MOTM

>BTW: just finished typing up the MOTM-490 manual, with a HUGE
>discussion of analog filters and the Moog ladder topology. At least GLANCE
>>at it, it took me 10 hours to write it (9 of which was
>cursing Micro$oft Equation Mangler).

Is it up on the web, or part of the 490's educational value?? :)

Anyway, we are getting to the point where a Mini-Moog might be replaced by
a group of MOTM modules.  Like most people who use sequencers, I only use
the Moog keyboard when programming patches.  For someone like me, who lives
where a two-bedroom apartment can ask $2000/month, space is a huge issue.
For people who are thinking of converting a barn into a cabinet for their
modules, space isn't an issue -- otoh, the price of a Mini-Moog can buy an
acre of land, or maybe a couple of cows :)

Regardless, half the people on this list could own Mini-Moogs.  For all I
know, Paul S. and JH might own Mini-Moogs.  So it might be a subject worth
discussing.

Let's see:

1 820
-- can do the same glide (at least to my ears)

3 300, or 2 300 and 1 320
-- obviously don't have the drift
-- don't know if a 300 can make the waveform between the triangle and saw.

1 101
-- can do noise

1 830
-- can be used as a 5*1 mixer
-- no pre-amp gain
-- no distortion
-- no light show :)

2 800
-- obviously better than the Moog EG's (imho, of course)
-- don't know if the "rising filter" trick is due to the
   EG or the filter

1 490
-- has both "envelope" and "keyboard" inputs
-- don't know if it can do the "fractional" keyboard tracking


So this brings us to the VCA.  The only MOTM VCA I have is the 110, and it
doesn't sound like a Moog.  I don't know about the 190, but if you already
have a 110, you might not want a 190.  Then there is the proposed 2U
"premium" VCA with the pan/fade features (130??) that seems to be stuck in
some sort of PCB purgatory.  Last I heard, it was FET design that had
"tubelike" overdrive characteristics.  However, I do not know if it can
imitate the distortion of a Mini-Moog.

Yes, a group of MOTM modules that covered all of the Mini-Moog's features
would have many more features and much more flexibility than a Mini-Moog.
It will also produce much less noise and line hum, taking advantage of
technological improvements over the last 30 years.

Of course, if you weren't satisfied you could just buy another Moog.  It's
not that Mini-Moog's are rare, but if you have one you like in excellent
condition, it's still hard to replace.  So it is a collector's item.
Another issue is that each Moog sounds different.  Also, you cannot put a
price on sentimental value.

Please notice I did not post this to AH.  I posted it here in an attempt to
generate intelligent and informed discussion, not a ridiculous flame war.