MOTM

Regarding Buchla MOTM modules...

Everyone has their own polarization as to implementation, use, and aesthetics 
of modernized classics and that is to be expected.  I fear that uncollated 
opinions might only muddy the water rather than providing a definitive direction 
however.  Might I suggest a method for everyone to weigh in with opinions, 
from which Paul might be able to conclude a "popular opinion"?

All list members have exactly $20 to spend on their "wants".  You have a $10 
bill, a $5 bill, and five $1 bills.  You are not permitted to 'make change' or 
otherwise alter your monetary denominations.  (No, voting with pounds 
sterling!)

How much will you spend on...
 1. Knob placement (on grid like MOTM or off grid like Buchla)
 2. Knob color (MOTM standard or color-coded)
 3. Jack location (MOTM bottom or varied according to function)
 4. Panel color (MOTM basic black or color-coded by function)
 5. Additional graphic elements (minimalist or heavy-duty)

I would allocate my $20 as follows:
 1. $3 to keep knobs on MOTM grid
 2. $1 to keep standard MOTM knob color/model
 3. $5 to keep jack location the same as most all other MOTM modules
 4. $10 to keep the panel color as "basic black" MOTM standard look
 5. $1 to keep graphic elements to a minimum

Put simply, I'd want the modules to look "at home" in my cabinet.  With the 
orange peel paint texture currently in use, detailed graphics are pretty much 
out of the question.  I like the uniformity of jacks on the bottom and somewhat 
standard spacing of the controls.  Color-coded anything does nothing for me.  
My principal interest lies with the sound.  When playing a CD of music I 
cannot see the people or the instruments used to create what my ears enjoy.  As 
long as the modules are reliable, workable, repeatable, and stable, not much 
else matters to me.

I really don't like color-coding anything on a sonic tinker-toy.  That makes 
me think too much "inside the box".  "CV inputs shall be color-coded red and 
audio paths will be blue for easy identification."  Bah!  Interchanging CV and 
audio signals makes for very interesting patches.  If you think that one or 
another signal is of a specific ilk you will miss entire fields of sonic 
palettes.

Then again, I'm utterly mad.

TF