MOTM

Time for a little update.

1) VCO panels are at the painters. They will arrive in about 1 week.
However,
that is not the pacing item: the final pcb layout is. Unfortunaetly, this
hasn't begun
due to my other *two* jobs, one of which has taken 95% of BW for the last 10
days.

However, next week I will be able to give 100% to MOTM so there will be some
catching up.

Doing final tweaks of VCO over the weekend: still looking great. But I'm a
maniac.

2) Will get the MS-20 breadboard early next week as well. Probably 10 days
after the VCO goes
to the pcb shop, so will the MS-20 filter (remember, it's really 1/2 of
what's in a MS-20, which we all
know has 2 filters in it). I received the National LM13600ANs today, so all
I need are the 100K log pots
to arrive from England (in about 2 weeks). I will send the front panel out
for fab around April 8th.

3) Work is proceeding on the PS-3100 filter. Note that this will be right
behind the VCO in terms
of complexity (mainly, number of parts and front panel connections). No
price yet, but kit around $180.

Here are some tidbits:

a) 2 VC LFOs with VC depth control
b) 3 sweep modes (same as MAM filter)
c)  very slow LFOs: like 1 cycle in 5 minutes

If you want the Pro2000 for $419 I need to know by Monday.

That's all for now, stay tuned.

Paul S.

Thanks for the update Paul.  After hearing Tony Clarks PS-3100, I am really
looking forward to that filter.  It is different than any I have heard
before.  Less harsh I think is a good way to describe it I guess.

What's the scoop on the Moog ladder filter?  Has it moved back past the two
Korg filters in order of availability?  And, given the info below
concerning VCOs, what is the estimated ship date now?

Thanks,
Larry Hendry

----------
> From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
> To: MOTM listserv <motm@onelist.com>
> Subject: [motm] Update
> Date: Wednesday, March 24, 1999 10:32 PM
> 
> From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
> 
> Time for a little update.
> 
> 1) VCO panels are at the painters. They will arrive in about 1 week.
> However,
> that is not the pacing item: the final pcb layout is. Unfortunaetly, this
> hasn't begun
> due to my other *two* jobs, one of which has taken 95% of BW for the last
10
> days.
> 
> However, next week I will be able to give 100% to MOTM so there will be
some
> catching up.
> 
> Doing final tweaks of VCO over the weekend: still looking great. But I'm
a
> maniac.
> 
> 2) Will get the MS-20 breadboard early next week as well. Probably 10
days
> after the VCO goes
> to the pcb shop, so will the MS-20 filter (remember, it's really 1/2 of
> what's in a MS-20, which we all
> know has 2 filters in it). I received the National LM13600ANs today, so
all
> I need are the 100K log pots
> to arrive from England (in about 2 weeks). I will send the front panel
out

> for fab around April 8th.
> 
> 3) Work is proceeding on the PS-3100 filter. Note that this will be right
> behind the VCO in terms
> of complexity (mainly, number of parts and front panel connections). No
> price yet, but kit around $180.
> 
> Here are some tidbits:
> 
> a) 2 VC LFOs with VC depth control
> b) 3 sweep modes (same as MAM filter)
> c)  very slow LFOs: like 1 cycle in 5 minutes
> 
> If you want the Pro2000 for $419 I need to know by Monday.
> 
> That's all for now, stay tuned.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Start a new hobby. Meet a new friend.
> http://www.onelist.com
> Onelist:  The leading provider of free email list services

This is what I have left:

1 - 700 VCS
2 - 120 Sub Oct
1 - Noise / S & H

First $350 takes them.  

Steve

Just a quick update:

Once again (and I'm not *complaining*) the backlog of modules is hovering
around 60! I am
finishing up orders for assembled modules, as some poor souls have been
waiting a *long*
time for them.

My goal is to flush the backlog by May 1. I will ship kits as they become
available. Right now,
MOTM-300 VCO kits will probably be the last shipped (I have 1 left and it's
spoken for). I am
kitting up '800s tomorrow and '110s Monday of next week.

I am guessing that one of the next 20 modules ordered will push the total
over 1000! Which to me
is a mind-boggling thing. A special thanks to JH in Germany for allowing the
use of his great designs
for MOTM. And you ain't seen nothin' yet! :)

As fair warning: there will be a scheduled slow-down in MOTM activity the
month of  May. But the
remainder of the year looks like 10-12 *more modules*.

The MOTM-101 will go to pcb fab on May 5th. I expect it to ship around the
25th.

Thanks again to everyone: as always MOTM customers are my best sales force!

Paul S.

Well, what an interesting week!

I struggled mightily to reduce assembled backlog, shipping 12 assembled unit
out by Friday.
The overall backlog dipped to around 24, and I was feeling great. Then,
something awful happened!

That right, more orders! The phone rang, the fax purred, email twisting
throught the ether.
When the electrons settled, the backlog had shot up like a dot.comm IPO with
a P/E of 400.

But all is not lost! As chainsaws ripped large portions of my roof off to
install 13.5 tons of AC,
a mysterious bearded man with a faded ARP OMNI tee shirt appeard with a
burlap sack. Inside
were MOTM-300 VCO kits! Ready to ship!

So, all you solder-lovers with VCO kits on order will have them show up next
week! The backlog
heads down once again!

Paul S.

Hi Paul n All !

>install 13.5 tons of AC

AC as in Air Conditioning ?  I know that cold slows chemical 
processes, but it does NOT slow down time ;-)

Cheers, i bet you'll always have cool beer from now on ;^)

Also, it gives a new twist to : "The Coolest Modular ...


Keep 'em oscillating :)


Hugo 
=

I have had a small break in the action in non-MOTM work. So, I have been
kitting up just
about everything. By Monday, I suspect I'll have stock of every kit ready to
purge the
*entire* kit backlog by the middle of next week.

There is one irritant: I have jury duty Mon AM. 9/10 times I'm not picked,
but you never know!

Flat rails: the machine shop has agreed to start on Tuesday of next week on
a pair of samples. This
way I can be 100% sure before I order 100 of them! I know many are waiting,
but don't vote me off the island yet!

Backlog of assembled modules should start shipping next Thursday (week from
tomorrow).

I ordered most of the parts today for the Voltage-Controlled Pulse Divider.
Uses dual PIC uPs, and has
a 3-digit LED display. This is 100% working in the lab, but I need to ponder
the mechanicals. I will
probably do the '101 first, though.

Anybody got their synth.com sequencer or keyboard yet? :)

Paul S.

>There is one irritant: I have jury duty Mon AM. 9/10 times I'm not picked,
>but you never know!

I suggest taking a paperback copy of Helter Skelter along with
a highlighter.  Mumble to yourself and highlight various sections
of the book saying "this looks good" and "I just gotta try this".
That will get you out of jury duty, but may or may not get you
out of the psychiatric ward.

-Cary

In a message dated 00-07-06 08:48:37 EDT, you write:

<<  Helter Skelter  >>



cary,
i much prefer sanders "the family" on the same subject. guaranteed to make 
the "suits" nervous.
best,
dave v.

1) MOTM-830 Mixer pcbs arrived! Stuffing one now. Should ship last week of
April. Pretty quick, easy
kit.

2) Tomorrow (Sat) is last shipping day until April 17th. This is due to
vacation & taxes due. Again, I will
honestly try to ship as much as I can. This week alone, I shipped 48 modules
*so far*. My tomorrow, I will
ship about 10 more. But that means there are about 88 that won't get
shipped. So, please be patient, even if
you ordered a '101 a zillion years ago. Trust me, the order log sits right
here on my desk in plain view
every day. It speaks, it taunts, it whispers, "Many are those that are
pissed off."

3) On a +V note, it does look like the backlog is 100% gone by May 10th.
Which frees up R&D time.

Paul S.

Considering the sheer volume, that is amazing Paul.  It seems that the two
tech guys helping out with some assembly and part stuffing is really paying
off.  :)

Larry, who could not possibly be pissed as I am still 4 modules behind in
assembly (working on music for 2 weeks).

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
3) On a +V note, it does look like the backlog is
100% gone by May 10th. Which frees up R&D time.

Yes, I *am* alive, I do exist. Some of you will be getting stuff today &
tomorrow, even :)

a) The MOTM-830 Mixer panels just arrived. With larger holes for the blue
Bourns pots. No more
scraping!

I expect these to start shipping in about 10 days. I need to kit up 15 VCOs
first. That's about 4,000 parts.
The '830 is about 1/2 of that. The Mixer *is a subscription item*.

b) I plan to ship 99.9% of outstanding kit orders by next week. The only
hold-up will be MOTM-19As and VCOs
(initially). If you have a VCO on order, that's about 1 week from now. About
60% of these orders are shipping
by Tuesday. Vacation + Easter + taxes, all in a row, wore me out. But I am
steadily getting the assembled
backlog reduced, slowly but surely.

Paul S.

Thanks to everyone for the emails about my father-in-law's death last week.

1) Falling somewhat behind (again) <still, per Moe>. Will be able to ship
some tomorrow and Friday. Then,
not much until next Thursday (big US holiday this weekend + Monday then
legal stuff for in-laws).

2) The last '101 orders will ship this week for kits. The last of the
assembled '101s are in process now.

3) After the holidays, we will concentrate soley on the '830 mixer orders
(kit and assembled). If I am
living right, the 148 log pots will hit the dock next week so there will be
no disruption of "flow" with
the modules that use this (I'm running on fumes). I'm overstocking pots due
to the lead times going
out towards infinity. Should have plenty to last until Oct.

4) Still running at 1000 modules for the year shipped. As of today, have
shipped 489. ((Then where the
hell is *mine*, you ask)). The total current backlog is about 130 (gulp!).

5) Even though I beat them daily, the techs goof up. So if you have kit
parts issues, let me know. New
kit tech Angie will start next week. She makes straight A's at Oxford:
hopefully she can count as well :)

Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology

1) Shipped module #2300 today! That makes 120 modules shipped *this month*.
There are only 5 kit orders
left, then I'm all caught up! Let's not talk about assembeld :)

2) Try to catch "Rugrats: All Grown Up" on cable. MOTM user Roy Harter did
over 20 pieces of music for it!

3) The next module..................MOTM-130 Dual VCA! When??!? I have no
idea. At the rate things are going,
end of Sept. is a good guess.

4) Look for an announcement of a new 'MOTM-compatible module' coming out
soon. I hope to hear a demo
of it soon.

5) I also hope to have my Mac app translated into physical hardware in about
10 days. Analog Devices, which
makes a critical chip for the design, has assured me it won't kill it or
jack the price up 60% (IT IS A $30 CHIP!).

If the concept proves MOTM-worthy, then this will be the next module after
the '130. What is it?  Errrrr......let's
call it a "Timbre Modulator" for now :)  I may have to use a rotary switch,
which I *do not like*, but there's no way
around it. Grrrrr.........

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>

> 3) The next module..................MOTM-130 Dual VCA! When??!? I have no
> idea. At the rate things are going,
> end of Sept. is a good guess.

normally i'd be quietly steaming about this, but my loyalty point modules
just came through (as did my miniwave), and as i could well be medically
addicted to motm, it would be good to lay off for a while (ie the cabinets
are no longer in a state of flux, and synthesis does actually occur)

> 4) Look for an announcement of a new 'MOTM-compatible module' coming out
> soon. I hope to hear a demo
> of it soon.

hints, ideas anyone..? circular sequencers even..?

> 5) I also hope to have my Mac app translated into physical hardware in
about
> 10 days. Analog Devices, which
> makes a critical chip for the design, has assured me it won't kill it or
> jack the price up 60% (IT IS A $30 CHIP!).
>
> If the concept proves MOTM-worthy, then this will be the next module after
> the '130. What is it?  Errrrr......let's
> call it a "Timbre Modulator" for now :)  I may have to use a rotary
switch,
> which I *do not like*, but there's no way
> around it. Grrrrr.........

well it could be a motm wavetable thingy, but surely not..?
pic vocoder..?
thinly veiled threat of a sequencer..?
motm amp-farm bootleg..?

cheers
paul b

Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:


> 1) Shipped module #2300 today! That makes 120 modules shipped *this
month*.
> There are only 5 kit orders
> left, then I'm all caught up! Let's not talk about assembeld :)

Congrats!  I guess mine is one of the 5 :(

> 4) Look for an announcement of a new 'MOTM-compatible module' coming out
> soon. I hope to hear a demo of it soon.

Would this have been "driven" by a certain Robert Rich album?  Or this is
the circular sequencer we got spammed with last week?

> 5) I also hope to have my Mac app translated into physical hardware in
about
> 10 days. Analog Devices, which
> makes a critical chip for the design, has assured me it won't kill it or
> jack the price up 60% (IT IS A $30 CHIP!).
>
> If the concept proves MOTM-worthy, then this will be the next module after
> the '130. What is it?  Errrrr......let's
> call it a "Timbre Modulator" for now :)  I may have to use a rotary
switch,
> which I *do not like*, but there's no way
> around it. Grrrrr.........

A rotary, eh?  I'll bet it's the pulse divider!

George

>
> 5) I also hope to have my Mac app translated into physical hardware in
about
> 10 days. Analog Devices, which
> makes a critical chip for the design, has assured me it won't kill it or
> jack the price up 60% (IT IS A $30 CHIP!).
>
> If the concept proves MOTM-worthy, then this will be the next module after
> the '130. What is it?  Errrrr......let's
> call it a "Timbre Modulator" for now :)  I may have to use a rotary
switch,
> which I *do not like*, but there's no way
> around it. Grrrrr.........
>

So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help making the
following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, just for
fun:

1.  Pitch Shifter using AD SamplePort (TM) Sample Rate Converter - These
chips can upshift and downshift sample rates through digital interpolation
and decimation.  Add a 1 volt per octave interface and you could have
exactly
tracking doubled oscillators.  Put in 3, get 6 out!  You could add them
after your filter or VCA and virtually duplicate the entire voice, though
envelopes and fixed formants would have chipmunking effects.  The AD1890
comes in a DIP package and shifts in ranges from 1:2 to 2:1.  The higher
performance AD1896 comes in a surface mount SSOP package but can
shift by 1:8 or 7.75:1.

Note that I'm pulling your leg here.  This WON'T WORK, at least not without
some extensive digital post processing  - I'll give y'all three guesses why.

2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or stupid idea
in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer module in an
analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem is, these
DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not exactly
DIY.

3.  Pseudo Analog Shift Register - Uses AD5533 or AD5532 32 channel infinite
sample and hold.  Multiplex the 32 outputs and you've got analog shift
registers
galore and/or an arpeggiator.  Unfortunately, these only come in BGA
packages and also break the $30 price range.

4.  Analog Multiplier/Divider/Exponentiator - Uses AD538 Analog computation
unit to take you beyond ring modulation.

5.  Numerically Controlled Oscillator - AD7008 - Digital phase accumulator
oscillator with sine and cosine lookup tables and 10 bit D/A output.  This
would be pointless, I admit, just buy another MOTM-300 instead and get some
analog warmth.

John Loffink
microtonal@...

Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, because 
I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy 
circumstantial evidence, to be sure...

Moe

>>>>>
So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help making 
the
following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, just 
for
fun:

2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or stupid 
idea
in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer module 
in an
analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem is, 
these
DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not exactly
DIY.
>>>>>

May I ask, what Csound is ?
Jim

mate_stubb@... wrote:

> 
> Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, because
> I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy
> circumstantial evidence, to be sure...
> 
> Moe
> 
> >>>>>
> So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help making
> the
> following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, just
> for
> fun:
> 
> 2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or stupid
> idea
> in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer module
> in an
> analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
> Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem is,
> these
> DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not exactly
> DIY.
> >>>>>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Well, Carter Scholz is fairly well known for his computer compositions...

John Loffink
microtonal@...

----- Original Message -----

From: <mate_stubb@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update


> Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, because
> I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy
> circumstantial evidence, to be sure...
>
> Moe
>
> >>>>>
> So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help making
> the
> following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, just
> for
> fun:
>
> 2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or stupid
> idea
> in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer module
> in an
> analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
> Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem is,
> these
> DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not exactly
> DIY.
> >>>>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

CSOUND is the best known and most widely supported programming language for
sound synthesis and composition.  It started in the universities and has
moved out to personal PCs with the greater processing power we have these
days.  You can find it for almost any platform, UNIX, MS-DOS, Windows,
MacOS, Linux, etc.  A book on CSound was recently released, and utilization
seems to be growing, even some GUI front ends are available.  You can get
more information from the following link:
http://mitpress.mit.edu/e-books/csound/frontpage.html .

John Loffink
microtonal@...


----- Original Message -----
From: <moog@...>
To: <mate_stubb@...>
Cc: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update


> May I ask, what Csound is ?
> Jim
>
> mate_stubb@... wrote:
> >
> > Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, because
> > I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy
> > circumstantial evidence, to be sure...
> >
> > Moe
> >
> > >>>>>
> > So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help making
> > the
> > following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, just
> > for
> > fun:
> >
> > 2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or stupid
> > idea
> > in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer module
> > in an
> > analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
> > Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem is,
> > these
> > DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not exactly
> > DIY.
> > >>>>>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

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

Oh please let it be #2!  I've done a *lot* of CSOUND programming and 
I love it.  To be able to combine that with the MOTM would be, well, 
spectacular!  Imagine granular textures with MOTM leads and snorts 
over it...

But I think it will be closer to #4.

Mike

--- In motm@y..., mate_stubb@y... wrote:
> Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, 
because 
> I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy 
> circumstantial evidence, to be sure...
> 
> Moe
> 
> >>>>>
> So, after perusing the latest Analog Devices ICs, I can't help 
making 
> the
> following conjectures for the Schreiber/Rich/Scholz MOTM module, 
just 
> for
> fun:
> 
> 2.  CSOUND Module - This would be either the most brilliant or 
stupid 
> idea
> in analog modular history.  A programmable digital synthesizer 
module 
> in an
> analog module package.  Uses AD Extended CSOUND and SHARC DSP.
> Could be a fixed algorithm, or let you program your own.  Problem 
is, 
> these
> DSP chips only come in QFP or BGA surface mount packages, not 
exactly
> DIY.
> >>>>>

Csound is a prgramming language for music and sound synthesis.  It's 
available on most any platform and it's free.  Whatever you do, if 
you get into it, buy Rick Boulanger's book.  An absolute treasure 
even if you're not all that into Csound.

http://www.csound.org/

Mike

--- In motm@y..., moog@b... wrote:
> May I ask, what Csound is ?
> Jim
> 
> mate_stubb@y... wrote:
> > 
> > Good detective work! My vote for most likely scenario is #2, 
because

> > I heard Paul mention a CSound module a couple of years ago. Flimsy
> > circumstantial evidence, to be sure...
> > 
> > Moe
> >

Since it's cooled to 98F at 11PM, I can stop sweating long enought for an
update.

1) Except for recent orders, the kit backlog is ZERO! Unless you ordered
something and it's lost on the hard drive.
So, if you think I owe you any KITS, please email privately.

2) MOTM sales continue to thrive. As of today, the 2001 shipments are equal
to ALL of 2000 shipments! The main
factor was Robert's review in Electronic Musician. And word of mouth, and
the nice demo files (if you haven't heard
Ken's jaw-dropping brass demos, download immediately!!!)

The last 3 weeks were concentrated on kits. Since July 5th, we shipped 188
kits. Thats pretty mind-boggling. I
went through 32 cubic feet of peanuts! In fact on Monday I have to stock up.

Angie is making up 15 VCO kits this week. After Monday, the only kits low in
stock (say <5) are the '440 and '101.
All others I have >12 kits. Angie leaves us next Friday to go back to
school. That leaves JUST ME (sniff sniff).

Starting Monday, I'm concentrating on reducing the assembled backlog. I only
have stuffed pcbs (from Shane's
tenure) for about 70% of the orders. Then, I have to be the tech (I'm good
but slow). Those of you with assembled
orders will need to tough it out while I solder away. The first 70% will
take me about 2 weeks to ship. The remaining
30 with take about 4 weeks after that to ship. Remember, I have a 'real' job
and I fit MOTM in the gaps. The last 3
weeks I was on vacation, so I was 100%. That ends Monday :(

I am not going to start on the '130 Dual VCA until I ship 70% of the
assembled backlog. Time to patch and play :)

I can ship kits now within 48 hours. So, that is SOME good news.

Well, that's all for now. Thanks again to everyone, thanks to Angie for
kitting over 180 modules by herself.

Paul S.

Thanks Angie! I got a box with 5 kits in it today HOORAY FOR MOTM!!! Now I 
have stuff to do while waiting for the dual VCA. Congrats on the sales Paul, 
you know we all love ya for the modules and sweating after 10pm! Having 
simply happy customers is a passing fancy for you, we are more like addicted 
customers HA!

Thomas White

PS. Thanks also for the free CD Paul! Why does 5 kits in hand feel like a 
million bucks?


>From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
>To: "MOTM listserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: [motm] Update
>Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001 23:25:29 -0500
>
>Since it's cooled to 98F at 11PM, I can stop sweating long enought for an
>update.
>
>1) Except for recent orders, the kit backlog is ZERO! Unless you ordered
>something and it's lost on the hard drive.
>So, if you think I owe you any KITS, please email privately.
>
>2) MOTM sales continue to thrive. As of today, the 2001 shipments are equal
>to ALL of 2000 shipments! The main
>factor was Robert's review in Electronic Musician. And word of mouth, and
>the nice demo files (if you haven't heard
>Ken's jaw-dropping brass demos, download immediately!!!)
>
>The last 3 weeks were concentrated on kits. Since July 5th, we shipped 188
>kits. Thats pretty mind-boggling. I
>went through 32 cubic feet of peanuts! In fact on Monday I have to stock 
>up.
>
>Angie is making up 15 VCO kits this week. After Monday, the only kits low 
>in
>stock (say <5) are the '440 and '101.
>All others I have >12 kits. Angie leaves us next Friday to go back to
>school. That leaves JUST ME (sniff sniff).
>
>Starting Monday, I'm concentrating on reducing the assembled backlog. I 
>only
>have stuffed pcbs (from Shane's
>tenure) for about 70% of the orders. Then, I have to be the tech (I'm good
>but slow). Those of you with assembled
>orders will need to tough it out while I solder away. The first 70% will
>take me about 2 weeks to ship. The remaining
>30 with take about 4 weeks after that to ship. Remember, I have a 'real' 
>job
>and I fit MOTM in the gaps. The last 3
>weeks I was on vacation, so I was 100%. That ends Monday :(
>
>I am not going to start on the '130 Dual VCA until I ship 70% of the
>assembled backlog. Time to patch and play :)
>
>I can ship kits now within 48 hours. So, that is SOME good news.
>
>Well, that's all for now. Thanks again to everyone, thanks to Angie for
>kitting over 180 modules by herself.
>
>Paul S.
>
>
>
>


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

1) Preliminay pcb layout finished for MOTM-850 Pedal Interface. It can also
convert GATE to S-Trig for
Moog weenies :)

Will probably announce it for sale next week. PLEASE DO NOT "order" via
informal email PLEASE use the order form
or call me or Fax it in or send via snail mail 'wife stealth' mode (you know
who you are!). I will update the form
over the weekend.

Price is $99/$159. This IS a subscription module.

I expect shipments starting Oct. 18th. Depends on sheet metal (they are a
little pokey right now) and time
(at least it doesn't have 90 resistors).

Thanks to Stooge Tech 3rd Class Larry for the testing/breadboarding. Did I
mention it has a LED??!?

2) Despite my best efforts, MOTM continues to sell. The assembled backlog is
now 82 modules. I am getting
some help in soldering, and trying to get more. Out of '101 kits, will set
aside time next week to make some up
(a 'break' from soldering...grrrr....). After the '850 is rolling, will
start the '130 Dual VCA pcb layout. I'm trying
a new approach, using a 'quick turn' pcb service instead of point-to-point
wiring. I'm pretty fast laying
out the board once the parts are placed and the netlist is correct (this is
80% of the total time budget).

3) Check out Jim Aiken's column in Nov. issue of Keyboard :)

4) I am getting worried about 'NAMM compression' for time. Although I have 6
new modules in various states
(BTW: the MOTM-480 is a CS-80 filter) we will see what gets done in the next
3 months. First, the 82 assembled modules need to be shipped. That's only
fair to the people waiting. My goal is to have as many PROTOTYPES
working at NAMM. If this new pcb service works out, then once I come back
it's a matter of kitting up/writing
the manual/sheet metal. If the designs and pcbs are done by NAMM, then a
MOTM flood will happen.

Yawn. Time for bed. Soldered 8 '800s yesterday/today, started 6 '420s and
finishing up 7 '320s.

Paul S.

As I type this (10PM Texas Time), the outlook for mail going out of my area
has not improved. All US and Fed-Ex
shipments are by truck. I don't expect this to change for some time. If the
US 'goes to war' or even lobs
Tomahawks at some dirt, things will get worse, not better. It would not
surprise be at all if the internal USPS
'Priority Mail' becomes a thing of the past. It would not surprise me if Air
Mail to Europe TRIPLES in price.

It is hard for me to do much work. Many MOTM users are in that area. I do
not think any have been injured. But,
it is most likely those people have lost someone.

It doesn't help that I am a news junkie, either :) I hardly EVER watch
'network TV' (I can't even tell you the last
time I sat through a TV show. It was probably 8 years ago). I can't seem
*not* to watch it (although the 'reruns' are
getting tiresome, and there is not much to tell on a continuous basis). I
saw the 2nd plane 'live' hit the tower. I
have gotten 6 hours of sleep since.

I am worried about a possible 'downward spiral' (to quote NIN) in the stock
market beginning Monday, and how it
will effect (affect?) semiconductor stocks, already battered. I am 'lucky'
that my holdings "are only half" of last
year's levels. A former company I worked for has seen their stock drop
(since last March) from $68 to 12 CENTS
and will be delisted. This is important, because  compensation in the US
semiconductor companies (which, if you didn't
know, I work for one in my 'real job') is almost ENTIRELY based on stock.
Profit from MOTM sales is only 20%
of my income. And. of course, I have increased inventory for these 80
modules and subsequent designs. There is
probably $35,000 worth of parts in my inventory.

I continue to work on the 80 assembled modules on order. I will finish the
MOTM-850 Pedal Interface pcb and
sheet metal early next week. On Sunday, you can place orders for it.

I will start shipping again next Friday the 21st. I will only ship 1 package
a day, to see how long they take to arrive.
I seee no point it having your long-anticipated modules rotting in a D/FW
airport terminal for weeks on end. Each
package will be chared an additional $1.50 for a tracking number, so I can
see the "progress" (cough cough).

If USPS shows to be unreliable, I will use Fed-Ex 'ground service' which is
like 3-4days inside the US. I will charge
accordingly.

I hope whatever action the military takes (and you can bet 100% there will
be one) will be short, non-disruptive.
Although the *rumor* now is that China will announce that it will allie with
Afghanistan. Great, WW3 :(

I am praying contantly all day, every day. I do NOT like the sounds of
fully-armed F16s flying over (3 times today).
I am used to them having training flights, but looking at 8 missles under
the wings is chilling. IF you didn't know, I
live exactly in between the D/FW airport (home of American Airlines, the
area's largest employer) and the former
General Dynamics F-16 factory (in Ft Worth, it's always called GD).

Please bear with me as I struggle and cope mentally and physically with the
sorrow and worry for my family and my
country.

Paul S.

Hi Paul,
It is understandable that you are so caught up in recent events - I think
most of us are.  While we take work (career) in the US very seriously
(maybe too seriously), we need to take time away from our "normal" lives
when something of this magnitude occurs.  Our emotional states are
important.

> It is hard for me to do much work. Many MOTM users are in that area. I do
> not think any have been injured. But,
> it is most likely those people have lost someone.
Likewise.  I personally know few people in NYC.  Those that I do I
anticipated to be ok since they work in mid- up-town NYC (turned out I
was correct - fortunately). But interesting to me (and noted by your
comment) was that I found that I needed to at least send several e-mails
to some list members, primarily on AH, that I know reside/work in NYC, to
see if they were ok.  I've never met these people, I've never talked to
them via phone, but have exchanged numerous e-mails on varied topics
(music, synths & personal), cd's, ... .  I am not much on going out and
socializing, so I found my 'need' to contact these few 'email neighbors'
to be quite a surprise.  Partly it may be I also needed some 'contact'
with the 'real event,' but I did have a genuine concern for them.

> 
> It doesn't help that I am a news junkie, either :) I hardly EVER watch
> 'network TV' (I can't even tell you the last
> saw the 2nd plane 'live' hit the tower. I
> have gotten 6 hours of sleep since.
At least you were on top of the events.  I didn't find out until 10:45am
CDT, as I teach 8-10:45am Tue & Thur, when  student explained to me why he
was late.  Since then I've felt somewhat 'guilty' that I proceeded on Tue.
am as if life was 'usual', although it is not logical.

> I am worried about a possible 'downward spiral' (to quote NIN) in the stock
> market beginning Monday, and how it
> will effect (affect?) semiconductor stocks, already battered. I am 'lucky'
I think this was part of the intent of the attack.  There is much we
cannot control, but if economics is as much human behavior and motivation
as anything else, I'm hoping that the outpouring of unity across much of
the world will also unite us to realize that our economies are one of the
best resources that we have.  I'm hoping that this unity will bolster our
'economic engine' as a whole.

> 
> I continue to work on the 80 assembled modules on order. I will finish the
> MOTM-850 Pedal Interface pcb and
> sheet metal early next week. On Sunday, you can place orders for it.
> 
Sounds great!

