Paul,
It's great to hear forward motion on the 5U front! But if you keep
putting out DIY kits for the 4 Euro format modules (I have one E340 DIY
kit on order), I'll probably have built all of those before the 5U
formats come out.
I've been interested in the MOTM-102 S&H ever since you mentioned it
some time ago. It doesn't need to have noise. Everyone wants more
sample and holds than noise sources. So don't forgo other good S&H
features for a noise output.
Richard Brewster
http://pugix.com On 1/18/11 12:58 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> Back from NAMM (had fun, but tiring) and have started thinking about what to
> do for 5U MOTM furture plans. This is independent from shipping current
> backlog, I'm speaking of 5U plans in general.
>
> These are not in order of execution. I'm not committing to any time per se.
> Comments welcome, that's why I'm posting. If you agree or disagree, let me
> know.
>
> MOTM-650 replacement
> ==================
>
> The current MOTM-650 is not going to be offered, except under special
> conditions. I don't have jacks for it until the end of March (then, I'll
> have 800 extra...oh boy....). I might have parts to make 2 or 3 more than
> currently ordered, but not really going to focus there. Rather, I spent most
> of today looking at current ICs/processors/displays/etc and have decided
> that I can 'start over' and still offer a 4ch MIDI-CV with some reduction in
> the firmware ∗features∗ and not increase the price. It will still be 2U
> wide, but be slightly different in appearance.
>
> a) the LCD is going to a 2 x 12 versus current 2 x 8 (cheaper, oddly enough)
> b) instead of the 4-button interface, the up/down buttons are replaced with
> a rotary encoder
> c) CLK IN goes away
>
> As far as major features, that is not decided (I am ∗really∗ interested in
> hearing from users what features/modes are not used/rarely used). So far:
>
> a) no tuning tables, but there is a volts/Hz mode (so, there are 2 tuning
> tables I suppose).
> b) simplify the # of options for things like voltage range on AUX
> c) CCs will all be implemented as expected
> d) not yet sure if keeping arpeggiator #2.
>
> We are looking hard at having firmware updates via SD card. The SD card
> socket is in the rear (pcb mounted) to you would power down, stick in the
> card, power up and hit a button. Uses standard FAT file system, so no more
> PC/Mac issues. In order to do this "properly", we have to get the FAT system
> in the CPU to< 8K (which is the boot-block protected area). We should know
> this in a few weeks.
>
> I am not doing all this work soley for the MOTM-650 replacement, I want to
> offer it in other formats as well.
>
> Offering current Euro modules in 'true' 5U
> ============================
>
> In terms of time-to-market and to spur sales, I will be seriouly looking
> into having the 4 Euro modules (E340 Cloud, E350 Morphing Terrarium, E560
> Deflector Shield and E580 Resampling Mini-Delay) redesigned and re-layed out
> for 2U wide 5U MOTM/.com MU (dual power connectors, heck toss in Modcan B as
> well). This is not a "repanel" but a true, dedicated set of new panels and
> pc boards. I would put all 4 designs up on a pc fab panel (so the SMT
> machine stuffs 1 of each per pass). The current '520 panels would be
> scrapped, and the 521 CGX Expander is a memory. This is a decision that
> immediately will "cost" me $7000 (what I paid 5 years ago for the panels +
> parts). But the reality is my time is limited more now than ever (and is
> about to get even tighter due to day job pressures) and I can do this work
> for 4 modules in the same time it would take to do ∗just∗ the FPGA-based
> '520 (not even looking at the '521).
>
> Yes, the '520 Cloud had more bells and whistles BUT the Euro Cloud has
> gotten me many rave reviews by the users. And, it will be $100 or so cheaper
> than the '520.
>
> In this manner, I can have 4 new and 1 re-designed modules in 5U this year.
> There will be NO LONG WAITS as the modules take< 12 minutes to make,
> program and ca (what is amazing to an old fart like me that used to watch
> Data I/O 29Bs take 32 MINUTES to program a 64K EPROM, is that these new
> FLASH CPUS program 128K in under 4 seconds.). The SMT machine can happily,
> in 1 4-hour run, make 100 of ∗each∗ module's pc board. The jacks will be
> vertical mounted and wave soldered in 1 pass. All I do is screw 2 boards
> into the panel, pop in 1 short ribbon cable and I'm done.
>
> And, as a last thought.....
>
> MOTM-101 Replacement
> ==================
>
> I could take some of the parts left from the '520 and make a 1U wide
> noise/Cascaded S&H module. The '101 is tedious to make, a low seller and has
> hard-to-get parts. The new '102 has zero-droop S&H, "correct" clocking edges
> and maybe even a quantizer thrown in for fun.
>
> Well, this is what I'm thinking about. Thoughts? Comments?
>
> Paul S.
>