I wrote this up on another site, thought it might be of interest here:
----
I hadpretty much decided to put together a Euro modular, but digging up pics anddemos of my old MOTM synth made me a bit misty. I decided to make anapples-to-apples comparison of a similar MOTM and Euro modular. The system Idesigned had three oscillators, one with less features, two voltage-controlledLFOs, one SSM-based VCF, at least two envelopes and two VCAs.
The MOTMsystem ended upwith two 300 oscillators, one 310 mini-Oscillator, a 390 dual LFO, a 440 VCF, a190 dual VCA and two 800 envelopes. This is very similar to the system I usedto have. I priced out an assembled system, and estimated what a DIY system woudcost (using the same high-end components that SynthTech uses).
The Eurosystem had twoPlan B model 15 VCOs, a Doepfer 110 standard VCO, two Doepfer 147 VC LFOs, aDoepfer 105 SSM filter, a 130 dual VCA and a 143-2 quad envelope.
I alsoput together a Frac system for comparison, using mostly MOTM components: two 1300oscillators, one 1190 dual VCA and two 1800 envelopes. I added Blacet modules:two mini LFOs and a Final Filter. I couldn't find a "mini" VCO tocompare, so I threw in a MiniWave for the heck of it.
Here'swhat I came up with.
Cost:
MOTMAssembled: $2,532
MOTM DIY:$2,202
Frac: $1,883
Euro: $1,507
Asexpected, the Doepfer modules help in the cost category, coming in 40% belowassembled MOTM and 32% below DIY modules. One of the advantages of the Euroformat is that you can combine low-cost Doepfer modules for less-criticalcomponents like LFO and Envelopes with higher-quality filters and oscillators. Fraccomes in 25% less than assembled modules and 14% below DIY.
A more-faircomparison would put together the DIY MOTM modules with lower-quality pots andunsealed jacks like other modulars use, then the cost would be nearly the same.But the result wouldn't be a MOTM synth, would it?
Size:
MOTM: 19"x 8.75"
Euro:20" x 6"
This wasa surprise to me, I expected the MOTM to be much larger than the Euro system.However, the size of the MOTM format allows multiple functions to be combinedinto one while still leaving room for your fat little fingers. I didn'tcalculate the Frac size but expect it to be in the same ballpark.
Workingon a full-size modular and a smaller size is a different experience as well.But there are other benefits to the MOTM standard as well, like all of thejacks on the bottom and knobs on top, that make it easier to work with.
Must-HaveModules:
MOTM: MOTM440
Frac: BlacetMiniWave
Euro:Plan B Model 12, 15
This isvery personal, of course. I tried to come up with modules that I wouldn't beable to get in other formats. Of course, there are MOTM panels for almost anymodule, including the MiniWave but not the Plan B (yet). Euro and Frac modulescan be easily adapted for MOTM, but not the other way around.
DIY:
MOTM:lots
Frac:some
Euro: not
There's abig DIY community for MOTM format modules, including Bridechamber panels,several websites dedicated to converting and designing modules, and evenminimal kits from Synthtech. There's a much smaller amount of this for Frac andalmost nothing for Euro (though I haven't researched this as much). DIY is agreat way to get more for less, as the components are not that difficult to puttogether, and you get a system that you literally built yourself.
Conclusion:
It lookslike I'm trying to talk myself into a MOTM system again. Ironically, my1/8" cables arrived yesterday. It looks like I might be putting them onthe for sale board....
NOTICE: This electronic mail message and its contents, including any attachments hereto (collectively, "this e-mail"), is hereby designated as "confidential and proprietary." This e-mail may be viewed and used only by the person to whom it has been sent and his/her employer solely for the express purpose for which it has been disclosed and only in accordance with any confidentiality or non-disclosure (or similar) agreement between TEAC Corporation or its affiliates and said employer, and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity.