MOTM

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.

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.
>

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.
>
> __._,_.

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

His name is Eric :)

Paul S.

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.
>

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.
>
>  
>

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

>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.

> 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

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.

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@...

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.
> 
> 


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com

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.
>

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.
>
>
>

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

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

On 7/3/06, thomas white <djthomaswhite@yahoo.com> 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@comcast.net
makeme1witheverything@gmail.com

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.

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