> If USPS shows to be unreliable, I will use Fed-Ex 'ground service' which is
> like 3-4days inside the US. I will charge
> accordingly.
Sounds like you have a good idea about 'testing out' shipping.  I cannot
speak for others, but I would encourage you to not 'worry' about shipping
times/costs to much.  I think most of us will buy kits/modules no matter
how long it takes for them to reach us, even at a little higher cost.
Admittedly, I write as someone in the USA, I hope that outside-USA motm
fans will be able to receive their packages in a reasonable time.  It is
like a mini-Christmas when I receive a motm module.


> 
> I hope whatever action the military takes (and you can bet 100% there will
> be one) will be short, non-disruptive.
> Although the *rumor* now is that China will announce that it will allie with
> Afghanistan. Great, WW3 :(
> 
I haven't heard this, but if true, complicates things a lot. We'll just
have to see. May be international unity will help temper our actions and
the actions of others that may not be as sympathetic to events as we are.

> Please bear with me as I struggle and cope mentally and physically with the
> sorrow and worry for my family and my
> country.
Sorry for the apparent babbling.  Just thought that (as I'm sure you
realize) there are others who share many of your impressions.  Hopefully
with unity, intelligence (no, not that "intelligence", although
necessary), perspecitve, and some luck we can address our needs,
personally, nationally and internationally , to come out with a safer,
more cohesive international community.  [Ok, ok, enough].

Jeff

UPS and USPS seem to be back to capacity.  I've received shipments in
the expected time from both today.

Scott

/**/

After reading Paul's Update I decided to send this to the motm list too.



Due to this weeks circumstances most of us have been flooded with violent
and negative energy.  Many of us who almost never watch TV stay glued to
CNN or Fox or the networks till bedtime.

Please don't forget to take the time to practice your regular sub-conscious
clearing and programming routine prior to sleep.  Whether it is meditation,
or reading of elevating texts, whatever, don't forget to do it.

No one should head off to sleep with deeply inlaid images of the jet
hitting the WTC, of calls to war, of shaken rescue workers, or of deeply
grieving friends and relatives.  Sleep will be fitful at best and the
chances of bad dreams much higher.

Take control over this Niagara and calm yourself.  Consciously place high
order imagery and transcendental thought trains into your night's thought
processes.  Divert the mind into, at minimum, neutrality.  Achieving and
keeping trans-personal states of being prior to sleep is even more
desirable.

These are trying times.  A bit of mental housecleaning each evening can
make things appear a bit more balanced and can bias one's daily responses
and actions toward the positive.

regards,
mitch

ps. one gentleman, a psych-nurse from Seattle, wrote me back and said he
has been reading the Piggly Wiggly books from his happy childhood in order
to calm his mind.
mb

1) The current kit backlog (not counting MOTM-850) is just about zero. I
expect every order to be shipped by
Tuesday.

2) MOTM-850s are on track to begin shipping Oct. 15th.

3) I have reduced the assembled backlog 25%, and will work hard over the
next 2 weeks to get it to less than
25 modules remaining.

4) The MOTM-310 uVCO layout will start next weekend, I need to run 2 quick
sanity tests first.

5) For those of you overseas waiting for your free cd, I expect to have all
remaining ones shipped by Friday.

6) Like many of you out there, I'm holding my breath, waiting for the other
shoe to fall (as Granny said). If the
economy continues to spiral downward, many of us (including yours truly) may
lose our jobs. I understand
MOTM is, for most of us, a 'luxury' item. Sales this year are (as of today)
within $100 of ALL of last year (with
a higher module count due to many power supplies sold). Going forward, who
can say? I will proceed with
caution. As a *minimum*, the '310 and '130 VCA will come out this year. I
hope to have 2 more, but let's see
what happens (hopefully, not much).

I don't plan in a large restocking of parts in the near future. I do have
1000 Bourns pots due in 2 batches. May
have to push out the 2nd order of 500 (since neither the '850 or '310 use
them). I have sheet metal across all
products to last for 6-8 weeks. What this means is that hopefully, I can
make money here at the end of the year.

7) Supplies of the '110 ARE dwindling. I'd say only about 16 are left
(kits/assembled). Unless I can get more CEM3330
chips, this is the end of the road (yes, I am holding some back for
repairs).

Lastly, a small thing to make you grin. I received a MOTM-440 filter that
was in a case with a miswired supply. The
case was shorted to the AC line. The '440 panel had 1 corner *completely
melted off*, and the back was white
with aluminum oxide (caused by a small *fire*). The MOTM-440 survived, and
tested out perfectly.

Paul S.

-----Original Message-----

From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 1:01 AM
To: MOTM listserv
Subject: [motm] Update

6) Like many of you out there, I'm holding my breath, waiting for the other
shoe to fall (as Granny said). If the
economy continues to spiral downward, many of us (including yours truly) may
lose our jobs. I understand
MOTM is, for most of us, a 'luxury' item. Sales this year are (as of today)
within $100 of ALL of last year (with
a higher module count due to many power supplies sold). Going forward, who
can say? I will proceed with
caution. As a *minimum*, the '310 and '130 VCA will come out this year. I
hope to have 2 more, but let's see
what happens (hopefully, not much).

------------------------------

I happily have become re-employed (after two months of sending out resumes)
and can't wait for early November when I will be able to continue my MOTM
fix where I will finally buy my first VCO (to accompany my EG, VCF, and VCA
to finally create a simple monophonic tone) along with an LFO and 440
Filter.

So please don't think about closing up shop anytime soon Paul!  I only have
three modules, and every time I look at them, they yell at me asking why I
haven't added any more.

-Bob

--- In motm@y..., "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> ... 
> 4) The MOTM-310 uVCO layout will start next weekend, I need to run 
2 quick
> sanity tests first.
> 

How did this go? I really want these! Two at least to begin with.

> 
> 6) Like many of you out there, I'm holding my breath, waiting for 
the other
> shoe to fall (as Granny said). If the
> economy continues to spiral downward, many of us (including yours 
truly) may
> lose our jobs. I understand
> MOTM is, for most of us, a 'luxury' item. Sales this year are (as 
of today)
> within $100 of ALL of last year (with
> a higher module count due to many power supplies sold). Going 
forward, who
> can say? I will proceed with
> caution. As a *minimum*, the '310 and '130 VCA will come out this 
year. I
> hope to have 2 more, but let's see
> what happens (hopefully, not much).

I'd love to see both the wave mangler and the SEM filter.  I would 
buy both.

> 
> I don't plan in a large restocking of parts in the near future. I 
do have
> 1000 Bourns pots due in 2 batches. May
> have to push out the 2nd order of 500 (since neither the '850 
or '310 use
> them). I have sheet metal across all
> products to last for 6-8 weeks. What this means is that hopefully, 
I can
> make money here at the end of the year.

Jeez, I hope this doesn't mean to imply that you're not making money 
now.

> 
> 7) Supplies of the '110 ARE dwindling. I'd say only about 16 are 
left
> (kits/assembled). Unless I can get more CEM3330
> chips, this is the end of the road (yes, I am holding some back for
> repairs).
>

I got my second one! 

> Lastly, a small thing to make you grin. I received a MOTM-440 
filter that
> was in a case with a miswired supply. The
> case was shorted to the AC line. The '440 panel had 1 corner 
*completely
> melted off*, and the back was white
> with aluminum oxide (caused by a small *fire*). The MOTM-440 
survived, and
> tested out perfectly.

I'm stunned. This is very encouraging to me personally, given my 
*skills* with electronics...

> 2) MOTM-850s are on track to begin shipping Oct. 15th.

This is great news.  I'm definitely looking forward to playing around with
this subscription module.

> 4) The MOTM-310 uVCO layout will start next weekend, I need to run 2 quick
> sanity tests first.

I hope it works out.  I'll definitely be looking for at least 2 of these.
I'm impressed - it sounds like you're making good progress in spite of
everything else that's going on.

> 6) Like many of you out there, I'm holding my breath, waiting for the
other
> shoe to fall (as Granny said). If the
> economy continues to spiral downward, many of us (including yours truly)
may
> lose our jobs.

Let's hope there's no more of this crap.  I live in southwestern CT and it's
affected everyone I know in one way or another.  I've been out of work since
April, and three of my friends just lost their jobs over the past two weeks
(software development).  I'm hoping everything remains stable for you.

> I understand MOTM is, for most of us, a 'luxury' item.

Addiction is *not* a luxury, it is a way of life.  ;)

> Going forward, who can say? I will proceed with caution.
> As a *minimum*, the '310 and '130 VCA will
> come out this year. I hope to have 2 more, but let's see
> what happens (hopefully, not much).

I'll be looking for 2 of those 130's as well.  If that wave warper comes
out, that would be super.  And the Ladder or the SEM would be icing.

> I don't plan in a large restocking of parts in the near future.
> What this means is that hopefully, I can
> make money here at the end of the year.

Please don't start powering down - there is hope.  After all, nearly all of
my orders have occurred whilst being unemployed.  And once I get a job....

> 7) Supplies of the '110 ARE dwindling. I'd say only about 16 are left
> (kits/assembled).

Already got 4, now waiting for the 130s.

> Lastly, a small thing to make you grin. I received a MOTM-440 filter that
> was in a case with a miswired supply. The
> case was shorted to the AC line. The '440 panel had 1 corner *completely
> melted off*, and the back was white
> with aluminum oxide (caused by a small *fire*). The MOTM-440 survived, and
> tested out perfectly.

1) Further proof that MOTM is #1 in quality.  2) Makes me feel better about
my current level of technical ability.

George

George !!  This is absolutely insane (in a good way).  This will go on my
list of all time favorite quotes.  :)
Larry Hendry

----- Original Message -----
From: George Kisslak <groovyshaman@...>
Addiction is *not* a luxury, it is a way of life.  ;)

Stooge Larry will be making these nice 3 pot sized brackets available like
the 4 pot size brackets for you DIY guys too.  They will be available in
long and short, just like the 4 pot brackets.  YES -- less hand trimming.
Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
6) Stooge Larry and I have ordered special brackets
for the Triple Preamp (and other modules with 3 knobs
and 6 jacks). I really want to show this at NAMM
(lots of geetar players) so stay tuned.

Been very busy last 2 weeks, MOTM and otherwise.

1) The MOTM-850 pc boards are due in tomorrow. If everything checks out, the
kitting starts Monday and
shipments 1 weeks from today.

2) MOTM-310 uVCO pcb layout finished today. Sent off to prototype shop (2
boards with 1 week delivery). If
they check out OK, shipment around Nov 7th. I will 'officially' announce and
you can place orders (not emails
saying "Send me some!") in about 2 weeks.

3) Hit a milestone today: for the year, have shipped and received orders for
over 1000 modules! Last year 818
were shipped. Could hit 1200 modules by year's end if I have the time. I'll
have to worry about NAMM starting
in mid-Nov. Although this time I'm a vet and know what to expect :)

4) Old Crow is tinkering on the CS-80 filter prototype. That is still on
track to ship this year. Although I need to
get the MOTM-130 Dual VCA finished (I'm stalling if you haven't guessed).
The layout will be the toughest
yet (at least I only have to do it once, errr..hopefully). I did get the
CA3280E chips for the filter today (they are
tough to find and $$$. The 3280AE version is over $5ea!).

5) New tech Kris is churning through the assembled orders. Next week, the
plan is he kits and I solder the
boards to the panels. So hopefully there will be a spike in assembled
shipments starting towards the end of
next week. The kit order backlog is approaching zero (yes Tom F. I'm
shipping yours). Kit supply levels holding
good, but will need time in Nov. to restock (I miss Angie! Boy could she kit
up those resistors).

6) Stooge Larry and I have ordered special brackets for the Triple Preamp
(and other modules with 3 knobs and 6
jacks). I really want to show this at NAMM (lots of geetar players) so stay
tuned.

That's about it for now.

Paul S.

Will these by shiny metal (stainless steel) like your other brackets, 
or painted black like MOTM brackets? Just curious.

At 12:09 AM -0500 12/10/01, J. Larry Hendry wrote:
>Stooge Larry will be making these nice 3 pot sized brackets available like
>the 4 pot size brackets for you DIY guys too.  They will be available in
>long and short, just like the 4 pot brackets.  YES -- less hand trimming.
>Larry

-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Juskiw 
scott@...

Since there is small break in the madness....... (kids home all week from school).

1) Thanks to the visiting/slave labor of Charles Stella from NYC, the assembled backlog is making
headway. About 35 pcbs of various modules are now assembled and tested, waiting for me to attach
them to panels. I still try to do 4 per day. This is the rate needed to ship the backlog before
Christmas. Chances are, I won't get it to zero. But, everyone will get *something*, you may be
short a module or 2.

2) I am running low on Tempcos. I ordered more, but will only get 22 out of 250 ordered :(  These
are also hand-made by little old ladies in New Hampshire. They don't rush too good. So, it looks
like about 2/3 of the '310s will go out at first, depending on if there is a last-minute Tempco
delivery by elves. These also go into 320, 420 and 440s. And the 23 VCOs on assembled backorder
(gack).

So, I will make up, and ship, all the '310s I can. If you ordered 6 or something, expect to see
like 2 of them in the first shipment. This is so I can spread them out as much as possible.

3) I haven't been shipping all that much the last 8 days, because Charles and I are soldering 10
hours/day on the backlog. Tomorrow, I am shipping 18 assembled modules to 4 different people, and
about 20 kits to 8 people. I will ship more kits on Friday. Note that '300 kits are out, and
heaven only knows when I can get more made. I also need to make up a small batch (12 or so) of
'850s. The other kits look OK for now. I suspect within a week or so, it's looking grim in the
stockroom. Old saying: "Can't sell apples from an empty cart." But the donkey pulling the cart is
heading for NAMM.

4) Please send me PRIVATE email if you (you know who you are) are still wanting NAMM badges at
$25ea. I have to turn the list in next week.

5) I haven't forgotten the new website. I can't seem to get interested in that with so much
shipping needed. So, that will wait until Christmas break. The Nov. issue of Keyboard beat me to
the punch, anyway.

That's all for now. Thanks for waiting for your stuff, and I'll keep you posted.

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
1) Thanks to the visiting/slave labor of Charles Stella
from NYC, the assembled backlog is making headway.

--LH--
Thanks for the update Paul.  Great news that Charles is stepping in and
helping.  I was not aware slave labor was legal these days <snicker>...

Stooge Larry, busy counting out 300+ end caps.  :)

I am now concentrating on reducing *KIT* backlog. I spent 6 weeks pretty much focused on
assembled, and after tomorrow will have only about 30 assembled modules on backlog (down from
108!).

I just finished a batch of '101 kits, and will finish a batch of '850 kits by Monday. Still out
of:

300
320
820
910 (sending parts to assemblers Monday for 50, should get back in 1 week).

and will be out of

800
420
410

soon. The initial '310 batch is targeted for completion by Tuesday of next week, and Wednesday
for the manual writing. I am making up 60 kits, which will cover all orders. I have 4 assembled
ones ready to go (hint hint), just need a manual (these may be in a rack for pictures/NAMM, etc.
but are all cal'd and ready to go).

So, there are many parts to count! About 16,000 (gack!) total for all the kitting NOT COUNTING
the MicroModules (another 11,000 or so). I am in the wholesale parts business :)

I can't kit 10hrs a day, your brain turns to tar. So, I will take "breaks" by shipping some
assembled modules.

OK, off to bed. Tomorrow is big shipment to Japan at airport by 3PM, so I can make it home for
son's 9th birthday and associated mayhem.

Paul S.

Help me help make the Stooges rich!

I noticed that Stooge panels are available for the Oakley Wavefolder 
and Blacet Klangwerk. Despite still not having finished building my 
last order of Stooge panelled modules, I'm already thinking about the 
next panel run. [Yes, I know, I need a life, but it's a blizzard 
outside today so this is my entertainment.]

I understand what the Wavefolder does and was wondering if anyone in 
the group has built one? If so, can you comment on your use of the 
Wavefolder?

Now, the Klangwerk is a balanced modulator, which I always thought 
was the same as a ring modulator (at least from the modular synth 
users viewpoint). So is there much use for a Klangwerk if you already 
have a MOTM-110? Does anybody have a Klangwerk?

This is a question for Paul S, but I thought I'd post to the group in 
case others are as curious as I am.

Are there any plans for more MOTM branded oscillators that have a 
feature set which is different than the 300? I know, I know, the 310 
was just released. Don't get me wrong, I think the whole micromodule 
series is a great idea, but I see the 310 as essentially a 
simpler/smaller/cheaper 300. I am wondering if there are any plans 
for oscillators that have different features (e.g. through zero FM, 
CV waveshaping/distortion, a wavetable)?

I think a 300 paired with a Miniwave is about the best oscillator 
combo meal on the planet right now. Is this the epitomy? Or is there 
something coming down the pipe to further my oscillator cravings?

I have a WF in a Stooge Panel and I use it all the time.  Gives real 
meat to triangle waveforms for example. Some settings give full 
rectification (and beyond).  Also can be used as a spare VCA.  You 
mentioned distortion in your other post, the WF has GAIN (which is VC 
too!) and this produces a nice smooth distortion at high settings. 
Many other creative uses.

BTW, one hinky thing: if you have more than one waveform going into 
the WF and these are beating, some settings will cause clicks at the 
beats.  Good or bad, depending on your point of view (and the patch).

Don't have a Klangwerks, but I do have the Time Machine, Dark Star 
and Miniwave all in Frac format.  Love these, hate the 1/8" jacks.  I 
will definitely be moving these to MOTM format.  These guys are a 
little noisier than the Synth Tech stuff, but then again what 
isn't :) ?  WF is quiet except at high gain settings.

Mike

--- In motm@y..., Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:
> Help me help make the Stooges rich!
> ...

>>>>
Are there any plans for more MOTM branded oscillators that have a 
feature set which is different than the 300? 

<snip>
I am wondering if there are any plans 
for oscillators that have different features (e.g. through zero FM, 
<<<<

Yes. A through-zero FM VCO has been mentioned, and at least partially 
designed by one of Paul's designers. My guess is that it will not be 
available for a good while, at least until Paul has sold a boatload 
of MOTM-310s.

I'm reserving cabinet space for two<g>.

Moe

http://www.hotrodmotm.com

What's cool about "through zero"?  I've heard it mentioned several 
times on the list but I still don't know what it refers to...

Mike

--- In motm@y..., "mate_stubb" <mate_stubb@y...> wrote:
> >>>>
> Are there any plans for more MOTM branded oscillators that have a 
> feature set which is different than the 300? 
> 
> <snip>
> I am wondering if there are any plans 
> for oscillators that have different features (e.g. through zero FM, 
> <<<<
> 
> Yes. A through-zero FM VCO has been mentioned, and at least 
partially 
> designed by one of Paul's designers. My guess is that it will not 
be 

> available for a good while, at least until Paul has sold a boatload 
> of MOTM-310s.
> 
> I'm reserving cabinet space for two<g>.
> 
> Moe
> 
> http://www.hotrodmotm.com

At 12:58 AM +0000 2002/01/27, mmarsh100 wrote:
>What's cool about "through zero"?  I've heard it mentioned several
>times on the list but I still don't know what it refers to...
>
>Mike

I've never had an oscillator capable of through zero FM, so I can't 
comment on how it sounds. If I remember this correctly (brain isn't 
as young as it used to be), the oscillator waveform changes direction 
as the FM signal drives the frequency below zero Hz. With most 
oscillators, the waveform will just continue in the same direction.

Thanks, Scott.  That sounds interesting - instant new waveforms...

--- In motm@y..., Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:
> At 12:58 AM +0000 2002/01/27, mmarsh100 wrote:
> >What's cool about "through zero"?  I've heard it mentioned several
> >times on the list but I still don't know what it refers to...
> >
> >Mike
> 
> I've never had an oscillator capable of through zero FM, so I can't 
> comment on how it sounds. If I remember this correctly (brain isn't 
> as young as it used to be), the oscillator waveform changes 
direction 
> as the FM signal drives the frequency below zero Hz. With most 
> oscillators, the waveform will just continue in the same direction.

Thru Zero FM sounds like linear FM. The only difference is that you
can have a much higher modulation index. On ordinary VCOs, linear
FM hits a natural barrier when the momentary frequeny hits the 0Hz
mark - it cannot get lower. So (with a symmetrical modulation
waveform) the modulation also cannot go higher than twice the
initial frequency. If you try to go higher, the modulation will clip
and all sorts of unpleasant things will happen. (Which can also
be interesting, of course)
With Thru Zero FM, on the circuit side you do what Scott describes:
You change th edirection of the VCO's waveform. Now what is
quite complicated on the circuit side is "just a natural extension"
of ordinary linear FM. You won't get a new quality of modulation,
but you will only come to the really interesting modulation
amount of FM when you have tru zero capabillity.

In practice, many circuits for thru zero FM produce a slight
glitch when they go thru zero. This might or might not be a good
thing, depending on the application.

JH.

-----Urspr\ufffdngliche Nachricht-----
Von: mmarsh100 <mmarsh@...>
An: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Gesendet: Sonntag, 27. Januar 2002 18:56
Betreff: [motm] Re: future oscillators

> Thanks, Scott.  That sounds interesting - instant new waveforms...
>
> --- In motm@y..., Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:
> > At 12:58 AM +0000 2002/01/27, mmarsh100 wrote:
> > >What's cool about "through zero"?  I've heard it mentioned several
> > >times on the list but I still don't know what it refers to...
> > >
> > >Mike
> >
> > I've never had an oscillator capable of through zero FM, so I can't
> > comment on how it sounds. If I remember this correctly (brain isn't
> > as young as it used to be), the oscillator waveform changes
> direction
> > as the FM signal drives the frequency below zero Hz. With most
> > oscillators, the waveform will just continue in the same direction.
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>

This isn't terribly scientific, but if the FM voltage goes below zero, the
VCO's phase reverses.  I think Juergen refers to this as reversing the spin
of the spinning wheel.  Sonically - it's a richer, fatter sound.  I've built
a couple of Thru-zero VCOs from Electronotes.  They are definitely worth
having!

R.

-----Original Message-----
From: mmarsh100 [mailto:mmarsh@...]
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 4:59 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] Re: future oscillators


What's cool about "through zero"?  I've heard it mentioned several 
times on the list but I still don't know what it refers to...

Mike

--- In motm@y..., "mate_stubb" <mate_stubb@y...> wrote:
> >>>>
> Are there any plans for more MOTM branded oscillators that have a 
> feature set which is different than the 300? 
> 
> <snip>
> I am wondering if there are any plans 
> for oscillators that have different features (e.g. through zero FM, 
> <<<<
> 
> Yes. A through-zero FM VCO has been mentioned, and at least 
partially 
> designed by one of Paul's designers. My guess is that it will not 
be 
> available for a good while, at least until Paul has sold a boatload 
> of MOTM-310s.
> 
> I'm reserving cabinet space for two<g>.
> 
> Moe
> 
> http://www.hotrodmotm.com



 

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

1) MOTM-380s begin shipping tomorrow. Everybody say "Amen!".

2) Some will also get backordered MOTM-850 Pedal Interfaces as well.

3) Next kits to ship are MOTM-310s and MOTM-800s, in about 1 week.

4) Thanks to everyone on the MOTM-450 panel discussion. No final decision, but I thinks we beat
it to death.

5) If you need to call me, please try to call after 5PM Texas time. My rates drop 60%! Last year
my phone bill was over $5000. I have installed a new 3 ton A/C unit for cooling my lab/work area,
and lower phone bills can pay for it :)

6) Next new modules to ship are the MOTM-390 uLFO and the MOTM-890 uMixer, both in late May. The
MOTM-490 has a good chance to also be in that time frame. It all depends on my stamina: at least
I won't be sweating like a pig.

Since my son stole my copy of Dungeon Siege (great new computer game), I'll take this time form
an update.

a) I will have all '380 kit orders shipped by next week. I ran out of bubble bags, and they are
"special order". Got plenty now, have 10 kits ready to go as we speak. I also have 3 assembled
ones ready to ship next week as well.

b) the '490 ladder filter pcb are in fab. They will arrive around June 3rd. I will start kitting
at arrival time.

c) the '390 uLFO boards are here, just waiting for Stooge brackets. Looking like June 5th or so
arrival date. Looks like early June is a busy time.

d) the new 1U wide dual VCA with RM is designed. I have to lay it out. This won't start for
another 10 days or so. I have to do the front panels anyway. I'll send info to Moe for discussion
(not much to discuss, really).

e) the '480 VCF is still out there, looks like July. I want the '130 to come out first (high-end
VCA).

f) 1/2 way through this quarter (April/May/June) I have shipped 145 modules, which is where I was
last quarter (Jan/Feb/March). I am way behind in assembled modules :(  I need to concentrate the
next 10 days or so on that issue versus kits. I'm out/low on several kits (320, 410, 800, 420,
700) and need to get those restocked as well. Never a dull moment.

g) If you want a section of your '380 to run "super slow", replace the cap with 0.33uf, Digikey
part #P4669. This might be best on say sections A and B, keeping C and D "normal". It "slides"
the frequency range down 3.3X slower.

h) As a "pat on the back" to myself, customer #300 has appeared! The interesting stat is that for
the last 2 years, the module-to-customer ratio has been steady at 11.25, even with some
mega-systems (60+ modules). It goes to show that the average person doesn't NEED a mega-system to
be happy with the MOTM system. Or, the average wife/girlfriend puts on the brakes at 2 full rows.

Well, looks like son won't give up the CD until he passes out from hunger. Guess I'll go solder
some :)

Paul S.

So, are you implying that you actually finished Return to Castle
Wolfenstein???  :)

George

(somewhere in mission 3...)

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM listserv <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 8:09 PM
Subject: [motm] Update


> Since my son stole my copy of Dungeon Siege (great new computer game),
I'll take this time form
> an update.
>
> a) I will have all '380 kit orders shipped by next week. I ran out of
bubble bags, and they are
> "special order". Got plenty now, have 10 kits ready to go as we speak. I
also have 3 assembled
> ones ready to ship next week as well.
>
> b) the '490 ladder filter pcb are in fab. They will arrive around June
3rd. I will start kitting
> at arrival time.
>
> c) the '390 uLFO boards are here, just waiting for Stooge brackets.
Looking like June 5th or so
> arrival date. Looks like early June is a busy time.
>
> d) the new 1U wide dual VCA with RM is designed. I have to lay it out.
This won't start for
> another 10 days or so. I have to do the front panels anyway. I'll send
info to Moe for discussion
> (not much to discuss, really).
>
> e) the '480 VCF is still out there, looks like July. I want the '130 to
come out first (high-end
> VCA).
>
> f) 1/2 way through this quarter (April/May/June) I have shipped 145
modules, which is where I was
> last quarter (Jan/Feb/March). I am way behind in assembled modules :(  I
need to concentrate the
> next 10 days or so on that issue versus kits. I'm out/low on several kits
(320, 410, 800, 420,
> 700) and need to get those restocked as well. Never a dull moment.
>
> g) If you want a section of your '380 to run "super slow", replace the cap
with 0.33uf, Digikey
> part #P4669. This might be best on say sections A and B, keeping C and D
"normal". It "slides"
> the frequency range down 3.3X slower.
>
> h) As a "pat on the back" to myself, customer #300 has appeared! The
interesting stat is that for
> the last 2 years, the module-to-customer ratio has been steady at 11.25,
even with some
> mega-systems (60+ modules). It goes to show that the average person
doesn't NEED a mega-system to
> be happy with the MOTM system. Or, the average wife/girlfriend puts on the
brakes at 2 full rows.
>
> Well, looks like son won't give up the CD until he passes out from hunger.
Guess I'll go solder

> some :)
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Well, I finally resigned myself to total up the assembled backlog as of today. Yep, it's over 100
modules. That's an all-time high. I probably sold 100 assembled modules in 3 years before this
year. Currently, I am soldering 10 '440 pcbs (all 10 spoken for), to be followed by 8 '310s, then
(gasp) 10 '300s. And that's HALF of the '300s on order.

So, kit shipments have slowed down quite a bit over the last 3 weeks, and will continue to do so
until after the July 4th holiday (this sounds like a stock market report).

I am slow and methodical in the assembled modules. I want every one 100% perfect. The only person
slower than me is Stooge Larry, who gets each resistor tested by Bell Labs :) However, IMHO, I
build a mean motor scooter.

Also, for the newbies out there, this is a *hobby*. This is NOT what I "do for a living".
Besides, I can only solder 3 times a day in 2-hour shifts, else the brain turns to oatmeal. I can
kit in a 3-hour shift before the eyes blur out.

So, keep waiting, and pester me occasionally. I DO ship stuff out, about 15 modules per week. I
DO forget things, so if something is messed up, hammer away. BTW: counting the total backlog,
MOTM is slightly over 3500 modules. Not shabby, and 53% of the total Moog modular shipments (over
a 13 year period).

The '490 PCBs arrived (finally!) and tomorrow afternoon, I'm building 2 "golden queen" samples. 1
is for a review system (Mix Magazine), the other goes to Eric C. for loaning me his 904A Moog
filter (I didn't say *free*, he just gets the first one. Actually, Joe Walsh has a prototype
filter in his unit).

Before I start kitting up the '490, I am going to kit up some more '800s and finish up the '420
kits. I might also kit a few (say 12) '410 kits, since I have been out since March.

Well, that's it for now. Somewhere in there, I have to work on the '190 dual VCA to replace the
'110, finish the '130 and work on the 500 Series. At least I'm not twiddling my thumbs :)

Paul S.

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
> The only person slower than me is Stooge Larry,
> who gets each resistor tested by Bell Labs :)

I resemble that remark

> However, IMHO, I build a mean motor scooter.

I ride a mean scooter:
http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/harley.htm

> Also, for the newbies out there, this is a *hobby*.

And, what does Mrs. Schreiber say about that?

