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Subject: RE: [motm] Paul the Sloth

From: "Tony Karavidas" <tony@...>
Date: 2001-02-09

Ok, I wasn't going to say anything because this should die, BUT now I'm
really confused.

First Paul S writes this:

>> Since a mixer is soon to arrive, I need assurances that those with ahem
>> (cough cough) ∗alternative solutions∗
>> currently in their setup will still buy the MOTM version.

Then Todd replies with this (Which I didn't understand because it ∗sounds∗
like he's telling Paul no to compete with himself)


>MIXER First!
>And quit advertising products on the list which Paul currently sells
>or will be selling in the future!
>Get your own damn mailing list and don't scab off of other people.
>Don't get me wrong. I have 2 Time Machines and 2 Dark Stars and
>2 UEGs. And if Paul ever does an analog delay, I will buy one or two.


Then the next thing I know, Tony A is talking about leaving! (Which he
shouldn't)


Actually Tony A mentioned something that I also wanted to state: Paul and I
(and probably Tony, John, and others) discuss on various level our future
module plans. None of us want to get in Paul's way when it comes to his
lineup. We want to enhance the selection for the customers. (and of course
make some money, I won't pretend otherwise)

I'm aware of several of Paul's ideas, and I plan on: 1) not telling anyone,
2) not designing a competing product. breaking those rules doesn't help
anyone. We are a synth building/using community and this neighborhood is
very small. It doens't make sense to pee in you neighbor's roses, when he
can throw crap into your window! (That was said in the spirit of a Ross
Perot type of analogy)

(And yes, I'm working on the UEG manual!)

Bye for now!

Tony Karavidas
Encore Electronics

http://www.encoreelectronics.com

Designers of "The best MIDI to CV converter on the planet." -Keyboard Oct.
1997




-----Original Message-----
From: Aardvark-mi [mailto:aardvark-mi@...]
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 4:07 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com; oakley@...
Subject: RE: [motm] Paul the Sloth


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





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