Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

I'm late to the meeting, just got back from a road trip this week and
reading my old mail;

Here is the way Aries handled the ∗sequencer question∗ circa 1977. I'm
taking this text from a flyer of theirs (no pictures). I will
paraphrase the text, then add my own comments/insults. Although I have
an Aries system, I never got around to picking up on their sequencer
stuff before they went under:

Aries; The AR-334 Analog sequencer is an 8-step, 2-column
potentiometer-memory type sequencer. It is stepped by a 10v pulse from
any fast rising voltage (VCO, keyboard trigger, ect.) Volt level of
each step is adjusted by a 1/2 of a dual concentric pot...

Chuck; Ugh! I hate concentric pots, as I'm sure everyone else here
does. But this allowed Aries to stick eight steps in a 2X4 layout in
the top two/thirds of a 3 by 9 inch panel. Oh, well...

Aries; A toggle switch selects one of 3 modes; ∗single step∗ (for
tuning), ∗stop∗, and ∗run∗. In ∗run∗ mode, with a patch cord plugged
into the ∗run, enable & step∗ input, the seq steps on the clock signal
only when a 10v gate is present. In the ∗stop∗ mode, the seq will step
only on a trigger...

Chuck; This could be handled the same as the MOTM 800's inputs, either/
or...

Aries; 8 LEDs indicate the position in the sequence at all times...

Chuck; Yay!!!

Aries; 8 position gate outputs jacks allow seqs of any length (1 to 8),
cascading of sequencers and programmed accents to be accomplished.
Reset input responds to any pulse signal...

Chuck; An Aries module looks like a small Wiard module, including the
1/8 inch jacks. That's how they can cram all this on the panel. So far,
so good. Now, check this out...

Aries; The AR-335 Switch & Window Detector module consists of 4
independent electronic switches of 3 distinct types. All of these
switches are bi-directional...

Chuck; I'll make this quick; it's one 1:2 switch, one 1:4 switch, and
one 1:4 version of two MOTM 700s! In other words, a threshold control
(window) across 4 in/outs instead of 2 separate in/outs. The first two
switches are toggled by gate/triggers.

Two seperate modules; MOTMize this, and you would have a small, cheap
and flexible analog sequencer. Paul S. may already be going in that
direction with the new MOTM '500 line he recently announced.

Incidently. the prices were;
AR-334 Sequencer; $199 kit, $299 wired
AR-335 Switch/Window; $149 kit, $225 wired
(remember, these were 1977 prices)

Comments?

Chuck