Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Happy New Year to everyone! 2005 was a mixed bag of highs and lows. Let's hope
2006 turns out better for everyone. I just need rain: it's only rained 3 days at
my house since May 1st. I've poured over $300 worth of water on the yard and
it's still a desert. Some things you just can't control.

a) As most of your are aware, I'm going to NAMM in 3 weeks. I haven't been the
last 2 years. This year it's to promote the Frac-sized MOTM modules being sold
through Analog Haven. I can't provide badges, but if you do manage one please
stop by and visit. I'll be there Friday and Sat. and some part of Sunday
(probably 10A-2PM). I will have 1 rack of MOTM (with the -650) and the 3 or 4
Frac modules I'll have ready to show (assuming they work by then). Robert Rich
will bop in and out to assist and give meaningful demos.

b) the downside of going to NAMM is that it takes away from other stuff in Jan.
I will ship a bunch of CEM chips this week. I will not have time to redo the
website or install the shopping cart. I ∗will∗ make up all the VCO kits and ship
those before I go. I have 1 assembled system (in a case) to ship before I go. If
you think you have waited a long time, this person has you beat. So, no whining
:)

I also have some repairs to get out, these will also ship before the show.

c) Paul H. is back on-line tomorrow, kit-wise. We are still waiting for MOTM-190
panels. I am waiting on wire. I did get in 2000 Spectrol pots 3 weeks early so I
don't have to worry about those. (except paying for them).

d) Module prices ∗are∗ going up, but not in effect until Feb. 1st. So, you have
this month to order under the old prices. The increases are ∗small∗. Postage
will go up next Monday. I ∗will∗ add $1/module for postage to whatever the
current order form says.

e) Thanks to all for the FPE help. The program is crude but effective. I will
order panels this week and see how they look (I've personally never seen one). I
know some heads are shaking: why do I 'waste time' on modules like the '102 when
there are modules not shipping for 3 years? Sorry, that's just how my brain
works. I've spent the last 9 days, 8-10hrs/day on the pcbs for the Frac modules
(that was my 'vacation'). When I get tired, I dream of new stuff. Mainly,
because I know that new stuff is now the driver, not old stuff. There is just
too much competition now compared to when I started (yes, I take full credit for
the analog modular popularity increase over the last 5 years).

The downside to that reality is that I ∗have∗ to do a better job in the shipping
department (Paul H. is doing a super job). One upside of the Frac modules in SMT
is in 1 8-hour day, I can have ∗1 year∗ of modules built. There is very little
hand-soldering, and so delivery issues are minimized. When the Stooge CNC
machine (needs a pet name) gets going, this will help a great deal.

When I started 7 years ago (!), I could 'get away' with a lot more than in
today's market. Those days are gone. So, the focus in 2006 is getting my "house
in order" as the business books in the late '80s liked to say. I'm tired of
having both ends of the spectrum attached to me (great products/lousy and
erratic delivery). I can no long "excuse myself" out of it, I just have to get
caught up. Simple as that.

Certainly, when I first started I had a lot (too much?) of competitive 'drive'.
I was accused of shameless self-promotion (guilty). I spent WAY too much time on
forums responding to all sorts of bizarre attacks (guilty guilty). Going
forward, I see that all of my wildest dreams have been realized (you have to
understand some of these dreams I've had since 1974) and there is little to be
gained dragging up old arguments. My last goal, passing up Bob Moog in the
installed base, will happen shortly. I feel I no longer have to ∗prove myself∗
to anyone. I'm no longer losing sleep over other players in the game 'stealing'
my customers or outshipping me or whatever (OK, I still wring my hands when
people sell off their systems).

I pledge to 'do better' for the business side. JH, Old Crow and the rest still
have ideas in their heads. It's up to me to take it to the next level. Which I
plan to :)

Thanks again for your continued support. I ∗do∗ have the best customers, the
best news group in the best time for analog modulars.

Paul S.