> BTW: counting the total backlog, MOTM is slightly
> over 3500 modules. Not shabby, and 53% of the total
> Moog modular shipments (over a 13 year period).

Congrats Paul!!  
Stooge Larry

> The '490 PCBs arrived (finally!) and tomorrow afternoon, I'm building 2 "golden
> queen" samples. 1
> is for a review system (Mix Magazine), the other goes to Eric C. for loaning me
> his 904A Moog
> filter (I didn't say *free*, he just gets the first one. Actually, Joe Walsh has a
> prototype
> filter in his unit).

I will be honored to have one of the "golden queen" 490s.  I did some experiments
awhile back with the 904A that I'll try to duplicate with the 490 as soon as I get
it.  These aren't very sexy sounding sequences but rather dry tests to hear the
performance at different resonance and bias levels that will work for comparison.

I was starting to wonder about Paul and my 904A.  They were starting to spend a bit
too much time together, if you know what I mean...  Perhaps we should consider the
490 as the progeny of the relationship ;)

  Eric


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1) About 1/2 of the ordered '390s and '490s have been shipped. It will take me about 1 more week
to ship all of them.

2) The '190s are about 4 weeks away. I picked up 84 panels today, they are ready to go as are the
brackets (variation of the '390 bracket). There are some minor pcb tweaks, then a 2 week pcb
manufacturing cycle, then kitting. I'm trying to ship all I can before I have to stop and kit up
about 70 (gulp!) of these.

3) I just ran out of '300 front panels, and pleaded with metal shop to hurry up and send some
more. If you have a '300 on order, it will probably be another 10 days until I can ship.

4) In spite of myself, module #3500 will ship sometime this week. I appreciate everyone waiting
for their order.

Paul S.

1) The MOTM-190 production pc boards are in fab. Due back to me on Sept. 20th. This should
translate to deliveries of the kits around Oct 6th. There are about 60 on order as of today. I
plan to make up 75 kits. So, if you want one out of the first batch, you need to order by the end
of the month.

2) I have shipped about 60% of the '490 and '390 kits. It's been slow going this week, but I plan
to ship about 20ea this coming week. I am trying to reduce the assembled backlog some more.

3) Just a reminder that Nov. 20th is the *last day to order* to get kits before Christmas. I will
still ship kits the 2 weeks before NAMM (I leave on Jan 15th), just hard to say exactly how many.
The push for Oct/Nov/Dec is to prepare for NAMM while trying to ship EVERYTHING I can. There are
several tasks that suck up large block of time (like preparing the new product flyer to hand out,
printing 800, allowing for re-printing (as happened last year when they botched it up
completely)).

4) I will have the WaveWarper proto finished in about 10 days. Now it appears the rotary switch I
picked is on 12 WEEK backorder. Some days it's *really hard* to  smile.

Paul S.

I don't know about you, but I've been busy these last 2 weeks. I've had a helper this week:
Charles Stella, MOTM user/producer/designer has been assembling module pc boards while I have
been scrambling around doing exciting things like ordering NAMM booth furniture and yelling at
Newark.

Let's start with the assembled backlog. Not counting the new stuff, there are about 110 modules
on order. Between Charles and myself soldering this week, by Monday we'll have about 65 completed
and tested pc boards, ready to be attached to brackets and front panels. It's not the entire
backlog but a large chunk.

My plan is to ship these 65 out before NAMM, probably before Jan. 8th. This will drop the
assembled backlog to a point that is lower than it's been in 2 years. So I feel good about that.

Moving to the kits: there are about 300 on order. Can I ship all 300 by Dec. 20th (while also
doing more R&D?) It's doubtful, but I'm sure going to try. 84 of these are MOTM-190 kits, so that
is quite a chunk there. These will start going out next Friday. The kit with the *least*
probability of shipping 100% of all backorders is the MOTM-300. Those will be the last ones to go
out.

I will be "closed" Dec. 21 to Jan. 6th. This is a relative term :) It means that there is a 90%
chance I'll be here but playing mindless computer games, checking off the "honey-do" list, and
watching meaningless college football games while eating too much. I may answer phone and email,
I may not. Don't take it *personal* if you feel ignored, this is just my 'time off' before the
NAMM panic/crunch time. I go to the art museum and to the dollar movies. I sleep until noon. But
panic sets in about Jan. 4th and I'm off and running again.

Thanks to everyone sending in pre-orders on the new modules. Today the order arrived to cross the
'break-even' point for the R&D costs and initial parts purchasing (mostly the new front panels).

Lastly, I plan to keep producing MOTM as long as there is demand. Right now, this is my only job.
The benefits from the previous employer expire Feb. 1st. If NAMM is good, I can continue to do
MOTM full-time another 6-8  months. I still plan to start looking around for a 'real job' in
March. My #1 goal is to find a job that allows me to work at home, or within 15 miles. Wish me
luck, most jobs are in north Dallas and that is 54 miles 1-way through heavy stop-and-go traffic.
I must admit, working on MOTM full-time is fun and not stressful at all. I *worry* about all this
backlog and NAMM and such. but it beats working at a real job :)

The revised PDF spec for the uSeq is up. It describes all the MIDI chaining that I left out the
last time. And explains the mysterious white line on the panel.

Paul S.

Man o man.......it NAMM time!

a) after an effort not seen since my EE420 Feedback/Servo Control Theory lab final, the #1
prototype uSeq is UP AND RUNNING!!! I had an issue with the LED driver chip: the SMT version
can't handle the power. I have to use the 40-pin DIP version. So, I spent 6 1/2 hours kludging a
perf board with 40 wires, expoied to the rear of the module. Then, all the SPI peripherals (DACs,
etc) had to be slowed down due to noise generated by the aforementioned kludge board. However,
it's RUNNING SEQUENCES!

Now I have to get it to NAMM in 1 piece. "I swear, it's NOT A BOMB!"

Not to brag, but this thing is REALLY COOL looking, and when it runs it's a MOTM light show
extravaganza.

Now, I haven't called Maxim about swapping the $1800 of SMT parts I can't use for DIP ones.
*Hopefully* they will swap, and I can get chips before July (don't laugh....). I'll keep you
posted. Folks, this thing is the cat's meow. After you set up all the quantizing, 9 independent
sequence tempos and then start modulating with CVs, you will never go back to the boring Moog
960-style sequencer.

b) when I return, I will ship ship ship for 3 solid weeks. No R&D for me! I need the money :) The
4-layer, 1-day turn uSeq pc boards were $831 EACH Yep, that's not a misprint :(

c) I wasn't able to get the pcb layout for the Cloud Generator done. That one will have to wait.
I am taking the '450 Filter Bank prototype (not in a panel) to play with.

OK, I'm totally exhausted and tomorrow is a 'school day' as well. See you at the show!

Paul S.

a) New picture of Roger Powell and his system, in "Home Depot Special" wood case. Looks pretty
good to me. I flunked 8th grade woodshop (my dad built my final project, a purple martin
birdhouse. Well, I *painted* it). In the Artist section of the website.

b) I placed over $17,000 worth of parts orders last week. I'm now slowly kitting up the backlog,
module-by-module. This will take about 2 more weeks to get to a point where I can ship in
quantity. A few kits will trickle out this week and next. I estimate the kitting involves about
28,000 individual parts being counted, assembled, and bagged. Not counting the 3500 labels and
bags :)

c) This Friday is MOTM's 5th birthday! I will send out a formal "thank you" notice. And Tuesday
is my 19th wedding anniversary. I don't know which one is more amazing :)

Paul S.

Now that the ice has melted, and all of our cars are caked with salt and sand, I can drive to the
post office and actually *ship* stuff next week. And trust me, I know *exactly* how far behind I
am. I just spent 1 hour updating the backlog and planning the building/kitting/parts ordering
schedule for the next 10 WEEKS.

Assembled backlog (not counting 500/600 series)

Has reached an all time high! Which is great because Feb. is the traditional slow month here
(folks paying off the last of the Christmas debts and waiting for tax refunds). I shipped 61
assembled modules in Dec/Jan/Feb with NAMM sucking up 6 weeks of that period. Most of the backlog
is from *new* customers, one all the way from Russia! The majority of the backlog is '190s, '300s
and '800s. I'll be soldering the entire week of March 10th. Right now I'm working on a batch of
440s.

Kit backlog (not counting 500/600 series)

I have stocked completely the '190, '490, '310 and '830. Starting Monday on 48 kits of the '800
followed by 36 kits of the '300. Looking over the current backlog, I should be able to ship over
125 kits out next week! I also made up some '940s, so some of you waiting on those will see them.
I am out of '910s, and it will take until around March 21st to get more back in stock (built by
outside shop). I do now have *plenty* of '960s and '990s. I have all of the parts in for the '950
*except* the new wire set, which gets ordered on Monday.

500/600 series

The current guesstimate on these things shipping are as follows:

WaveWarper - mid April. I need to implement the last pcb tweak and get the rotary switches made.
The good news is that the Spectrol 100 ohm pots (for the 'Warp Factor' control) arrived Friday.
I'm not the only slow company around: these were ordered Oct. 11th :)

Fixed Filter bank - early May. The design is done, I'm going to order the front panels in about 2
weeks. The pcb design needs to be completed (going from 1 large pcb to two small ones) with the
expansion connector added. Several beta testers have played with it, all give it a huge thumbs
up.

Cloud Generator - June. This is all my fault, I have to get off my butt and do the prototype pcb
so the firmware can get going. The week of March 24th is Cloud Off My Butt Week.

uSeq - late April/early May. Needs 1 pcb revision, but the hardware is solid. Front panels in
stock. I'm ordering parts for 50 units next week. Right now, about 38 are on order. If you want
to get in the first run, now the time to order. I can't keep much inventory due to the high $$$
cost and the fact the parts cannot be used by other modules (like say TL072 op amps can be).

MIDI/CV - May. Atmel (the uP vendor) shafted us in late Dec. and we now have to add a small PIC
uP to assist in the SPI I/O hardware. Nothing much we can do here as about 2 months prior HW/SW
went bye-bye.

Also: the MOTM-480 will *finally* see the light of day in late May as well. I can't schedule time
to do the pcb layout until April. I do have 95% of the parts for it, including front panels.

Well, that's the 'bad' news. MOTM is still growing despite war gloom and a down economy. Without
MOTM, I'd be in a *serious* panic myself, as the EE job market is ZERO where I live, with no
signs of any recovery of any sort until 2004. At least the current backlog will keep me busy
until June/July. After that, I guess JH, Crow and I will have to cook up some new stuff for the
remainder of the year. SEM filter, anybody? :)

Paul S.

a) just finished a batch of '410 kits, so if you have one on backorder, expect to see it shortly.

b) the next kitting project will be 48 MOTM-800s, followed by 39 MOTM-300s. This will take me
until April 1st to finish. After these 2 kits are done, the existing backlog will be nearly wiped
out (leaving the 500/600 stuff). Which is good because I just did my taxes and (again) I owe
Uncle Sam more $$$. Sigh......

c) the assembled backlog is at an all-time high, so I'm pecking away at it little by little. The
week of the 24th is ALL assembled backlog soldering, I plan to ship about 35 modules out (doesn't
sound like much, until you try soldering 35 modules at once). If I wasn't so picky, I could go
alot faster. But those of you that buy assembled know what to expect, quality-wise.

d) I'm ordering this week ALL of the parts for 65 uSeqs. I had to wait until Maxim refunded some
$$$ for me buying the SOIC version of the LED driver than can't take the current listed in the
data sheet (silly me, what WAS I thinking). It "only" cost me $227 for the privilege of returning
them to be resold again :(

BTW: in 2002 my profit *before taxes* on MOTM was about $41,200. A staggering $34.91 per module.
Which is probably what Doepfer makes :) Now, that IS somewhat skewed, since I bought the Audio
Precision test set, so *really* if you "ignore" that expense it leaps to a mind-blowing $45.07
BEFORE taxes. So, at the end of the day I'm left with the huge sum of about $30/module profit. No
illusions of me getting rich :) Especially since I just found out my daughter has been letting
her boyfriend 'borrow' her gasoline credit card to fill up his truck. To the tune of $143.

I do appreciate everyone's support and willingness to wait an infinite amount of time.

Paul S.

Since the Spectrol pots and Bournes pots and trimmers
we use are all sealed, why can't we use organic solder
and have them installed during a board wash?

Thanks,
Shemp

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a) the toggle switches arrived today from Japan for the MOTM-300 kits. I'm (gasp) getting some
temp. help next week specifically for kitting MOTM-300s and "stocking up" on the other kits. But
mainly focusing on the MOTM-300. There are about 40 kits on backlog, but the good news is that I
have the parts to build that many. I just have to put around 8,300 parts into little plastic
bags.

b) my overall shipping jumped WAY up in April. I shipped 112 modules. I expect to ship another
100 or so this month as well.

c) MOTM-950s start shipping this month, and hopefully some MOTM-890 uMixers as well. I may have
to order more Switchcraft jacks, as 36 MOTM-910s are being built next week.

d) I'm waiting on more MOTM-900 front panels, due to arrive May 11th. If you are waiting for a
'900, that's the holdup.

e) Should have some new demos of some of the newer modules in about a week.

f) If you're in SF bay area, catch Robert Rich Sunday night at the planetarium. I've heard the
MOTM parts, it's really something. He's even throwing in the (in)famous "Talking Chaos" patch.

g) Don't forget: prices going up June 1st on most things, order this month to get the current
prices.

Paul S.

On Saturday 03 May 2003 07:25, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> b) my overall shipping jumped WAY up in April. I shipped
> 112 modules. I expect to ship another 100 or so this
> month as well.

[Going public, private email got bounced again]

Paul, do you have an updated estimate for the shipping of 
my modulues? I guess it's the included wave warper I'm 
waiting for?

Best,
Robert

Just a quick update:

a) MOTM-300 VCO kits are about 2/3 done. On track to begin shipments beginning Tuesday, Monday is
holiday (holiday...what's THAT??!?).

b) Starting to kit up a batch of 45 MOTM-890 uMixers. I'm a few pc boards short of all on order
(51 at last count), but usually the pcb shop has 10-15 extras. I hope so, else I have to buy
*another* 50 :( These will start shipping the first week of June.

c) The MOTM-510 pc boards are done, going off to the shop this week. Next, the custom rotary
switch assemblies need to be done (not by me!). These will be ready about the time the pcbs
arrive and I write the manual. Actually, I'm not exactly *sure* how to even write the "How to
Use" section. I'll have many 'scope shots of what the warping looks like, but this is a module
you have to sit down and "play" to really get a feel for it. The schedule is looking like right
after the 4th of July holiday to begin shipping.

d) I have ordered the hard-to-find, long-lead-time parts for the uSeq. The schedule is to ship
the 1st week of August. July will be extensive beta-testing, as there is no elegant way to upload
new code into the module. The processor is FLASH-based, and I can reprogram them in under 30
seconds. It is in a PLCC socket. IF an update is *required*, then I will reprogram the parts for
free, and pay the postage back to you. Hopefully, this won't be necessary. There is another
smaller uP on the board that scans the front panel switches, and that is not planned to ever need
an update.

e) Right now, the kit backlog is about 300 and the assembled backlog is about 175. This does NOT
include the 500/600 or the 480/450 modules. The '300 and '890 are about 95 of these kits,
followed by '190 and '800. These 4 models are 1/2 of the kit backlog, so that's what
John-the-intern is focusing on. I am soldering about 12 hours/day on the assembled backlog. John
was a bench tech at Akai for 7 years and seems to be working out great.

SO.....here is the generic answer to "what about MY order?" The answer is: if you are waiting for
kits, you will see a shipment *sometime* before the end of June. I can't *specifically* say when,
PLEASE don't ask. I ship modules out EVERY day, 6 days a week. Somedays it's only a few blank
panels or rails, other days it's over 20 kits.

If you are waiting for assembled modules: it will be around 8 weeks. 8 weeks is what the backlog
looks like to get down to a reasonable level (<50 modules). 1/2 of the assembled backlog belongs
to 5 people, the rest is 'scattered' over 21 other folks. I build modules in batches of 6 at a
time, in a continuously rotating cycle (just finished '310s, next up are '440s followed by
'410s). I tend to alternate 1 week soldering pc boards, followed by 1 weeks attaching pc boards
to the panels, burn in and ship.

f) this is the last announcement of the June 1st price increase. 7 modules are the same price,
the vast majority of *kits* went up $10 or $20. Accessories like MOTM-960 and rails are the same.
Due to end-of-school-year activities (and it's my birthday that weekend), the "real" date for the
new prices and a new catalog to be uploaded to the site is more like June 3rd. Any orders
received before then, no matter when shipped, will be sent at the current price. The largest
increases are in the 500/600 assembled modules, because my contracted labor rates from my
assembler go up June 15th. If you haven't pre-ordered, NOW is the time.

OK, back to work. Thanks for waiting for an old (and getting older) bald guy to ship stuff

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> OK, back to work. Thanks for waiting for an old (and getting older) 
bald guy to ship stuff

It's tough to have to wait....but it's also fantastic to see that 
this has grown into a business that consistently keeps you busy!

>
> It's tough to have to wait....but it's also fantastic to see that
> this has grown into a business that consistently keeps you busy!

Ironically, I myself hate to wait on stuff I've ordered. In high school, I spent many LONG hours
waiting for my next Estes rocket order to show up (lived "out in the country", lucky to get mail
at all).

And I am constantly busy, but am starting to miss finishing up "Splinter Cell" and I just got
Kurosawa's "Dreams" on DVD. I REALLY want to see it (maybe I'll take my birthday off and watch
Monty Python DVDs and play on the computer). And still have "Yojimbo" on VHS sealed up that I
bought 3 YEARS ago :(

Paul S.

>a) MOTM-300 VCO kits are about 2/3 done. On track to begin shipments
beginning Tuesday, Monday is
>holiday (holiday...what's THAT??!?).

It's a day where, for some strange reason, there is less traffic than usual
when you are driving to work.

Ken
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone   sasami@...  
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "elle_webb" <elle_webb@h...> wrote:
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> > OK, back to work. Thanks for waiting for an old (and getting older) 
> bald guy to ship stuff
> 
> It's tough to have to wait....but it's also fantastic to see that 
> this has grown into a business that consistently keeps you busy!

busy-ness, turnover, investments and profit are parts of a not easily
balanced equation ;-)

  Michael.

Have us pay a flat, nominal fee for upgrades.  Something like $10 including
shipping.  OTOH, if it is a bug fix....  (Actually, I would still be willing to
pay that.)

I am sure people will have many, new great ideas once they start using it in
the real world.  One or two short beta tests and an engineer aren't really
enough for this *incredible* module to mature to its full potential IMHO.

--Shemp

> July will be extensive beta-testing, as there is no
> elegant way to upload
> new code into the module. The processor is FLASH-based, and I can reprogram
> them in under 30
> seconds. It is in a PLCC socket. IF an update is *required*, then I will
> reprogram the parts for
> free, and pay the postage back to you. Hopefully, this won't be necessary.
> There is another
> smaller uP on the board that scans the front panel switches, and that is not
> planned to ever need
> an update.


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
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1) The onslaught continues. 100 kits shipped in 3 weeks, with another 50 - 60 this week. Again,
it's the end of the month, so get those credit/debit cards ready to go.

2) MOTM-890 uMixers will start shipping today. MOTM-950 Triple Supplies will start shipping
tomorrow. Again: you MUST have a DVM WITH CLIP LEADS to build the MOTM-950. Insulated alligator
leads are OK, but not bare.exposed ones. Plain test probe leads are NOT OK.

3) I'm going to ship as much as I can between now and Tuesday of next week. I'm taking Wed-Sun
off ("off" is a relative term). Then, the concentration is on 2 things for the following 5 weeks:

a) shipping assembled backlog
b) releasing the MOTM-510 and pcb layout of announced modules

4) I'm starting to get low on '410s and '440s. What I am going to do is ship without "refueling".
That is, I'm not going to halt, make some kits, and continue. I'll just pack/ship/bill/eat/sleep
until all the stock is depleted.

Back to the salt mines.

Paul S.

a) it's H O T! Like 41C (109F) hot.

b) If I do say so myself, I have make GREAT progress the last 4 weeks on the kit backlog. I
haven't officially checked, but there are on the order of <30 kits left to ship! On March 5th,
the kit backlog was 538 NOT counting "new stuff". 100 kits a month is about my max. output.

c) (drum roll, please!) The MOTM-510 WaveWarper pcb was sent to fab this morning.

d) The smaller MOTM-600 uSeq pc boards are all going to fab by Tuesday. The main logic board (4
layers with nasty changes needed) is about 2 weeks away. Then all of them go off for assembly.
So, it's marching along, slowly but surely.

e) The MOTM-650 MIDI-CV firmware is progressing nicely. Portamento code is being debugged
(constant rate AND time) this coming week. After the uSeq pc boards are in fab, my attention
turns to getting the '650 going.

f) When I get back from Portland, the #1 thing is ASSEMBLED modules. These are LONG overdue, and
I want these off my plate. For the month of August, only 5% of my time is kit shipping. the VAST
majority is assembled modules.

OK, time to go grab a bite and hop on the plane (First Class...wheee! Finally using the Advantage
miles from 5 years ago).

Paul S.

As you saw by my posts on the '480, I have been working hard on getting 4 of these units ready to
ship out to beta testers today. I didn't mess the layout up *too badly*, so the final design
should be ready in Nov.

For the 'old-timers' on the list, you know my end-of-the-year drill. For the newbies, here it
goes:

a) I am closed from Dec 15th to Jan. 6th
b) the LAST DAY to order *kits* for sure delivery this year is Nov. 10th. Kits ordered after this
date *may or MAY NOT* get shipped.
c) I don't plan to ship any '510s or '480s until I get back in Jan. The manual for these will run
over 30 pages each (on CD-ROM with sound examples). I just don't have the time right now to write
them both, and kit them both.

Now that the main R&D portion of the '480 is behind me, and with no NAMM in sight, focus now
shifts to shipping out the backlog. My 1000 100K log pots arrived last week, and 2500 Switchcraft
jacks are due today. Let the massive kitting process begin! I estimate that the entire kit
backlog (exclusive of new stuff like '510 and '480) will be gone by the 1st week of Nov. This
includes bonus modules owed since the Civil War. As of today, there are 137 kits in the backlog.

The last 6 weeks are dedicated to assembled backlog: I'm shooting for 100%, but it depends mainly
on my stamina. I can do 100-120 modules for sure, and 25 MOTM-190 pc boards are being stuffed
this week by a contractor. There are 168 modules in the assembled backlog, so I hope to get at
least 75% done.

It could be worse, I could be like Sun Microsystems. I looked at their fy2002 numbers, and their
TOTAL annual profit was the revenue for *6 hours of 1 day* out of the entire year. Somehow that
seems depressing to me.

Paul S.

Seems like today is the day for updates. :)

Today I shipped off the data for the final pre-production PCB. This PCB has all the intended changes from the last one and the purpose of making it is to make absolutely sure every change was done correctly and I didn't mess up anything else. (It's no fun to have 1 hole size a bit too small) This board will be back in a week, and then it's a few more days to get it populated and checked out.

The FS is working quite well here, and I'm just touching up and tweaking a few more software issues. I'm going to try and get demos on the site soon, because I know a lot of you have been waiting for that. (Where was Robert's phone number....)  :)

The tweaking has to do with the range for both the the fine tune and the coarse tune knobs. There have been some private discussions about these things, how many knobs, size of the knobs,  range of the knobs, etc.. I've considered everyone's input, believe me. Please don't send me a zillion emails about it or it will be even later than it already is! 

The form factor is basically what you see in the Illustrator image on the site. The knobs will remain the size as shown during NAMM, which are the same size as the UEG knobs. I didn't feel that a "large" knob for the sake of it being large was worthwhile. It actually looks a little weird and didn't help the operation of the Coarse adjustment. The LEDs have been moved slightly, but other than that, you won't notice much of a physical change. 

There are plenty of circuit changes however. The unit has been changed to a through-zero design, so if both frequency knobs are straight up, you have almost no shift. It can't go to 0Hz, but the lowest frequency is about 30mHz. If you're monitoring the UP shift jack, turning either knob clockwise from center will cause the output frequencies to increase; turning either knob counter-clockwise (or anti-clockwise for all the non-US customers) from center will cause the output frequencies to increase. This is a big change from the NAMM proto, and should be more flexible to people. The upper limit on shifting is about 1.5KHz. I'm not sure if that matters much because it sounds like hell anyway once the shift range gets up in that area. The shifter seems to have most appeal at lower frequencies. Your feedback in this are is appreciated and still up for tweaking.

As a side note, even though Paul has a MIDI-CV module just around the corner, I am still planning on doing one as well, hopefully it will be different enough that you have a clear reason to choose one or the other. 

The MIDI-CV will have an interface that can be used to reprogram all of my other modules. (I've planned on using the same family of microcontroller in all of them, and there is a header on each UEG, Frequency shifter, etc that can be used for firmware updating. It's a standard header defined by Atmel, so if you happened to own an Atmel AVR programmer of any sort, you could update the code in any of my modules. The upcoming MIDI-CV will have it built in, so the plan is to have firmware updates for other modules download via MIDI and have my MIDI-CV do the programming on the other modules. This would all an update like the UEG to happen without me having to manually update each one.

Thanks again for your patience, and your support.

Regards,
Tony

Don't worry about the knobs.  With the CV input I figure that an Ultra-fine
bias control DIY circuit with ultra oversized knob is the perfect
accompaniment for the Frequency Shifter, and probably useful in other
situations as well.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> The form factor is basically what you see in the Illustrator image on the
> site. The knobs will remain the size as shown during NAMM, which are the
> same size as the UEG knobs. I didn't feel that a "large" knob for the sake
> of it being large was worthwhile. It actually looks a little weird and
> didn't help the operation of the Coarse adjustment. The LEDs have been
> moved slightly, but other than that, you won't notice much of a physical
> change.

>As a side note, even though Paul has a MIDI-CV module just around 
>the corner, I am still planning on doing one as well, hopefully it 
>will be different enough that you have a clear reason to choose one 
>or the other.

You should consider doing a more basic MIDI-CV converter.  It'll be 
tough to top Paul's module, but if you did, how many people need more 
features than the 650 will provide?  I'd imagine there are a lot more 
people interested in a cheaper, 1 or 2 channel, converter.

Tony Karavidas writes:
>>there is a header on each UEG, Frequency shifter, etc that can be used for 
firmware updating.<<

Now I'm confused.  Is the frequency shifting being done in the analog or 
digital domain?  Thought it was analog up until I read this.

-Elhardt

Hi Ken,

It's �a hybrid. The local quadrature oscillator is digitally generated using a microprocessor and a dual DAC. The rest of it is analog: input gain stage, phase difference networks, multipliers, etc.

I just got back the 'final' proto (always a caveat until I know everything works) and it's being populated today. There are almost 300 components, and over 90% is tiny surface mount stuff. Soldering these protos is a P.I.T.A. I hope this board checks out ok so I can start the run.

Tony

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 15:42:01 +0000, elhardt@... wrote:
>�Tony Karavidas writes:
>>>�there is a header on each UEG, Frequency shifter, etc that can
>>>�be used for
>>>
>�firmware updating.<<
>
>
>�Now I'm confused. �Is the frequency shifting being done in the
>�analog or digital domain? �Thought it was analog up until I read
>�this.
>
>�-Elhardt
>
>
>�------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------
>�~-->�Rent DVDs from home. Over 14,500 titles. Free Shipping &�No
>�Late Fees. Try Netflix for FREE!
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Not a terribly productive week, as family matters stole time away (and it's the height of my
son's soccer season, 2 games + 2 practices a week, star midfielder, anchors the defense. GAA only
1.2 this season). However:

a) I received 1st article of the custom rotary switch assembly in the WaveWarper. Quick glance
shows no big problems. I plan to test it out this week and approve it. I plan to ship some
*assembled* '510s this year with a "cheat sheet", kits will have to wait until after break (the
manual is 30 hours of work).

b) I should be at 100% kit stocking levels by the end of the week. I plan to start shipping the
existing kit backlog starting *tomorrow* for what I have (and, ONLY if ALL kits can be shipped to
you at once). So, GET THOSE DEBIT/CHARD CARDS IN ORDER!! I simply do NOT have time for "bounced"
credit/debit cards. If I am feeling in a good mood, I will send you a somewhat polite email
asking for another card. If I am overworked and tired, you get put into Dead Pool (where some of
you feel you have been anyway).

Bottom line: be SURE you have $$$ available IN THE NEXT 10 DAYS.

c) for assembled folks, you have 2 weeks and then it's YOUR turn until Dec. 15th. Get those cards
in order :)

d) No negative issues with '480 so far. 2 more beta testers need to get back to me, but it looks
like a GO on the design.

e) the ARP 4027 filter I am pondering is an existing design that I would license and "MOTM-ify".
Stay tuned. No, it's NOT Modcan!

f) for US folks with cable/DSS: be SURE to tune in Cartoon Network THIS THURSDAY or FRIDAY for
the show "Billy and Mandy's Jacked Up Halloween Special". MOTM & a host of analog soundtrack!
Trying to get greedy corporate lawyers to allow a snippet on the site.

Paul S.

This week was MUCH more productive than last week: shipped about 45 kits out. I have run out of
'101 panels, so it will be 2 more weeks until the remaining '101s can go out. Will ship orders
with them back-ordered.

Barring unknown outside forces, the remaining kit backlog WILL be shipped by this coming Sat.
Mainly, I have over $11K in bills to pay for parts, so that money has to come from somewhere! And
I just ordered $2200 worth of panels today.

