PLAN B analog blog

This issue has come up twice now in the last few weeks, some of which
stemming from the recent and I dare say contagious Plan B puke-fest
which has bubbled up from the underbelly of internet blogs over the
last few weeks (do I sound spiteful?).

Comparisons have been made between the response of our Slew Limiter
and that of Doepfer's, with them always earning the 'why can't you
just do it right like he does" accolades and Plan B usually getting
bitch-slapped (do I sound spiteful?)

Here's the big news:  the circuit in our M26 Slew Limiter is 99.9999999% identical to the one in the bottom half of the Doepfer A-170.  Is it time now to start a new thread somewhere on my inability to come up with original designs, opting instead to steal from others?  Hardly, as Dieter's (and Plan B's) bi-control slew is straight out of
Electronotes and very standard. My intention was to create two ranges
which overlap - yet one getting much 'slewier' in that ours switches between a .047 uf and 10mf r/c time.

Dieter has three ranges, one taking it down to .01uf if I remember
correctly but in both units, you can get slews which are equally as
subtle.  But if you are insistent that his works better, just replace
the .047uf in ours with a .01uf, but please don't hit us up when the
two ranges in the M26 no longer overlap.

OK, so,,,yeah... it gets frustrating at times over here.  We 've had
our share of quality issues, we've addressed them. We've spent a lot
of $ to do that and while I've seen many a post about how horrible our
work is, at no time did I see these people mention the corrective
actions we've put in play.  I've seen comparisons between two halfs of
Plan B dual modules with speculations that they are not performing the
same and have explained the technicalities -all of which our beyond
our control - which cause it, yet at no time did I see these comments
listing these valid reasons, more just making a case which points to
our inability to to things correctly.  

Que lastima...

The only thing I do need to add though is to to keep in mind that the
15 minutes of fame an internet rant may give you greatly effects the
spirit and pride of seven individuals who spend their work weeks
basically frantic at Plan B HQ to make shipments to meet your musical
needs, inspection and criticism. If in the event you contact me and
get a response which eludes to your observations being unimportant,
trite, unworthy of my attention then by all means I invite you to let
me have it because at that point I deserve it.  I say this with
confidence because I never have and never will take this tact.  Taking my lead from President-elect Obama, I try to listen even harder when
the two parties disagree. 

But to make comments without even contacting us first...which happens I dare say a lot more than with many of the other manufacturers who are no less culpable, I see this a bit of a blow below the belt.

Give us a shot.  If we don't listen, then shoot us...but please
give us a chance before using us for target practice.  It does effect
our reputation, something which is foremost on my mind with every
module I ship.

best,

Peter Grenader

Far as I can tell, your rep is doing just fine. 

Some people need to act out. The internet is an anonymous, safe place to shoot off one's 
mouth. It's inevitable that some will do this, and even though they know darn well they 
have the kind of access to you that would resolve their issues, they would rather make a 
scene.

I had trouble with a Model 12 and I called you. You were friendly and clearly cared about 
me, the customer. The module was out and back within a week, and now works flawlessly. 
Customer service of the highest caliber.

Plan B stuff sounds dope. If I had the dough, I'd be buying up your stuff. Try not to sweat 
the pukers too much. 

peace,

Adam

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure that out)" 
<peter@...> wrote:
>
> This issue has come up twice now in the last few weeks, some of which
> stemming from the recent and I dare say contagious Plan B puke-fest
> which has bubbled up from the underbelly of internet blogs over the
> last few weeks (do I sound spiteful?).
> 
> Comparisons have been made between the response of our Slew Limiter
> and that of Doepfer's, with them always earning the 'why can't you
> just do it right like he does" accolades and Plan B usually getting
> bitch-slapped (do I sound spiteful?)
> 
> Here's the big news:  the circuit in our M26 Slew Limiter is 99.9999999% identical to the 
one in the bottom half of the Doepfer A-170.  Is it time now to start a new thread 
somewhere on my inability to come up with original designs, opting instead to steal from 
others?  Hardly, as Dieter's (and Plan B's) bi-control slew is straight out of
> Electronotes and very standard. My intention was to create two ranges
> which overlap - yet one getting much 'slewier' in that ours switches between a .047 uf 
and 10mf r/c time.
> 
> Dieter has three ranges, one taking it down to .01uf if I remember
> correctly but in both units, you can get slews which are equally as
> subtle.  But if you are insistent that his works better, just replace
> the .047uf in ours with a .01uf, but please don't hit us up when the
> two ranges in the M26 no longer overlap.
> 
> OK, so,,,yeah... it gets frustrating at times over here.  We 've had
> our share of quality issues, we've addressed them. We've spent a lot
> of $ to do that and while I've seen many a post about how horrible our
> work is, at no time did I see these people mention the corrective
> actions we've put in play.  I've seen comparisons between two halfs of
> Plan B dual modules with speculations that they are not performing the
> same and have explained the technicalities -all of which our beyond
> our control - which cause it, yet at no time did I see these comments
> listing these valid reasons, more just making a case which points to
> our inability to to things correctly.
> 
> Que lastima...
> 
> The only thing I do need to add though is to to keep in mind that the
> 15 minutes of fame an internet rant may give you greatly effects the
> spirit and pride of seven individuals who spend their work weeks
> basically frantic at Plan B HQ to make shipments to meet your musical
> needs, inspection and criticism. If in the event you contact me and
> get a response which eludes to your observations being unimportant,
> trite, unworthy of my attention then by all means I invite you to let
> me have it because at that point I deserve it.  I say this with
> confidence because I never have and never will take this tact.  Taking my lead from 
President-elect Obama, I try to listen even harder when
> the two parties disagree.
> 
> But to make comments without even contacting us first...which happens I dare say a lot 
more than with many of the other manufacturers who are no less culpable, I see this a bit 
of a blow below the belt.

> 
> Give us a shot.  If we don't listen, then shoot us...but please
> give us a chance before using us for target practice.  It does effect
> our reputation, something which is foremost on my mind with every
> module I ship.
> 
> best,
> 
> Peter Grenader
>

On 6 Nov 2008, at 22:34, Sean Williams wrote:

> if the pound recovers a bit against the dollar I'll be queueing up  
> for a few modules myself.

Yeah it's a bitch!... I've had to seriously scale back my plans due  
to that. Buying stuff from the US is suddenly not attractive after  
shipping and tax.
I have a couple of modules paid for at Noisebug while I wait for  
others to be released, I've ended up paying in advance of them being  
available cos I was watching the exchange rate plummet...

Steve