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**Very Important MOTM Announcement**

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by John Wieczorek

Paul,

Adapt or perish! - and seeing as we're all gonna perish anyway - we
might as well enjoy the adaptation process.

rock on,

john w.


On Jul 3, 2006, at 11:17 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper
> chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by David Moylan

I'll admit I'll miss building the kits but reality is just that. The
new Audio Engine platform sounds very exciting and I'm looking forward
to the new modules as well as the MOTM kit sale.

Thanks Paul, Paul H. Jeurgen, Scott, unnamed FPGA programmer.

Dave

Paul Schreiber wrote:
>
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
> <http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html>
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper
> chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>
> __._,_.

Re: **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Mike Marsh

Paul -

The market truly is changing, and your plan adapts admirably. I have
assembled the vast majority of my modules (of which there are now 54!)
and that has been rewarding (though admittedly at times frustrating
(because I suck at it)). I remember the first box from you and all the
bubble wrap: how cool was that!

Now I'm looking forward to the Audio Engine modules with just as much
excitement. How about a Granular synthesizer with 1/4" ins and outs
and big old MOTM knobs to twirl? Patched through a 440? Or a 485?!?
How about a 256 voice wavetable synth? An Additive synth? A vocal
filter? An algorithmic composition generator? All in an MOTM 2U or
3U module? It's the stuff dreams are made of :) Who would have
thought that we could get FM in this format a year ago?

I think many folks (if not most) will welcome the Audio Engine modules
as the next step in their synthesis journey. I know I will.

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper
chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Scott K Warren

Brilliant!

Paul, I think this plan is perfect. You have very wisely and somewhat
bravely
looked hard at the situation and devised a way forward that fixes old
problems
and puts MOTM on track for an incredible future. Congratulations!

I think MOTM will be better than ever this way and I'm sure your
customers
will ratify your decisions by voting with their dollars. This means
MORE and
BETTER new modules FASTER for sure, and I'm gonna buy a bunch of 'em.

Thanks,

skw



On Jul 3, 2006, at 10:17 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper
> chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Robert van der Kamp

On Monday 03 July 2006 17:17, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
> and a big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.

I'll miss building the kits, big time.

I'll also miss the lower price of the kits, since the kit price made it
possible for me to get started with MOTM in the first place. So this will
probably have consequences for me.

I'm looking forward to what the AudioEngine concept may bring us. Could be
loads of fun, hope it's not too expensive.

What can I say? Of course I want MOTM to stay alive as long as possible, and
if this move is needed, so be it!

- Robert

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Scott Juskiw

>Please read the following announcement:
>
>http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html

This comes as no big surprise to me. I will certainly miss the fun of
building from the kits (that was one of the primary reasons I chose
MOTM in the first place). But as anyone who tries to design their own
modules will attest to, the days of DIY synth building are nearly
over. Most of the new (good) parts are SMT only. I know some people
can solder SMT parts, but I certainly can't (I can barely see them).
I say, do what you need to do to keep the dream alive. I look forward
to the new AudioEngine and it's many progeny. MOTM is still king in
my book.

RE: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Adam Schabtach

> I'll miss building the kits, big time.

Me, too.

> I'll also miss the lower price of the kits, since the kit
> price made it possible for me to get started with MOTM in the
> first place. So this will probably have consequences for me.

Me, too. However, I haven't purchased any kits recently, so I can't say that
I've been putting my money where my mouth is. (I have been _using_ my MOTM
system, though...)

> What can I say? Of course I want MOTM to stay alive as long
> as possible, and if this move is needed, so be it!

Me, too. I'm glad that Paul has found a strategy for Synth Tech that he
believes will be viable for the years ahead. Electronics is obviously in a
time of transition, and businesses either have to change with the times or
get out of the business. I'm happy that Paul is doing the former.

Personally, I'm chagrined by the discontinuation of the 700. It gets my
nomination for Most Underappreciated MOTM Module. I use mine all the time,
and will purchase a second one during the BIG SALE.

--Adam

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by thomas white

Hi Everyone,
I am excited about this change. My hours for kit building have dwindled and buying assembled makes the most sense for me personally. Although I miss building kits, I will appreciate being able to "use" my modules sooner. This change for Paul should also help to bring newer modules faster which we will all appreciate.
The idea about the credit card "brain" - audio engine is brilliant. Lets look for a nice FM synth or that 4 voice miniwave Paul mentioned. Hopefully that becomes a reality.
Cost is also a concept with the move to assembled, but here is a thought on that. SMT components are *much* cheaper than through-hole ones. This should allow Paul to keep the assembled price lower than it would have been preveiously with the old assembled modules. Hopefully.
One way or the other, Paul is not going out of business and we can all be thankful for that. Many of us having been waiting for the modules still on his bench or in his mind and now we should see movement on those great ideas and other s sure to come! Great job Paul, keep 'em coming!
Thomas

Robert van der Kamp <robnet@...> wrote:
On Monday 03 July 2006 17:17, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
> and a big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.