The ARP test circuits are due in this week, so over Thanksgiving football-watching I'll make up 2
test boards. Should be fairly no-brainer.

On the MIDI-CV front, it appears that the sysex/microtuning tables are functional, should know
for sure this week. No show-stoppers for the CS-80 filter so far: by the end of the month I'll
order production pc boards and get the R/Cs sequenced on tape (I already have the front panels).
I hope to upload some more '480 demo sounds next weekend (not that you need any more to convince
you it's a pretty neat addition to the VCF lineup).

OK, back to packing/shipping. Need to average 18 kits/day this week to clear it all out. Yawn.

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> This week was MUCH more productive than last week: shipped about 45 
kits out. I have run out of
> '101 panels, so it will be 2 more weeks until the remaining '101s 
can go out. Will ship orders
> with them back-ordered.
> 
> Barring unknown outside forces, the remaining kit backlog WILL be 
shipped by this coming Sat.

I can barely sit still just thinking about the arrival of my kits!!!

Chub-giggling fool

a) I have finished the *kit* inventory. As you can imagine, the pre-Christmas
rush and the rush after I got back has depleted the stock down to the bare
walls. I only have 31 kits *total* in stock. So, I am gearing up the slave labor
(wife) to start the pre-kitting process. This involves prepping the pots, jacks
and switches. No, they do NOT come the way to see them in the kits from the
manufacturers. The Bourns pots are the biggest pain: they come in "sheets" of 45
that are press-laminated together, and every pot has 'perf marks' for individual
extraction. Which is a ROYAL PAIN because I want to get at all 45 at once. Then,
I have to assemble the 2 nuts, the lockwasher and the flat washer. I did around
300 of them in 4 1/2 hours (then my hands started to swell up and I quit).

The same is true for the Spectrol pots (easier somewhat, they come 80 in a box
without the plastic wrapping) and the jacks. It's going to take 2 FULL WEEKS to
prep all of these parts, for both existing back orders, the '510 and the '480
kits, and have some extras. This is not the actual kitting, just the pre-kitting
(it's about 8,400 individual parts). Once this is done, however, things tend to
go rather quickly, the slowest then being the IC packing. The R & Cs are not
done by me, nor is the solder bagging. Once the pre-kitting is done, I can do
all but the VCOs very fast (1 full kit set per day). The VCOs are slow because
all of the 0.1% resistors (done by me).

So, most of the 31 remaining kits will dribble out over the next 2 - 3 weeks,
but that's all. MOTM-960s are in fab as well (50 of them!).

b) I will alternate my days between pre-kitting and assembled backlog. The
assembled backlog (not counting '510/'480) is still too high (around 80
modules). I am grateful I even *have* a backlog, but still it's not good for
anyone that it never seems to get "reasonable" (like <30 modules).

c) When I get behind like this, you may notice my time to reply to certain
emails to be long, like days. This is a judgment call on my end. If you are
asking something like "How many points do I have?", that email will get 'filed'
(no, not the round file) for "much later". I'm not sitting here playing video
games and eating bon-bons. I keep odd hours. I'm old and my daughter is turning
18 in 10 weeks and reminds me daily of this fact :( Like most of you, I have to
keep 7 balls up in the air: things like my son's Boy Scouts and basketball team,
my wife's purse business (www.prissytotes.com), and other unscheduled events (my
sister had a bad accident with a tile cutter, nearly severed off 3 fingers).
Feel free to pick up the phone and holler at me (evenings are best, I tend to
ignore the phone until 6PM). I have 1 speed, which most customers would describe
as "painfully slow". But I *am* going.

Paul S.

Paul,

If I'm reading this right, you are hand assembling the nuts and washers on
the pots for the kits.  Wouldn't it make more sense to pack them separately?
After all, we have to take most of that off anyway to put our modules
together.

(Anything to get my kits here faster.)

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> a) I have finished the *kit* inventory. As you can imagine, the pre-
> Christmas
> rush and the rush after I got back has depleted the stock down to the bare
> walls. I only have 31 kits *total* in stock. So, I am gearing up the slave
> labor
> (wife) to start the pre-kitting process. This involves prepping the pots,
> jacks
> and switches. No, they do NOT come the way to see them in the kits from
> the
> manufacturers. The Bourns pots are the biggest pain: they come in "sheets"
> of 45
> that are press-laminated together, and every pot has 'perf marks' for
> individual
> extraction. Which is a ROYAL PAIN because I want to get at all 45 at once.
> Then,
> I have to assemble the 2 nuts, the lockwasher and the flat washer. I did
> around
> 300 of them in 4 1/2 hours (then my hands started to swell up and I quit).
> 
> The same is true for the Spectrol pots (easier somewhat, they come 80 in a
> box
> without the plastic wrapping) and the jacks. It's going to take 2 FULL
> WEEKS to
> prep all of these parts, for both existing back orders, the '510 and the
> '480
> kits, and have some extras. This is not the actual kitting, just the pre-
> kitting
> (it's about 8,400 individual parts). Once this is done, however, things
> tend to
> go rather quickly, the slowest then being the IC packing. The R & Cs are
> not
> done by me, nor is the solder bagging. Once the pre-kitting is done, I can
> do
> all but the VCOs very fast (1 full kit set per day). The VCOs are slow
> because
> all of the 0.1% resistors (done by me).
> 
> So, most of the 31 remaining kits will dribble out over the next 2 - 3
> weeks,
> but that's all. MOTM-960s are in fab as well (50 of them!).

> If I'm reading this right, you are hand assembling the nuts and washers on
> the pots for the kits.  Wouldn't it make more sense to pack them separately?
> After all, we have to take most of that off anyway to put our modules
> together.

Several people asked this question. And the answer: the main reason I do this is
to *prevent* the flood of "Sorry to bother you, but I was short 1 washer in my
last shipment" emails. It is not fair to require everyone to maintain their
personal supply of parts I may leave out. And these are not easy to obtain
parts, unlike say having extra 1K resistors handy.

On a positive note: the 100 WaveWarper rotary switch assemblies arrived today!
That's the last critical part needed for the kits (and assembled units). All the
long lead-time parts are now in for that module, so now I can get started on the
manual (on CD-ROM). There is always *something* to do in MOTM-land.

Paul S.

> On a positive note: the 100 WaveWarper rotary switch assemblies 
arrived today!
> That's the last critical part needed for the kits (and assembled 
units). All the
> long lead-time parts are now in for that module, so now I can get 
started on the
> manual (on CD-ROM). There is always *something* to do in MOTM-land.
> 
> Paul S.

Well now, THIS is good news!  The WaveWarper has been eagerly awaited 
at the Product Testing laboratory.  Non-linearity is the primary 
objective of the Engine of Chaos...

You have been warned.

Chub-drunk with synth power

Someone, I think Larry, mentioned an inexpensive device that can 
divide MIDI clocks.  Could someone please remind me what it is??

THANX! :)

Hi Mark,

The one I remember is on John Blacet's site.  If I remember correctly, I
think it's primarily for interfacing with analog sequencers.
http://www.blacet.com/misc.html

Cheers,
George


----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Mark" <yahoogroups@...>
To: <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 5:09 PM
Subject: [motm] (OT) MIDI clock divider??


>
> Someone, I think Larry, mentioned an inexpensive device that can
> divide MIDI clocks.  Could someone please remind me what it is??
>
> THANX! :)

Based on the responses I've received, perhaps I should have been more 
clear.  Sorry for any confusion.  I want something that is MIDI in 
and MIDI out that divides (or multiplies) the tempo of F8 clock -- 
all within MIDI.


THANX!! :)


On 1/29/04, groovyshaman@... put forth:

>Hi Mark,
>
>The one I remember is on John Blacet's site.  If I remember correctly, I
>think it's primarily for interfacing with analog sequencers.
>http://www.blacet.com/misc.html

Quick update after a nightmare week (college room-mate died suddenly while
bike-riding, had to fly to funeral and round up the other 3 room-mates in 48
hours, Google strikes again! Sadly, he leaves 2 children 14 and 12yrs old and a
wife of 19 years). And about 1 hour ago, my VGA cable decided to short out, I'm
typing this with a pink and purple screen :(

a) despite everything, I *have* finished fully re-stocking the following: '190s,
'800s, '910s, 950s, '101s and '120s. I should have not only enough to ship all
kit backlog, but enough to last until the fall. The '910s are made with a larger
gauge wire this time, and are solder-dipped. So, the wire has a layer of solder
on it, but it's actually *better* built than before. I sort of like the look :)

b) I just bought $1600 worth of wire, that should last me until the winter. I'm
low on the short coax cables, but have enough to ship about 10 assembled modules
out.

c) I now have '960s in stock, so I'll get those out to those waiting on them.

d) This week will be spent  on the VCO kitting ('310s and then '300s) because
there are ~30 of these on order. Also, I need to *actually ship something* so I
can pay myself for the $14,000 spent on parts so far this year :( I'm operating
in the red, I need to get out and at least break even shortly. But as my friend
Mel used to say, "You can't sell apples from an empty cart."

e) Once the VCOs are kitted, I will kit up the '510 WaveWarpers. Tony and Drew:
you have one, any feedback??!?

f) The '650 MIDI-CV is getting a small bug fixed in the microtuning tables, but
so far it's looking *really* good. In April I plan to ship the '480 filter and
work on the final pc boards/front panel for the '650.

Paul S.

I have two MOTM-320's.  One I built myself, the other I bought
assembled from another listmember.  Neither have been modified in any
way (I bought a 320R daughterboard and Stooge panel, but haven't
installed them yet).

They both seem to work fine, except the one I built has a much wider
frequency range.  It is much slower when the knob is all the way
down, and much faster when all the way up, compared to the one I
bought used.  This difference seems to be much greater than the 5%
tolerance of the pots.  Any ideas what might be causing this??  Could
anyone who has several 320's please comment on how your units
differ??  I would like to get them so they have a similar response.


THANX!! :)


P.S.  If anyone has a 510, I would love to hear about it!!

>They both seem to work fine, except the one I built has a much wider
>frequency range.  It is much slower when the knob is all the way
>down, and much faster when all the way up, compared to the one I
>bought used.  This difference seems to be much greater than the 5%
>tolerance of the pots.  Any ideas what might be causing this??  Could
>anyone who has several 320's please comment on how your units
>differ??  I would like to get them so they have a similar response.

I have four units, all built by myself in assembly line fashion. I've 
measured the maximum frequency (after adding DB-320 daughterboard) of 
eachand found that it ranges from about 450 to about 650 Hz. I'm not 
sure why there is such a variance, but it seems to be normal for this 
module.

On 3/9/04, Scott Juskiw put forth:
>  >They both seem to work fine, except the one I built has a much wider
>  >frequency range.  It is much slower when the knob is all the way
>  >down, and much faster when all the way up, compared to the one I
>  >bought used.  This difference seems to be much greater than the 5%
>  >tolerance of the pots.  Any ideas what might be causing this??  Could
>  >anyone who has several 320's please comment on how your units
>  >differ??  I would like to get them so they have a similar response.
>
>I have four units, all built by myself in assembly line fashion. I've
>measured the maximum frequency (after adding DB-320 daughterboard) of
>eachand found that it ranges from about 450 to about 650 Hz. I'm not
>sure why there is such a variance, but it seems to be normal for this
>module.

Thanks Scott, but if it were only a difference of 200Hz at the top
end, I wouldn't have mentioned it.  Using a tuning meter, with the
knobs at "10", the one I built has a top frequency equivalent to G#
-1, but the one I bought built only goes up to A# -4 (a difference of
about three octaves).  One the low end, without having to bring in a
geologist or building some kind of timer, around "4" on the knobs,
the one I built will cycle once, while the one I bought used will
cycle ten times.  Perhaps one of us made a construction error??
Based on what you say, 320's shouldn't vary that much.   Any idea
where I should look??

On Tuesday 09 March 2004 19:56, Mark wrote:
> Thanks Scott, but if it were only a difference of 200Hz
> at the top end, I wouldn't have mentioned it.  Using a
> tuning meter, with the knobs at "10", the one I built has
> a top frequency equivalent to G# -1, but the one I bought
> built only goes up to A# -4 (a difference of about three
> octaves).  One the low end, without having to bring in a
> geologist or building some kind of timer, around "4" on
> the knobs, the one I built will cycle once, while the one
> I bought used will cycle ten times.  Perhaps one of us
> made a construction error?? Based on what you say, 320's
> shouldn't vary that much.   Any idea where I should
> look??

Maybe the 320's FM input is somehow connected to a signal 
source? What happens if you turn the FM knob (without a 
jack connected in the FM input)?

- Robert

On 3/9/04, Robert van der Kamp put forth:
>
>Maybe the 320's FM input is somehow connected to a signal
>source? What happens if you turn the FM knob (without a
>jack connected in the FM input)?

Nothing, no change.

I would check the value of the timing capacitor and also of the 
resistors in the timing circuit.  I don't have a schematic in front 
of me (I'm at work) but the timing part of the oscillator is 
probably explained in Paul's explanation of the circuit.  It is easy 
to pick up the wrong capacitor.  You could have done this or Paul 
even could have done this.  Make very sure that the value of the 
timing capacitor matches the schematic and that it is not off by a 
factor of 10.  Then check the resistors around the timing cap.  
Again it is very easy to pick up a resistor that is wrong by a 
factor of 10 (wrong 3rd color band.)  If all else fails, get in 
touch with the master himself.

>I would check the value of the timing capacitor and also of the
>resistors in the timing circuit.  I don't have a schematic in front
>of me (I'm at work) but the timing part of the oscillator is
>probably explained in Paul's explanation of the circuit.  It is easy
>to pick up the wrong capacitor.  You could have done this or Paul
>even could have done this.  Make very sure that the value of the
>timing capacitor matches the schematic and that it is not off by a
>factor of 10.  Then check the resistors around the timing cap. 
>Again it is very easy to pick up a resistor that is wrong by a
>factor of 10 (wrong 3rd color band.)  If all else fails, get in
>touch with the master himself.

The other thing to check is the circuitry that sums all the frequency 
control inputs (RATE pot, FM input, 1 V/OCT input, top of page 1 of 
schematic). If a resistor is wrong in there, then you could be 
sending more current than expected to the oscillator circuit. Measure 
the voltage on pin 8 of U1 of both 320s and compare at the same 
setting of the RATE pot. They should be nearly the same. If not then 
you got a problem there. If they are the same, then check that the 
resistors around Q1 and Q2 are the same on both 320s. Those set the 
current to the oscillator circuit.

If everything is good, then check the oscillator part (bottom of page 
1 of schematic) as Paul H. says. The timing cap is C8.

Ignore page 2 of schematic, that's all just waveshaping.

It is also possible that the problem is in the control voltage circuit
rather than the timing circuit.  I am wondering if the CV control range
varies greatly like the pot control range.

Don't worry about the pot VR1 - variance here will make no difference.
Here are things to check in the CV control circuit:
R5 - controls the range of rate pot
R6 - sets the initial frequency (summed with rate pot)
R7 - controls the gain of the CV circuit
R8 (tempco), R9, R10, and R11 need to be checked.

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: paulhaneberg <phaneber@...>
I would check the value of the timing capacitor and also of the resistors in
the timing circuit. <snip>  Make very sure that the value of the timing
capacitor matches the schematic and that it is not off by a factor of 10.
Then check the resistors around the timing cap.

Another possibility is a cold solder joint somewhere in the control voltage
circuitry, including the Rate input.  This will manifest itself as a high
impedance.  After building dozens of modules I finally found a cold solder
joint in one of my VCAs.  Exponential mode worked, Linear mode didn't.  It
did not take long to solve once I started probing with a meter.

Since you have two 320s, the easiest methodology is to put them side by side
with the same control settings.  Power them both on, then go through the
schematic from the rate pot forward and compare the DC voltages at each node
with a multimeter.  If you find a large difference you will have a clue to
the problem.

A problem with the timing cap seems less likely to me.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

Having two of a module is good for many reasons.  This is one of them.

-Richard Brewster

John Loffink wrote:

>Since you have two 320s, the easiest methodology is to put them side by side
>with the same control settings.  Power them both on, then go through the
>schematic from the rate pot forward and compare the DC voltages at each node
>with a multimeter.  If you find a large difference you will have a clue to
>the problem.
>
>
>  
>

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who responded. 
You've all been very helpful.  I probably won't be able to take 
another look at this until the weekend, as I just got called in for 
jury duty (selection was last week).

On 3/9/04, J. Larry Hendry put forth:
>It is also possible that the problem is in the control voltage circuit
>rather than the timing circuit.  I am wondering if the CV control range
>varies greatly like the pot control range.
>
>Don't worry about the pot VR1 - variance here will make no difference.
>Here are things to check in the CV control circuit:
>R5 - controls the range of rate pot
>R6 - sets the initial frequency (summed with rate pot)
>R7 - controls the gain of the CV circuit
>R8 (tempco), R9, R10, and R11 need to be checked.

Thanks, that will give me something to think about while I'm in court :)

On 3/9/04, John Loffink put forth:
>Another possibility is a cold solder joint somewhere in the control voltage
>circuitry, including the Rate input.  This will manifest itself as a high
>impedance.  After building dozens of modules I finally found a cold solder
>joint in one of my VCAs.  Exponential mode worked, Linear mode didn't.  It
>did not take long to solve once I started probing with a meter.

Btw, my most common problem is pinched coax cables.

>Since you have two 320s, the easiest methodology is to put them side by side
>with the same control settings.  Power them both on, then go through the
>schematic from the rate pot forward and compare the DC voltages at each node
>with a multimeter.  If you find a large difference you will have a clue to
>the problem.

Which leads to a very important question, which module is the one 
that has a problem??  They both work.  Using a tuning meter, with the 
knobs at "10", the one I built has a top frequency equivalent to G# 
-1, but the one I bought built only goes up to A# -4 (it also doesn't 
go as low).

>A problem with the timing cap seems less likely to me.

It seems very unlikely to me too.  If the value were smaller or 
larger than it should be, the entire frequency range would be higher 
or lower.  The problem I have is that the range of one 320 is much 
wider than the other.

1) Finally! I am starting to pack and ship modules! I plan to ship around 12
modules/day, every day this week (all kits). This includes long-ago orders for
rails, '910s, and '960s.

2) Module #4900 is shipping tomorrow, so I am working my way up to the mythical
#5000. Chances are, that one will be a '480 kit. Of course, that module becomes
*FREE*, and you get a small token of appreciation (well, I think it's cool, you
may put it on eBay). AND a $200 module credit (good for 1 year). I will have an
interesting (well, interesting to *me*) web page documenting exactly what
shipping 5000 modules entails, with a full breakdown of sales every which way.
Food for the competition and the detractors :)

3) Those going to the AH Midwest gathering can play with a WaveWarper and a '480
VCF.

4) Nothing but assembled modules next week, so if you don't get a 'happy email'
this week, wait until April 1 to bang me on the head.

Back to packing.

Paul S.

On 3/14/04, Paul Schreiber put forth:
>3) Those going to the AH Midwest gathering can play with a
>WaveWarper and a '480 VCF.

Is there any way we could have them at the AHNE meet??  That would be
awesome!!  I know I'm in New England, because April 17th is only a
month away and we just got a foot of snow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, but please, no green modules.

>
> Is there any way we could have them at the AHNE meet??  That would be
> awesome!!  I know I'm in New England, because April 17th is only a
> month away and we just got a foot of snow.
>

I hope to be shipping many '510s by then. If Old Crow is going (he lives in West
Virginia), he can take his '480.

Paul S.

Still 90% focused on assembled units. Kitting of the '510 starts up this week,
making 60 kits (about 14 extra above backlog). New wire order has arrived, so
now I just have to 'turn the crank'. I *still* need someone that has access to a
pro CD-duplicator/label printer to contact me to make the CD's for the manual
(and this will include all the manuals and lots of demo songs from the website).
I don't expect this to be free, so contact me off-list if you can help.

Verified the NPN/PNP transistor array in the GX-1 VCF design is 'real' (meaning
they exist and I can get samples and they are not $25ea). It's from the old dBx
semi group (www.thatcorp.com) and so Easter weekend I plan to do the CAD capture
of the GX-1 VCF.

March was again a healthy month for receiving orders: thanks for supporting my
'little hobby' and approaching module #5000 (46 left and counting...)

Paul S.

Tax Day is ***OVER*** here in the US (note: I *never* go to the post office on
April 15th/Tax Day. It's mind-boggling!). For the first time in 8 years, I get a
modest 'refund' (basically, the IRS gives me back MY OWN money...refund
indeed!). Spent it on an ultra-rare Mulugix Slave32 (the rack-mounted Synergy,
only 30 were made and I only know of 7 still in existence).

a) shipping some kits Fri and Sat., then back to assembled. Next up: a batch of
'830 mixers followed by a batch of '101s.

b) shipping module #4964 this week. So, looks like #5000 will not be a '510
after all. More than likely a '300 or '440 kit.

c) I've entered into an agreement with a fellow MOTMer to use his Mu-Tron
BiPhase clone as a MOTM module. 2U wide module covered in jacks, switches, etc.
Months away from production, but thought some of you may be interested?

d) schematic capture of GX-1 VCF done, will start PCB layout in about 10 days.

e) [OT] for you FPS gamers out there, *immediately* get 'FarCry'. Don't expect
to sleep much, and if you have a high-end graphics card (ie 9800PRO) expect
large amounts of drool and jaw-drops-to-floor moments.

Paul S.

>c) I've entered into an agreement with a fellow MOTMer to use his Mu-Tron
>BiPhase clone as a MOTM module. 2U wide module covered in jacks, 
>switches, etc.
>Months away from production, but thought some of you may be interested?

Like this?

http://m.bareille.free.fr/biphase/biphase.htm

Hey Paul,

How about an update on the progress of the sequencer and the MIDI 2 CV.  I'm
sure others, like myself, would appreciate knowing the progress and status
of these two items.

Thanks
Larry

>How about an update on the progress of the sequencer and the MIDI 2 CV.  I'm
>sure others, like myself, would appreciate knowing the progress and status
>of these two items.

And the 450. We saw it at NAMM 2003, where is it now?

I'd love to have a couple of Mutron Biphase clone modules.

How about a clone of the ADA Flanger made around 1982?  
I'd love to have a couple of those as well.

Is it too much to hope for VC depth and VC feedback as well as VC 
sweep speed and the ability to control the shift from an external 
source?

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> 
wrote:
> c) I've entered into an agreement with a fellow MOTMer to use 
his Mu-Tron
> BiPhase clone as a MOTM module. 

Wicked.

> c) I've entered into an agreement with a fellow MOTMer to use his Mu-Tron
> BiPhase clone as a MOTM module. 2U wide module covered in jacks, switches,
> etc.
> Months away from production, but thought some of you may be interested?

Interested, yes, because I love phase shifters, but I know the Mu-Tron
BiPhase only by its near-legendary reputation, i.e. hype but no detail.
Hence before I'd be able to make a purchase decision I'd have to see specs,
etc. FWIW the 450 is of greater interest to me.

> e) [OT] for you FPS gamers out there, *immediately* get 'FarCry'. Don't
> expect
> to sleep much, and if you have a high-end graphics card (ie 9800PRO)
> expect
> large amounts of drool and jaw-drops-to-floor moments.

The demo wouldn't run on my machine.

--Adam

1) I have finished a batch of both '300 VCO kits and '390 uLFO kits. Orders
waiting on either (or both!) of these kits will ship this week. There are about
18 VCOs spoken for. Now is the time to get one, because when these run out it's
usually 4-5 months until I have time to make more. Next up are '440s and '410s.
Also, if you are thinking about one of these NOW is the time to order.

2) I have started placing parts on the pc board for the GX-1 filter. It's going
to be dense! A 4/5 rating. There are 4 (ack!) trimpots, which is the 'price' you
pay for an all-discrete design (no op amps in the signal path at all). I have
1/2 of the parts placed. Something like 12 caps, 53 (!!) resistors 5 DIP
package, 4 trimmers in the design......sigh......

3) I'm still mainly focusing on reducing the assembled backlog. I just finished
5 '190s, now I'm building some '490s followed by shipping 5 people some modules.

4) Just a heads-up: there WILL be policy/price changes coming up in the fall.
Yes, the points system is OK :) If you are thinking about modules you need,
think about saving up and ordering before Sept. 1. There are several reasons, in
order:

a) my daughter graduates high school, and my son enters Middle school (6th
grade). My wife (on-call substitute nurse) has signed up to double her schedule,
because she wants to remodel the kitchen (big $$$). Overall available MOTM time
*will be reduced*. There is not much I can do about that, it's just the way
things are. So......

b) I will outsource A LOT MORE of MOTM activities, meaning somebody's gonna pay,
and it ain't me! :)

5) The greatest price % increase will be assembled modules. Again, save $$$ over
the summer, place orders BEFORE Sept. 1.

Yawn, off to bed.

Paul S.

a) daughter's car issues completed (Mustang totalled, replaced by Mitsubishi
Eclipse)

b) MOTM-485 GX-1 VCF pc board completed. Old Crow is going to 'mill out' a board
on his whiz-bang machine. If all checks out, I'll make 3 "official" assembled
prototypes and set the wheels in motion.

It's not on the price list yet, but it WILL be on there sometime today. This is
a long, painful manual process and usually I mess something up (shipping
charges, etc). I will send out another email when I think it's ready to go.

Meanwhile, drooling can begin here:

www.synthtech.com/misc/m485plots.pdf

c) Many kits will be shipped in the next 10 days (over 60, I reckon) along with
some assembled. Note that the last week of May (say from the 22nd to June 1) I
will be hard to get a hold of (in Chicago 3 days, daughter's graduation after
that).

d) programming team back in action after "baby break". MOTM-650 MIDI-CV
prototypes now being coded for "daisy-chaining" up to 4 converters (for a
16-channel, 68 I/O jack monster).

Lots to do :)


Paul S.

>  www.synthtech.com/misc/m485plots.pdf

You really do make beautiful  boards.

>  d) programming team back in action after "baby break". MOTM-650 
> MIDI-CV
>  prototypes now being coded for "daisy-chaining" up to 4 converters 
> (for a
>  16-channel, 68 I/O jack monster).

I can't wait for the 650! I lay awake at night dreaming about MIDI 
automated control of tons of parameters....

--mikes

a) about 3/4ths of the way stuffing the '485 protos. I have to order a few more
parts, but should have them done in about 10 days.

b) this coming week is one of my busiest of the year: I'm traveling on business
AND my daughter graduates high school! Over 40 out-of-town relatives descending
on the house, and workers are due in tomorrow at 7AM to re-do the ENTIRE
KITCHEN. So, needless to say, MOTM takes a 'holiday' until June 1st.

c) I should have all of the kits stocked by June 12th. I have 4 left: '830, 440,
410 and '890s. THEN...I want to ship the '510 WaveWarper kits and get the '480
VCF kit rolling, too.

Remember module #5000 like 2 weeks ago? Well, yesterday I shipped #5078 :) So, I
am chugging along.

Paul S.

1) daughter FINALLY DID GRADUATE high school last night (was not an easy task,
trust me). House now quiet, all relatives gone. Whew.......

2) Memorial Day is when all the PCs get upgraded/swapped out/sold. This year was
768MB of RAM in every machine, all drives up to 80GB or more, and CD drives
upgraded to DVD. Now only if HL2 would ship......

3) Just turned on the soldering iron for '485 prototypes. I will have these
stuffed and (hopefully) tested by tomorrow night. I'll send out for front
panels, and send these out for beta test. Groveling for beta units may commence
:)

4) Also starting the '440 kits tomorrow. If you want a '440 kit between now and
Sept. NOW IS THE TIME to order. You have been warned :) Many of these are for
points redemption, I haven't forgot.

5) Hopefully beta code for '650 MIDI-CV will be up this month. External clocking
survived the 'torture test', all that's really left major is allowing 2 or more
units to connect. Elves are hard at work as we speak.

6) This week I am shipping MANY kit orders out, and more assembled, too. I'm
late shipping the '510 (that was supposed to ALL go out last month) but after
the '440 kits are done (in about 1 week), I'm making *50* of the '510 kits and
about 20 MOTM-950 kits (many were ordered with the '510, although it's an "old"
4-pin module).

Iron is hot, gotta go!

Paul S.
770,000 parts down, 500,000 to go

From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>

>2) Memorial Day is when all the PCs get upgraded/swapped out/sold. This
year was
>768MB of RAM in every machine, all drives up to 80GB or more, and CD drives
>upgraded to DVD. Now only if HL2 would ship......

And to think I only just upgrated from my P166 to an $80 Celeron 333 with a
repaired (by me) 20G drive, 128M ram and a CDR/W and CDR drives that were $0
hand-me downs.

Ken
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone   sasami@... or sasami@...
Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>

a) I'll be out of town from Sun to the following Fri. *without* Internet access
(I think).

b) I'm now out of '800 and '300 kits. My new "helper" is kitting up 1500 jacks
while I'm gone followed by all the pots and switches needed for a new batch.
I'll have more of these by 15July.

c) don't forget about the increase in prices July 1st.

d) the firmware and hardware for the '650 MIDI-CV converter prototype is
sufficiently along that I can start the 'real' pcb and panel design :) I plan to
start this over the July 4th "holiday" (it's usually 108F that weekend). It's a
rather messy mechanical design (6 pc boards) and will take until Sept before I
can send out for 'production samples'. This is just to let you know work has
been going on 'behind the scenes' for about 2 years on it.

e) once the helper is done with the '800 and '300 prep work, attention turns to
the '510. I'll have her start on that kitting, with a ship target of Aug. 15th.
I still have to author and then duplicate the CD-ROM (it has *all* the current
manuals + about 50 sound files on it).

f) I am rather behind this year: at this point last year, I had shipped 224
*more* modules than this year. I have the orders on the books (the dreaded and
feared 'backlog') but my available time is about 1/3rd of the last 3 or so
years. My overall productivity is about the same, I'm struggling with "so many
hours in a day". I'm hoping my kitting helper can speed things up over the
summer (until the baby arrives, no not related to me. She's the wife of a
friend).

