I think there is a lot of venting and hand waving going on here. All with valid reasons. But at this point the 5U MOTM star is fading, for me anyway. But I have a few thoughts.
I am also an early 2002 customer. I've spent over 10K in kits, parts and assembled modules for my MOTM rig, and I still have a few left to build for a rainy day. I bought at least 2 of almost everything Paul has ever offered (and a shirt and a hat). I love my synth, it makes me feel like a mad scientist. It's not just a hobby, it's part of my life. But I am ∗hugely∗ disappointed that I cannot buy some of these cool new MOTM modules that are coming out in other formats. These are MOTM but I can't use them?? I can totally understand where Ken is coming from. I would never have expected it. It's an irony (but I wouldn't call it blasphemy). And by the way, I could care less about the value of my investment as others have vented about, as it was not a financial investment but a way to vent my creativity.
Every couple of years I have posted a long list of all of the interesting 5U modules that have been discussed, debated, planned, and prototyped on this list over the years that were coming down the pike ∗soon∗. Some nearly made it: the 450, the fader/VCA, the Cloud Gen. I even preordered some (but was cancelled). Robert Rich got a few. The list is massive. It's was like engineering with Attention Deficit Disorder. The feature and UI debate of new modules was one of the bright spots in the MOTM community that sold me early on (I almost went with Blacet.) It teased our interest and kept us coming. We even all felt like we lost a family member when Larry passed. But I feel like it is over. It is unfortunate. However, I wouldn't say I'm pissed about it.
I have said many times over - if Paul offered any new modules in 5U, I would snap up 2 in a heartbeat. Seeing these cool new modules come out first in other formats is frustrating, but I understand the economics. However, if they are never provided in 5U, well then I will be pretty upset. I'm fine with Bridechamber for stuff, but can I get a 5U Morphing Terrarium from him? That's what I'm talking about.
Paul, in the end, you have to do what is best for you and that makes good business sense. I respect that. I have no complaints that you don't want to put yourself out of business by catering to a minority. But I am hoping that you have the creativity, motivation and sensibility to figure out a reasonable solution to allow us 5U dudes (and dudettes) enjoy those same new creatively inspired modules in our rigs, even if we're not top priority any longer.
George
On Aug 18, 2012, at 11:24 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
Ten-plus years ago I was one of the people crying for more “weird” modules. We started to get tantalizing hints about things that eventually became the Cloud Generator, Morphing Terrarium, etc. Then they finally came out in a non-5U format and after all this time have not made it into “MOTM format.”
Because in Euro, I have a customer base that is 100X larger than 5U. Yes, 100 TIMES larger. And there is no DIY issues and SMT is not “frowned upon” nor is “digital”. So, the risk was VERY low and due to the distribution model, I had POs in hand for over 300 EACH of these before 1 was shipped.
When I think of the THOUSANDS of dollars/hours I spent adapting modules of other formats (Euro/Frac/DotCOM) into MOTM format, buying custom panels, etc., it really burns me up that now I would have to do the same thing with a $400 MOTM-branded module. I’m just not going to do it.
I do not understand this at all. If I decide to do the Cloud Generator and the MT in 5U/MU they would be $399 each. You don’t have to do anything except plug it in. I would put them on Kickstarter, and you pay NOTHING until the proj! ect is funded. If there is not 50 people in each format that are interested, that says it all right there. Cynthia sold over ∗200∗ MOTM format ZOs assembled for $1000. That did not ‘deter’ anyone, did it? People thought the function of the modules outweighed both PRICE and ‘DIY-ness’.
Paul S.