Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Hi all,

I didn't know whether to reply or not. I will if only to put my point
across. This is the way I see it:

I do not compete directly with any of Paul's products for one simple
reason. I do not produce full kits or ready made modules. I have no
intention of doing that. I produce PCBs, but more than that I produce
User Guides and full schematics for the DIY community. Not everyone buys
a PCB, and many people will e-mail me asking about building this stuff
on Veroboard etc. One of the reasons I 'advertise' my ideas, is to show
off my designs.

I try not to produce modules that are directly equivalent to any of
Paul's line ups. However, I am trying to produce a range of modules that
will enable the builder to create a whole synth or modular synth. Some
overlap is inevitable, but I have tried to minimise this by providing
either extras or omissions on each module. The latest Noise/Filter
module is an example of this. Yes, it is a noise module, but it is not a
sample and hold. It also has a filter. The ADSR is not just a EG, but
one with a built in VCA for velocity control. Many of the ideas of for
modules come from customers too. Those of you have seen my User Guide
for the AD/AR EG will realise, that I am not a great fan of the ADSR,
but I kept on getting asked for one, so I did one. Not for the MOTMites,
but for the guys who are building their own systems.

I cannot foresee what modules are planned, and in fact one of the
reasons for me joining the list was not to advertise, but make sure I
didn't spend two months of my time designing a new module that was an
exact copy of something that Paul had planned. The Oakley VC-LFO is a
case in point. I still have my prototype VC-LFO built around Don
Tilman's waveshaper that I will not release as a design or PCB because
of its similarity with the 320.

My suggested layouts do adhere to the MOTM format (almost) for three
reasons. Firstly, I wanted to build up a MOTM system of my own, and I
wanted my stuff to match. I would have wanted to buy plenty of MOTM
modules, but my expanding family put paid to that. So I have just one, a
MOTM-410. Secondly, Paul himself said he would like the MOTM format to
be an accepted standard for modular systems. A bit like Doepfer/Analogue
Systems etc. but for grown ups :-) And thirdly, I was hoping for some
knock off business from Paul's more experienced building customers. This
is the bit that you don't like. I can understand that. But, please look
at my site. Virtually on every page there is mention of SynthTech. Some
hyperlinks, some just words, but in all cases I am recommending people
to go there and buy MOTM. I also have to say that many, if not most, of
my customers do not build their units into MOTM sized cases.

Anyway, I feel to avoid any hard feelings in the future I will unsub
myself from this list forthwith. I will be still on synth-DIY and AH.

Kind regards to you all,

Tony Allgood