I'll miss building the kits, big time.

I'll also miss the lower price of the kits, since the kit price made it
possible for me to get started with MOTM in the first place. So this will
probably have consequences for me.

I'm looking forward to what the AudioEngine concept may bring us. Could be
loads of fun, hope it's not too expensive.

What can I say? Of course I want MOTM to stay alive as long as possible, and
if this move is needed, so be it!

- Robert


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Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Miguel Mendoza

The audio engine seems very interesting, looking forward a roland SDE 3000 like delay or an Ensoniq DP4 like reverb!
I'll also miss to solder the modules (and just spent more than 100 bucks in solder cause I live in Europe) but it's the natural change of the things.
Keep MOTM alive!

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by kheck73@aol.com

In a message dated 7/3/2006 11:18:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, synth1@... writes:
I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
I bet the DP 10-2-4 is the original formula from that place in Texas that still uses pure cane sugar ;).
I'm curious how the 480 (CS-80) filter sounds compared to a pair of 485's (GX-1 filter). Also, how does a single 485 sound compared to a half of the 480? There are no 485 demo's up, and I'm trying to make a decision. I'm not looking for an opinion of the sound, just how they differ in timbre, response, etc.
Thanks, -Karl.

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Stephen Drake

Most of this is fine and dandy, and I'm sure it'll all be for the good
in the long run. However, I'm severely pissed that kits are being
discontinued. I've thoroughly enjoyed building them, and take a
certain pride in that every single module in my modular was built by
me. However, I can live with it, and adapt. I currently have a modular
synth master plan that's mostly completed - I can probably buy the
remaining kits for phase one of my plan before they are all gone. And
the master plan included several modules that couldn't be had in kit
form anyway, so there's no big voodoo being violated in that regards.
So look for my 700 order soon, and hopefully my next two 300 orders
won't take so long this time!

And blacet will have to fill my need to solder things after all the
smoke has cleared.

P.S. it's too bad the sale on kits is so short - maybe you should
extend it, as you're discontinuing them anyway? Or not...

On 7/3/06, Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
> and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.


--
------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen Drake
sduck409@...
makeme1witheverything@...

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by John Laudicina

I too started my modular because of the kits. I love
to build them more than play with the synth. bummer,
as far as the Blacet kits filling in the void...
there is no comparision to MOTM. I have built several
Blacet kits and I dont get the satisfaction from them
like the MOTM, I guess I am a dedicated MOTM junkie...
I need a fix. One of the reasons I havent purchased
the 650 is it is not in kit form (the real reason is
I dont have the bread to spare at this time, hopefully
that will turn around after the summer is over) I
need to get a new powerbook first though.

I will always purchase from MOTM, whether it be kits
or factory built.

As Paul already knows, I like the Knobs and blinkey
lights...

John

--- Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:

> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I
> have Dr. Pepper chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an
> interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>
>


__________________________________________________
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Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Jason Proctor

this is totally unfair because i assumed that paul would hold a few
of each kit in stock just for me, in case i decided to buy anything
in the next decade.

seriously though i applaud paul for doing an amazing job of staying
on the highwire.

despite my brokeness i hope to pick up some kits in the july smash & grab...





>Please read the following announcement:
>
>http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
>I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper
>chilled and a
>big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
>Paul S.
>

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Richard Brewster

It's all fine news. Sure, I love kit building, but I'm one of those
MOTM customers who has already built a lot of kits and is now waiting
for new modules to come out, those already expected to be assembled.
I'm very happy that MOTM products will continue to be available in *MOTM
Format* (a world-renowned phrase). I've abandoned my purist,
no-microprocessor-in-my-synth attitude, and I look forward to everything
with an AudioEngine humming away at the core.

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

Paul Schreiber wrote:
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtech.com/motm_plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-03 by Andrew Sanchez


Wow. That's some announcement! I'll miss the fact that the kits won't be available in the future, but I'm glad they were there in the first place.

