MOTM

Christmas is officially over tomorrow (taking down the tree, wife returning all 
the presents my sisters gave her). I got pretty much what I wanted (Quake 4, 
FEAR and Call of Duty 2 video games, but I had to buy a new video card and LCD 
monitor). FEAR is a real graphics hog but the game is pretty cool (sort of DOOM 
3 meets HL2 with a bit of Max Payne 2 thrown in randomly). Quake 4 is old-school 
shoot the aliens but the graphics are really slick and not a pig like FEAR. COD2 
is more-of-the-same as the first 2 were, but that still means really harrowing 
fights.

But...all that gets put up after tonight :(

I'm working hard on getting the Frac modules ready for NAMM. I'll know in about 
10 days what I will be able to take and show. The layout is going slower because 
I'm sticking to double-sided boards and SMT is a *pain* on double-sided boards 
because the power routes slice the board in half (having to run +15V and -15V to 
the parts). There are always 8-10 routes that take 1hr *each* to snake through 
the other traces. I think I have 5 left to finish the dual VCA card, and for 1 
of those I'm 'cheating' (making the card 0.050 wider to get that *one* trace 
around the edge.)

I will have 3 or 4 completed modules to show (Analog Haven has ordered 7 
different ones + a power supply that uses a 'universal' input). Also, the Frac 
VCA and EG are 'spin offs' of standard MOTM modules coming up so they will act 
as debugging platforms (don't worry, the MOTM versions are all thru-hole kits).

As far as new stuff:

a) I received samples of vertical-mount 1/4" jacks for the Pulse Divider. I will 
order 1000 or so on Tuesday. This will allow 1 pc board to hold 16 jacks (and 
some EMI filters). The 16 individual cables are eliminated: there will be a 
34-pin ribbon cable instead. This will allow the Pulse Divider to be easily 
kitted and will reduce your build time from a Level 3 to a Level 2. Robert Rich 
wants to take it on tour (his tour starts April 1) so I'd better get started :)

b) I *promise* there will be a MOTM EF and triple preamp released before summer. 
I want to make them simple and easy to build as may first-time buyers are 
interested in these (guitar players, etc). Maybe I'll design them on the plane 
ride to NAMM and back :)

c) Paul H and I are off MOTM duty until Tues Jan 3rd, then it's back to 
shipping, kitting and designing. My priority next week are the VCO kits. Paul H 
has to build the general kit inventory back up to pre-Christmas levels. There 
are a few freebies left to go (mainly '190s). I will go over (again) what has 
not gone out next week and get him that list.

OK, back to shooting the baddies for 1hr, them off to bed. Tomorrow AM I'm back 
on the CAD station.

Paul S.