I got into this MOTM hobby for 3 reasons: to build the best modular, to
learn electronics and synthesis, and for fun. Obviously, to learn required
the availability of kits, so that was one major reason for choosing MOTM at
the time. Now that I have some experience, the idea of PCB only projects
works for me and is much more enticing than factory assembled. Paul, I
would request that you please do not skimp on the quality of your modules.
Quality is the main reason why I chose MOTM over the other kit
manufacturers. But what ever you do, make sure you are having fun and
continue on with this 'little hobby'. It's allowing me to have a lot of fun
right along with you.
George
Paul Schreiber wrote:
> a) Fixed Filter Bank: I am waiting for the new pcb pots to arrive. This will
> be the end of March. I'm then going to look at the schematic/BOM and see
> what the cost would be with current prices. I will then have to decide to
> either:
>
> - offer it as just pc board set with the pots (all the resistors/caps are
> straight out of Mouser/Digikey)
> - offer it as an assembled SMT module
>
> I am planning a Frac version of it (SMT) using current Frac pots/knobs.
> Possibly a Euro version as well.
>
> b) Code/firmware in the '730: Written by Scott 'Old Crow' Rider, a long-time
> user/designer (he also worked on the '480 and the '485). He has source code,
> I have source code. The code has been tested by Robert Rich for over 2 years
> without any "bug reports" and by Mike Marsh (who did the demos on the site)
> for about 10 months or so. Again, not 1 single error. The CPU is in a
> socket, if there ever is a need for a 'bug fix' everyone will get a ∗free∗
> CPU to swap out.
>
> The code set in the '730 is probably 100 times less complicated than in the
> '650.
>
> c) Lower cost assembled MOTM modules: I have mixed feelings about "how low
> to go". Some of this is influenced by the fact that a LOT of Cynthia ZOs
> were sold in MOTM format, at a cost 2X anything I have. Maybe it's "well a
> ZO ∗∗IS∗∗ worth 2X to me over a MOTM-XYZ". Maybe at the time (2007/early
> 2008) there was more $$$ to spend. But the success of the ZO, for better or
> worse, was a factor in my new direction.
>
> Now, finding these new pots certainly will help matters ∗some∗. I still have
> several 100 of the Spectrols to get rid of first. I still prefer the 149
> cermet version for the VCO pitch controls. The other major costs are (in
> order)
>
> - front panels. Not a damn thing I can do there. Unless Bridechamber wants
> to sell 'em to me for $6 :)
> - jacks. I like Switchcraft, I have looked at others but they are all crap.
> What's the point of having 1000s of invested dollars in your system when a
> crap jack acts up? I suppose you can shrug it off and pop in a new one at
> $3ea or whatever high price they end up 10 years from now. But I guess I'm
> just not willing to change. The Singatron jacks in the '650 are the best
> alternative, but now the vertical Switchcraft jacks are available (RoHS
> delayed their introduction 2 years).
> - pc boards. I ∗have∗ switched vendors, but at the current rate will take
> ∗years∗ until all the existing blank boards are used up. All new projects
> going forward will use the new vendor. MOTM-190s and MOTM-300s will be the
> first analog modules using the newer boards (the green solder mask is a
> slightly different shade).
> - knobs. F'ing Tyco. Nuff said. I could use the injection molded Frac knobs
> but that is not part of the "MOTM look" so I'm 'stuck' unless I swap over to
> a knock-off. All of those I have seen look crappy.
> - wiring/coax. The current scheme of individual wires and the coax was
> essential to the kits. Newer modules like the '650 and '730 do not use this
> approach. Rather, I use pc board mounted jacks and very short ribbon cables,
> with many ground wires (usually 1 ground per 1 signal). This is about even
> in cost but 10X faster in labor, especially high I/O (like both '650 and
> '730 are). The Frac modules have always used this, no one has complained
> about degradation of audio or CV performance because of it.
> - parts. Sorry, not scrimping 1 dime there.
>
> That leaves profit margin. Now, there IS a sure-fire way to get a very good
> idea about a module's early success, and minimize risk on ∗my∗ end. That is
> having a deposit/pre-pay. But, if there is one, and ONLY one lesson I have
> learned in 11 years, it is this: nothing pisses off people ∗more∗ than
> accepting a deposit and missing delivery dates. N O T H I N G.And since I
> cannot judge my involvement in MOTM more than a few weeks at a time, this
> would make no sense at all.
>
> So, instead, I figure around 25-30 modules to break even, when I buy parts
> for ~75. This is sort of a "running average": I won't buy 100 front panels,
> I'll get 40 or 50. I will buy all the pc boards, and all the ICs. Even so,
> in most modules (not just the '730) it can take many months to start seeing
> a decent return.
>
> The other 'wild card' in the previous 10 1/2 years has been the CEM IC
> "slush fund" which has gone away. In many cases, 4-5 months of CEM IC sales
> could be 'diverted' to fully fund at the least all the R&D/prototype costs
> of a new module. I could then charge less because I didn't ∗have∗ to recoup
> the up-front costs by what I call ........
>
> d) strict module self-funding. Since Day 1, I have had a "rule" that every
> module has to stand 'on it's own' in terms of being profitable. In other
> words, the MOTM-800 sales had to fund all the costs of the '800. If I ran
> out of '800 pots (these are custom ordered from Bourns) then the cost of a
> new batch (around $1700) had to be from ∗anticipated∗ (and this is a VERY
> key point) future sales of '800s. This is why I discontinued (for a while)
> MOTM modules that had run out of their supplies, and that future re-stocking
> cots could not me covered based on predicted sales.
>
> Currently, I am at such a dilemma with several modules (again). So now, I
> have to think of the modules together as a whole in terms of sustaining the
> line (ie MOTM-300s help pay for the pots I bought for the '800s). This is
> sort of "my problem" but it does alter 11 years of how I have been running
> the business. Which brings me to........
>
> e) Using Frac/Euro to fund MOTM. What I hope is that the E340 and other
> modules in Frac & Euro will generate enough revenue that I can 'divert'
> (very Enron-sounding...) profits back into the MOTM side, so that at the end
> of the day (there is just one bank account) I don't have to worry about MOTM
> modules ∗individually∗. Rather, that the company as a whole is OK and I can
> keep going forward.
>
> f) Increasing the business via PCB ∗only∗ sales. Stealing a page from JH and
> CatGirl, introduce designs that only exist as a pcb, BOM and maybe an extra
> parts kit. Maybe panels, maybe assume Scott at BrideChamber will have them
> :) Now, I'm not going to sell $12 pc boards. I might sell $40 pc boards. Or,
> take it 1 step farther......
>
> g) maybe offer an option for the '520 as a 'semi-kit': a stuffed pc board,
> the stuffed/soldered jack board, the ribbon cables and a panel/bracket. Save
> $100 maybe?
>
> The bottom line is that I'm starting to worry about the economy just like
> everyone else is. And I appreciate everyone's comments/suggestions.
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
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