Here's to MOTM's future success,
Andrew

480 vs 485 testimonial

2006-07-04 by thomas white

Karl,
this one is simple. I was on the fence for ages about the 480 during a *slow* period of module purchasing. Recently I bought one and I must say it is more useful and unique than I thought it would be. Although neither filter section goes into oscillation, with full resonance on both sections and some FM sweeps, you can make for some DEVASTATING bass and modulation sounds. Having separet controls for res and both High and Lowpass Freq sections is awesome. I originally thought I would miss out on some sounds by only having one FM input to mess around with but boy was I wrong. The one FM input with the two independantly controlled sections is really smart in design. Having two a-al the brewster mod would only make the module more powerful but I cannot sacrifice the space to do it. Overall, I love the 480 and find it a very nice addition to the MOTM collection of filters.
In comparison to the 485, the grunge-factor is missing. It has a much smoother character and really does make for good brass sounds with the right patch. Highly recommended. If you want some serious glitchy filter behavior, go for the 485. Super quirky and really puts out some 303-type sounds if you are looking for those.
Way to go Crow and Paul, thanks for bringing both of these filters to market!

kheck73@... wrote:
In a message dated 7/3/2006 11:18:24 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, synth1@... writes:
I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
I bet the DP 10-2-4 is the original formula from that place in Texas that still uses pure cane sugar ;).
I'm curious how the 480 (CS-80) filter sounds compared to a pair of 485's (GX-1 filter). Also, how does a single 485 sound compared to a half of the 480? There are no 485 demo's up, and I'm trying to make a decision. I'm not looking for an opinion of the sound, just how they differ in timbre, response, etc.
Thanks, -Karl.



Thomas White

Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

Kit alternatives

2006-07-04 by thomas white

Hi Stephen,
As for kits, you can buy bare PCB's and front panels from Paul still after some of the modules are no longer available. This is a bit more DIY but the whole kit-building process will be there for you.
You mention Blacet, but do not forget Oakley (coming back soon) and Ken Stone's Cat Girl Modules. Both of these manufacturers make some very fine compliments to the MOTM line. I will also miss the kits, but since I have my own master plan almost completed I will make adjustments as needed going forward. Cheers!
Thomas

Stephen Drake <makeme1witheverything@...> wrote:
Most of this is fine and dandy, and I'm sure it'll all be for the good
in the long run. However, I'm severely pissed that kits are being
discontinued. I've thoroughly enjoyed building them, and take a
certain pride in that every single module in my modular was built by
me. However, I can live with it, and adapt. I currently have a modular
synth master plan that's mostly completed - I can probably buy the
remaining kits for phase one of my plan before they are all gone. And
the master plan included several modules that couldn't be had in kit
form anyway, so there's no big voodoo being violated in that regards.
So look for my 700 order soon, and hopefully my next two 300 orders
won't take so long this time!

And blacet will have to fill my need to solder things after all the
smoke has cleared.

P.S. it's too bad the sale on kits is so short - maybe you should
extend it, as you're discontinuing them anyway? Or not...

On 7/3/06, Paul Schreiber <synth1@airmail. net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Please read the following announcement:
>
> http://www.synthtec h.com/motm_ plan.html
>
> I'm sure there are many comments and questions. I have Dr. Pepper chilled
> and a
> big bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, ready for an interesting day.
>
> Paul S.

--
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Stephen Drake
sduck409@comcast. net
makeme1witheverythi ng@gmail. com



Thomas White

Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.

Re: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-04 by mcb, inc.

On Mon, 3 Jul 2006, Paul Schreiber wrote:

>>
>> Thanks Paul, Paul H. Jeurgen, Scott, unnamed FPGA programmer.
>>
>
> His name is Eric :)

Does he have a license?

--
Monty Brandenberg

RE: [motm] **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-04 by Greg James

OK, so by my reckoning, what's going to happen the following hinted-at future modules:
130 Dual VCA w/Pan & Fade
4xx SEM VCF w/Morphing Output
4xx ARP 2600 VCF
430 Variable Slope High-Pass VCF
450 Fixed Filter Bank
460 Bi-Phase Clone
8xx Triple Pre-Amp
8xx Envelope Follower/Compressor
Are all of these still in the works but now SMT, or are they DOA? The Audio Engine stuff
sounds interesting, but call me a purist - I was looking forward to these analog modules,
not the least reason is because of the MOTM-quality analog sound. It blows everything
else away. I really hope we don't loose these too.
For what it's worth, I'd really like to have the Dual VCA and the Pre-Amp. I recall Paul
saying they're simple to put together, but they don't make enough money. The problem
is, when you've spent $$$ on a fabulous modular with gobs of elegant modules, missing
some of the "simple" stuff starts to stick out like a sore thumb. I'm reminded of the recent
thread on AH about a certain other modular's lack of an LFO. And now with Stooge
Industries shuttering, DIY'ing our own fill-ins has become MUCH more challenging,
especially if you want to match the MOTM's panels.
Greg

Re: **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-04 by Todd Fletcher

Paul,
Any thoughts of doing PCB and or Panel only for the discontinued stuff?
Have you ever thought about offering custom panels, like the Stooges?
Thanks,
Todd

Re: [motm] Kit alternatives

2006-07-04 by Stephen Drake

On 7/3/06, thomas white <djthomaswhite@...> wrote:
≈> Hi Stephen,
>
> As for kits, you can buy bare PCB's and front panels from Paul still after
> some of the modules are no longer available. This is a bit more DIY but the
> whole kit-building process will be there for you.

