Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Greetings MOTMers. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we have a modular
synth club called Modularities, and last Saturday held our fifth
meeting. Since Paul was there and gave a report on projected modules, I
thought you all would like to read about our meeting. So here are the
actual notes I sent to our club members--

MODULARITIES MEETING FIVE

We had our fifth Modularities group meeting at Andy's place on Saturday,
Feb 10, 2001. Most of the group made it there this time too. We
had: Paul Schreiber, Andy Miller, Fred Becker, David DuChamp, Celeste H.,
Doug Pearson, Rob Johnson and newcomer Brian Kaczynski. Unable to attend
were: Chris MacDonald, Paul Brousseau, Seth Redmore, Graham Hunter, Robert
Rich, and John Blacet.

An interesting meeting of the minds occurred when Brian and Paul found out
they both had worked at Maxim and were designers interested in
synths. Brian had worked there before Paul, and left soon after Paul
arrived. So by chance, they did not meet while there together, but instead
first met at our Modularities meeting.

SHOW AND TELL

Brian brought a custom surface-mount technology demo synth board "module"
which was a "Dual Frequency Multiplier." Using phase-locked loops, it
created a tuned series of overtones as a main oscillator was swept
manually. With lots of controls over feedback and so on, with about six
knobs, lots of interesting sounds were obtained. Physically it looked like
a copper board with paths cut for traces and components surface-mounted
right to the board, supplied by a large aluminum-cased power supply sitting
next to it.

Meanwhile Celeste brought a cool Futuretro 777 and an Evenfall rack
synth. Rob brought his Synton Syrinx synth module. Andy had his large and
growing MOTM system fired up and making sound. Doug brought his SKB-racked
MOTM gear. Fred brought a Raymond Scott CD to show everyone about this
synth pioneer.

PAUL'S MOTM REPORT

Next Paul gave a status on ambitious plans for MOTM this year, and results
from the recent NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention,
where Paul had a booth for MOTM. While he spoke, we were treated to the
demo CD created solely on MOTM by Robert Rich. Paul featured this
continuously at his NAMM booth as well. Paul also handed out copies of the
new MOTM glossy brochure. For those not there, you can ask Paul for a copy
of this brochure. So here is a summary of what Paul has coming:

1. MOTM 101, Noise / Sample & Hold--due in three weeks.

2. Power expansion board with connectors--has gone to PCB manufacturer.

3. MOTM 130, Dual VCA With Pan and Fade--The schematics are done. Due in
six weeks. This will replace the 110. There are 42 110's left. This will
be a large kit with lots of parts, 84 resistors. Parts will come sequenced
on tape, for kit versions. It has nine jacks, six pots. It features
simultaneous exponential and linear controls for modulation "for
weirdness." With exponential modulation, attacks are jumpier and fades are
quieter. It also features a "link in/out" bus for daisy-chaining
VCA's. This works like an insert in a mixer. With four modules, there can
thus be eight VCA's in parallel.

4. Mixer, 6 to 1 and dual 3-1. This will be a 2U panel. Use it for audio
or CV mixing. It has input levels, one master gain. If used in split
mode, the master gain applies to the second three.

5. and/ or 6. and 7. Oberheim SEM OR Triple Pre-Amp / Envelope
Follower--This will be up to us users to decide which Paul does first. The
Triple Pre-Amp will feature one bass/guitar level input and two synth level
inputs. This device with the Envelope Follower (separate module) will
allow hooking guitars, etc. up to MOTM. The Oberheim SEM will feature the
exact same Oberheim state variable filter.

8. Micro VCO--A 1U VCO is in the pipeline.

Next Paul outlined a whole series of modules that utilize PIC
microcontrollers (a small 16 MHz processor)--

9. VC Pulse Divider--The prototype has 17 jacks, a 2U module. It features
2-11 and 16 divisors, all available at once, as well as a variable 2-31,
1.5-31.5 division--set by CV. It has a display which shows what is being
divided. It is used for driving sequences with weird clock rations. The
maximum input frequency is 13 kHz.

10. Midi Clock & Timing Extractor--It is put into the Pulse Divider for a
clock function. It may also extract MIDI program change information.

11. VC Phase Shifter--in early stage--It will allow switching the filter
notches to peaks or to flat via CV. It will be a 4U module or possibly a
standard rackmount, depending on our votes.

Other items in work--

12. Moog Filter--requires a resonance pot which is an inverse log pot--not
standard.

13. Mini Sequencer--conceptual stage, 5U, 2 x 8.

14. 3 Into 1 Pedal Input Switcher--conceptual stage

15. and 16. In addition Paul has the 820 Lag Processor and 910 multiples
already out for sale. So there is much coming out this year.

Paul also outlined his NAMM booth and experience. He lucked into a prime
hall spot, in the huge convention. His booth was constantly occupied by
visitors each day. He shared space with Tony Karavudo of Encore and Eric
Barbour with his tube synths. Robert Rich lent his large MOTM system in a
cabinet, and also Paul had a walnut case MOTM shipped down, and an
SKB-mounted system sent over from Walt Disney Imagineering. Since the hall
was very noisy, Paul used headphones to allow visitors to get a good listen
to the MOTM. He has some sales coming in already from the NAMM.

MAKING NOISE

After Paul spoke, we played with synths. We hooked Brian's Dual Frequency
Multiplier into an MOTM filter setup. We also talked about kit building
and some of the features of MOTM construction. Then the meeting
adjourned. So let's have ideas for our next meeting.

Fred