> > lets look at a typical module
> > on the discontinued list, the MOTM-850.
> >
> > I have sold 5 of these in the last ∗year∗.
>
> That's too bad, because I consider real-time control to be an absolutely
> necessary part of any synth. Everyone should buy two of these.
I'm guessing that the problem is that there isn't a consensus about which
modules are "absolutely necessary"--or rather, anything that's on the the
discontinued list does not have such a consensus. The 300 is not on the list
because it's absolutely necessary to most people. On the other hand, I
posted a message in support of the 700, someone else posted an impassioned
vote for the 820, and you submit that everyone should have two 850s. I have
a 38-module system; I very rarely use my one 820 and I don't have an 850 at
all because it's never looked useful to me. "Different strokes..."
It's a pretty simple aspect of running business: if you have a product that
doesn't sell well, you stop selling it and use the resources (inventory
space, inventory capital, R&D, etc.) for other products. Regardless of what
we individual customers may consider to be absolutely necessary, only Paul
is in a position to evaluate which products are worth continuing and which
should be dropped.
It's also very easy (as a customer) to overlook the factor of having to
purchase PC boards, panels, etc. in batches. We purchase modules a few at a
time. Paul purchases PCBs for one module 50 at a time. Once he explained
this to me I had a somewhat better understanding of what the business looks
like from his perspective. A module that doesn't sell well can't be carried
indefinitely; it just doesn't make sense to do so. (I developed a somewhat
greater appreciation of these issues after I got into the retail business
myself, but it's simpler for me because the things I sell are delivered to
me in finished form. I'm just a reseller, which is a whole lot simpler than
being a developer and manufacturer. Given my experiences Synth Tech looks
mind-bogglingly complex from a business standpoint. But I digress.)
--Adam