Paul S.

a) Still need some PhotoShop files of the documentation CD label. $50, anyone?

b) I have finished the '510 manual/tutorial (it has 8 audio examples) and will
send out to CD duplication in 10 days.

c) I am in the process of buying all the necessary parts to ship the backlog
(plus 5%). The panel order was placed Friday and I have to buy ~$1300 worth of
Analog Devices parts tomorrow. The 2 pacing items for shipping in the
Oct/Nov/Dec period will be panels and 149 pots. I should have enough now to ship
up until then, except '300 panels are scarce. The pcb and wire orders should
arrive later this week. And the 12,000 piece nut/screw/washer order :)

Hang in there, elves are working fast as possible to kit & ship.

Paul S.

1) MOTM-485 GX-1 VCF is officially "a done deal", R&D-wise. The remaining tweaks
were debated this week and finally implemented today in the 2 prototypes. These
will be shipped Monday to sunny San Diego  CA for demo generation. Here is the
end result of the tweaks:

a) eliminated 2 of the 4 trim pots. Since this VCF does NOT 'self-resonate' like
other MOTM filters, there is no easy way to set 1V/Oct. So it's set 'in
hardware' to within 0.75% of ideal. Which is probably just as accurate as you
can set it with a single-turn trim anyway.

The 2 trims are: CV Zero (sets the cutoff frequency with no CV applied) and Q
PEAK (set the max. resonance).

When the demos are ready, I'll let you know.

b) set the Q PEAK range to closely emulate the original Yamaha sound, plus an
extra 'over-the-top' area if you want extra cross-mod distortion in HP mode.

2) I will be finished this coming week kitting up all the modules that I have
panels for. As a general rule, most modules have around 20 panels in stock. The
'510 and '480 have about 50 panels in stock (and more on order). So, around
Thursday I will start shipping all I can of the "old stuff" based on the panel
stock. I am sending out to pcb fab the '480 and '485 this week. This will give
me time to ship the existing 'old stuff' AND start the '510 first-batch kitting
(44 kits). Some '510 panels are reserved for assembled orders. By the time this
is ready to ship, I can send the '480 pc boards out to be inserted and start the
'485 kitting/shipment. THEN.......the large panel order should arrive just about
the time the 500 Spectrol pots on order arrive. I then 're-kit' up to the
remaining backlog. So, here is the timeline:

finish the current kitting, based on panels in stock
send out the '480/'485 to pcb shop (and order '485 panels)
ship all I can from existing panel/kit stock, start '510 kitting
send documentation CD out to dupe
ship '510s
get the '480/'485 pc boards in, send out the '480 for stuffing (resistors, etc)
kit up the '485
~488 panels arrive :)
restock the kits and ship
Merry Christmas!

and in there, I also

work on the assembled modules
work on the MIDI-CV production layout/panel

OK, back to work!

Paul S.

1) Be aware that the last day to order modules for arrival this year is this
Monday. MOTM modules make nice holiday gifts :)

2) Mike Marsh has 2 GX-1 VCFs and is making up some demos. They really show off
the "spongy" and "buzzy" nature of the diode filter.

3) Front panels remain the pacing item. This week I'm working on assembled
backlog, next week I will able to ship about 50 more kits of "older" stuff, then
I will kit the '510 and ship that. Also the '480 and '485 production pc boards
are going out (finally).

4) I received a prototype 'breadboard' of the MIDI-CV converter from the
firmware programmers (code is like 97% done) and will start that module, too.

Never a dull moment.

Paul S.

Greeting from balmy Ft Worth: 4in of rain followed by 93F. Current humidity 89%.

a) pseudo-intern Charles Stella is in-da-houze for a 1-week stay. He will kit up
60 of the MOTM-510s, and solder (hopefully) 28 pc boards for assembled backlog
(about 1/4th of the total). Everyone cheer Charles on as he slaves away over a
hot iron while I force him to listen to my CD collection.

b) I'm building the "golden sample" MOTM-480 VCF module this week, in order to
verify the layout and BOM before turning it over to the stuffing folks. I am
having 100 boards stuffed with the resistors and axial caps (about 128 parts),
but not soldered. BTW: this set of 100 is the *total run*, meaning when gone,
it's 'vintage'. There are ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2
VCFs on 1 board, what a deal :)

c) I've shipped about all I can until the sheet metal arrives. Some will arrive
on the 30th, the rest on Sept. 5th. At least this "down time" will let me get
these 2 modules ready to ship. And also, if you ordered a '950 supply when all
the new stuff came out, you may get that shipped as well (frankly, I need the
$$$ to pay for all these parts. I have about $3400 in bills sitting here).

d) NOTE!! The rotary switch on the '510 needs a 9/16" hex nut driver. This is an
"oddball" size (a 14mm will also work). You may want to start poking around to
see what you can use to tighten this nut. I suppose if I need future rotary
switches, I can use this same family of switches. It does seem silly to spend $7
on a nutdriver to use *one time*, but that's the problem.

Paul S.

On Monday 23 August 2004 05:52, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> a) pseudo-intern Charles Stella is in-da-houze for a
> 1-week stay. He will kit up 60 of the MOTM-510s, and
> solder (hopefully) 28 pc boards for assembled backlog
> (about 1/4th of the total). Everyone cheer Charles on as
> he slaves away over a hot iron while I force him to
> listen to my CD collection.

Poor guy. ;)

>
> b) I'm building the "golden sample" MOTM-480 VCF module
> this week, in order to verify the layout and BOM before
> turning it over to the stuffing folks. I am having 100
> boards stuffed with the resistors and axial caps (about
> 128 parts), but not soldered. BTW: this set of 100 is the
> *total run*, meaning when gone, it's 'vintage'. There are
> ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2 VCFs
> on 1 board, what a deal :)

Oooh, tempting! 
Why won't you continue the 480 Paul? What's wrong with this 
module?


> d) NOTE!! The rotary switch on the '510 needs a 9/16" hex
> nut driver. This is an "oddball" size (a 14mm will also
> work). You may want to start poking around to see what
> you can use to tighten this nut. I suppose if I need
> future rotary switches, I can use this same family of
> switches. It does seem silly to spend $7 on a nutdriver
> to use *one time*, but that's the problem.

Victory!! I found the 9/16 in my Xcelite set. :)

- Robert

BTW: this set of 100 is the
>> *total run*, meaning when gone, it's 'vintage'. There are
>> ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2 VCFs
>> on 1 board, what a deal :)
>
> Oooh, tempting!
> Why won't you continue the 480 Paul? What's wrong with this
> module?

Because the boards are processed by an outside contractor. Once the 100
are done, I can't go back and ask for 8 more. The setup charge would make
the price go up almost $65/module!

I did buy enough 100 ohm pots (custom made) for the WaveWarper to make 250
:) THat's should be a lifetime supply, considering 64 are on order.

Paul S.

I can't wait for:

* 510
* 480
* 485
* uSeq
* MIDI-TO-CV
* Cloud Generator

What happened to the Rhythm Wheel? That sounded really cool...

Mike


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, synth1@a... wrote:
>  BTW: this set of 100 is the
> >> *total run*, meaning when gone, it's 'vintage'. There are
> >> ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2 VCFs
> >> on 1 board, what a deal :)
> >
> > Oooh, tempting!
> > Why won't you continue the 480 Paul? What's wrong with this
> > module?
> 
> Because the boards are processed by an outside contractor. Once 
the 100
> are done, I can't go back and ask for 8 more. The setup charge 
would make
> the price go up almost $65/module!
> 
> I did buy enough 100 ohm pots (custom made) for the WaveWarper to 
make 250

> :) THat's should be a lifetime supply, considering 64 are on order.
> 
> Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@w...> wrote:

> > There are
> > ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2 VCFs
> > on 1 board, what a deal :)
> 
> Oooh, tempting! 

That said how does a single 480 compare to a pair of 485s?

   :-) Michael.

Very different beasts, in my opinion.  485 is nasty (in a good way) 
and the 480 is 'smoother'.  The 480 has two filters built-in.  Both 
deserve a place in your rack!

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "tontaub" <egroups@b...> wrote:
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@w...> 
wrote:

> 
> > > There are
> > > ~34 left, so consider getting one if not on order. 2 VCFs
> > > on 1 board, what a deal :)
> > 
> > Oooh, tempting! 
> 
> That said how does a single 480 compare to a pair of 485s?
> 
>    :-) Michael.

The filters are different topologies, which pretty much dispels the myth
that the "CS80 custom chips are integrated versions of the discrete
circuits in the GX1."  Both exhibit some basic similarities (the 480 is a
pair of 2nd-order filters, each 485 is a single 2nd-order filter), both
have specific feedback-damping to prevent self-oscillation, although I
increased the adjustment on the 485 to let it introduce "bad" IM
distortion, because it sounded musically useful.  The bottom line is, they
sound different.

  Yamaha must have had this great fear that a keyboard player would be
able to place a filter in a state that made it appear as if the instrument
was broken; things like closing the high-pass filter all the way such that
no tone was heard.  Thus, Yamaha built the GX1 HP-VCF to respond to 1/2
Oct/V modulation wheres the LPF was 1V/Oct.  Similarly, the CS80 HP filter
is hardwired to track and half the distance as the LP filter on its
modulation input.  On the MOTM-480, this hardwired behavior is part of the
FM input (1V/Oct still tracks the same for both filters, same as in a real
CS-80).

  Hope this helps(?)

Crow
/**/

On Mon, 23 Aug 2004, tontaub wrote:

> That said how does a single 480 compare to a pair of 485s?
> 
>    :-) Michael.

Hi,

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, The Old Crow <oldcrow@o...> wrote:
> I increased the adjustment on the 485 to let it introduce "bad" IM
> distortion, because it sounded musically useful.  The bottom line
> is, they sound different.

I'm not sure if they demos show that (and if I listened to everything 
posted) since rather the "oddities" of the 
485 were shown off, but to me the 480 sounds nicer, more smooth. 

>   Yamaha must have had this great fear that a keyboard player would
> be able to place a filter in a state that made it appear as if the 
> instrument was broken; things like closing the high-pass filter all 
> the way such that no tone was heard.  

Ah, this infamous "where did my sound go?" question ;-)

> Thus, Yamaha built the GX1 HP-VCF to respond to 1/2
> Oct/V modulation wheres the LPF was 1V/Oct.  Similarly, the 
> CS80 HP filter
> is hardwired to track and half the distance as the LP filter on its
> modulation input.  On the MOTM-480, this hardwired behavior is 
> part of the FM input (1V/Oct still tracks the same for both 
> filters, same as in a real CS-80).

>   Hope this helps(?)

Sure!  Thanks a lot!

 Michael.

I agree. At AHMW, we had Crow's prototype 485 (not in aggressive tweak
yet), and a 480. I was able to compare them extensively. The 480 WAS
smoother - it did indeed have that "Bladerunner" quality to it. (There
was also a real CS-80 in the room - what fun!)

Moe

> I'm not sure if they demos show that (and if I listened to everything 
> posted) since rather the "oddities" of the 
> 485 were shown off, but to me the 480 sounds nicer, more smooth. 
>

On Tuesday 24 August 2004 01:17, The Old Crow wrote:
> \ufffd The filters are different topologies, which pretty much
> dispels the myth that the "CS80 custom chips are
> integrated versions of the discrete circuits in the GX1."
> \ufffdBoth exhibit some basic similarities (the 480 is a pair
> of 2nd-order filters, each 485 is a single 2nd-order
> filter), both have specific feedback-damping to prevent
> self-oscillation, although I increased the adjustment on
> the 485 to let it introduce "bad" IM distortion, because
> it sounded musically useful. \ufffdThe bottom line is, they
> sound different.

I guess the reason (apart from cash) why I still don't have 
a 480 is that I'm afraid it's too self-contained or 'neat' 
sounding. The audio demos didn't prove otherwise.  

Am I wrong here? Or if this indeed the case, is there a way 
to make the 480 go a little wilder?

Robert

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@w...> wrote:
> I guess the reason (apart from cash) why I still don't have 
> a 480 is that I'm afraid it's too self-contained or 'neat' 
> sounding. The audio demos didn't prove otherwise.  
> 
> Am I wrong here? Or if this indeed the case, is there a way 
> to make the 480 go a little wilder?

How about this?

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/motm/message/21430

( contains explanations of www.synthtech.com/demo/rr_480demo.mp3 )

   :-) Michael.

a) Charles Stella has left the building. However, he left behind lots of
MOTM-510 kits and assembled pc boards AND got my ProTools to at least talk to
the Digi 002 system.

b) As the end-of-the-year shipping schedule looms 1 week away, I will spend all
of Sunday doing the "last and final" kit/assembled inventory. Meaning, if you
want to take delivery of a module *this year*, you need to get the order in by
no later than this coming Wednesday. There are 22 MOTM-480s unspoken for.
MOTM-300 VCOs always have the longest lead-times, so if you need one before Feb
1st now is the time. Remember, it costs *nothing* to place the order (just need
to have the $$$ available when ready to ship). AND, you can always specify a
'hold time', like "Please ship after Nov. 15th".

c) if you think your order has fallen into a black hole, now is the time for me
to look for it. Remember, it's MUCH PREFERRED to order stuff/add to an existing
order using the oddly named 'Order Form'. These are placed in a separate InBox
folder, they are printed, and kept in a cool, dry place. Emails are added to the
pile, and right now I have 1142 emails in my In Box :(

d) Please check the expiration dates or credit card changes on existing orders.
As I get closer to Dec. 15th (last day modules shipped until Feb. 1st), by
patience gets thinner with rejected credit cards.

f) This coming week, which is the last week I have to wait for the front panels
to arrive, will be split between assembled modules and preparing the CDROM
manual. The Version 1.0 is not going to be 'slick', just lots of raw data. The
manuals are split into 3 parts: the tact, the schematics and the artwork. This
is just a by-product of Acrobat: I'm sure I can combine them but I really don't
have the time as I *also* need to prepare a DVD for my father's 80th birthday in
2 weeks. If there are any Mac video gurus out there, contact me off list :)

Again, in order to balance the cash flow, I'm doing inventory tomorrow and
modules will 'freeze' on Wednesday. Thanks for putting up with my erratic
business sense.

Paul S.

On Sunday 29 August 2004 06:15, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> There are 22 MOTM-480s unspoken for. 

Make that 21. :)

- Robert

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@w...> wrote:
> On Sunday 29 August 2004 06:15, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> 
> > There are 22 MOTM-480s unspoken for. 
> 
> Make that 21. :)

Naaaah ... that can't be more than 20! ;-)

   Michael.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "tontaub" <egroups@b...> wrote:
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Robert van der Kamp <robnet@w...> wrote:
> > On Sunday 29 August 2004 06:15, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> > 
> > > There are 22 MOTM-480s unspoken for. 
> > 
> > Make that 21. :)
> 
> Naaaah ... that can't be more than 20! ;-)
> 
>    Michael.
I shouldn't, but I will!  Make it 19!!
Larry

Here I am, laboring away on Labor Day weekend....sigh....but I'm groovin' to
Terry Furber's 'Orbital Decay' CD (great MOTM stuff on there!).

a) The MOTM-480 CS-80 VCF is officially ***done***. I just finished checking out
the production pc board and resistor/cap values, making sure the wires reach the
jacks, etc. A fine piece of work, if I do say so myself. The synth world
trembles in amazement :) Old Crow did a great R&D job, and the hard work
rewarded by it's wide-spread use.

IMPORTANT NOTE: this module uses a LOT of power, more than any other MOTM module
to date. The current draw off of the +-15V supplies is 45ma on each side (that's
90ma across 30V or 2.7W!) Not that it gets hot or anything, but be aware that if
you are on the edge of your power supply's rating, this might put it over the
limit (hint: you plug it in your system and suddenly the whole thing dies, or
usually 1 side of the supply current limits and then you get "frozen" LFO LEDs,
etc).

This week I will take the blank boards and the parts list to the board stuffer.
I still have to write this manual, the '485 manual and tidy up the '510 manual
for the CD ROM. Bear with me, it's slow going.

BTW: about 10 of these are left, soon to be a collector's item!

b) I made a slight dent in the assembled backlog over the weekend, and plan to
ship a total of 20 assembled modules this week. Not a lot, but something.

c) That's about it for now. Now that these 3 new modules are "done" (in fact the
'510 is all kitted!) attention (R&D-wise) is turned to the MIDI-CV converter.

Paul S.

I've finished building a Miniwave with Dave Hylander's expansion 
board and Larry Hendry's CV PROM selection circuit. I added a few 
construction notes and some choice pictures to my JLH-2090CV page:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/jlh2090cv/JLH-2090CV.html

It's a HUGE module when it's all completed. You could certainly hurt 
somebody with one. Anyone else got one built?

Well, I do have ONE finished
<snicker>. :-)
Larry (off to check out your photos)

----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Juskiw <scott@...>
I've finished building a Miniwave with Dave Hylander's expansion board and
Larry Hendry's CV PROM selection circuit. I added a few construction notes
and some choice pictures to my JLH-2090CV page:
http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/jlh2090cv/JLH-2090CV.html

It's a HUGE module when it's all completed. You could certainly hurt
somebody with one. Anyone else got one built?

On Wednesday 08 September 2004 02:00, Scott Juskiw wrote:
> I've finished building a Miniwave with Dave Hylander's
> expansion board and Larry Hendry's CV PROM selection
> circuit. I added a few construction notes and some choice
> pictures to my JLH-2090CV page:
>
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/jlh2090cv/JLH-2090CV.html

Wow, that sure looks sexy!

But boy, you need a TON of resources to get this thing 
completed! Let me see, the Blacet module, the Stooge panel, 
the Stooge bracket, the Highlander 10-prom board, the JLH 
board, the PROMs and some pots and pans.

It would probably take me 10 years to finish this thing! 
I'm tempted though. ;)

- Robert

This conversion and modification is certainly the most extensive.  However,
it is not all that difficult.  However, some mechanical skills are needed
for bracket trimming.  This package collection is not for the meek.  For
those wanting a more simple version of the expanded PROM, you can simply add
a rotary switch with Hylander's PROM board and skip the CV board. We make a
panels for that too. :-)
Larry


> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robert van der Kamp <robnet@...>
> Wow, that sure looks sexy!

> But boy, you need a TON of resources to get this thing completed! Let me
see, the Blacet module, the Stooge panel, the Stooge bracket, the Highlander
10-prom board, the JLH board, the PROMs and some pots and pans.

> It would probably take me 10 years to finish this thing! I'm tempted
though. ;)

At 6:26 AM +0200 2004/09/08, Robert van der Kamp wrote:
>On Wednesday 08 September 2004 02:00, Scott Juskiw wrote:
>>  I've finished building a Miniwave with Dave Hylander's
>>  expansion board and Larry Hendry's CV PROM selection
>>  circuit. I added a few construction notes and some choice
>>  pictures to my JLH-2090CV page:
>>
>>  http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/jlh2090cv/JLH-2090CV.html
>
>Wow, that sure looks sexy!
>
>But boy, you need a TON of resources to get this thing
>completed! Let me see, the Blacet module, the Stooge panel,
>the Stooge bracket, the Highlander 10-prom board, the JLH
>board, the PROMs and some pots and pans.
>
>It would probably take me 10 years to finish this thing!
>I'm tempted though. ;)
>

Yes, it was a bit of an ordeal. I kept putting if off in favour of 
easier modules (stuff from Paul S. and my neural agonizer). But now 
that I've done one Miniwave and written down every wire length and 
LED resistor value and triple checked that I have all the parts, I 
figure the other Miniwaves should take a weekend each to build. 
That'll be a good winter project.

I forgot to mention that I measured the current draw at 103 mA on the 
positive supply and 28 mA on the negative supply (that's with 8 PROMs 
currently installed). I'm running my LEDs quite dim so you may need a 
even more mA on the positive side if you like to run beacons. This is 
something to keep in mind if you are already stressing your power 
supply.

On Wednesday 08 September 2004 06:40, J. Larry Hendry wrote:
> This conversion and modification is certainly the most
> extensive. \ufffdHowever, it is not all that difficult.
> \ufffdHowever, some mechanical skills are needed for bracket
> trimming. \ufffdThis package collection is not for the meek.
> \ufffdFor those wanting a more simple version of the expanded
> PROM, you can simply add a rotary switch with Hylander's
> PROM board and skip the CV board. We make a panels for
> that too. :-)

LOL! I'm sure you do! ;)

- Robert

> I forgot to mention that I measured the current draw at 103 mA on the
> positive supply and 28 mA on the negative supply (that's with 8 PROMs
> currently installed).

What size are the PROMs? If they're fairly small, wouldn't it be
easier, cheaper to have used a flash part like the Atmel AT29C040A or
something with a larger capacity? Then you'd have less of them...

-->Neil

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Bradley             "Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missile!"
Synthcom Systems, Inc.   - Santabot - Futurama
ICQ #29402898

>  > I forgot to mention that I measured the current draw at 103 mA on the
>>  positive supply and 28 mA on the negative supply (that's with 8 PROMs
>>  currently installed).
>
>What size are the PROMs? If they're fairly small, wouldn't it be
>easier, cheaper to have used a flash part like the Atmel AT29C040A or
>something with a larger capacity? Then you'd have less of them...

Oh oh, don't give Larry or Dave any more ideas. But the idea of 
having 128 or 256 PROMs at instant recall sure is tempting....

The PROMs are 64K bytes each.

> >What size are the PROMs? If they're fairly small, wouldn't it be
> >easier, cheaper to have used a flash part like the Atmel AT29C040A or
> >something with a larger capacity? Then you'd have less of them...
> Oh oh, don't give Larry or Dave any more ideas. But the idea of
> having 128 or 256 PROMs at instant recall sure is tempting....
> The PROMs are 64K bytes each.

Hey, the engineer can't leave well enough alone. The 29C040A would give
you 512Kbytes, or 8 banks of 64K. Woohoo! And you could have multiple of
them! ;-)

-->Neil

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Bradley             "Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missile!"
Synthcom Systems, Inc.   - Santabot - Futurama
ICQ #29402898

Actually the 27c512 proms which the Miniwave and Expander use are 512K, 8 
banks of 64K.

~dave~

http://www.hylander.com
http://www.hylander.us


At 10:27 PM 9/7/2004 -0700, Neil Bradley wrote:

> > >What size are the PROMs? If they're fairly small, wouldn't it be
> > >easier, cheaper to have used a flash part like the Atmel AT29C040A or
> > >something with a larger capacity? Then you'd have less of them...
> > Oh oh, don't give Larry or Dave any more ideas. But the idea of
> > having 128 or 256 PROMs at instant recall sure is tempting....
> > The PROMs are 64K bytes each.
>
>Hey, the engineer can't leave well enough alone. The 29C040A would give
>you 512Kbytes, or 8 banks of 64K. Woohoo! And you could have multiple of
>them! ;-)

> Actually the 27c512 proms which the Miniwave and Expander use are 512K, 8
> banks of 64K.

8 64K byte chips = 1 29C040A, but you could instead do 8 of the 29C040A
byte chips for 4 megabytes of samples!.  ;-)

-->Neil

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Bradley             "Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W. missile!"
Synthcom Systems, Inc.   - Santabot - Futurama
ICQ #29402898

400 virtual PROMs in a 20 x 20 matrix with a 20x20 matrix LED on the front
panel with the each axis joystick controlled.
<snicker>

----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Juskiw <scott@...>
Oh oh, don't give Larry or Dave any more ideas. But the idea of having 128
or 256 PROMs at instant recall sure is tempting....

Nah,  3D proximity control.  Don't forget about the built in scope to 
display the current wave.....or HUD monocule......or.......
<2 snickers and a nuk nuk>
~dave~

http://www.hylander.com
http://www.hylander.us

At 08:26 AM 9/8/2004 -0500, J. Larry Hendry wrote:

>400 virtual PROMs in a 20 x 20 matrix with a 20x20 matrix LED on the front
>panel with the each axis joystick controlled.
><snicker>

I'd just use a 1GB USB2 keychain flashdrive and just enough 
microcontroller/RAM to load the waveforms in via USB.  Build in a mini-hub 
and have 3 drives in the module, and one port on the front to plug in the 
"waveforms du jour."  Why stop there..put a 250G USB2 drive online...

  The LED thing would still be a bit of a power hog, though.

Crow
/**/

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004, J. Larry Hendry wrote:

> 400 virtual PROMs in a 20 x 20 matrix with a 20x20 matrix LED on the front
> panel with the each axis joystick controlled.
> <snicker>

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, The Old Crow <oldcrow@o...> wrote:
> 
> I'd just use a 1GB USB2 keychain flashdrive and just enough 
> microcontroller/RAM to load the waveforms in via USB.  Build in 
> a mini-hub and have 3 drives in the module, and one port on the 
> front to plug in the "waveforms du jour."  Why stop there..put 
> a 250G USB2 drive online...
> 
> The LED thing would still be a bit of a power hog, though.

don't know what's easier/cheaper: implementing an USB-host or doing
that all directly with flashcards (skipping USB) ;-)

    Michael.

I did finally reach a critical date/project this weekend: a DVD for my Dad's 
80th birthday. I started thinking about doing DVD tutorials for MOTM (like using 
the uSeq) as opposed to trying to spend 100 hours writing a manual. Then I got 
the idea to digitize my Dad's Navy scrapbooks (he was a Lt. on a LST [Landing 
Ship-Tank transporter] during Iwo Jima and Okinawa). So after a nightmare of DVD 
drives, Mac OSX and trying to find a VCR with S-Video (not an easy task 
*locally*) I did manage to make a 4min DVD that actually played in all the DVD 
units (that's the '-R' media). So now I am an expert :)

Actually, this DVD authoring is *perfect* for modular synth manuals/tutorials. 
Each module can have it's own "Chapter" and it's easy to mix "live action" video 
with a 'slide show' of schematics, etc. Amazing stuff. I scanned over 100 photos 
and documents at 600dpi and stuck the ~2GB folder on a 85 cent DVD+R (for DATA).

Now that's behind me (for a while, when I have to do the "real" DVD for 
Christmas), I will start on the lowly CDROM manual set. This week I take the 
MOTM-480 pc boards to the board stuffer (shooting for Thursday). It will take 
then about 10 days to get the parts, sequence the tape, and stuff the boards 
(all 100 boards can be run in 1 day). Meanwhile, I plan to ship some assembled 
modules to the UK and get the CDROM PDF files sequenced and ready to go.

Last (but far from least) the MOTM-650 MIDI-CV firmware is now accepting 
microtuning dumps! Robert Rich is busy in the studio on his next all-MOTM CD 
(non-Bestiary-like) which is done in alternate tunings. He is banging on the 
dual apreggiators and over the next 6 weeks or so we should have the hardware 
all tested out and the firmware should be at a point were I feel comfortable 
letting beta testers try it out. I won't have the "correct" hardware but the 
prototype HW is useable (if you have lots of bench space, it's like 9 x 11 
inches). There is only 1 prototype available for testing (mine) so this round 
USA folks will be considered. I will need say 3 people to use it for 10 days 
then send it to the next person on the list. The catch is that you HAVE to 
really use it in your slot. I know "stuff comes up" but it this is ever to get 
to a MODULE, I need this testing.

Send me a private email and in 25 words or less tell me why you want to test it 
and how you plan to test it. AND...every tester will have to post at least 2 
demos of MOTM-650 features (tuning, the voice allocation modes, MIDI clocking, 
whatever).

It does use a '950 supply, so if you don't have one, you will have to order one. 
If you have one on order already, I will send it along.

That's it for now. I have "booth duty" at the Dallas ArrowFest this week. If you 
live in a large US city, chances are this month there is an ArrowFest. This is 
Arrow Electronics (world's largest electronic parts distributor, about 500X 
Mouser size) little trade fair where vendors have a booth (I will be in the 
Littelfuse booth) and EEs from area companies come to drink beer and oogle the 
girls (they don't see girls much, this is a big deal).

Paul S.

Just a couple of items:

a) MOTM-510 kits are shipping. I'm trying to do 20/week for the next 2 weeks. 
Several folks got them Fri/Sat, hopefully there will be a report.

b) I did finish up all of the '101 kits and will have all but 4 '120 kits done 
tomorrow (ran out of pc boards). Next, I will do 1/2 of the '190s/'310s then all 
of the '830s. These, with the '510s (already done) will allow me to ship enough 
kits to pay off the bills (mostly parts for the '480s/'485s).

Once I'm "in the black" I will finish kitting out the remaining kits ('300s and 
'440s, mainly), ship those and THEN turn to '480/'485s. The '480 stuffed pc 
boards are due this coming Friday.

I have 3 units here for repair, and have 12 or so assembled modules to box and 
ship.

I know I'm dragging along here but I'm going as fast as work/family allow. Hang 
in there!

Paul S.

a) received 107 stuffed (with resistors and the axial caps) MOTM-480 pc boards. 
This next weekend I will make the "golden sample" and start on the manual. I'll 
probably do like the '510: the first 35 or so will be paper manuals.

b) shipments have picked up greatly the last 2 weeks, but still lag behind last 
year. Of course, some of you may recall I was unemployed last year :)

Shipments-to-date for 2003 was 741 (!) while in 2004 it is 493. However, the 
backlog for just 510/480/485 is about 175 left to ship, so it's a time-limited 
deal, not a "business" issue.

c) shipments the last 2 weeks PLUS the upcoming 2 weeks are very focused on 1 
thing: paying off my supplier invoices. For the entire 2004 colander year, I am 
running right now about *negative* $17,000. In fact, I haven't paid myself since 
March 1st. All the income has immediately been used to by more parts for the 
backlog. The good news is that within 2 weeks, I should be able to ship enough 
modules to pay off the current bills. THEN, I can start shipping modules to 'pay 
against' the $17,000. After that (now I'm into Nov), modules I ship will be 
PROFIT. So, what it's looking like is what I can ship for Nov/Dec will be my 
profit for the YEAR.

