MOTM

> You're right, I missed the big dicussion.  My comment about being in the
dark 
> about some yet to be released modules was not necessarily only about the 
> mixer.  I guess I was also thinking about the new Low Pass Filter of
which 
> there is little info, and when Paul made mention of a surprise (module I 
> guess?) to also be released.  But I may have missed big discussions of
those 
> also.  If so, ignore my ranting.

Ranting is always allowed and encouraged here.  Heck, lots of good ideas
come from "challenging conventional wisdom", as they say where I work.  I
don't think you missed anything on the MOTM-400 or surprise module.  I
wrote Paul and told him I though the surprise module should be able to make
any complex patch on the MOTM system automatically 16 note polyphonic.  So,
I'm sure that's what it will be.  he he
 
> I think he pretty much made the right decisions myself.  No goofy wiggly
blue 
> water patterns, no Celtic or floral wallpaper designs, no flourescent
paint 
> splatters or African art to mess up the modules.  Everytime I hear banana

> plugs mentioned in conjunction with modulars, I cringe.

Well, some people like bananas.  But, I share your view and was one voting
for 1/4"

> The only thing I might have suggested was that all the modules don't 
> necessarily have to adhere rigidly to the patch matrix at the bottom of
each 
> module.  Sometimes being able to put connectors elsewhere can help the
visual 
> flow of a module and allow more ways to lay out a module.  The future 
> VC-DADSR comes to mind in a past discussion with someone.  5 knobs
vertically 
> doesn't allow room for connectors.  5 knobs horizontally is wider than
needed 
> just to stick to the current rigid design.

Well, there's an area where my opinion would (respectfully) disagree with
yours.  I really like the fact that the patch points are always at the
bottom.  In my opinion, you will never see 5 full size knobs vertically on
a standard MOTM panel.  Paul's idea was to get as many of the pots as
possible on the board to save outboard wiring (I certainly appreciate
that).  You could put 5 in a row and move the jacks elsewhere, but that
could require:

1. another different size mounting bracket
2. studs on the back of the panel in a different location
3. custom engineering of each layout starting from scratch

I'm sure Paul could add to that list.  But, the bottom line is that all of
these things would add cost.  Being able to use only one of the two current
bracket designs (full and half size), and starting a panel design from a
set standard speeds the process and lowers cost.   So, from a pure
engineering point of view, that is one of the best ways to hold down cost
without compromising on the quality of parts.  True, there are some
limitations imposed by that standardization.

Concerning no input on some of the modules, that is somewhat true.  The
upcoming JH filter is a proven design clone of the popular filter from the
P5 I think.  JH thought enough of the IC version to invest his time in a
discrete version.  I am certain I could not contribute anything significant
to his well thought out circuit.  Now the surprise module.... Well.  I
guess we are ALL in the dark on that one.  I am hoping it is another PS/JH
collaboration like the scanner.  And, I hope it is NOT the Blacet/PS
collaboration of Dark Star in a MOTM format.  But, whatever, I know it will
meet the same quality standards as all MOTM products.

Just to give you a couple of examples where user input has actually changed
a design even AFTER the initial issue:

MOTM-800 - The new one has a circuit addition which will allow full ADSR
operation with a gate only.  That change was a direct response to ranting
(like yours) here on the list.

MOTM-100 - The new 101 will have a change to reduce popping during certain
conditions and I "think" a switch to replace the vibrato jumper that
everyone bitched about on the circuit board.

So, RANT away.  It is a good thing.  Sometimes when the ideas serve the
best interest of most users, they do make their way into design.  However,
what goes along with the ranting process is realizing that lots of ideas
(especially mine) turn out to be not exactly the "best" for everyone.

Like all good investments, ranting takes time to mature.  I think you will
see the fruits of that investment here over time.  I wonder what Rex (that
other modular) would say if you called him up and wanted to change a few of
his designs for your purchase. (he he)  I think we all know the answer to
that.

Larry (ranting, whining, p**sing & moaning or whatever it takes) Hendry