MOTM

Hi - I am (not yet) a MOTM owner/user, but am lusting after one...

Anyway, not that it matters - I always figured the MOTM to be exclusively a
mono-synth - but I was reading over the PDF catalog yesterday and it made
mention of it being possible to use MOTM polyphonically. Can anyone explain
to this neophyte how this is possible - i.e. patching and modules required?
This was an unexpected revelation to me (not that I mind it being a
mono-synth, never figured it to be otherwise, just got my interest piqued as
I had never considered this possibility and wondered how it was done).

Thanks, 

- Simon

It's done the same way all polyphonic analog synths are done, in 2 areas:

a) multiple "copies" of a single 'voice'
b) a controller to assign which 'voice' is to be played

For example, in the OB-8, there are 8 *identical* 'voices': 2 VCOs, 1 VCF, 2EGs and a VCA.

In MOTM, you do the same thing: you have multiple 'sets' of modules, such as:

1 MOTM-300 VCO
1 MOTM-310 uVCO
1 MOTM-420 VCF
2 MOTM-800 EGs
1 MOTM-110 VCA

as a 'set' or a 'voice'. Next, you need something to trigger/control the 'voices'. Currently,
only the Kenton Pro-2000 MIDI/CV converter can do this. It is limited to 2 'voices', and each
MUST be on a separate MIDI channel.

The upcoming Encore Expressionist 2 module can place 8 'voices' one the *same* MIDI channel if
you want.

For examples, listen to the Robert Rich demos on the ARTIST page. These are 'live' recordings of
his 38-module system driven as 6 to 8 simultameous 'voices' by an Expressionist.

Paul S.

Paul - Thanks for the quick and clear reply. I thought it might have
something to do with duplicate or multiple sets of "sub-synths" each
responding to notes separately somehow.

> In MOTM, you do the same thing: you have multiple 'sets'
> of modules, such as:
> 
> 1 MOTM-300 VCO 
> 1 MOTM-310 uVCO 
> 1 MOTM-420 VCF 
> 2 MOTM-800 EGs 
> 1 MOTM-110 VCA

Would it not be possible to mix the output of separate VCOs into a single
"voice" thus saving on the number of downstream modules (VCFs etc.)? Or am I
mising something? 

- Simon

> Would it not be possible to mix the output of separate
> VCOs into a single "voice" thus saving on the number of
> downstream modules (VCFs etc.)? Or am I mising something?

I guess I can answer my own question - this wouldn't make sense. Each
"voice" needs its own amplitude EG, among other things I'm probably not
considering. 

- Simon

Actually that is how some synths were designed in the 80s. Any "top-octave"
style was that way: bunch of oscillators and a common filter/amp path.

Tony

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Simon Franklin [mailto:slyfrank@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2002 9:43 PM
> To: motm@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [motm] Re: Polyphony
>
>
> > Would it not be possible to mix the output of separate
> > VCOs into a single "voice" thus saving on the number of
> > downstream modules (VCFs etc.)? Or am I mising something?
>
> I guess I can answer my own question - this wouldn't make sense. Each
> "voice" needs its own amplitude EG, among other things I'm probably not
> considering.
>
> - Simon
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

>Next, you need something to trigger/control the 'voices'. Currently,
>only the Kenton Pro-2000 MIDI/CV converter can do this. It is limited
>to 2 'voices', and each MUST be on a separate MIDI channel.

I do not know if they are still being made, but the Pro-4 has a polyphonic
mode with various cycling options.  It can assign up to four voices to the
same MIDI channel.

>The upcoming Encore Expressionist 2 module can place 8 'voices' one the
>>*same* MIDI channel if you want.

Pro-4 is no longer made.

Paul S.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: <media.nai@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Polyphony


> >Next, you need something to trigger/control the 'voices'. Currently,
> >only the Kenton Pro-2000 MIDI/CV converter can do this. It is limited
> >to 2 'voices', and each MUST be on a separate MIDI channel.
> 
> I do not know if they are still being made, but the Pro-4 has a polyphonic
> mode with various cycling options.  It can assign up to four voices to the
> same MIDI channel.
> 
> >The upcoming Encore Expressionist 2 module can place 8 'voices' one the
> >>*same* MIDI channel if you want.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
>