So, what does this mean to you, gentle reader?

1 - I know it's bugging you to death, but please please please don't "ask where 
my order is". It's right here in a violet folder (kits) or a yellow folder 
(assembled). Based on the backlog, there is a 0.375% chance that on any day, 
*your* order is being worked on. Yes, I know "this is no way to run a business!" 
OK, point taken :)

2 - What I will do is first look at what kits are in stock TODAY, then start 
scanning the backlog. I then look to see what orders I can "clear off", meaning 
if someone orders 2 modules and I have both, I can ship and "clear it". If 
someone orders 5 modules and I only have 1, unless that's a '510, then that 
order gets put aside until I scan it again.Yes, I know "this is no way to run a 
business!" OK, point taken :)

The reason I do it this way is to ship as MANY modules as possible, to the MOST 
PEOPLE, as fast as I can. The drawback is everyone has to tolerate my "business 
model" until my cash flow is positive.

I have every order right here, going back to .....lesseee.....Dec 3, 2002 :)

Lastly: I've been concentrating all weekend on shipping 1 set of 14 assembled 
modules, which is 1/3rd of 1 order placed in early 2003. What can I 
say.........sigh..........

Meanwhile, you folks with the blue WaveWarpers, let's HEAR SOME SOUND FILES!!!!

Paul S.

In a message dated 10/3/04 11:33:19 PM, synth1@... writes:


>>Yes, I know "this is no way to run a business!"
 OK, point taken :)
> 
> So, what does this mean to you, gentle reader?
> 
 
Altho it unfortunately all too often is, true music is not a business, nor 
should it be.    Ernie Steck

a) If everything goes according to plan, kitting by the out-sourcing company 
will begin to ship before Dec. 1st. Unless there is a parts shortage, the "older 
module" (up to the '510) kit backlog should ship by Dec. 20. As far as the 
'480/'485 goes, my goal is to ship 1/2 of those kit's backlog (which is ~70 
kits). Pots are the critical item, the last batch is due to me on Dec. 4th so it 
will depend on how much time is needed those last couple of weeks.

b)  As part of the parts transfer, I'm going to take another full inventory in 
about 10 days. Nothing will be shipped out from Nov. 3-6 as I count and pack up 
all this stuff. I'm putting in maximum effort to ship all I can between now and 
Nov. 3, as it will take some time for the transfer to get kits re-stocked. A 
likely timetable is shipping restarts around Nov. 20 for the kits that are part 
of the transfer set. This is assuming that the kits have to be done from 
'scratch', which looking at the list is maybe 4 of them. In most cases, I will 
just give the bagged parts to the contractor, all that is required is putting 
them with the bracket/panel/manual into a bubble bag :)

c) The kits that *I* retain (VCOs, '440, '480, '485, '510) will still be worked 
on/shipped beginning Nov. 8th.

d) The next few days I'm kitting up the '700 and the '830. All the other kits 
will have to "stay where they are" until the transfer.

Paul S.

a) the next batch of 'Indiana kits' will be shipping over the next 2 weeks. I 
hope to get some '420 front panels in this week, as they lead the way in "where 
is my stuff" department. As Stooge Larry will testify, dealing with sheet metal 
shops is 180 degrees from dealing with say, Mouser or Digikey. Although I have 
no direct experience, something tells me it's a lot like dealing with an 
ex-wife.

b) I spent most of today going through the kit backlog and looking for all 
MOTM-510 and *prior* modules that are pending, and placing them on the 'Ship 
List'. I think I have 80% of them logged in (still some VCO orders remaining). 
Hint: if you see a new charge on your credit card, that means you are ON the 
ship list.

c) this coming week is 100% assembled backlog (on my end). The remaining 2 weeks 
before my 'vacation' will be VCO & power supply shipping (my end) and getting 
the first 30 MOTM-480 kits out the door. In order to do this, I will send the 
folks that sent the "ship it now" email first, then what's left to the backlog. 
Future '480 kits will be from Indiana in Jan. I doubt I will be able to ship and 
'485s this year, just ran out of time :(

d) I will have an *additional* 50 MOTM-480s available. I have an OEM deal in 
place (hope to announce this soon) and as a result, 50 more pc boards will 
become available in about 2 weeks. So, the limited run will be 150 instead of 
100 :)

e) Credit card issues: it is *very common* for VISA to flag purchases over $400 
this time of year as 'Potential Internet Fraud'. This means on my credit card 
verification software, I 'see' a denial of payment'. I have no way of knowing 
*why*: it could be this OR you closed that card OR you are broke or any number 
of reasons. So....PLEASE check your emails for a plea from me to call your VISA 
card and OK the charge. This is *very common* for EU customers! I had *4* today 
alone.

Also, PLEASE be sure I have updated card info! 3 people did NOT make the ship 
list because of expired cards. This gives me fits and slows down the shipping 
process for everyone.

OK, that's all for now. The end-of-the-year push is on, we will ship all that's 
possible over the next few weeks. I'll apologize in advance if your kit(s) don't 
arrive in 2004. This year was a huge personal challenge for me the first half of 
the year (new job and daughter's schooling) but I feel MOTM is positioned going 
forward to kick serious a** in 2005. I'm predicting module #6000 to ship in May. 
Maybe paint it metallic red or something :)

Paul S.

a) Hopefully many of you have received kits from the new 'MOTM factory'. The 
factory is limited now by front panels. I am giving them 1 more list of orders 
'ready to ship' for 2004. I have yelled, pleaded and begged for more panels. 
This is like teaching a pig to sing. Stay tuned.

b) When I give the 'all clear' to ship, the order may contain items that they 
ship plus items *I* ship. However, you are charged the total amount. So, don't 
panic if you get 1 MOTM-800 and a $500 charge. The charge covers all kits that 
are *shippable*.

c) Later this week (Fri/Sat) I will ship some 300/310 VCOs and some 900/950 
power supplies.

d) I still plan (down to the wire!) to ship 30ea of the "quick kit" 480/485s. If 
you sent me the acknowledgement email, then PLEASE be SURE you have the $$$ in 
your VISA/MC by the 18th. If MOTM is to show a profit for 2004, the ENTIRE 
profit is this 480/485 shipment. Pitiful to be sure :(  But, the massive kit 
build-up has so far cost me over $18,000 and some of those expenses are due this 
year (thankfully no all). Yep, this is a lot of effort for a staggering $10,000 
annual profit. I think that next year will be MUCH better in that area as newer, 
higher ASP (Average Selling Price) modules ship.

e) If you DO get an error in a kit, be sure to email ME and I will take care of 
it.

f) BTW: the new Modcan panels are not white, they are a very pale *green*.

Paul S.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber
> a) Hopefully many of you have received kits from the new 'MOTM factory'.

Hey !!  I got my shipment a few days ago, including my 510... YES !!  :-)
However, with all the shipping I have to do there is no time to build it.
:-(

> The factory is limited now by front panels. I am giving them 1 more list
of orders 'ready to ship' for 2004. I have yelled, pleaded and begged for
more panels. This is like teaching a pig to sing.

Actually, you have a better chance of getting the pig to sing.

> f) BTW: the new Modcan panels are not white, they are a very pale *green*.

Boo!!  I do have to admit I like the sharp looking graphics on the panels.
But, green?  Isn't that the same color as barf?

Larry

I am convinced that Bruce is color blind.  Earlier Modcan modules had
yellow, green and white jacks.  

The new close-ups sure look white though. Lighter colors also tend to be
more prone to variation and aging effects.  

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
>
> > f) BTW: the new Modcan panels are not white, they are a very pale
> *green*.
> 
> Boo!!  I do have to admit I like the sharp looking graphics on the panels.
> But, green?  Isn't that the same color as barf?
> 
> Larry
>

What I really like on the new Modcan is the different sized knobs (freq
shifter -> sweet!)  Would love to see that on a MOTM, but, we've covered
all that before...

The inverse-video effect of the graphics is also a refreshing change (but
in green?!?)

George - enjoying the yellow image I get after a few minutes of staring at
the 510 PCB (no drugs req. <bfg>)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Larry Hendry" <jlarryh@...>
To: "MOTM List" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 6:41 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update


>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Paul Schreiber
> > a) Hopefully many of you have received kits from the new 'MOTM
factory'.
>
> Hey !!  I got my shipment a few days ago, including my 510... YES !!
:-)
> However, with all the shipping I have to do there is no time to build
it.
> :-(
>
> > The factory is limited now by front panels. I am giving them 1 more
list
> of orders 'ready to ship' for 2004. I have yelled, pleaded and begged
for
> more panels. This is like teaching a pig to sing.
>
> Actually, you have a better chance of getting the pig to sing.
>
> > f) BTW: the new Modcan panels are not white, they are a very pale
*green*.
>
> Boo!!  I do have to admit I like the sharp looking graphics on the
panels.

> But, green?  Isn't that the same color as barf?
>
> Larry

C'mon, the picture is obviously off-white, and that has already been confirmed by 
someone in another post who spoke on the phone with bruce about the B-series.

Green may be the color of your barf, depending upon what you've been ingesting, but it is 
also the color of MOTM and Stooge PCBs.

Kevinski

> > f) BTW: the new Modcan panels are not white, they are a very pale *green*.
> 
> Boo!!  I do have to admit I like the sharp looking graphics on the panels.
> But, green?  Isn't that the same color as barf?
> 
> Larry

J. Larry Hendry wrote:

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Paul Schreiber
>>a) Hopefully many of you have received kits from the new 'MOTM factory'.
>>    
>>
>
>Hey !!  I got my shipment a few days ago, including my 510... YES !!  :-)
>However, with all the shipping I have to do there is no time to build it.
>:-(
>  
>
>  
>
I got my MOTM-510 THE WAVEWARPER too!  C'mon Larry.  It only took me 3 
to 4 hours to build it.  No calibration needed!  Of course then I 
immediately spent another 3 to 4 hours playing around with it.  X, Y, Z 
in, WARP WARP WARP ----------->  OUT.  What is going on here?  Excuse 
me, I have to get back to looking at the 'scope.  It's too dangerous to 
turn on the speakers yet.

-Richard Brewster

a) Tonight and tomorrow, I'm making a 'final pass' through the kit backlog 
before I go on my (cough) "vacation". The goal is to extract all shippable kits 
I may have missed (or were ordered after 11-15) and get them on the ship list. 
Like I stated before, in order to BE on the ship list I have to bill your credit 
card first. There are still some folks that owe me updated cards/exp dates or 
their cards were...errr....declined. This may be strictly an 'Internet Fraud 
Alert', not a lack of funds. If you want kits shipped before Feb. 1st and you 
belong in this class, please get this straightened out before Friday. Else your 
order gets placed in the 'black hole file'.

b) The 30 Quck Ship MOTM-480s will go out this month (before Jan 1st). Again, 
none of these have been charged, but they WILL BE CHARGED beginning this 
Wednesday. If you sent in the 'Ship It Now' email and I get a card declined, 
it's going to be Feb. until I try again. You have been warned. So, if you are 
using VISA, I *strongly suggest* you call the number on the back of the card and 
verbally tell them that Synthesis Technology is an approved vendor and not to 
flag a charge from me as fraud. Trust me, I'm the last person stupid enough to 
charge everyone's card and skip off to Jamaica :)

c) It's looking like ~840 modules will be shipped this year. This is about what 
I expected at the beginning, given my new 'day job' and the amount of time that 
entails. Next year, I expect a drop to the ~700 module level, as the 'mature' 
modules are sold mainly to new users. The revenue $$$ will be flat, because the 
ASP (Average Selling Price) will go up. I was planning to surpass Moog in total 
modules shipped by Dec 2005 but I'm going to be about 400 short. But I'll get 
there eventually :) Doepfer is another story altogether :(

BTW: Module #5600 will ship this week.

OK, back to (paper)work.

Paul S.

a) there are 10 more '480 quick kits left to ship. These will all go out by 
Friday.

b) the "real" kits will ship the first week of Feb. because of parts shortages.

c) I am out of '990s, but will have more Feb. 1st. Same goes for 1U blank panels 
and rails.

d) I am 50% caught up in shipping power supplies and VCO kits. Most of the 
remaining will ship by Monday, I may be a few '300 kits short.

e) MOTM-485 kits quick kits will ship around Feb. 15th. Real kits by the end of 
Feb at the latest.

f) I'm also going to ship all the 'little requests'/orders by Monday, stuff like 
'960s, misc hardware requests, that sort of thing.

Paul S.

a) this coming week I will be engaged with non-MOTM activity 100%. If you call 
or email, don't expect a fast response.

b) around 25 MOTM-480 quick kits have been shipped, there are a few left that 
are waiting for parts. It will be 1 more week until these go out.

c) I believe that I shipped all the email request for 'missing parts' in your 
recent kits. If you are reading this and are still missing something, please 
email me privately and I'll ship it out in 1 week.

Paul S.

Returned from sunny Harrisburg PA to cold and rainy DF/W. My son's 12th birthday 
party was Sat and Sun was a nice visit with fellow MOTMer Eric Frampton 
(keyboards with the B-52s). So here it is Monday PM already :(

a) A rousing cheer as 1U blanks and MOTM-19A rails **finally** arrived from the 
sheet metal shop via mule train. Everyone waiting for rails and blanks will get 
shipped this week.

b) A batch of MOTM-990s is getting wave soldered tomorrow, I'll have these in 
stock by Friday. I'll ship '960s this week (hang in there Jeff, resist the Dark 
Side).

c) I was unable to work on the MOTM-480 manual, but that WILL get done by 
Thursday so that all '480 can ship. I have 6 that will ship by Wednesday, 
Indiana ships the rest. It really is a nice filter! And tomorrow I'm shipping 
all the power supply kits on order.

Paul S.

a) my mother-in-law is having major surgery tomorrow AM and so this week has 
been/will be light on the MOTM aspect. Paul H's family is battling the flu as 
well.

b) I did ship out the CEM chip backlog (a 2 year high!) today, so that means 
next up is the (in)famous MOTM-480 manual AND building remaining VCO kits to 
ship the backlog.

The pacing item for doing the VCO kits is the Tempco resistor. I am low and more 
are due by the 18th. So, the VCO kits will take a few more weeks to 100% ship 
out to everyone, and a few Tempcos are also slated for the '480 kits.

c) If you are interested in what the 'future of MOTM' a la digital modules goes, 
go to www.xilinx.com and look at the Spartan 3 stuff. I ordered the development 
software today for the chip AND the DSP option AND the 32-bit RISC processor 
(MicroBlaze). The MOTM-520 Cloud Generator will be implemented in this 
technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)

I'm NOT abandoning analog: but I AM going to do some (cough) digital stuff 
because this family of chips will allow *cost effective* solutions that if you 
spend the $99 on the dev board and learn the tools, what can be done is pretty 
astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. Or maybe a 
32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. $15 chip. Well, and about $50 
of other stuff :) DACs and the like.

Paul S.

http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xil_prodcat_landingpage.jsp?title=Spartan-3

Looks like it's good enough for Gibson Guitars' Uncle Henry Juszkiewicz (the 
man who killed Opcode, crippled Oberheim and damaged Steinberger - just 
to name a few). Now he can raise the Les Paul prices by another grand or so - 
and all for a "$15 chip."

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
...
> go to www.xilinx.com and look at the Spartan 3 stuff.
...

The Xilinx stuff sounds really exciting! I'm curious to see how others
react, but a 1U DX sounds COMPLETELY BITCHIN' to me.  As does the
Cloud Generator and the Granular Synth that I didn't hear you mention :)

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> a) my mother-in-law is having major surgery tomorrow AM and so this
week has 
> been/will be light on the MOTM aspect. Paul H's family is battling
the flu as 
> well.
> 
> b) I did ship out the CEM chip backlog (a 2 year high!) today, so
that means 
> next up is the (in)famous MOTM-480 manual AND building remaining VCO
kits to 
> ship the backlog.
> 
> The pacing item for doing the VCO kits is the Tempco resistor. I am
low and more 
> are due by the 18th. So, the VCO kits will take a few more weeks to
100% ship 
> out to everyone, and a few Tempcos are also slated for the '480 kits.
> 
> c) If you are interested in what the 'future of MOTM' a la digital
modules goes, 
> go to www.xilinx.com and look at the Spartan 3 stuff. I ordered the
development 
> software today for the chip AND the DSP option AND the 32-bit RISC
processor 
> (MicroBlaze). The MOTM-520 Cloud Generator will be implemented in this 
> technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)
> 
> I'm NOT abandoning analog: but I AM going to do some (cough) digital
stuff 
> because this family of chips will allow *cost effective* solutions
that if you 
> spend the $99 on the dev board and learn the tools, what can be done
is pretty 
> astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. Or
maybe a 
> 32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. $15 chip. Well, and
about $50 

> of other stuff :) DACs and the like.
> 
> Paul S.

On Wed, 9 Feb 2005, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> (MicroBlaze). The MOTM-520 Cloud Generator will be implemented in this
> technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)

> I'm NOT abandoning analog: but I AM going to do some (cough) digital stuff
> because this family of chips will allow *cost effective* solutions that if you
> spend the $99 on the dev board and learn the tools, what can be done is pretty
> astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. Or maybe a
> 32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. $15 chip. Well, and about $50
> of other stuff :) DACs and the like.

Please, no analog modeling synths :( I'll buy one of cynthias panels and 
load up native instruments plugins if I want that. Use the digital domain 
for what it's good for. Delay, Reverb, 300 DCOs, stuff like that.

Also, it may be a 15$ chip, but to you're going to have to spend a *lot* 
of time (read: money) writing software for it.

--mikes

Am I the only one who lauged here?  Analog modelling digital stuff from 
a company that already provides most analog modules you'd want from a 
synth...


Mike Estee wrote:

>
>  
>
>Please, no analog modeling synths :( I'll buy one of cynthias panels and 
>load up native instruments plugins if I want that. Use the digital domain 
>for what it's good for. Delay, Reverb, 300 DCOs, stuff like that.
>  
>

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005, Overand wrote:
> Am I the only one who lauged here?  Analog modelling digital stuff from
> a company that already provides most analog modules you'd want from a
> synth...

That's being a bit presumptuous, I can think of few that are missing.

Sorry, I just don't see the utility of a VA (in the classical sense of 
emulating circuits originally designed for opamps) in a modular synth, but 
that's just me.

I'd rather see things like arbitrary waveform generators, delay lines, 
loopers, CV controllable reverbs, plexes, cloud oscillators and other such 
weirdness that doesn't make sense in the analog domain, than 
yet-another-vintage-synth-emulation.

Anyway, people seem to be excited about it so that probably as good a 
reason as any to try it.

--mikes

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, mate_stubb wrote:
> Super precise high resolution VC short delay line w/ feed back and
> internal limiting for analog modelling - yum!

Okay, apparently I need to get with the program! After thinking about it a 
bit I can think of a digital MOTM module I would absolutely *love* to see.

Mix together:

One really high powered DSP, one that preferable has a GNU toolchain
One CF card slot for loading programs, wave tables, whatever
A couple megs of high speed ram for delay/reverb algos
4 A/Ds for CV/Audio in mapped to the top row jacks, 192Khz of course.
4 D/As for CV/Audio out mapped to the bottom row jacks, ditto.
1 128x64 graphical LCD ( personally like optrex) aligned with...
6 knobs or (high res) optical rotary encoders
2 Midi ports for clock data etc?
1 reset button.
1 two wide MOTM style panel.

Now you have module where you can drop a CF card into it, hit reset and 
load up a different DSP algorithm. Modular reverb? No problem. 3 tap delay 
line? piece of cake. Got some wacky module you want to build? Grab a 
compiler and get crackin.

I thinking something like a soundart chameleon designed to be inserted 
into a modular system.

--mikes

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005, Overand wrote:
> etc are all patently digital synthesizers.  What gave you the idea that
> paul was going to be doing VA stuff?

Failing eyes that missed the "VS" in "prophet VS" and invalid assumptions
about the synergy. Chill dude, it was a mistake. :)

--mikes

You'll notice I used the word 'most,' as in 'most analog modules you'd 
want from a synth' as there will always be more.  And I didn't see paul 
say anywhere that he was going to make a virtual analog synth; the 
synergy doesn't quite count.  The synergy, the prophet VS/wavestation, 
etc are all patently digital synthesizers.  What gave you the idea that 
paul was going to be doing VA stuff?

-Geoff

Mike Estee wrote:

>
>On Thu, 10 Feb 2005, Overand wrote:
>  
>
>>Am I the only one who lauged here?  Analog modelling digital stuff from
>>a company that already provides most analog modules you'd want from a
>>synth...
>>    
>>
>
>That's being a bit presumptuous, I can think of few that are missing.
>
>Sorry, I just don't see the utility of a VA (in the classical sense of 
>emulating circuits originally designed for opamps) in a modular synth, but 
>that's just me.
>
>I'd rather see things like arbitrary waveform generators, delay lines, 
>loopers, CV controllable reverbs, plexes, cloud oscillators and other such 
>weirdness that doesn't make sense in the analog domain, than 
>yet-another-vintage-synth-emulation.
>
>Anyway, people seem to be excited about it so that probably as good a 
>reason as any to try it.
>
>--mikes
>
>  
>

Whew!!  I'm not the only old fart here. :-)
Larry (squinting at 1280x1024 screen even now).


-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Estee [mailto:squeeker@...]
Failing eyes that missed the "VS" in "prophet VS"

1 reset button.


Hmm...  That's one feature I could live without on my MOTM.

But I am starting to see that my "no microprocessors in my synth" 
hardline may have to give way before long.   The Encore Frequency 
Shifter and the upcoming MOTM Cloud Generator are too tempting.

-Richard Brewster

Mike Estee wrote:

>On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, mate_stubb wrote:
>  
>
>>Super precise high resolution VC short delay line w/ feed back and
>>internal limiting for analog modelling - yum!
>>    
>>
>
>Okay, apparently I need to get with the program! After thinking about it a 
>bit I can think of a digital MOTM module I would absolutely *love* to see.
>
>Mix together:
>
>One really high powered DSP, one that preferable has a GNU toolchain
>One CF card slot for loading programs, wave tables, whatever
>A couple megs of high speed ram for delay/reverb algos
>4 A/Ds for CV/Audio in mapped to the top row jacks, 192Khz of course.
>4 D/As for CV/Audio out mapped to the bottom row jacks, ditto.
>1 128x64 graphical LCD ( personally like optrex) aligned with...
>6 knobs or (high res) optical rotary encoders
>2 Midi ports for clock data etc?
>1 reset button.
>1 two wide MOTM style panel.
>
>Now you have module where you can drop a CF card into it, hit reset and 
>load up a different DSP algorithm. Modular reverb? No problem. 3 tap delay 
>line? piece of cake. Got some wacky module you want to build? Grab a 
>compiler and get crackin.
>
>I thinking something like a soundart chameleon designed to be inserted 
>into a modular system.
>
>--mikes
>
>
>  
>

the prophet vs has digital oscillators but the rest of the audio path 
is very analogue (CEM), and arguably filter modelling is still giving 
VA designers a big headache.

>You'll notice I used the word 'most,' as in 'most analog modules you'd
>want from a synth' as there will always be more.  And I didn't see paul
>say anywhere that he was going to make a virtual analog synth; the
>synergy doesn't quite count.  The synergy, the prophet VS/wavestation,
>etc are all patently digital synthesizers.  What gave you the idea that
>paul was going to be doing VA stuff?

Kurzweil's K2000 24 voice VAST architecture was an 80,000 gate ASIC
providing the audio processing and a 68000 doing the MIDI/LFOs/Envelope low
rate functions.  The Spartan-3 can surpass that.  But remember that user
interface is key in a modular.  A polyphonic DX7, Wavestation or Synergy
doesn't make much sense in this format.  Some of the synthesis techniques
may apply though.

Personally I'd like to see a wide range VC digital delay.  BBD devices have
limited bandwidth and a modular reel-to-reel tape delay equivalent is sorely
needed.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...]
> 
> c) If you are interested in what the 'future of MOTM' a la digital modules
> goes,
> go to www.xilinx.com and look at the Spartan 3 stuff. I ordered the
> development
> software today for the chip AND the DSP option AND the 32-bit RISC
> processor
> (MicroBlaze). The MOTM-520 Cloud Generator will be implemented in this
> technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)
> 
> I'm NOT abandoning analog: but I AM going to do some (cough) digital stuff
> because this family of chips will allow *cost effective* solutions that if
> you
> spend the $99 on the dev board and learn the tools, what can be done is
> pretty
> astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. Or maybe a
> 32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. $15 chip. Well, and about
> $50
> of other stuff :) DACs and the like.
>

I would love to see that too.

A general-purpose DSP toolkit might be an interesting platform.

Analog has some nice A/Ds coming out soon:
http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,,761_796_AD1855%2C00.html

Some interesting places:
http://www.musicdsp.org/index.php
http://www.harmony-central.com/Computer/Programming/
http://subsynth.sourceforge.net/index.html

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Estee [mailto:squeeker@...] 
> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 5:10 PM
> To: mate_stubb
> Cc: MOTM List
> Subject: [motm] Re: Update
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, mate_stubb wrote:
> > Super precise high resolution VC short delay line w/ feed back and
> > internal limiting for analog modelling - yum!
> 
> Okay, apparently I need to get with the program! After 
> thinking about it a 
> bit I can think of a digital MOTM module I would absolutely 
> *love* to see.
> 
> Mix together:
> 
> One really high powered DSP, one that preferable has a GNU toolchain
> One CF card slot for loading programs, wave tables, whatever
> A couple megs of high speed ram for delay/reverb algos
> 4 A/Ds for CV/Audio in mapped to the top row jacks, 192Khz of course.
> 4 D/As for CV/Audio out mapped to the bottom row jacks, ditto.
> 1 128x64 graphical LCD ( personally like optrex) aligned with...
> 6 knobs or (high res) optical rotary encoders
> 2 Midi ports for clock data etc?
> 1 reset button.
> 1 two wide MOTM style panel.
> 
> Now you have module where you can drop a CF card into it, hit 
> reset and 
> load up a different DSP algorithm. Modular reverb? No 
> problem. 3 tap delay 
> line? piece of cake. Got some wacky module you want to build? Grab a 
> compiler and get crackin.
> 
> I thinking something like a soundart chameleon designed to be 
> inserted 
> into a modular system.
> 
> --mikes
> 
> 
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
> --------------------~--> 
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> Web-only video and bid on the Lincoln Fry prop charity auction.
> http://us.click.yahoo.com/6kFIvD/fV0JAA/n1hLAA/VpLolB/TM
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ------~-> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

Errr...don't NEED no stinkin' DSP chip. The Spartan 3 *is* the DSP chip AND the 
32-bit RISC AND the digital logic :) All at the same time.

Paul S.

what's the minimum configuration to get something like this working? 
given that i'm a software hack who is clueless in hardware, i 
wouldn't mind writing some DSP code but i don't want to have to build 
a computer around it.

basically i'm looking to connect I/O jacks and a power supply, upload 
code somehow, then hear it work.

>Errr...don't NEED no stinkin' DSP chip. The Spartan 3 *is* the DSP 
>chip AND the
>32-bit RISC AND the digital logic :) All at the same time.
>
>Paul S.

Richard Brewster wrote:
> 1 reset button.
> Hmm...  That's one feature I could live without on my MOTM.
> 
> But I am starting to see that my "no microprocessors in my synth" 
> hardline may have to give way before long.   The Encore Frequency 
> Shifter and the upcoming MOTM Cloud Generator are too tempting.

Don't forget the MOTM-650!

-->Neil

Hi Paul,

> The MOTM-520 
> Cloud Generator will be implemented in this
> technology along with other oddball stuff (DX-7 module in 1U?)

DX-7? ... well ... got an TX816 ;-)

> what can be done is pretty
> astonishing. I'm talking the ENTIRE Synergy II on a $15 chip. 

YES! I was after such a baby for quite a while but eventually couldn't
effort it. I'm a fan of this system, at least since Wendy Carlos'
"Digital Moonscapes"! PLEASE PLEASE make that true!  ;-)

> Or maybe a 32-voice Prophet VS/Korg WaveStation type synth. 

hmm ... yet another wavetable synth?

> Well, and about $50
> of other stuff :) DACs and the like.

errm ... and $456.266 shared development cost!  ;-)

    :-) Michael.

Ah, I forgot to mention the 20 to 100 people-years it took to develop VAST.


John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Loffink [mailto:jloffink@...]
> 
> 
> Kurzweil's K2000 24 voice VAST architecture was an 80,000 gate ASIC
> providing the audio processing and a 68000 doing the MIDI/LFOs/Envelope
> low
> rate functions.  The Spartan-3 can surpass that.  But remember that user
> interface is key in a modular.  A polyphonic DX7, Wavestation or Synergy
> doesn't make much sense in this format.  Some of the synthesis techniques
> may apply though.
>

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Mike Estee <squeeker@h...> wrote:

> I'd rather see things like arbitrary waveform generators, delay lines, 
> loopers, CV controllable reverbs, plexes, cloud oscillators and other
> such  weirdness that doesn't make sense in the analog domain

I'd go for a true DC-coupled modulated delay.
Figure your CVs going through that. ;-)

    Michael.

