MOTM

--- In motm@y..., mark@i... wrote:
> At 9:03 PM -0600 03/02/01, Microtonal wrote:
> Why is everything so @#$%&* big??  The Encore folks were able to 
> fit 15 knobs, four switches, and a button within 2U.  Space equals
> cost.
> 
> 
> A pre-amp is 2U??  These modules are 5U high, 2U of motm equals one 
> entire 19" rackspace. Since the PCB's are at right angles to panels, 
> I have to ask why do  modules with only three knobs like the 320 VC 
> LFO take 2U of space??  If they were more space efficient, people 
> could buy more modules.
> 

I hear ya.  For folks wanting to stuff a 19" enclosure this can be a 
problem.  But if you want to build a modular synth, you may not be as 
concerned about the rather cramped 19" width.  Many folker here are 
building rather nice cases that are much wider, and can house a great 
many modules.

For many of us, we intend to build monster truck sized cases to 
contain the vast fleet of modules we have or intend to build.  With 
Paul and possibly some others set to create some new stuff in the next 
12 months, the population of many of the modulars here will be 
growing.  That is a good point / bad point about this style of 
modular.... Ya just keep wanting to add more!

From a historical standpoint, the main modular cab was usually about 
as wide as your control keyboard.  Wing cabs were about half as wide.
I personally have an old Oberheim Xk controler that needs some repair 
that will be my dedicated control keyboard for the thing I am 
building.... so about 6 octaves wide for the main cab.  Probably 
welded metal with a slight Gieger influence... 8-)

So I think that most of the folks here are not as worried about the 
width or height as they are about the accessability and the ergonomics 
of the design.  In that regards, MOTM takes full advantage of a larger 
form factor.  I know I prefer it over the smaller types that you can 
buy.

But yeah, they are big... But for us American types maybe it is just 
par for the course.

<Wider is better>

Bruce