A few random thoughts on this topic:
While some may consider "strange" modules like the 500 series to be
"normal" for them, I doubt anyone considers a "normal" module, like an
EG to be "strange". I bet pretty much everyone has EGs in their
modular. As Paul said, the 800 EG is the top MOTM seller. I'm very
glad Paul chose to make VCOs, VCFs, and "boring" EGs the bread and
butter of MOTM. I too have wanted a modular for a long time - since I
first heard Kitaro as a lad in the early 80's. And my dream too is
being made a reality by MOTM. I think Paul has been either very wise
or very lucky (I'll assume the former :) in picking his niche within
this already niche market of analog modular synths.
I am a semi-professional musician (I get paid to play music, but do
other work too), and MOTM is already priced at the top of my budget for
such a thing. I spend several thousand dollars a year on music gear,
but most of it is meat-and-potatoes stuff like PA equipment, and cables
and software. I would love a Zeroscillator, but I highly doubt I will
ever buy one. Frankly, I still haven't bought my 300's yet (though I
have had the money in hand more than once - doh!). I imagine Paul
could be a "boutique" module guy and sell custom, built-to-order
modules for several thousand $ a pop - and I'm sure some people would
buy them. Just not me. :) So I'm glad MOTM is what it is.
This is interesting:
> To me, Cynthia's order of 200 panels for a $650 module (that
> competes for market share with 4 other identical modules in different
> formats) seems like either extreme optimism or a unique
> "understanding" of her business.
>
> bbob drake
At first I thought "a unique 'understanding'" was a euphemism for poor
business judgment. But then I thought of something else. I have a
friend who is really in "the business"; he's an MD for hire for big
name rock stars and produces records. He meets all kinds of people on
various tours, and not surprisingly, some of them are quite wealthy.
One such person decided to fund his latest recording project. For the
rich guy, it was a fun little diversion that would probably end up as a
tax write off. Similarly, it is possible that someone in the analog
modular manufacturing business doesn't really care if they lose money.
There may be other factors more important to them - and in the end,
losing money in one business may not hurt their personal finances
anyway. I don't know Cynthia or her business, and my point is not
about her. My point is that comparing Synthtech to Cyndustries, or any
other company, may not be valid.
Just my 2 bits.
Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a successfull 2006 to
Synthtech and all purveyors of musical goodness.
Larry David
>>
>> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 19:15:39 -0600
>> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>> Subject: Re: Zeroscillator and a thought for Paul
>>
>> Well, there are several ways to approach building
>> 'strange' modules:
>>
>> a) the #1 selling MOTM module is the MOTM-800 EG
>> b) the MOTM-510 WaveWarper has sold less than the
>> MOTM-420 VCF by 2:1
>>
>> I call this the 'Buchla Pyramid' effect: the
>> stranger your modules, the smaller
>> the customer base. You begin to approch the limit
>> of only 1 person in the world
>> wanting what you have :)
>>
>> I have several 'strange' modules in the works. 2005
>> was spent trying to ship all
>> the un-strange ones on order (mostly from June of
>> last year, when prices were
>> about to go up and over 700 modules were ordered in
>> a span of ∗10 days∗).
>>
>> The other issue with 'strangeness' is people want
>> ∗different degrees∗ of it.
>> Again, take the '510. Larry Hendry told me he tried
>> to use it for 10min before
>> audio even came out. He never used it again. Robert
>> Rich took the prototype and
>> made ∗entire tracks∗ on his last CD 'Lithosphere'
>> using it.
>>
>> Paul S.
>
>