I'm thinking of MOTMizing one of my Soundart Chameleons.
I've to solve the DC-coupling and how to "break" the frontpanel PCB.

  :-) Michael. 

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Mike Estee <squeeker@h...> wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, mate_stubb wrote:
> > Super precise high resolution VC short delay line w/ feed back and
> > internal limiting for analog modelling - yum!
> 
> Okay, apparently I need to get with the program! After thinking
about it a 
> bit I can think of a digital MOTM module I would absolutely *love*
to see.
> 
> Mix together:
> 
> One really high powered DSP, one that preferable has a GNU toolchain
> One CF card slot for loading programs, wave tables, whatever
> A couple megs of high speed ram for delay/reverb algos
> 4 A/Ds for CV/Audio in mapped to the top row jacks, 192Khz of course.
> 4 D/As for CV/Audio out mapped to the bottom row jacks, ditto.
> 1 128x64 graphical LCD ( personally like optrex) aligned with...
> 6 knobs or (high res) optical rotary encoders
> 2 Midi ports for clock data etc?
> 1 reset button.
> 1 two wide MOTM style panel.
> 
> Now you have module where you can drop a CF card into it, hit reset and 
> load up a different DSP algorithm. Modular reverb? No problem. 3 tap
delay 

> line? piece of cake. Got some wacky module you want to build? Grab a 
> compiler and get crackin.
> 
> I thinking something like a soundart chameleon designed to be inserted 
> into a modular system.
> 
> --mikes

Rather than have a whole polyphonic DX-7 in a 1U space,
I'd like to see a DX-7 operator in a 3U or 4U space with all the 
control functions handled by individual knobs and switches.  No 
menu's please!  With a number of these you could build a DX-7 voice 
with the patching serving as the algorithm selection.  You could 
patch in filters and other processors between operators within the 
algorithm as well.  I would buy 6 or more without question.  Maybe 
Zimmer would even buy some.  :)

To me, one of the main attractions of a modular is the user 
interface.  I love the one knob equals one function concept.  I 
absolutely hate having to step through multiple layered menus while 
squinting at a tiny LCD screen.  If we can't have real knobs, lets 
have virtual knobs on a large computer screen.  (I'm also one of 
those old guys who can't see quite right anymore.)  

I would also agree that one of the most useful modules would be a 
high quality delay line with a large range.  The range should go 
down perhaps as low as 100 microseconds and perhaps as high as 30 
seconds.  Over at least some of that range you would want 1V/Octave 
control with good precision.  (In other words the delay time would 
half for each octave you went up)  The low range would be useful for 
experimenting with correlation effects and physical modeling, the 
mid range for flanging type effects and the high range for 
simulating tape delay.  The feedback loop should be patchable to 
allow for the insertion of limiting or filtering.  The key to the 
whole thing is to either have no stepping or steps small enough to 
prevent zippering.

Another interesting module could be a filter bank or parametric type 
filter of the FIR type (finite impulse response.)  

How about a fourier series generator?

The possibilities are really endless.  But I personally would rather 
have a large panel with a lot of knobs then a little panel with an 
LCD and layered menus.

Paul Haneberg

I would think that future digital MOTM products should be unique; there are already DX-7's in a box, for example (I've got a a couple of them inside my Kenton PlugStation).

Personally I'm still looking forward to the MOTM Bi-Phase.  There isn't anything quite like that currently on the market.

Ivan

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, tontaub wrote:

>
>
> I'm thinking of MOTMizing one of my Soundart Chameleons.
> I've to solve the DC-coupling and how to "break" the frontpanel PCB.

Post pics when your done!

--mikes

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Mike Estee <squeeker@h...> wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, tontaub wrote:
>
> > I'm thinking of MOTMizing one of my Soundart Chameleons.
> > I've to solve the DC-coupling and how to "break" the frontpanel PCB.
> 
> Post pics when your done!

Be sure I will, but that's something I consider and I don't know so
far if I will succeed.

And before that I'll have to solve some much more fundamental problems ;-)

      Michael.

Right - I mis-stated that.  I was thinking of a module with DSP, CPU and
RAM and the Spartan 3 seems to cover all these quite nicely.

Gravy?
#1) - A CF slot 

#2) - and keep the VGA and PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports that are in the
development board (make them chainable between multiple modules) and
this would be sweet.  You would use a KVM switch to go from your
computer to your module(s).

(been busy for a few days so haven't had time for email.

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Schreiber [mailto:synth1@...] 
> Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 8:54 PM
> To: 'MOTM List'; Dave Halliday
> Subject: Re: [motm] Re: Update - DSP toolbox
> 
> 
> Errr...don't NEED no stinkin' DSP chip. The Spartan 3 *is* 
> the DSP chip AND the 
> 32-bit RISC AND the digital logic :) All at the same time.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
>

a) As reported earlier, the MOTM-480 manual is done, there are 38 kits sitting 
on the shelf with another 22 ready by Monday. Those of you not ordering Quick 
Kits will get happy emails shortly. Get those charge cards in order.

b) Happy to report the last known SW bug in the VC Pulse Divider was unearthed 
today. I will make another prototype and start beta testing by March 1. This 
module, the '650 and the '600 uSeq all use "jack and ribbon" boards that I want 
to be common. Once I figure this out, a full VC Pulse Divider module can be 
offered for sale. It will be  a kit (no SMT), but the jack/ribbon boards will 
all be pre-soldered (I'm making up like 250 of them all at once).

c) Speaking of the '600: the SW team will get the original NAMM PIC-based 
version and begin converting over to the 8051 code so that MIDI updates can be 
common between the 2. Can't say when the '600 will ship, but I expect a 
straight-forward port (this is what all HW people say about SW).

d) I ordered 6000 transistors for the JH VC ADSR :)  Well, and other MOTM 
modules. At only $0.025/ea, transistors are still a great bargain.

e) I'm going through the kit backlog again, if you suspect an order is in the 
'black hole', please email me so I can dig it out. The VCOs on order are about 
1/3 completed, the expected date to *start* shipping VCO kits is Feb. 26.

f) Old Crow has talked me into offering the MOTM-475, the GX-1 style BP filter 
(diodes). Looks like a MOTM-490 panel with different lettering :) He has a 
working prototype, so start saving. No one can claim MOTM is short in the VCF 
department.

Paul S.

Sorry if this is sent twice...server problems.

> a) As reported earlier, the MOTM-480 manual is done, there are 38 kits sitting 
> on the shelf with another 22 ready by Monday. Those of you not ordering Quick 
> Kits will get happy emails shortly. Get those charge cards in order.
>
> b) Happy to report the last known SW bug in the VC Pulse Divider was unearthed 
> today. I will make another prototype and start beta testing by March 1. This 
> module, the '650 and the '600 uSeq all use "jack and ribbon" boards that I 
> want to be common. Once I figure this out, a full VC Pulse Divider module can 
> be offered for sale. It will be  a kit (no SMT), but the jack/ribbon boards 
> will all be pre-soldered (I'm making up like 250 of them all at once).
>
> c) Speaking of the '600: the SW team will get the original NAMM PIC-based 
> version and begin converting over to the 8051 code so that MIDI updates can be 
> common between the 2. Can't say when the '600 will ship, but I expect a 
> straight-forward port (this is what all HW people say about SW).
>
> d) I ordered 6000 transistors for the JH VC ADSR :)  Well, and other MOTM 
> modules. At only $0.025/ea, transistors are still a great bargain.
>
> e) I'm going through the kit backlog again, if you suspect an order is in the 
> 'black hole', please email me so I can dig it out. The VCOs on order are about 
> 1/3 completed, the expected date to *start* shipping VCO kits is Feb. 26.
>
> f) Old Crow has talked me into offering the MOTM-475, the GX-1 style BP filter 
> (diodes). Looks like a MOTM-490 panel with different lettering :) He has a 
> working prototype, so start saving. No one can claim MOTM is short in the VCF 
> department.
>
> Paul S.
>
>

The 475 seems interesting!  Any sound samples yet?

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> a) As reported earlier, the MOTM-480 manual is done, there are 38
kits sitting 
> on the shelf with another 22 ready by Monday. Those of you not
ordering Quick 
> Kits will get happy emails shortly. Get those charge cards in order.
> 
> b) Happy to report the last known SW bug in the VC Pulse Divider was
unearthed 
> today. I will make another prototype and start beta testing by March
1. This 
> module, the '650 and the '600 uSeq all use "jack and ribbon" boards
that I want 
> to be common. Once I figure this out, a full VC Pulse Divider module
can be 
> offered for sale. It will be  a kit (no SMT), but the jack/ribbon
boards will 
> all be pre-soldered (I'm making up like 250 of them all at once).
> 
> c) Speaking of the '600: the SW team will get the original NAMM
PIC-based 
> version and begin converting over to the 8051 code so that MIDI
updates can be 
> common between the 2. Can't say when the '600 will ship, but I expect a 
> straight-forward port (this is what all HW people say about SW).
> 
> d) I ordered 6000 transistors for the JH VC ADSR :)  Well, and other
MOTM 
> modules. At only $0.025/ea, transistors are still a great bargain.
> 
> e) I'm going through the kit backlog again, if you suspect an order
is in the 
> 'black hole', please email me so I can dig it out. The VCOs on order
are about 
> 1/3 completed, the expected date to *start* shipping VCO kits is
Feb. 26.
> 
> f) Old Crow has talked me into offering the MOTM-475, the GX-1 style
BP filter 
> (diodes). Looks like a MOTM-490 panel with different lettering :) He
has a 
> working prototype, so start saving. No one can claim MOTM is short
in the VCF 

> department.
> 
> Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Marsh" <michaelmarsh@s...> wrote:
> 
> The 475 seems interesting!  Any sound samples yet?
.. Wait a minute! I was planning to purchase a second 485 for the 
couple, do you mean I can have a GX1 bp couple with one 475 alone?
(this means many things to me: I could purchase more 475s for a small 
polyphonic project but means also one more chance to hope to see it 
included in an SE Omega 8 setup???)In the end which differences could 
be encountered between a 485 and a 475?
Regards Enrico (Sicily)

> PS wrote:
> a) As reported earlier, the MOTM-480 manual is done, there are 38 kits
sitting
> on the shelf with another 22 ready by Monday. Those of you not ordering
Quick
> Kits will get happy emails shortly. Get those charge cards in order.

These are the "real" kits??  Excellent.

> b) Happy to report the last known SW bug in the VC Pulse Divider was
unearthed
> today. I will make another prototype and start beta testing by March 1.

What will the front panel on the VC Divider look like?  Is it the VC Divider
we discussed years ago with the numeric displays?

> ... but I expect a straight-forward port (this is what
> all HW people say about SW).

HAH!  You are so right.  This one was a good laugh. :)  I remember my boss
at Perkin-Elmer making comments like that, followed by
....mumble...mumble...#*$&^..softheads......mumble...

> f) Old Crow has talked me into offering the MOTM-475, the GX-1 style BP
filter
> (diodes). Looks like a MOTM-490 panel with different lettering :) He has a
> working prototype, so start saving. No one can claim MOTM is short in the
VCF
> department.

You're enabling my addiction! (i.e. count me in for two)  :)

--George

OK, now that the GX1 VCBPF is now the MOTM-475, time to elaborate:

  The GX1 has four filters per voice.  Two highpass, one bandpass and one
lowpass.  One highpass filter takes its input from the variable-pulse
waveform of the VCO, and has a level control on the output.  (There is
also a switch to enable the unfiltered pulse waveform).  The bandpass 
filter has the sawtooth as its input, and a pair of switches allow the raw 
sawtooth, the BP-filtered, both or neither to be sent on to the main VCF.

  The main VCF is in fact one highpass filter and one lowpass filter in
series.  The input is from the VCO waveforms (some switched, some
filtered, some level-controlled).

  The MOTM-485 is one-half of the "main" GX1 VCF.  Two MOTM-485s are 
needed--one set to HP, one set to LP--to form the "main" GX1 VCF.

  The MOTM-475 is the bandpass filter that, on the GX1, is a fixed-Q 
2nd-order harmonic selector used to pick out individual harmonics from the 
sawtooth waveform.  In MOTM form, the Q is variable and the FM input is 
the reversing type.

  Two MOTM-485s can form a 2nd-order bandpass with separate HP and LP 
corners and Qs, whereas the MOTM-475 has one BP (with "fixed corners") 
control and Q.  They behave somewhat differently as a result.

  For completeness, the MOTM-480 is also an HP/LP pair in series, in one 
module, using a different filter topology.

Crow
/**/

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005, edibennardo wrote:

> .. Wait a minute! I was planning to purchase a second 485 for the 
> couple, do you mean I can have a GX1 bp couple with one 475 alone?
> (this means many things to me: I could purchase more 475s for a small 
> polyphonic project but means also one more chance to hope to see it 
> included in an SE Omega 8 setup???)In the end which differences could 
> be encountered between a 485 and a 475?
> Regards Enrico (Sicily)

Guys, guys, I haven't even closed the poll yet and you already added another
module.  :-)

Anyway, if anyone hasn't voted on which MOTM modules they'd like to see
first, click on the link below:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/motm/surveys?id=1651076

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Old Crow [mailto:oldcrow@...]
> 
> 
>   OK, now that the GX1 VCBPF is now the MOTM-475, time to elaborate:
>

>   The GX1 has four filters per voice.  Two highpass, one bandpass and one
> lowpass.  One highpass filter takes its input from the variable-pulse
> waveform of the VCO, and has a level control on the output.  (There is
> also a switch to enable the unfiltered pulse waveform).  The bandpass 
> filter has the sawtooth as its input, and a pair of switches allow the raw 
> sawtooth, the BP-filtered, both or neither to be sent on to the main VCF.

This is an interesting concept!
Do you know what was the philosophy behind this architecture?
Of course, in a modular version of this, one can patch everything into
everything, and on a fixed architecture, polyphonic even, synthesizer
you have to make choices. Now something tells me that these choices
of Yamaha have been very reasonable ones, but I'm not really sure why.
Is there some background information about this, why they have chosen
the pulse, and not the saw, for HPF pre-filtering, and the saw, not
the pulse, for BPF pre-filtering? Wait, maybe I can answer that last
one myself - for picking out one harmonic you don't need any means to
mute single harmonics beforehand as in Pulse waves, but for HPF
filtering, it's an additional means of sound shaping. Any other
reasons?

JH.

-------------------------------------------------
debitel.net Webmail

I think the primary design philosophy behind the GX1 was that, while 
comprised of voltage-controlled voice cards, it was an Electone; that is, 
it was designed by the Yamaha Electone organ divison and as such, it was a 
stage organ first and a synthesizer second.  The voice signal path,

http://www.cs80.com/gx1voice.gif

  was meant to make it possible (I think) to create flutes, diapasons, 
reed and brass in a manner at least familiar to organists.  Gary 
Leuenberger once told me that at the US introduction of the GX1 in San 
Francisco in 1974, the concert crowd was rather neatly divided into those 
who were 'offended' at the un-organlike nature of the machine, while the 
other half were awed.

  In keeping with the user-configurable harmonic structure for organs, 
the GX1 has overtone triangle-wave doublers and filter-based harmonic 
selectors, things that did not, for example, migrate to the CS-80:

http://www.cs80.com/csvoice.gif

  Hope this helps,

Crow
/**/

On 17 Feb 2005 jhaible@... wrote:

> This is an interesting concept!
> Do you know what was the philosophy behind this architecture?

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, The Old Crow <oldcrow@o...> wrote:
> 
>   OK, now that the GX1 VCBPF is now the MOTM-475, time to 
>elaborate:

This is interesting and makes things much clearer though a bit 
complicated. So it is likely that I could at least try to emulate 
the small upper solo keyboard of the GX1 with 3 X 485 and 1 X 475. 
What is not clear to me is: are only pulse and saw filtered? Does 
the main filter get the audio signal only from the BP one? What 
happens to the other waveforms (if they are present)tri and sine, do 
they pass through unfiltered? Why whenever i listen to GX1 
recordings I get the impression that the solo keyboard is 
timbrically a lot different from the two main polyphonic keyboards?
Can you (crow)draw a simple patch (just the connections of course, 
not the settings) we could use on our MOTM modular to configure an 
audio path like the GX1 solo keyboard? I think the solo in 
ELP's "Watching over you" with that "mouth harp like" sound has been 
performed on the GX1 monophonic solo keyboard.
Last obvious thoughts: we are lucky someone did reverse engineer 
these beautiful filters and someone else is letting them get 
available for our small (not too small actually) community.
Enrico (Sicily)

a) Paul H. is on a 1 week MOTM 'vacation' to attend to other (real) business. If 
you have not received a happy email about kits, then you will not see one until 
March 7th. The two of us really pushed hard this past week, about 60 kits were 
shipped in 5 days.

b) the kit backlog (up to but NOT including the '485) is virtually ZERO, with 
the exception of VCOs. I am about 2/3rd finished with the 310s, then I will 
start on the '300s. These will start shipping on March 10th.

c) I compiled the assembled backlog yesterday. It is not at the all-time high 
but it's up there :) I do have enough soldered pcbs to cover about 1/3 of it 
already. The remaining 2/3rds I will have to get with the program. I can't 
solder until 100% done or I will never get the '650 out the door until summer.

So, I'm going to do 1/2 of the backlog, stop and get the '650 to the CM, then 
start soldering again. From a pure module count, the majority of the backlog is 
4 modules (with the '800 leading the pack).

d) Old Crow fixed the 1 line of code in the VC Divider, added a /12 output and 
that module is out of R&D and waiting for me. This will be a 'semi-kit' with 
some stuff pre-soldered on the jack boards (the main board is a 'normal' kit).

e) Paul H. is still stocked on *all* non-VCO kits and SynthTech is maintaining a 
2 week (or less) kit delivery. When the 600 log pots arrive in 10 days, he will 
be up to over 200 kits sitting on the shelf, all packed and ready to go.

My wife is recovering from her surgery, I'll be minimal contact mode until Wed. 
to care of non-MOTM issues. How's those '480s sounding? Demos, people....demos!

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> a) Paul H. is on a 1 week MOTM 'vacation' to attend to other (real) 
> business. If you have not received a happy email about kits, then you 
> will not see one until  March 7th. The two of us really pushed hard 
> this past week, about 60 kits were  shipped in 5 days.

Well, I got no happy email but a happy MOTM-480 kit ;-)

How many mile's that from IN to Vienna/Europe?

This prestuffed board is a really nice thing I've to say!

> How's those '480s sounding? Demos, people....demos!

Am I the only one having a huge kit building backlog?
OTOH, maybe I could shift priorities!?

Thanks a lot!

:-) Michael.

PS: BTW, how's that prestuffing done?

> PS: BTW, how's that prestuffing done?

On a $180,000 machine (not one *I* own, though).

http://www.uirmd.com/products/inserters.htm first item (6241 inserter/sequencer)

Paul S.

When Mackie shut down their manufacturing plant here they could barely give those types of machines away.  Almost made me want to get into the manufacturing business!

Ivan

There's been a recent flurry of orders for my Neural Agonizer, I've 
only got two left. I don't know when (or if) I'll rerun these boards; 
it depends on future demand. So if anyone is interested in getting 
one this year, this might be your last chance. Details on what this 
beast is can be found here:

www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln156/TLN-156.html

My apologies to Paul S. for using his forum to sell my boards. But 
for every board I sell, that money goes towards buying more stuff 
from him anyways.

The last two Neural Agonizers have been claimed. But if anyone is 
interested in getting in on a future run, just let me know (offlist) 
and I'll keep you posted. If there's enough interest I'll do another 
run. Thanks to everyone who's participated so far.

a) I have the beta tester list for the VC Pulse Dividers. I'm waiting for 1 last 
SW tweak from Old Crow and then I will ship. I spent all afternoon working out 
the mechanics of turning it into a 2U wide module. There will be 6 pc boards: 4 
jack boards, a display board and a CPU board. The jack boards are pre-stuffed 
AND pre-soldered because they are used on the 600 and the 650 as well. Soldering 
will be *quite tight* and so this will get a 4/5 rating.

The model number will be MOTM-730 and the price will be $289 kit and $389 
assembled. It will not show up on the ordering page until it's within 2 weeks of 
shipping. Which is looking like June-July, possibly sooner depending on the '650 
roll-out. Hard to say right now. Does use a MOTM-950 supply connection (6-pin).

b) My goal is to have the '650 production artwork/panel CAD file finished and 
off to pre-pro by this coming Friday. I finished a batch of '310 uVCO kits and 
3/4ths of the way through the '300s. I'm wating for parts that will arrive by 
Thursday.

c) Paul H. will start shipping kits on Wednesday.

d) I'm going 'paperless' for module manuals as I run out of the current 
printing. For the time being, I'm going to '1-off' each order as I ship (mostly 
these will be assembled modules). Sometime in April, I will have time to make a 
'Master CD' of all the manuals in PDF and just sent that out via Paul H. who has 
a fancy duplicator/printer.


Paul S.

Hi,


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:

> The model number will be MOTM-730 

so the 6pin MTA-156 isn't restricted to the 500/600 Series anymore?
(obviously)

  :-) Michael.

a) the VCO kits are done, I will start shipping these this week. I'm tied up 
Tues/Wed on non-MOTM activities and it will take until the middle of next week 
to ship them all out. I have an assembled system to ship to Greece that needs to 
go out before Easter.

b) VC Pulse Divider protos going out this week. The people that get them first 
will keep them ~10 days and them ship them to other folks. I want at least 4 
different 'sets of eyeballs' looking it over.

c) the 600 Spectrol log pots arrived, 15 weeks to the day I ordered them. But 
they are here at last.

d) Paul H is back in the office, he will ship kits out this week (as soon as I 
send him the 'ship list' tomorrow night).

That's about all for now....looks like module #6000 will go out in mid-April. I 
think for the 'winner' of that one I will include a $50 Amazon.com gift 
certificate.

Paul S.

a) for those you use CEM/SSM in projects or repair, I updated the page today 
(www.synthtech.com/cems.html) with stock info and some price revisions (wife 
wants new carpet). Last batch of parts went to fix her Toyota's A/C.

b) I'm sending a kit ship list to Paul H. tonight. It's been 2 weeks since the 
last one, Easter + moving my mother-in-law from the hospital to a new apartment 
(100% complete as of 7:14PM today). I will try to ship all the VCO/Power Supply 
kits pending this week, this is my main focus.

c) The new contract pcb assembler is working on '510 and '800 pc boards, enough 
to cover all the existing assembled backlog + a few to have stock. These will be 
done by April 11th, then I'm doing '190s and '410s. The VCOs I think I will have 
wave-soldered in parallel with this other assembly.

d) On a positive note, the total module shipments for the last 2 quarters 
(Q4-2004 and Q1-2005) was a *new record*, 645 modules. This squeaked past the 
previous high of 639 modules during Q1/Q2 of 2001 (my best overall year). So a 
tip of the hat to Paul H. and crew for cranking this stuff out, and of course to 
the folks buying them :)

e) I have not forgotten about the '485s. I need to get other stuff finished 
first. I'm going to ship the 'Quick Kits' in mid-May. Which will cover my income 
tax bill :(

f) [OT] If you are like me and spend lots of time listening to music (at home 
and driving) and know every CD you have (all 899 of them) by heart, I **highly 
recommend** XM radio. Here is my new toy:
http://www.xmradio.com/myfi/

about $219 street + monthly programming (about $9). What is impressive (to me) 
is not the radio, but the *programming*. In a span of 30min, I heard Joni 
Mitchell, Yes, Muddy Waters, Tubes, Al Dimeola, Bach and FireSign Theater. 150 
channels, very little if any 'talking' (no more than 20 seconds) and ZERO 
commercials. The audio quality is like really good but dead quiet FM. What's 
cool about the MyFi is it has a built-in FM transmitter, so I have it on the 
desk and it transmits to *both* the 'lab' radio and the one in the family room. 
The antenna sits in a south-facing window ledge (it has like a 50 foot cord!) 
and I get 100% strength. Lastly, it has built-in FLASH to record 5 hours 
"off-line". So, every night I get it record, then when in 'Walkman mode' can 
listen (you have to use the antennas otherwise). Again, this is 'first 
generation' receiver, in 2 years it will be $99 and the size of a stick of gum 
:) But FINALLY I can listen to bluegrass, folk, prog rock, comedy and the Texas 
Rangers hassle-free. AWESOME!

Paul S.
what's on now: Yes, Elton John, John Coltrane, Mr. Mister, Steely Dan, Weather 
Report and the Ramones.

1) Been out of touch last 3 days (parent's 50th wedding anniversary party).

2) Getting 12 soldered MOTM-510 WaveWarper boards this week, and the '800s the 
assembler did (26 of them!) all look great. Next they are getting some '820s, 
'490s and '420s. I'm "stocking up" these soldered boards the month of May, 
shipping finished modules as time permits. May is very busy non-MOTM-wise 
(school graduations, business travel). By the end of May I will have over 75 
soldered pc boards that I can then turn into finished modules in June. May is 
when I will do pc boards for the '730 and '650, order '730 sheet metal and re-do 
the '650 sheet metal (I goofed it up).

Paul H. is still standing by to ship kits ASAP :)

3) I have parts in to ship all the non-freebie '310s and '300 kits. If you want 
either of these NOW is the time to order (next 2 weeks). Once the pending orders 
are shipped, it will be 8-10 weeks until I can kit up more of these.

4) Thanks to all the SF area folks emailing to assist in RRich concert. I'll let 
you know the particulars later (it's at a place called the Rickshaw Stop). I'm 
thinking about burning some free AA miles to attend. Maybe I can sleep on Andy's 
couch :)

Paul S.

What's the ETA on MOTM-950 power supply kits?

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>1) Been out of touch last 3 days (parent's 50th wedding anniversary party).
>
>2) Getting 12 soldered MOTM-510 WaveWarper boards this week, and the '800s the 
>assembler did (26 of them!) all look great. Next they are getting some '820s, 
>'490s and '420s. I'm "stocking up" these soldered boards the month of May, 
>shipping finished modules as time permits. May is very busy non-MOTM-wise 
>(school graduations, business travel). By the end of May I will have over 75 
>soldered pc boards that I can then turn into finished modules in June. May is 
>when I will do pc boards for the '730 and '650, order '730 sheet metal and re-do 
>the '650 sheet metal (I goofed it up).
>
>Paul H. is still standing by to ship kits ASAP :)
>
>3) I have parts in to ship all the non-freebie '310s and '300 kits. If you want 
>either of these NOW is the time to order (next 2 weeks). Once the pending orders 
>are shipped, it will be 8-10 weeks until I can kit up more of these.
>
>4) Thanks to all the SF area folks emailing to assist in RRich concert. I'll let 
>you know the particulars later (it's at a place called the Rickshaw Stop). I'm 
>thinking about burning some free AA miles to attend. Maybe I can sleep on Andy's 
>couch :)
>
>Paul S.
>
>  
>

a) The parts for the '960s arrived, these will go to wave solder this week. All 
of these are 'spoken for'.

b) There are a few kits waiting to be shipped, these will all go out this week.

c) the focus all summer is getting the 140 (!) assembled modules in the backlog 
shipped. Tensions are running high with some folks. I'm going as fast as I can. 
It will take all summer to get these out (plus release the '730 and '650 and 
work on the VC EG). Sit tight and they will arrive.

d) Freebie non-310 kits will be 'released' to Paul H to ship on June 10th. I 
will make more '310s in June and ship end-of-June.

Paul S>

a) Like Larry H., my 'real work' is taking a lot of MOTM time both last week and 
this coming week. Please be patient, several days may pass for email responses.

b) I should have '960s to ship later this week. There are only 16 of them, *all* 
are 'spoken for'. If folks want me to make another batch, then please go ahead 
and *order* them (no charges on your card) and *IF* I can "gather up" 15 of them 
I will make more. If you plan to order more than the '960(s), please split the 
order on 2 forms.

c) I have a few more VCO kits to ship then I will be 100% caught up in kits! 
(not counting 'points' modules). There are a few power supplies to ship, I just 
got 2 cases of Power Ones in (those suckers are HEAVY) and next weekend I will 
make up all the power supply kits on order.

d) I will have '390, '490 and '820 assembled module pc boards this week. I am 
still shooting for 10 assembled modules/week to ship, I think 8 are going out 
Tuesday/Wed and more next Monday.

e) The next module in the R&D pipeline is JH's VCADSR. Sept/Oct for release. I 
haven't forgot about the '485s, because they are paying for my first vacation is 
4 years :) Those will ship in July.

Paul S.

Yay!  I want two of these VCADSR.  Is it still designated as the MOTM-810?

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>e) The next module in the R&D pipeline is JH's VCADSR. Sept/Oct for release. I 
>haven't forgot about the '485s, because they are paying for my first vacation is 
>4 years :) Those will ship in July.
>  
>

a) been traveling most of the last 2 weeks, with more travel days at the end of 
the month/early June. So, please be patient with emails/etc.

b) The MOTM-960s can in yesterday. These 16 will ship out this week. However, 
I'm still 9pcs *short* from re-ordering. So, future shipments are in limbo until 
I get 9 orders (or 1 order for 9, heh).

c) I now have 1/2 of all the soldered pc boards to ship the assembled backlog. 
The 3rd party assembler is working out great. He is on track to finish by the 
end of June. I am still on track to ship everything by Sept 1st. Then.....I will 
be able to ship any assembled module in <4 weeks.

d) Traveling took away time to finish the '300/'310 shipments, but I should be 
free this week enough to finish. The CEM orders piled up, today I packed up a 
bunch and right now I'm soldering 6 assembled MOTM-480s (not all for the same 
person).

e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of 
resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480 
(for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant 
bag-o-resistors?

