Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

I was looking over some posts from the past week... several of the good
folks on the list had expressed the desire that any 'extra' panel space on
modules like the 320 & 820 be filled up with something, either some kind of
modification or a small multiple block, _something_ to make use of that
waste.

Unless I missed it (possible), it seems that no one has expressed a contrary
viewpoint, so I thought I'd volunteer to pipe up. (Not that I'm feeling
particularly 'contrary' today or anything... but often silence is
interpreted as agreement...I've learned that the hard way with the local
power company.) No offense to those that started leading the cheer for this
kind of thing; I just wanted to throw this opinion into the arena.

Personally, I really ∗like∗ the fact that some of the modules have a little
breathing room on them. Visually, it helps break up the look of the system
and adds some individual flavor to the modules. Functionally, one of the
things that I love about the MOTM form factor is that it holds usability as
a primary concern, never cramping up knobs and switches, and keeping the
jacks to the lower portion of the modules so that cords are as
out-of-the-way as they can be in a modular. I dunno, maybe I have big hands.
But I ∗like∗ those empty spaces!

It seems to me that filling up the space because it's there just adds cost
to the modules (even just putting in four jacks for a multiple will add at
least $10, I'm sure, maybe more if Paul is 'charged by the hole' for
drilling on the panels) and just generally flies in the face of one of the
MOTM industrial design principles. Plus, adding a 'foreign' function to the
module just for the sake of it makes me kind of grimace. I mean, if a "Rev
B" version of these modules can add some related functionality, such as what
is being done with the '101 over the '100, I'm absolutely all for it. But I
kind of grimace at the suggestion of just cramming some stuff on the panel
because there's a square inch free. I know that ∗I∗ didn't get into building
myself a monster modular in order to save space...!

For those who want to mod their own modules or add multiples to that space,
God bless you, _go for it!_ Make them your own! A modular should be a
personal synthesizer like no other, and if that brings yours closer to your
dream machine, I'm behind you all the way! But I would like to cast a quiet
vote that Paul ∗not∗ start sticking jacks in those small oases of blank
space. I like them.

And in the case of multiples, this is a function available in two other
modules. Or as I say, go ahead and add them yourself---making a multiple
block is the easiest DIY project you are likely to ever encounter, so go for
it! But does Paul really need to put them permanently on the module for you?

I never went with the vertical rack idea for my system, opting more for the
horizontal console. My system plan is for three rows, with (very roughly)
sound "sources" in the top tier, "modifiers" in the middle, and "control"
modules in the bottom tier, where feasible. For the way I tend to work, this
generally allows me to use shorter patchcords and to think of the sound in a
left-to-right fashion. So when I lay this out, the density of the bank of
VCOs along the top contrasts nicely with the filters and such below, and
along the bottom there are the "sparser" panels such as the LFOs, the Lag
Processors, and even the Router. It's a real nice look! MOTM doesn't have a
secondary module format like the old Moog 'utility' panels, but this does
something similar, visually, and gives [my system at least] some real subtle
character that I like a lot.

I don't know if that makes any sense to any of you... sometimes I feel
almost embarrassed speaking up for the "look" of the layout over wedging
more functionality into it. But then I see the gorgeous cabinets that many
of you are slaving over and I'm confident that we must all love the
appearances of our machines, too---not just their sounds---so a few of you
at least might feel the same way about this subject.

Just my $0.02.

Mr. T