MOTM

I'm considering building a 440 filter as my intro to modulars and MOTM. 
I should probably start with a 490, but I already have a few synths 
(Andromeda, Super Jupiter rev 5) that have a bit of the Moog sound. I 
really like the arpeggiated stuff from Robert Rich done with the 440. 
Listening to all of the MP3s on the Synthtech site, I seem to like this 
one and the 480 best. Of course I'll probably end up with all three 
eventually.

A few questions first:

- The 490 is rated a "1" in difficulty and the 440 is a "4". What makes 
the 440 so much more difficult? Parts count?
- Does anyone have a photo of the main board of the 440?
- Does everyone flip-flop between MOTM and dotcom every single day 
before placing that first order?

Thanks, -jl

yes, difficulty pretty much refers to parts count and density. the main question is how 
good you are at handling a soldering iron. it's important to be patient and precise with 
your boards. if you have some experience, you're probably not going to have any more 
trouble getting through a more populated module like the 440, it's just going to be a 
larger time investment.

and to be honest, i've never been compelled to own any dotcom module, although i'm sure 
they're capable instruments.

soggy



--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Laity <synthetic@e...> wrote:

> A few questions first:
> 
> - The 490 is rated a "1" in difficulty and the 440 is a "4". What makes 
> the 440 so much more difficult? Parts count?
> - Does anyone have a photo of the main board of the 440?
> - Does everyone flip-flop between MOTM and dotcom every single day 
> before placing that first order?
> 
> Thanks, -jl

>
> A few questions first:
>
> - The 490 is rated a "1" in difficulty and the 440 is a "4". What makes
> the 440 so much more difficult? Parts count?

In general, the larger the parts count, the more "difficult" it is. Also, the 
smaller parts count modules will have the parts spaced apart, whereas the 4 and 
5 kits the parts are literally touching each other. This means the solder pads 
are *slightly* smaller.


> - Does anyone have a photo of the main board of the 440?

www.wiseguysynth.com has hi-res photos of most of the MOTM kits.

> - Does everyone flip-flop between MOTM and dotcom every single day
> before placing that first order?

You can flip all you want, just eventually flop to the MOTM side :)

Seriously, there are about 10 combo MOTM/.com systems out there. I know that 
there is a large $$$ gap there (especially in the VCOs) but I think the audio 
quality/stability speaks for itself.

Just wait until you hear Robert's new all MOTM CD coming out ~Sept. It's pretty 
jaw-dropping 100% microtonal stuff.

Paul S.

Hi Jeff -

Great choice!  Although I flip-flop daily on what my favorite MOTM 
filter is, the 440 usually ends up on top.  You'll love it.

I had a few .com modules in my early days.  But when you have them 
in a patch with MOTM the difference in sound quality is HUGE.  I 
sold my .com stuff within 6 months.

It's not about quality of the company: Roger is very cool and runs a 
nice business.  But I was after the best sound in a studio 
environment, figuring that if I could get the sound I needed there, 
I could get it wherever.  I was right for once.  The .com stuff 
works, and works well (witness the late Knonkuro's great music), but 
it is noisier and has a much poorer SN ratio. 

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Laity <synthetic@e...> wrote:
> I'm considering building a 440 filter as my intro to modulars and 
MOTM. 
> I should probably start with a 490, but I already have a few 
synths 
> (Andromeda, Super Jupiter rev 5) that have a bit of the Moog 
sound. I 
> really like the arpeggiated stuff from Robert Rich done with the 
440. 
> Listening to all of the MP3s on the Synthtech site, I seem to like 
this 
> one and the 480 best. Of course I'll probably end up with all 
three 
> eventually.
> 
> A few questions first:
> 
> - The 490 is rated a "1" in difficulty and the 440 is a "4". What 
makes 

> the 440 so much more difficult? Parts count?
> - Does anyone have a photo of the main board of the 440?
> - Does everyone flip-flop between MOTM and dotcom every single day 
> before placing that first order?
> 
> Thanks, -jl