Since we are on the subject of Synth.com and I happen to own this same
module, I have a couple of comments for those that may have looked at this
stuff. I bought three of them, just to see what they were about, and
quickly fill in some holes in my MOTM system while waiting for the real
thing. I bought the instrument interface, the VCA, and the panner / fader.
In general, my comments about the instrument interface would echo Dave's
very closely. The VCA and the panner fader are better performers, but still
suffer from cheap component syndrome in my opinion. My biggest complaints
are the cheap jacks. I am absolutely spoiled to the 112A and will never use
imposters. The pots are OK now. But, carbon is what carbon is.
I do have to give Roger kudos on a few things though (even if I don't agree
with his strategy). He made them cheap to solder and assemble with his
"everything plugs in" approach and universal switch jack and pot harness
components. However, this is also my second complaint -- too many
connections prone to failure. I prefer the painstaking route of hand wiring
these from PCB to panel component as on MOTM.
The result is that Roger delivers a PAiA-like-quality module already
assembled at a kit like price. He does deliver a lot for $80. And, I
think he has fit well the target market for a lower price range for people
who don't build. It will never compete with MOTM. In my opinion, these
products are simple aimed at a different target market.
So, like Dave, when I get my MOTM VCA / panner things (I will get two no
doubt), the synth.com stuff will hit e-bay.
Larry Hendry
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Hylander <david@...>
The 1U module is a Synth.com Instrument interface
(preamp & envelope follower) that I MOTMized.
I replaced the cheap panel, pots, jacks with MOTM
equivalents. It works, but when Paul does one,
the Synth.com goes. I'm not very impressed with
the quality or operation of the interface.