I always seem to be behind on e-mail. But I have to point out some things
others haven't.
Adam Schabtach writes:
>>I'm guessing that the problem is that there isn't a consensus about which
modules are "absolutely necessary"-- I posted a message in support of the
700, someone else posted an impassioned vote for the 820, and you submit
that everyone should have two 850s. I have a 38-module system; I very rarely
use my one 820 and I don't have an 850 at all because it's never looked
useful to me. "Different strokes..."<<
It's not all a matter of "different strokes". There are necessary modules.
Virtually all modular synths have lag processor modules and nearly all
prewired synths do too in the form of portamento. No other modular synths
have a 700, 510, nor in most cases a 120, and people have been using those
synths fine for decades. For MOTM to discontinue a necessary module because
it isn't selling a fast as others creates a hole in the product line. There
isn't another module that can replace the 820. A holes in the product line
discourages people from buying into MOTM in the first place. I was
reluctant to commit to MOTM when they didn't have mixer module (one of those
necessary modules), but did only because I was told it was coming soon.
Modcan lost me as a customer based on the lack of a decent mixer module. Of
course those specialized low sales volume modules like the 700 can also
attract people into becoming MOTM customers and buying other things. Note
that the great 101 module has a built in lag proc to smooth out noise,
perhaps taking some sales away from the 820.
Discontinuing the 850 is also depressing. I have two of them. Problem is
people are buying music gear these days but they don't know how to play it.
If they can't play a keyboard, the pedal is yet one more step removed. It's
a sad state of affairs. Without a pedal interface, then most people in the
future will have to go through MIDI for that function (if they have a Midi
keyboard and CV converter box). But that causes bad zipper noise and needs
the 820 lag to smooth out. But that's being dropped, so you can see how one
thing affects another. With Larry Hendry's breath control mod, the pedal
interface becomes a breath controller interface too. Too bad MOTM doesn't
offer that little add on. The more functions the 850 does, the more people
to buy it.
Without a lag processor and pedal interface, soon the mighty motm won't be
able to do when some of the cheapest little synths can. That just doesn't
look good for motm.
>>It's a pretty simple aspect of running business: if you have a product
that doesn't sell well, you stop selling it<<
Paul S. has always called motm a hobby. Now it's a business? It seems to
change based on what best fits the current situation. A while back Paul
seemed to indicate that kits might be shipped with most of the components
machine stuffed. That would solve the problem of bagging a half million
resistors. I'm surprised I haven't heard that mentioned. I myself didn't
buy motm because I wanted to build kits. That gets tired real fast. But
kits helped keep the price somewhat reasonable. With all the price
increases since then and now the dropping of the kits, that's like another
giant price increase for many people. I can't see how that won't affect
sales in a negative way. Unless that 94% kit to 6% assembled customer base
has flipped a complete 180.
Paul S. writes:
>>The orders for kits are in *severe decline* and I think the main reason is
most MOTM users have all the "regular" modules they need and want cool new
stuff.<<
Possibly. But modules like the 700, 850, 510, etc, are cool new stuff for
new customers. With those being discontinued, I'm confused as to why
another similar specialty module that will also be discontinued, the 730
pulse divider, is planned. If I were new and looking at motm now, those
older modules look far more interesting and cool than a pulse divider. I
don't even know why I'd want to divide pulses, but I could wire up a 30 cent
flip-flop chip to do it if I needed to.
-Elhardt