Whew! I survived the last 2 weeks of paperwork deluge (and a rain deluge as well!) and so things
are getting back to "normal".
a) I am working this week on the new MOTM-190 Dual VCA/RM. The schematic is captured, and I plan
to send out to get 2 test pcbs made early next week. It has about twice as many parts as the '110
did, but has more features, really. The top VCA can be either a VCA or a RM, and the RM is like a
CS-80: it can 'blend' between AM and RM. The bottom VCA is switchable between EXP and LIN
responses, and has a "soft-clipper" overdrive scheme. All in a 1U format. I will send info to
Dave B. for a mockup tomorrow after I'm sure I didn't mess it up, design-wise. I'm keeping the
trims to 3 (it could possibly have as many as 5 or 6). I'm also trying to keep it as "trim by
ear" versus "trim by 'scope and DVM".
b) New demos (simply seq + knob twisting) of the MOTM-480 VCF is at:
http://www.synthtech.com/demo/newalong with a ∗potential∗ new module based on the Craig Anderton PWM Multiplier. It's not a
dramatic effect, and certainly a "next year" type of thing. Have a listen and tell me what you
think. You can easily distinguish the "state-variable filter sound" of the '480 (well, I can at
least!) and the overall "softness" of the timbre.
c) I will start on the '490 kitting next week. I will be out of the office the week of Aug. 4th,
so I really want to get these shipped by then. I also want to ship as many assembled modules as I
can this month. The fun never stops!
d) Speaking of assembled modules, the first "out-sourced" batch of '300 pcbs will arrive in about
1 week. 30 of them! 19 are already sold :) I just have to do the wiring to the jacks/panel. So
the backlog will show signs of shrinkage (?!?) over the next 4 weeks.
e) NAMM. Even though it's in mid-Jan. I have to start thinking about it now. Basically, what
stuff to show. This means the 500 Series, so I have to start on THOSE starting in Sept. Just as a
bit of warning (this is like the movie trailer I saw tonight for some comic-book hero move
"DareDevil" or some such, proudly proclaiming "March 2003!"), if you want to receive modules by
Christmas, you had better start saving now. The "cutoff date" will most likely be Oct 15th.
Certainly, you can order past then, but there is a higher than zero chance of not seeing them
until late Jan.
Well, that's it for now.
Paul S.