Do you know for sure that Paul will be making this option available? I
haven't seen any mention from him about it. Would be nice if it were
true...

>
> You mention Blacet, but do not forget Oakley (coming back soon) and Ken
> Stone's Cat Girl Modules. Both of these manufacturers make some very fine
> compliments to the MOTM line. I will also miss the kits, but since I have my
> own master plan almost completed I will make adjustments as needed going
> forward. Cheers!
>

Absolutely! I've almost bought several cgs pcbs (I love jargon) on
several occasions - usually I'm too busy with other stuff, but in the
future it's going to be hard to say no. I've spent the last year
putting together a milton kit (very slowly!) and after that
experience, nothing really scares me. Thanks for your advice!

------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen Drake
sduck409@...
makeme1witheverything@...

Save the 820!

2006-07-04 by Mark

While I don't have a 510 (and I wish I could hear better demos
demonstrating its usefulness), and I have a 700 I barely ever use,
discontinuing the MOTM-820 seems like a huge mistake.

I agree that most people probably buy only one 820. However, most
people buy only one 101, one 410, one 650, etc., as well.

The MOTM-820 is the best module Synthesis Technology has ever
produced. Yes, the function of LED has a slight flaw when using a
voltage to control the bypass jack, but other than that it is an
absolutely brilliant design. It is an incredibly useful module. It
allows for musical portmanteau that is impossible with any other
analogue synthesizer manufactured today. Afaik, its features are
unavailable on any digital or software synth, and the only synth that
could possibly imitate its sound is the Emu modular, which is quite
rare and extremely expensive.

Not only can it produce beautiful portmanteau, it can also process
LFO's, gates, triggers, envelopes, and even audio, in ways that are
both practical and utterly unique.

Furthermore, a lag processor is a meat and potatoes module. Any
decent modular should have a lag processor. Sure, the 820 goes way
above and beyond that, but it covers all of the basic functioning of
a regular lag processor just the same. Without the 820, MOTM will be
much less competitive with modular synths available from other
manufacturers. It will go from having one of the most powerful
features available on any synthesizer ever produced, to not having a
basic function available on the crappiest of cheap keyboards.

Imho, anyone who uses CV synths, even if they do not have a modular,
should get an MOTM-820. It's that good.


~~~

However, as in any business, there are some modules that recently
have been in decline. It's not that they are a bad design, or the
pricing is too high. It's just that most people need only 1
module per system, there are many other alternatives, or the
function is not that popular. Therefore, I am going to build one more
batch of kits, set aside a certain number for assembled modules
(reserving pc boards and front panels) and when these modules are
sold out, they will not be restocked.

The following modules will be discontinued when stocks are sold out:
MOTM-120 Suboctave Mux
MOTM-380 Quad LFO
MOTM-510 WaveWarper
MOTM-700 Dual 2:1 Mux
MOTM-820 VC Lag
MOTM-850 Pedal Interface
MOTM-890 MicroMixer

The MOTM-510 WaveWarper will be offered in Frac Rack later this year.

Re: **Very Important MOTM Announcement**

2006-07-05 by Charles McQuillan

I am shocked-SHOCKED! that kits are being phased out in favor of SMT and Xilinx do-
hickeys. First, Macs are running Windoze and now this. Can't you see my world is falling
apart?

Seriously though, this was bound to happen, considering the dual hassles of parts bagging
and now, RoHS. Paul's kit instructions were the best I've seen since the days of Heathkit,
with added bits of wry humor, something missing in most tech documents. But I have
enough Blacet-to MOTM conversions and Scott Juskik projects to finish so as to keep my
solder jones in check. For now.

(I just finished reading "Analog Days", by Trevor Pinch, and learned that certain Moog
modules were originally available as kits for a time. Hmm.)

The "AudioEngine" card concept has far reaching implications. A multi-voice Miniwave-
type VCO would rule! Well, while perusing the module s**t list, it occured to me that all
these discontinued module functions could/will be recreated in software on a FPGA chip,
behind a MOTM panel. I wonder if we won't see a "MOTM experimenter's board for people
who BYOP (Bring You Own Panel/Programming)". DIY will live on...

Finally, I savor the irony of seeing MOTM go FracRac while Blacet, Tony K. and Cynthia
offer MOTM format options. Paul S. and the MOTMers have forced the market to pay
attention to the Large Panel, not a small achievement, given the cliquish nature of synth
fans. Paul, you keep doing what you're doing.

MOTM-it's not just a job, it's an adventure.
Chuck