MOTM

Due to the complexity of newer modules like the uSeq and WaveWarper, I've decided it's easier and
CHEAPER to distribute the manuals on CD-ROM. This also has the benefit of included demo files in
WAV format (uncompressed), and both PDF and MS Word formats. EU folks can resize and print on the
'wrong' paper size :)

Also: in Sept., BOTH the toll-free line and the 'normal' 817-498-3782 number are going away. The
new number will be 817-281-7776, fax remains at 817-605-8401. Email same.

This will save me $175 a MONTH, so the ax falls. The 281-7776 number is active as of today, feel
free to update your records as needed :) The 498 exchange was useful pre-cell-phone and pre-DSL,
but not useful anymore (just a pain since all the SynthTech literature refers to it, but there
will be a recording for 1 YEAR advising of the switchover).
Paul S.

Paul,  I suspect many like myself appreciate that you are working hard to
control cost so that the ultimate price of the modules can remain
reasonable.  In fact, I think I prefer the CD ROM for the manual.  Is that
for all new manuals?   Is PDF the planned format?

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
Due to the complexity of newer modules like the uSeq and WaveWarper, I've
decided it's easier and
CHEAPER to distribute the manuals on CD-ROM. This also has the benefit of
included demo files in
WAV format (uncompressed), and both PDF and MS Word formats. EU folks can
resize and print on the
'wrong' paper size :)

Also: in Sept., BOTH the toll-free line and the 'normal' 817-498-3782 number
are going away. The
new number will be 817-281-7776, fax remains at 817-605-8401. Email same.

This will save me $175 a MONTH, so the ax falls. The 281-7776 number is
active as of today, feel
free to update your records as needed :) The 498 exchange was useful
pre-cell-phone and pre-DSL,
but not useful anymore (just a pain since all the SynthTech literature
refers to it, but there
will be a recording for 1 YEAR advising of the switchover).
Paul S.






Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> Paul,  I suspect many like myself appreciate that you are working hard to
> control cost so that the ultimate price of the modules can remain
> reasonable.  In fact, I think I prefer the CD ROM for the manual.  Is that
> for all new manuals?   Is PDF the planned format?
>

There is PDF and MS Word. The schematics and pcb layouts are in PDF *only*.

What I may do "in my spare time" is to have a Master CD-ROM of all the 'old stuff' and then add
to it each time a module is released.

I'm still pondering this, but yes, I'm slashing costs as much as I can. Manuals are a LARGE
expense, like $4,000/yr.

Paul S.

> Due to the complexity of newer modules like the uSeq and WaveWarper, 
> I've decided it's easier and
> CHEAPER to distribute the manuals on CD-ROM. This also has the benefit 
> of included demo files in
> WAV format (uncompressed), and both PDF and MS Word formats. EU folks 
> can resize and print on the
> 'wrong' paper size :)

As us CS folks are fond of saying "Can't grep a dead tree." I have to 
say I prefer this method. I can send them straight to printing for 
binding, and they'll look nicer ;)  I ordered the dead tree 
electronotes complete a few weeks ago and it arrived as a huge stack of 
*unbound* paper. Argh! CDs are so much more preferable. BTW, I don't 
expect you to describe the full uSeq

On a related note, it was a pleasure meeting you in Portland this 
weekend! I can't wait until the uSeq (the mu in this case being 
"microchip" not in reference to it's size...heh heh) ships. It looks to 
be quite promising. One thing to note; I'm not sure I understood your 
answer to the question, "Will I be able to preserve tempo across 
pattern switches?" I think the answer was "No. It's locked to pattern." 
I can see situations where I would want to switch a pattern, but not 
necessarily switch tempo as well. In a live situation, that could be 
somewhat uncomfortable.  This issue moot if the sequencer can be set to 
ignore the internal tempo and always clock lock to incoming CV/MIDI.

I love the displays and the fade feature, you are encouraged to abuse 
this to no end ;) May I offer the suggestion of using half brightness 
for the normal modes and full brightness for the selected mode? It was 
difficult to tell what mode the say, looping, was in while cycling 
through params.

I'm excited about the modulation block, I didn't get to dig into that 
'cause I hit the "Util" button, but it looks very promising! I have one 
feature request: (if it's not planned already *please-please-please* 
ship before you consider adding it!) Since the uSeq has what is 
essentially a high quality MIDI/CV converter in it, would be swell to 
be able to put it into a "pass-through" mode and just use it as a CV 
converter. A pattern trigger (a la Machinedrum) mode would be swell for 
live pattern triggering too.

