MOTM

All,
  Just a long (and pretty much pointless) post about how I think the 
future of MOTM sequencers should be.  

  I think that the modular approach to sequencer design is by far the 
best choice for MOTM, as opposed to one do it all style thing like 
everyone else has.  After all, Paul designed the system to be a 
superior "studio" level synth, with as much capability and 
flexibility as possible..  A true modular should have as many config 
options as possible. (Im sure you all agree!!)  Why handicap/limit 
MOTM with a sequencer based on 30 year old ideas that has a fixed set 
of options?  The only downsides I can think of to this appriach would 
be size and cost.  As for size, it wouldn't be that bad because the 
space would be taken up by features (modules) that you chose, not 
wasted space, and as for cost, it wouldn't seem that bad because 
you'd build it up in stages, module by module.  I know that I 
wouldn't worry about size when it came to sequencer capability 
because musical "Movement" is at least as important as the sounds 
themselves, and thats what sequencing is all about, sound evolution 
and musical movement.
   EMU went this approach, and Analogue Systems dabbled here too with 
their minimum functionality lineup of seq's.  I have a few of these 
and the fun-ctionality of a system like this is great!  Really gets 
one experimenting, keeps you out of the "CV for pitch" groove, and 
lets you go where your thoughts steer you.  And lets face it, for 
doing regualr melody types of things, modern MIDI sequencers and 
computers have a huge advantage over analogs these days... why try 
and swim against the current and beat MIDI when we can exploit the 
modulars advantage of flexibility like no one else before us!!  
Analog synth pioneers!!  (As we follow EMU and Moe's maps)
   I would propose starting with the basics, a clock source with a 
bunch of divided ratios, maybe with MIDI-in for built in midi clock 
sync, (you'd need some features that would differentiate it, or else 
why not use a simple square VCO (300,310,320)) (maybe make the up and 
coming pulse divider part of this series)  A basic cv or gate jobbie 
should actually be first since the 310 and other oscilaltors/LFO's 
can be a clock source.  After these basics, then maybe some more 
advanced logic/switcher type things (out of my realm.. Moe?)
  I'm guessing a bunch of you already feel this way and Im just 
preaching to the choir.(who am I trying to convert here anyway? :)  I 
know that R&D of modules takes alot of time and money, so this would 
obviously be a long build up for us as opposed to if Paul released 
something more all in one.  Plus Paul has alot of new modules on the 
R&D stages already begging for his TLC.  But perhaps the development 
and production of these would be quicker than average because 
(correct me if I  am wrong) these modules wouldn't have to be as 
strict when it came to s/n ratios and stuff like that because most of 
them are just pulse driven and not really used directly for audio (Im 
sure we'd be trying though!)  Moe already gave us a taste of what 
could be done, gave us a few templates that could be used for the 
foundations of these future modules, cutting R&D even more.  (Do you 
have actual circuts built?)
  All in one units do give a system a "Personality" though because of 
the limits and characteristics they impose on the sounds being 
produced.  Like a 2600 as opposed to a bunch of modules in a rack, 
the 2600 has a certain flavor because of the normalled connections 
and all in one style of the machine.  The same goes for sequencers.  
Look at the 303. (just for a moment)  The sequencer is as important 
in giving it its sound as the actual synth circuts.  Sucessful 
replica designers like Jered/FutureRetro and his 777 put as much into 
their sequencer design as the synth because they know that a 
sequencer is as much a part of a sound as the actual sound.  But as 
far as I see it, MOTM hasn't been to concerned with having its own 
sonic character as most synths out there, Paul has kept his focus on 
other topics like build quality, stability, and module functionality, 
which is a great thing for us.   
So these are my thoughts, I love sequencers of all types and would 
love to see MOTM have the ultimate sequencing capability, beyond any 
manufacturer out there.  Analog synth pioneers, moving into the 
future!

~Steve M