MOTM

> Virtually all modular synths have lag processor modules and nearly all
> prewired synths do too in the form of portamento.

This is sort of a 2-sided coin. The MOTM-650 can now do the portamento,
both contastnt rate and constant time. Over 4 independent voices.

In fact, even simple MIDI-CV like the Kenton's have portamento. Every
CV/Gate out keyboard also has it. There is no "need" for the '820 to do
portamento.

The MOTM-820 is unique in the independent up/down rates and the fact these
are under CV control.

As far as "attractive to new users", I looked at the last 25 new customers
and 2 have bought '820s.

Certainly, I can "bring back to life" the '820 if there is demand. Then
I'll be critized for doing so :)

Let's see.

>
> Discontinuing the 850 is also depressing.

The good news is that I will publish the full PDF docs this fall on the
discontinued modules and you can make one.

>
> Paul S. has always called motm a hobby.  Now it's a business?

It's a hobby in the sense that this is not my sole income to support
me/wife/2 teenagers (I maybe could support the 2 teenagers). Then again,
when you sell 1000 modules/year which means on average I purchase $156,000
of parts/yr, that becomes a business. Then, and this is becoming the most
important factor, *time*. I'm 50yrs old, I've been doing this for 8 1/2
years and I still want to design more than fart around with
invoices/inventory/worrying if the wire or panel vendor will flake out
(again). I miss sitting at the bench for days and days. I feel guilty for
even playing video games or watching a movie because there is *always*
work needing done (ie there are modules in the backlog).

MOTM is on the fine edge of massive hobby/business model.



> A while back Paul seemed to indicate that kits might be shipped with
most of the components machine stuffed.  That would solve the problem of
bagging a half million resistors.  I'm surprised I haven't heard that
mentioned.

The person that owned that machine sold it (through-hole axial inserter)
after I ran 150 MOTM-480 boards through it. They bought 7 SMT machines
instead. Hmmm........

And try to buy 5% resistors, and the other parts on tape and reel,
especially after RoHS went into effect.

> I can't see how that won't affect sales in a negative way.  Unless that
94% kit to 6% assembled customer base has flipped a complete 180.

Of *course* in 2007 the number of modules shipped will probably be 1/3 to
1/2 of what it is now. That's the *whole idea*. Like I've explained
several times in the past (read the archives!) MOTM was never set up to
make the profit needed to support a 'real' company (rent/employees/etc).
If you think MOTM is $$$ now, I would have to charge 30% more and *still*
personally make the *same* money. What's the point of that?

And yes, I am targeting assembled module customers, they fastest growing
market segment (shrug).

> But modules like the 700, 850, 510, etc, are cool new stuff for
> new customers.

Actual sales data does not verify this assumption.

> If I were new and looking at motm now, those
> older modules look far more interesting and cool than a pulse divider.  I
> don't even know why I'd want to divide pulses, but I could wire up a 30
> cent
> flip-flop chip to do it if I needed to.

Well, the '730 has 17 simultaneous outputs :) and 1 under CV and it can
fractionally divide (by say 4 1/2). If you want to "hear" what it can do,
get the Robert Rich CD "Electric Ladder".

Paul S.