It looks beautiful in person, can't wait till mine arrives.

--mikes

---PS---
There is PDF and MS Word. The schematics and pcb layouts are in PDF
*only*.
--------

PDF + CD == Perfect !!

---PS---
What I may do "in my spare time" is to have a Master CD-ROM of all the
'old stuff' and then add
to it each time a module is released.
--------

Makes plenty of sense.

---PS---
I'm still pondering this, but yes, I'm slashing costs as much as I can.
Manuals are a LARGE
expense, like $4,000/yr.
--------

That's 6,430 TL074ACN's!  :)

George

> What I may do "in my spare time" is to have a Master CD-ROM of all 
the
> 'old stuff' and then add
> to it each time a module is released.

this would be a good idea, as more info about modules would be 
available before ordering it.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> Due to the complexity of newer modules like the uSeq and
WaveWarper, I've 
decided it's easier and
> CHEAPER to distribute the manuals on CD-ROM. This also has the
benefit of 
included demo files in
> WAV format (uncompressed), and both PDF and MS Word formats. EU
folks can 
resize and print on the
> 'wrong' paper size :)
> 

If you put all of your documentation on the disk in PDF format, and
updated it as you added new modules, it could make a nice reference
for everybody. It might even be a good sales tool.

However, if it looks like the CD will take you a lot of time, why not
just put everything on your website, password protected if necessary?
If your customers have computers, they probably have Internet access.

On 8/11/03, grotechef put forth:
>  > What I may do "in my spare time" is to have a Master CD-ROM of all
>the
>>  'old stuff' and then add
>>  to it each time a module is released.
>
>this would be a good idea, as more info about modules would be
>available before ordering it.

It might be good marketing to have the Operation sections of existing 
modules, or even the entire manual for difficult to clone modules 
such as the 650, in electronic form or even up on the Synthesis 
Technology website.

Otoh, having the schematics or theory of operation of more accessible 
designs in such an easily distributed format might be a bad idea. 
Sure, the way things are now, some malefactor could scan these 
documents, but first they would have to buy them or borrow them from 
someone who bought them.

> Otoh, having the schematics or theory of operation of more accessible
> designs in such an easily distributed format might be a bad idea.
> Sure, the way things are now, some malefactor could scan these
> documents, but first they would have to buy them or borrow them from
> someone who bought them.

That is true, it lowers the barrier of entry to duplication/copying. 
One of my favorite features of the MOTM modules is the circuit 
descriptions. They're cleanly written and easy to understand, Paul 
knows his stuff. I really like learning about all this fancy electronic 
stuff by applied example. Theory just gets lost on me. I hope the 
circuit descriptions don't go away.

--mikes

hello all,

i'll stick my oar in since this is getting close to my territory now...

i'd certainly welcome an electronic form of documentation in place of the
paper stuff
in the past i've had to trade with some of you generous US users to get hold
of letter sized binders
which means, i might actually have one spare for some lucky european user
(i'll have to check - i was saving one for a rainy day)

a password protected pdf download is fine by me for the the full
documentation, but a more widely available user guide (minus the schematic,
construction guide and design details) would be welcome - this comes into
play with stuff like the 190 dual vca, where one vca is ac only, a simple
reference guide per module would be handy - i'm working on such a thing -
partly to document the idiosyncracities of my ken stone panels.

cheers
paul b
sheffield
uk

I'm not too fond of the idea of password-protected PDFs.  I don't want
to fumble around at 10pm looking for a password when I've got a quick
question (even if it's just a quick reference to a schematic).  I do
like the idea of splitting the manual into users' guide and
construction/schematic documents.  And I love the idea of electronic
documentation in general.  :)

--PBr

-----Original Message-----
From: Sikorsky [mailto:vulture.squadron@syol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 2:41 PM
To: MOTM List
Subject: Re: [motm] Re: Upcoming module manuals


a password protected pdf download is fine by me for the the full
documentation, but a more widely available user guide (minus the
schematic, construction guide and design details) would be welcome -
this comes into play with stuff like the 190 dual vca, where one vca is
ac only, a simple reference guide per module would be handy - i'm
working on such a thing - partly to document the idiosyncracities of my
ken stone panels.

