Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Hello Robert,

responses inline...

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert van der Kamp <robnet@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 3:46 AM
Subject: [motm] Starting with one filter, advise please


> Hi all,
>
> I asked this already half a year ago, but since Paul has added a
> couple of filter modules in the meantime, I thought I ask again.
>
> I'm (finally) buying my very first MOTM modules: the power supply and
> one (maybe two) filters for audio treatment of synths and samples.
> I'll add some more in the future, of course. ;)
>
> I'll get the kits, but I'm not very experienced with soldering, so the
> kits will have to be relatively simple, as a nice first experiment.

The kits are pretty easy to build, even for a beginner. The most important
thing is to take your time and follow Paul's excellent instructions
completely, and everything will go well. It's also very important to have
the right tools. Paul mentions this on the FAQ page of the Synth Tech
website: http://www.synthtech.com/motmfaq.html
You will also be sent the "MOTM General Assembly Guide" with your first
order, and this gives excellent advice and tips for successful kit building.

The most challanging kit is the 300 VCO, followed by the 440 filter (until
the 480 comes out, yikes!). The easiest are probably the 380 QLFO, the 850
Pedal and the 800 EG.

> Now what filter module(s) should I get? I know this is a kind of
> general question, but anyway.

If you are only going to get one MOTM filter and will be using it for audio
processing, I would recommend the 410 Tri-Res Filter. This filter is the
bomb! It's basically three bandpass filters that sweep somewhat
independently. It sounds very rich and lush, and can do a wonderful stereo
"wash" (separate outs for each filter). With the sweep depth set to 0, it
can also be used as a fixed filter bank. There is tons of voltage control.
And if you want to increase the power of this module later, you can build
Tony Allgood's (Oakley Sound) awesome OMS-410 companion module. Check it
out here: http://www.oakleysound.com/oms-410.htm

> Additionaly, am I right that there's still no MOTM envelope follower
> module available? Even in the 500 series? If not, what should I get
> to have one? And will it have the same panel? I'd like to drive the
> filter's freq and res functions via the envelope follower, allowing
> me to liven up VA synth sounds without having to tweak the filter
> manually during the song.

Correct, no envelope follower (yet) and no timetable for one (yet) - bummer,
eh?. If I were you, I would call Paul and discuss this. <grin> The 500
series will be much more "strange" than a simple EF (and much more $$$)!

In the meantime, you have a few options. The simplest/quickest would
probably be to pick up the synthesizers.com EF:
http://www.synthesizers.com/q118.html It comes pre-assembled and includes a
preamp. It's electricaly compatible with MOTM, but alas its form factor is
close-but-no-cigar. You would have to drill different mounting holes, and
then you have to deal with the panel width being different than MOTM.

A more challanging choice (but better fit) would be to pick up Oakley's EFG
kit: http://www.oakleysound.com/follower.htm You would have to order the
parts yourself and then build it. (Tony does have excellent instructions
and provides excellent support.) You could order a "Stooge Services" MOTM
front panel from the quite respectable J. Larry Hendry (if he ever gets off
that Harley) and the fit would then be perfect. JLH's website:
www.wiseguysynth.com

Another option (I would highly recommend) would be to pick up the 850 Pedal
Interface module. Yea, it's not an EF, but you can sweep filters with your
feet while your hands play music! And it's a piece of cake to build. I
have two == fun!

> Finally, I saw on the order form that there's a non-US version of the
> power supply available. Being from Holland, I guess that's the one I
> should get?

The MOTM FAQ discusses the European version of the 900 (at the bottom of the
page). You might want to confirm with Paul before ordering.

> Thanks,
> Robert

Have fun,
George