MOTM

On Thursday, August 21, 2003, at 8:11 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> a) These I/O modules *do not* replace the Triple Pre-Amp (1U) modules. 
> Which, BTW, I ordered
> prototype parts for today :)
>
> b) I am leaning towards 3 modules:
>
> #1: Mic In, Phono In, Headphone Out

Phono/Mic pre, great for direct connection of turntable and the like. 
Phantom power/phase inversion and all that would be swell. This is 
something of a rather specialized module. I personally already have 
this functionality in other pieces of equipment, though I will admit 
it's rather obnoxious to have to snake cable around the studio to get 
everyone talking. Might be nice to have one built in.

Maybe a Mic + Vocoder module?

> #2 Input module

This begs the question, from what? I can already drop line level 
anywhere in the signal path. Why would I want to chew up another slot 
for a pair of jacks in format X/Y/Z? I can think of one type of source 
where I *can't* drop a signal in: digital. Sure would be sweat to be 
able to patch in digital equipment with out going through @#$% 
expensive converters half way across the studio. Stereo 192Khz 
converters are cheap these days. I'll just go out on a limb here and 
bet that you could probably design a pretty nice one. But seriously, 
don't do this.

This only makes sense if there is some other functionality besides nice 
jacks that gets an often used piece of ancillary equipment closer to 
front panel. An envelope follower would be sweat, but that's not really 
"input" per se, that's an envelope follower ^_^

Maybe you could wedge a mini scope display into it? Or some analog 
meters? ^_^

> #3 Output Module

A channel strip would be sweet. Basic Comp/Lim/Eq. Something to do some 
signal conditioning before heading out.  This is an area where a stereo 
chorus or delay are traditional placed as well. I really like the 
stereo chorus on my juno...

> Crazy talk??!?

See comment about digital converters.

--mikes