Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

I am always looking for module suggestions. I am sort of in a "closed system" in my own little
dream world (according to my wife). Here is how things are shaping up as of now:

a) the rotary switches for the WaveWarper (made in the UK) are on 11 week backorder. So, the
WaveWarper cannot ship until after NAMM. I will put up the web page/demos and have it on the
order form most likely in Dec. I don't know the price yet, but it WILL be available as a kit, and
it uses the 4-pin power connector (like all the other normal modules do). The rotary switch is
an assembly with a small wiring harness and a 10-pin MTA-100 female connector. Working prototypes
will be at NAMM.

b) the same is true for the MOTM-450 Fixed Filter Bank: prototypes at NAMM, but you will be able
to order before NAMM (not shipping until April most likely). This is a "semi-kit", much like the
MOTM-900. The 2 pc boards are pre-assembled and tested. There is just too many parts, and too
many different caps to deal with bagging them up. There will be assembled as well. No price yet,
but it's at least $250.

c) The MOTM-190s will ship before NAMM, as will the MOTM-890 Mixers (waiting on log pots).

d) I will, as a minimum, do the production layout of the MOTM-480 VCF. I do have front panels
already in stock. It has lots of parts, and new NAMM R&D will over-ride it time gets critical.

e) The NAMM trade show is a HUGE investment for me, both in money and time. I am operating under
the assumption that:

1) nothing "awful" happens between now and then
2) there will be a large 'buzz' about the Moog Voyager, and my booth is 30ft from Moog's booth.
This will manifest itself as press folks and general traffic increases, as well as (hopefully)
Bob dragging in famous people (there was no reason to last show, the thing was a paperweight). I
am spending $1100 on a custom cabinet + shipping it. The hotel rooms are $1700, the booth is
$2200, other stuff like printing/shipping/air fare/food is another $2000.

This is why the months of Oct/Nov/Dec are going to be 95% new module R&D. This is divided into
things like the '450 and '480 production layouts, and 500 Series (and a surprise, the first in
the 600 Series, not telling) R&D. The 500 Series, in most cases, are more digital than analog.
This is why there is a MOTM-950 Power Supply with a honking +5V output.

I am hoping that at NAMM, many folks embrace the 500 Series which will in turn set the
"direction" of what new modules come out next year. In the analog domain, there will be the 1U
Triple Preamp and a companion Envelope Follower. There is the MOTM-130 Dual VCA with Pan/Fade,
and a few more VCA-like modules in the planning stages.

In the "digital" realm, these are best described as mostly (not all) as CV
manglers/generators/operators. They use the PIC 18Fxxx series of processors (www.microchip.com),
and there is an industry-standard peripheral buss called SPI that various ADCs/DACs/blah blah
attach to. I am working on a common "code set" and a common set of peripheral chips across
multiple modules. In fact, some modules may only differ in silkscreen and firmware (like the
Line6 guitar effects).

These modules are all semi-kits/assembled. Surface mount is a sad reality. I am purposely keeping
detailed plans "close to the vest" for IP/marketing reasons. Suffice to say you won't be
disappointed :)

All of this naturally depends on my loyal customer base forking over large buckets of cash so
that I can continue. So far, I have been truly blessed to have IMHO the best customer base anyone
could possible hope for. I got ∗customers∗ sawing off their thumbs for the sole reason they
believe in MOTM.

I am really working hard to reduce the backlog to that I can get these cranked out for NAMM. But,
you can order up until Nov. 20th, please feel free to do so.

OK, I'm pooped. Friday night in Texas in the fall means High School Football (my daughter is on
the drill team).

Paul S.