or not. I will if only to put my point
across. This is the way I see it:
I do not compete directly with any of Paul's products for one simple
reason. I do not produce full kits or ready made modules. I have no
intention of doing that. I produce PCBs, but more than that I produce
User Guides and full schematics for the DIY community. Not everyone buys
a PCB, and many people will e-mail me asking about building this stuff
on Veroboard etc. One of the reasons I 'advertise' my ideas, is to show
off my designs.
I try not to produce modules that are directly equivalent to any of
Paul's line ups. However, I am trying to produce a range of modules that
will enable the builder to create a whole synth or modular synth. Some
overlap is inevitable, but I have tried to minimise this by providing
either extras or omissions on each module. The latest Noise/Filter
module is an example of this. Yes, it is a noise module, but it is not a
sample and hold. It also has a filter. The ADSR is not just a EG, but
one with a built in VCA for velocity control. Many of the ideas of for
modules come from customers too. Those of you have seen my User Guide
for the AD/AR EG will realise, that I am not a great fan of the ADSR,
but I kept on getting asked for one, so I did one. Not for the MOTMites,
but for the guys who are building their own systems.
I cannot foresee what modules are planned, and in fact one of the
reasons for me joining the list was not to advertise, but make sure I
didn't spend two months of my time designing a new module that was an
exact copy of something that Paul had planned. The Oakley VC-LFO is a
case in point. I still have my prototype VC-LFO built around Don
Tilman's waveshaper that I will not release as a design or PCB because
of its similarity with the 320.
My suggested layouts do adhere to the MOTM format (almost) for three
reasons. Firstly, I wanted to build up a MOTM system of my own, and I
wanted my stuff to match. I would have wanted to buy plenty of MOTM
modules, but my expanding family put paid to that. So I have just one, a
MOTM-410. Secondly, Paul himself said he would like the MOTM format to
be an accepted standard for modular systems. A bit like Doepfer/Analogue
Systems etc. but for grown ups :-) And thirdly, I was hoping for some
knock off business from Paul's more experienced building customers. This
is the bit that you don't like. I can understand that. But, please look
at my site. Virtually on every page there is mention of SynthTech. Some
hyperlinks, some just words, but in all cases I am recommending people
to go there and buy MOTM. I also have to say that many, if not most, of
my customers do not build their units into MOTM sized cases.
Anyway, I feel to avoid any hard feelings in the future I will unsub
myself from this list forthwith. I will be still on synth-DIY and AH.
Kind regards to you all,
Tony Allgood