The really cool part about this that nobody has commented on so far 
is the availability of the audio demo files.  And in uncompressed WAV 
format!  Maybe even in 48-24 for those that can handle it.  This 
makes it possible to have a written tutorial on module use with links 
embedded at strategic points that trigger the audio demo.

Neat!

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> Due to the complexity of newer modules like the uSeq and 
WaveWarper, I've decided it's easier and
> CHEAPER to distribute the manuals on CD-ROM. This also has the 
benefit of included demo files in
> WAV format (uncompressed), and both PDF and MS Word formats. EU 
folks can resize and print on the
> 'wrong' paper size :)
> 
> Also: in Sept., BOTH the toll-free line and the 'normal' 817-498-
3782 number are going away. The
> new number will be 817-281-7776, fax remains at 817-605-8401. Email 
same.
> 
> This will save me $175 a MONTH, so the ax falls. The 281-7776 
number is active as of today, feel
> free to update your records as needed :) The 498 exchange was 
useful pre-cell-phone and pre-DSL,
> but not useful anymore (just a pain since all the SynthTech 
literature refers to it, but there
> will be a recording for 1 YEAR advising of the switchover).
> Paul S.

> The really cool part about this that nobody has commented on so far
> is the availability of the audio demo files.  And in uncompressed WAV
> format!  

This is great!

Paul - I'll badger you (again!) about this:

MP3 SUCKS ASS. 

It can make analog sound like VA. I think it would be very cool to offer at
least 16/44.1 audio files in the demo section of the website. A lot of the
majesty and power gets lost in the mp3 compression imho. It works ok for
auditioning songs to see if you like a new artist / album, but as a
manufacturer, you really wanna show off how thick/ creamy/ aggressive/
powerful/ etc the MOTM line is for potential customers and the curious, and
you're doing it using the most piss-poor medium available. OK, the 2nd most
piss-poor after RealAudio... It seems out of sync with the positioning of
your product line, which appeals to the upper-most crust. I would expect
mp3's from Doepfer. From MOTM, I would expect 24/96 AIF's! But at least CD
quality...

Just food for thought - again! ;-) I know I've buggered you about this
before but it's been a while.

best,
- Scott
____________
http://www.red-noise.com
http://www.strawberryplanet.org

> MP3 SUCKS ASS. 

Sure, but I wouldn't want to pay a subscription fee to download demo files
either. AIFF's eat up bandwidth quick.

On Saturday, August 16, 2003, at 9:09 AM, Scott Gibbons wrote:

>> The really cool part about this that nobody has commented on so far
>> is the availability of the audio demo files.  And in uncompressed WAV
>> format!
>
> This is great!
>
> Paul - I'll badger you (again!) about this:
>
> MP3 SUCKS ASS.

Not as much ass as downloading huge files over a slow connection. Joe 
synth buyer would probably just lose interest. I personally, am okay 
with MP3s, it paints a fair approximation of what the module can do. 
Using 192bps MP3s is probably fine for demoing at a friends house. I've 
found it's much easier to impress by just inviting someone over and 
fiddling with knobs ;)

I think Paul's demo MP3s sound fantastic! I bought my MOTM based solely 
on them. My favorites:

Ken Elhardt's french horn. 'Nuff said.
Charles Stella's dub style motm section.
Robert Rich' s Track #9 from Outpost
Scott Juskiw's Toads in the woods by the babbling brook.

--mikes

>> MP3 SUCKS ASS.
> Not as much ass as downloading huge files over a slow connection. Joe

Absolutely agreed! I would make both options available - not just one or the
other. I used to have a RealMedia server and would post small files for 28.8
connections and larger files for ISDN. Of course with RealAudio, they both
sounded like hell ;-)

> Using 192bps MP3s is probably fine for demoing at a friends house. I've

Exactly. MP3's are "fine." Virtual analog's sound "fine," and so do DCO's.

Anyway, just to play my own antagonist, I should point out that the mp3
demos did not even play a role in my decision to go the MOTM route. There
were plenty of positive opinions/reviews from MOTM users on the Analogue
Heaven list, and Paul's product line was the only thing out there with the
features that I wanted (large knobs for playability, 1/4" jacks for
compatibility, and uncompromising sound quality even if it costs a little
more than, for example, Doepfer...). But still, it seems weird to me to demo
gear like this on mp3's. It's like hearing your favorite song on FM radio --
you feel great hearing the music anyway, but it sounds so much better when
you can listen to it on CD or vinyl.

best,
- Scott
____________
http://www.red-noise.com
http://www.strawberryplanet.org