Paul S.

Giant bag-o-resistors is o-kay with me.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
To: "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 7:48 PM
Subject: [motm] Update


> a) been traveling most of the last 2 weeks, with more travel days at the
end of
> the month/early June. So, please be patient with emails/etc.
>
> b) The MOTM-960s can in yesterday. These 16 will ship out this week.
However,
> I'm still 9pcs *short* from re-ordering. So, future shipments are in limbo
until
> I get 9 orders (or 1 order for 9, heh).
>
> c) I now have 1/2 of all the soldered pc boards to ship the assembled
backlog.
> The 3rd party assembler is working out great. He is on track to finish by
the
> end of June. I am still on track to ship everything by Sept 1st.
Then.....I will
> be able to ship any assembled module in <4 weeks.
>
> d) Traveling took away time to finish the '300/'310 shipments, but I
should be
> free this week enough to finish. The CEM orders piled up, today I packed
up a
> bunch and right now I'm soldering 6 assembled MOTM-480s (not all for the
same
> person).
>
> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the
'480

> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
> bag-o-resistors?
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

Pre-stuffed for me...

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:

> a) been traveling most of the last 2 weeks, with more travel days at the end of 
> the month/early June. So, please be patient with emails/etc.
> 
> b) The MOTM-960s can in yesterday. These 16 will ship out this week. However, 
> I'm still 9pcs *short* from re-ordering. So, future shipments are in limbo until 
> I get 9 orders (or 1 order for 9, heh).
> 
> c) I now have 1/2 of all the soldered pc boards to ship the assembled backlog. 
> The 3rd party assembler is working out great. He is on track to finish by the 
> end of June. I am still on track to ship everything by Sept 1st. Then.....I will 
> be able to ship any assembled module in <4 weeks.
> 
> d) Traveling took away time to finish the '300/'310 shipments, but I should be 
> free this week enough to finish. The CEM orders piled up, today I packed up a 
> bunch and right now I'm soldering 6 assembled MOTM-480s (not all for the same 
> person).
> 
> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of 
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480 
> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant 
> bag-o-resistors?
> 
> Paul S.

Bag-o-resistors for me.

>e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of
>resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480
>(for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
>bag-o-resistors?

i'm lazy, pre-stuffed for me.

On 5/23/05, Paul Schreiber <synth1@airmail.net> wrote:
> a) been traveling most of the last 2 weeks, with more travel days at the end of
> the month/early June. So, please be patient with emails/etc.
> 
> b) The MOTM-960s can in yesterday. These 16 will ship out this week. However,
> I'm still 9pcs *short* from re-ordering. So, future shipments are in limbo until
> I get 9 orders (or 1 order for 9, heh).
> 
> c) I now have 1/2 of all the soldered pc boards to ship the assembled backlog.
> The 3rd party assembler is working out great. He is on track to finish by the
> end of June. I am still on track to ship everything by Sept 1st. Then.....I will
> be able to ship any assembled module in <4 weeks.
> 
> d) Traveling took away time to finish the '300/'310 shipments, but I should be
> free this week enough to finish. The CEM orders piled up, today I packed up a
> bunch and right now I'm soldering 6 assembled MOTM-480s (not all for the same
> person).
> 
> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480
> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
> bag-o-resistors?
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

On Sun, 22 May 2005, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480
> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
> bag-o-resistors?

pre-stuffed. my time is worth more than >20$ hour.

As an aside, how's the 650 coming? It's the module my studio needs more 
than any other at the moment...

--mikes

On May 23, 2005, at 7:52 AM, motm@yahoogroups.com wrote:

> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a  
> LOT of
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like  
> the '480
> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
> bag-o-resistors?

giant bag-o-resistors for me.

e

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:

A Bag-O-Resistors is fine with me.

I found the pre-stuffed board soldering difficult because I would miss 
several connections since the wires were not sticking up in plain view.

Andy



> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT 
of 
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like 
the '480 

> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant 
> bag-o-resistors?
> 
> Paul S.

On Monday 23 May 2005 01:48, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD
> system.......it has a LOT of resistors (like 113). Does
> everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480 (for
> this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a
> giant bag-o-resistors?

Bag of resistors for me too. Pre-stuffed boards take away 
the fun for me. And indeed I found it a little tricky to 
solder, afraid to miss a joint. It needed more inspection 
than it normally takes, but of course, it took a lot less 
time to build overall.

- Robert

Alright, I vote for "a bag of resistors" too - it's
supposed to be do-it-yourself, after all.

And like Mike, I'm craving for the MOTM650! Pleeaase
Paul! 

Best,

Dino




--- Robert van der Kamp <robnet@...> wrote:
> Bag of resistors for me too. Pre-stuffed boards take
> away 
> the fun for me. And indeed I found it a little
> tricky to 
> solder, afraid to miss a joint. It needed more
> inspection 
> than it normally takes, but of course, it took a lot
> less 
> time to build overall.
> 
> - Robert
> 
> 
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
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> Good!
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> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
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> 
>  
> 
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Is this a vote, bag or pre-stuffed?  Or can each person choose when they 
make the order?

If it's a vote, I'll be happy with a bag-o-resistors.

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT of 
>resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like the '480 
>(for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant 
>bag-o-resistors?
>
>Paul S.
>
>
>  
>

I'll join the short list and say "pre-stuffed".

i'd certainly pay the gnomes 20 bux to stuff 113 resistors...

>
>> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT 
>> of
>> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like 
>> the '480
>> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
>> bag-o-resistors?
>>
>> Paul S.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

It's not an issue of money for me, it's an issue of wanting to do it 
myself - Please continue to offer the Bag-O-Resistors!
~Terry

> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a LOT 
of 
> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like 
the '480 
> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant 
> bag-o-resistors?

Please add me to the "pre-stuffed" list.  I like doing assembly work
only so much.  I'm NOT a robot and I have limited time to work on
modules as I also have a family to attend to.  (Which I enjoy, but it
only leaves a couple of hours per week for ALL my other hobbies!)

Since $20 will save me many hours and no few mistakes, it is VERY
worth it!

Larry T.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Aaron Day <aaron@r...> wrote:
> I'll join the short list and say "pre-stuffed".
> 
> i'd certainly pay the gnomes 20 bux to stuff 113 resistors...
> 
> >
> >> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a
LOT 

> >> of
> >> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again like 
> >> the '480
> >> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a giant
> >> bag-o-resistors?
> >>
> >> Paul S.

Me too on the pre-stuffed list.
I have bought all my modules assembled, but would probably start buying 
kits if they came pre-stuffed.

On May 25, 2005, at 11:25 AM, Larry T. wrote:

> Please add me to the "pre-stuffed" list.  I like doing assembly work
>  only so much.  I'm NOT a robot and I have limited time to work on
>  modules as I also have a family to attend to.  (Which I enjoy, but it
>  only leaves a couple of hours per week for ALL my other hobbies!)
>
>  Since $20 will save me many hours and no few mistakes, it is VERY
>  worth it!
>
>  Larry T.
>
>  --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Aaron Day <aaron@r...> wrote:
>  > I'll join the short list and say "pre-stuffed".
>  >
>  > i'd certainly pay the gnomes 20 bux to stuff 113 resistors...
>  >
>  > >
>  > >> e) I got 1/2 of the VC ADSR EG into the CAD system.......it has a
>  LOT
>  > >> of
>  > >> resistors (like 113). Does everyone want the pre-stuffed again 
> like
>  > >> the '480
>  > >> (for this, you must pony up an extra $20) or do you prefer a 
> giant
>  > >> bag-o-resistors?
>  > >>
>  > >> Paul S.
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 	• 	To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/motm/
>  
> 	• 	To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> motm-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>  
> 	• 	Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of 
> Service.
>

a) I've completed the R&D on the '485, looking to see if a capacitor change is 
"better" or not. Having Robert Rich do an A/B test this week to decide. If you 
like distortion, overdrive and assorted squeals, this is the filter for you :)

BTW: there is a MOTM-475 Diode Bandpass version of this running on breadboards. 
Slightly simpler circuit (not all the fancy switching). It's on hold for later 
in the year/early next year.

b) I'll give Paul H. the "shippable freebie" list this coming week so he can get 
them out before his vacation.

c) The MOTM-300 VCO parts arrived today so I can get those out next week as 
well. Over $12K in bills to pay this month, gotta ship *something* :)

d) Now that the '485 is 'done' on my end, I'm going back to assembled backlog. I 
now have 85 assembled pc boards of the various modules, but need about 40 more 
to cover everybody plus some surplus.

e) I also have about 8 power supplies to ship out this week as well ( I could 
use a summer intern!).

I know many EU folks vacation in August. If you are going somewhere in August, 
please email me to I can hold off shipping until you return.

Paul S.

I've been a bit under the weather lately, caught some sort of "summer cold" and 
been dragging around last 4 days.

a) as soon as my tempcos arrive (mid next week) I can ship '485 kits. A word of 
'warning': this is not a "smooth-as-butter" VCF. It's more like "loose change 
and rocks in a blender" VCF. Especially in HP mode. I also need them for the 
next batch of '310 kits (although I think I'm all caught up there).

b) I'm about caught up with all that I can ship. I have some '960s to ship this 
week while the others are being made, and maybe 2-3 modules. The 2Pauls are 
placing orders for panels and parts to stock up kits, enough to last 4-5 months. 
Currently 2U blanks and rails are out. They should be back in stock Aug 15th. 
Sheet metal shops use sundials to tell time :(

c) I have TONS of the longer PWR-30 power cable in stock. I can substitute these 
for $5 for a kit/assembled module. You can also get them separately.

Off to guzzle Nyquil.

Paul S.

On Tuesday 19 July 2005 07:16, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> a) as soon as my tempcos arrive (mid next week) I can
> ship '485 kits. A word of 'warning': this is not a
> "smooth-as-butter" VCF. It's more like "loose change and
> rocks in a blender" VCF. Especially in HP mode. 

Sounds great! :)

Since there are G1-inspired filters, did the G1 originals 
have the same  gritty character? I always assumed the G1 
was a very smooth synth.

- Robert

> b) I'm about caught up with all that I can ship. I have some '960s 
to ship this 
> week while the others are being made

yessssss my preciousssss. it hassss the 960'ssss you neeeed.

Chub - just feeling a bit like Gollum, lately...

a) Tempco resistors are running 2 weeks late, won't have more until Aug 1st. 
These are for '310 kits. What I have here are for assembled '480s and a *few* 
'485 kits.

b) I now have all the bits for the '485 kits excet (a) above. I am writing the 
manual this weekend and finishing up the wire and IC bags. Then we have to wait 
for KRL to ship.

c) By Monday all remaining power supply and MOTM-300 kits B/O will go out.

d) the MOTM-960s are due back from wave solder Monday. I'm then taking them some 
'300s to solder so I can catch up faster.

e) rails and 2U panels still out, I whined to metal shop. Still looking like 
~Aug 8th until we can ship more.

f) Summer colds are a bitch. I only get 1 cold every 3 years or so, but they 
last 2 weeks and I get like 4 hours sleep a day. Ugh.

Paul S.

> f) Summer colds are a bitch. I only get 1 cold every 3 years or so, 
but they 
> last 2 weeks and I get like 4 hours sleep a day. Ugh.
> 
> Paul S.

you sleep?!

Chub

Paul,
How are you doing on assembled modules? Ex the newer released 485, 480?


Tobias Enhus

> a) Tempco resistors are running 2 weeks late, won't have more until Aug 1st.
> These are for '310 kits. What I have here are for assembled '480s and a *few*
> '485 kits.
> 
> b) I now have all the bits for the '485 kits excet (a) above. I am writing the
> manual this weekend and finishing up the wire and IC bags. Then we have to
> wait 
> for KRL to ship.
> 
> c) By Monday all remaining power supply and MOTM-300 kits B/O will go out.
> 
> d) the MOTM-960s are due back from wave solder Monday. I'm then taking them
> some 
> '300s to solder so I can catch up faster.
> 
> e) rails and 2U panels still out, I whined to metal shop. Still looking like
> ~Aug 8th until we can ship more.
> 
> f) Summer colds are a bitch. I only get 1 cold every 3 years or so, but they
> last 2 weeks and I get like 4 hours sleep a day. Ugh.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

a) Well, I beat the poor MOTM-485 to death :) Hopefully the new tweaks will be 
OK to everyone's ears. Paul H. will be a busy boy next week "adjusting" the 
remaining '485 kits. This sort of stuff happens sometimes with analog.

b) I am gathering up all the MOTM-960 back orders and will ship them this week. 
I've already shipped like 20 of them.

c) For the rest of this month, 95% of my time will be soldering on the assembled 
backlog. My goal is to ship 60 assembled modules in August. MOTM-300 VCOs will 
be wave-soldered by a 3rd party to 'pipeline' the process.

d) the other 5% is to make some '310 kits

e) Paul H. has the 'freebie' list but I don't think any were shipped before he 
left. If you don't get what you expect by the 21st, email me. PLEASE WAIT UNTIL 
THEN. I can't respond to 40 "where's my stuff" emails.

f) I am noticing that Air Mail shipments overseas are S L O W. Last summer it 
was only like 6 days to Europe, now it's like 13-16.

g) I am crossing my fingers that a large shipment of MOTM-19A rails will be 
received by Friday. The joy of sheet metal.......

Paul S.

> f) I am noticing that Air Mail shipments overseas are S L O W. Last summer
it
> was only like 6 days to Europe, now it's like 13-16.

uk customs are aparently opening *everything*
cheers
paul b
sheffield uk

And the MOTM-950 power supplies?

-Richard Brewster

Paul Schreiber wrote:

>b) I am gathering up all the MOTM-960 back orders and will ship them this week. 
>I've already shipped like 20 of them.
>
>
>  
>

a) All of the '485 kits should ship out this week. If it gets to Friday and you 
don't get a 'happy email', please contact
me off-list.

b) My sheet metal is 2 days past due and tomorrow I'm throwing a Class 5 
hissy-fit. I can get 250,000 transistors on 1 chip for $5
but can't get a piece of painted sheet metal in < 6 weeks for $14. Maybe I 
should have taken metal shop 25 years ago :(

c) I am slogging through all the back orders, making sure nothing 'fell in the 
cracks'. Bear with me for a week or so on the VCOs.

That's about it for now, lots of modules shipped the last 2 weeks (over 80) and 
I hope you are all playing with your '485s.

Oh....

d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT, with *just* 
the SMT parts stuffed. You
will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too many parts to 
be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them all at once in 1 
day and not even have to buy a single part (all I
do is hand the assembler a stack of boards and a BOM and some $$$). The design 
is in my CAD system, JH has to proof-read the schematic.
Then I can start the layout, which will be *after* I start the '650 production 
layout, which is ***MONDAY*** (yippee).

Paul S.

On Tue, 16 Aug 2005, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> b) My sheet metal is 2 days past due and tomorrow I'm throwing a Class 5
> hissy-fit. I can get 250,000 transistors on 1 chip for $5
> but can't get a piece of painted sheet metal in < 6 weeks for $14. Maybe I
> should have taken metal shop 25 years ago :(

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I think you can find a better 
supplier.

> d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT, with *just*
> the SMT parts stuffed. You
> will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too many parts to
> be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
> Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them all at once in 1

Hmm, cheaper. I like cheaper. Not only does the price go down, but you're 
not spending time you could be designing new modules and expanding your 
business in through-hole tedium, which is better for everyone in the long 
run.

I'm very excited to add a VC-ADSR to my setup. All kinds of variable 
attack and release timing madness to be had ^_^ I look forward to seeing 
it on the order page!

> day and not even have to buy a single part (all I
> do is hand the assembler a stack of boards and a BOM and some $$$). The design
> is in my CAD system, JH has to proof-read the schematic.
> Then I can start the layout, which will be *after* I start the '650 production
> layout, which is ***MONDAY*** (yippee).

This made my month :) I will cry tears of happiness the day I can use my 
650 to clock lock the MOTM to my other synths. This is great news!

--mikes

>
>> d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT, 
>> with *just*
>> the SMT parts stuffed. You
>> will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too 
>> many parts to
>> be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
>> Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them all at 
>> once in 1
>
> Hmm, cheaper. I like cheaper. Not only does the price go down, but 
> you're
> not spending time you could be designing new modules and expanding your
> business in through-hole tedium, which is better for everyone in the 
> long
> run.
>

I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post - 
just a question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of 
smaller parts - like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially, 
causes them to respond differently in VCOs, VCFs, etc, than the older, 
larger parts.  Perhaps this is just psychological, but my OB-8 sounds 
more organic (more variation in timbre as you play different notes - 
like an acoustic instrument) than say the Andromeda I played a few 
times or the Polyevolver I played with at the store.  Is there a 
correlation between the larger, single resistors and transistors used 
in the earliest analog synths and their "superior" sound (I realize 
this is subjective, but many seem to notice it) as compared to modern 
analog synths that use SMT components?  (I know the OB uses Curtis 
chips so it falls somewhere between say Moog modular and Andromeda).  
MOTM is by *far* the best sounding current production synth (analog or 
digital) I've heard (well, my Voyager is a close second, but nothing 
else comes close, imho).  Is this just because of the excellent ckt 
designs or do the components affect the sound?  I.e. if Alesis or 
someone were to take Paul's designs and mass produce them - putting the 
whole PCB on a single SMT chip (as much as that would be possible) - 
would they sound any different?

Larry David (not wanting to stir up anti-SMT trouble :)

Hey Larry -

I don't know about SMT either, but I do know that at least the Evolver
is a partly digital synth.  It can have a particular sound that is
less 'analog/organic' than something with a more conventional design.
That's not to say that the Evolver can't sound 'analog/organic', it
can. I don't know about the Andromeda, I have no exprerience with it.
 Also these are both polyphonic synths and sometimes poly analog
sounds different from mono analog.

As to the physics: I flunked physics but remember enough about
electrons to know that they are very small; the difference in size
from 'regular' components and SMT must be *HUGE* to an electron...

:)

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Larry David <ldavid777@s...> wrote:
> >
> >> d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT, 
> >> with *just*
> >> the SMT parts stuffed. You
> >> will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too 
> >> many parts to
> >> be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
> >> Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them
all at 
> >> once in 1
> >
> > Hmm, cheaper. I like cheaper. Not only does the price go down, but 
> > you're
> > not spending time you could be designing new modules and expanding
your

> > business in through-hole tedium, which is better for everyone in the 
> > long
> > run.
> >
> 
> I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post - 
> just a question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of 
> smaller parts - like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially, 
> causes them to respond differently in VCOs, VCFs, etc, than the older, 
> larger parts.  Perhaps this is just psychological, but my OB-8 sounds 
> more organic (more variation in timbre as you play different notes - 
> like an acoustic instrument) than say the Andromeda I played a few 
> times or the Polyevolver I played with at the store.  Is there a 
> correlation between the larger, single resistors and transistors used 
> in the earliest analog synths and their "superior" sound (I realize 
> this is subjective, but many seem to notice it) as compared to modern 
> analog synths that use SMT components?  (I know the OB uses Curtis 
> chips so it falls somewhere between say Moog modular and Andromeda).  
> MOTM is by *far* the best sounding current production synth (analog or 
> digital) I've heard (well, my Voyager is a close second, but nothing 
> else comes close, imho).  Is this just because of the excellent ckt 
> designs or do the components affect the sound?  I.e. if Alesis or 
> someone were to take Paul's designs and mass produce them - putting the 
> whole PCB on a single SMT chip (as much as that would be possible) - 
> would they sound any different?
> 
> Larry David (not wanting to stir up anti-SMT trouble :)

I took a course on VLSI design (essentially building stuff into chips at the 
silicon level) in university although it primarily delt with MOSFETs.  
Anyway just using that to state that this information is somewhat educated.  
A resistor/transistor or whatever that is made on an IC (smt or throughole) 
can be made to stricter tolerances than it's discrete counterpart at a much 
less cost.  Therefore I would assume that it is possible to have more 
accurate components whose values fluctuate less in an IC and in particular 
in an SMT.  However, this is not to say that you couldn't make "bad" 
components in an IC.  For most applications having stricter tolerances is 
better and for that reason you may think the sound is lacking character.

The info presented above is that of someone that has basic knowledge of 
designing MOSFET circuits at silicon level from university and nothing more. 
  So take it with whatever you choose.



>From: "Mike Marsh" <michaelmarsh@...>
>To: motm@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [motm] Re: Possible strange question about SMT
>Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 16:16:22 -0000
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>
>Hey Larry -
>
>I don't know about SMT either, but I do know that at least the Evolver
>is a partly digital synth.  It can have a particular sound that is
>less 'analog/organic' than something with a more conventional design.
>That's not to say that the Evolver can't sound 'analog/organic', it
>can. I don't know about the Andromeda, I have no exprerience with it.
>  Also these are both polyphonic synths and sometimes poly analog
>sounds different from mono analog.
>
>As to the physics: I flunked physics but remember enough about
>electrons to know that they are very small; the difference in size
>from 'regular' components and SMT must be *HUGE* to an electron...
>
>:)
>
>Mike
>
>--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Larry David <ldavid777@s...> wrote:
> > >
> > >> d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT,
> > >> with *just*
> > >> the SMT parts stuffed. You
> > >> will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too
> > >> many parts to
> > >> be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
> > >> Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them
>all at
> > >> once in 1
> > >
> > > Hmm, cheaper. I like cheaper. Not only does the price go down, but
> > > you're
> > > not spending time you could be designing new modules and expanding
>your
> > > business in through-hole tedium, which is better for everyone in the
> > > long
> > > run.
> > >
> >
> > I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post -
> > just a question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of
> > smaller parts - like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially,
> > causes them to respond differently in VCOs, VCFs, etc, than the older,
> > larger parts.  Perhaps this is just psychological, but my OB-8 sounds
> > more organic (more variation in timbre as you play different notes -
> > like an acoustic instrument) than say the Andromeda I played a few
> > times or the Polyevolver I played with at the store.  Is there a
> > correlation between the larger, single resistors and transistors used
> > in the earliest analog synths and their "superior" sound (I realize
> > this is subjective, but many seem to notice it) as compared to modern
> > analog synths that use SMT components?  (I know the OB uses Curtis
> > chips so it falls somewhere between say Moog modular and Andromeda).
> > MOTM is by *far* the best sounding current production synth (analog or
> > digital) I've heard (well, my Voyager is a close second, but nothing
> > else comes close, imho).  Is this just because of the excellent ckt
> > designs or do the components affect the sound?  I.e. if Alesis or
> > someone were to take Paul's designs and mass produce them - putting the
> > whole PCB on a single SMT chip (as much as that would be possible) -
> > would they sound any different?
> >
> > Larry David (not wanting to stir up anti-SMT trouble :)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee\ufffd 
Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

> I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post - just a 
> question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of smaller parts - 
> like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially, causes them to respond 
> differently in VCOs, VCFs,

Errr....no.

a) for one thing, SMT is 99% a *mechanical mounting* thing, not a silicon thing.
For example, the axial 0.1uf bypass caps in the kits today are *actually* SMT 
chip
caps with leads attached :) In fact, I can argue that the leaded bypass caps are
*degraded* SMT caps.

Also, the DIP ICs were are using now are using the *exact same die* inside as
the SMT parts do. All that changes are the 'pins', and that comes into play at
frequencies over 400Mhz.

b) so, the only 'concern' is caps (in the audio path) and the resistors. Well, 
resistors
in SMT are just as stable and just are reliable (if not more, because SMT reflow
soldering is much more reliable than thru-hole, especially in 
high-shock/impact). That
leaves the caps. In situations where I feel the circuit is *better served* with 
a certain
thru-hole cap, then that's what I will do. There is no "rule" that every part 
HAS to be SMT,
it's just cheaper that way. But the pots and wires are thru-hole, so much for 
that :)

Remove the tin-foil hats!

Paul S.

On Aug 17, 2005, at 12:16 PM, Mike Marsh wrote:

> Hey Larry -
>
> I don't know about SMT either, but I do know that at least the Evolver
> is a partly digital synth.  It can have a particular sound that is
> less 'analog/organic' than something with a more conventional design.
> That's not to say that the Evolver can't sound 'analog/organic', it
> can. I don't know about the Andromeda, I have no exprerience with it.
>  Also these are both polyphonic synths and sometimes poly analog
> sounds different from mono analog.
>
> As to the physics: I flunked physics but remember enough about
> electrons to know that they are very small; the difference in size
> from 'regular' components and SMT must be *HUGE* to an electron...

Yes, this is what I was getting at...

Larry D.

> There can be other differences between SMT and DIPs however.
>
(snip 'AS' and 'F' Schottky discussion)

> I have no knowledge of whether any of the above directly applies to any of
> the chips in question here.
>

Errr...no. Last time I looked, there were no 2ns edges in the MOTM modules.

PC board layout, power supply noise/grounding and proper circuit design are
far more important than the packaging issues, especcialy at audio
frequencies.

Let's not go into a tail-spin, OK?

Paul S.

I didn't mean to challenge your design decisions Paul - sorry if it  
sounded that way.  I'm quite happy with MOTM - as I said, I think it is  
king of the synth world.  The info below is very interesting, eg. the  
fact that the dies are the same for SMT and DIP ICs - which makes sense  
from a manufacturing point of view.  I was thinking more along the  
lines of what Mike mentioned about electrons interacting with the  
components - thinking about whether there would be any difference in  
the sound of a ckt design realized with discrete components vs ICs.    
It seems unlikely that MOTM will ever use custom LSI or VLSI (or  
SuperDuperLSI or whatever we're on now) ICs, like Alesis did with  
Andromeda, so this whole question may be moot as far as MOTM goes...

Larry D.

BTW, does anybody know what Dave Smith Instruments uses for the analog  
VCO/VCF in the Evolver line of synths?  The sales lit. suggests that it  
is CEM chips, but that seems unlikely unless they got someone to make  
them again (or don't plan to sell many units??)

On Aug 17, 2005, at 12:48 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

>> I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post  
>> - just a
>> question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of smaller  
>> parts -
>> like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially, causes them to  
>> respond
>> differently in VCOs, VCFs,
>
> Errr....no.
>
> a) for one thing, SMT is 99% a *mechanical mounting* thing, not a  
> silicon thing.
> For example, the axial 0.1uf bypass caps in the kits today are  
> *actually* SMT
> chip
> caps with leads attached :) In fact, I can argue that the leaded  
> bypass caps are
> *degraded* SMT caps.
>
> Also, the DIP ICs were are using now are using the *exact same die*  
> inside as
> the SMT parts do. All that changes are the 'pins', and that comes into  
> play at
> frequencies over 400Mhz.
>
> b) so, the only 'concern' is caps (in the audio path) and the  
> resistors. Well,
> resistors
> in SMT are just as stable and just are reliable (if not more, because  
> SMT reflow
> soldering is much more reliable than thru-hole, especially in
> high-shock/impact). That
> leaves the caps. In situations where I feel the circuit is *better  
> served* with
> a certain
> thru-hole cap, then that's what I will do. There is no "rule" that  
> every part
> HAS to be SMT,
> it's just cheaper that way. But the pots and wires are thru-hole, so  
> much for
> that :)
>
> Remove the tin-foil hats!
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>

On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, Larry David wrote:
> I have no opinion about SMT in general so this is not a critical post - just 
> a question.  I have wondered for some time if the physics of smaller parts - 
> like SMT parts - and I guess transistors especially, causes them to respond 
> differently in VCOs, VCFs, etc, than the older, larger parts.  Perhaps this 
> is just psychological, but my OB-8 sounds more organic (more variation in 
> timbre as you play different notes - like an acoustic instrument) than say 
> the Andromeda I played a few times or the Polyevolver I played with at the 
> store.  Is there a correlation between the larger, single resistors and 
> transistors used in the earliest analog synths and their "superior" sound (I 
> realize this is subjective, but many seem to notice it) as compared to modern 
> analog synths that use SMT components?  (I know the OB uses Curtis chips so

I think I can answer this. (However, more experienced engineers should 
feel free to correct me where I'm missing something, I haven't been doing 
this long and I'm mostly a hack :)

Would an equivalent SMT circuit sound different than a through-hole 
version of the same circuit? At some level: always. The components are 
different. If any general statement can be made about SMT parts versus 
through hole parts it's that one can generally create circuit designs with 
a *much* higher signal bandwidth than with through-hole components.

A through hole resistor is more than just a perfect ideal resistor. It is 
also a bunch of little capacitors and inductors, it's just that it's 
"mostly" a resistor ;) Chip resistors have less of those effects. You 
could say that a SMT part is more resistor than the equivalent 
through hole component. This difference gets to be a problem as your 
signals get faster. Heck, at higher speeds the shape of your copper trace 
starts to be a problem :)

Would you be able to tell in any other capacity than a scope? Well, that 
would depend on how much the circuit design relied on the "side effects" 
of through hole componentry. Here's an anecdote:

It's interesting, when compared to the doepfer in my studio, my MOTM 
sounds at times like a "digital" synth. This is largely due to the 
abnormally clean signal path in Paul's designs. I like the doepfer because 
it is so damn filthy, the circuits bleed all over themselves and interfere 
in complex unpredictable ways. They both use through-hole 
components, but one is considerably less susceptible to external 
interference and as such sounds very different. The MOTM sounds very very 
clean in comparison. It all has to do with the circuit design.

To answer your question I would say that in the hands of a skilled 
designer the difference wouldn't amount to jack squat. (It might also be 
interesting to point out at this moment that *my* MOTM-300 sounds 
different than *your* MOTM-300 ;)

> it falls somewhere between say Moog modular and Andromeda).  MOTM is by *far* 
> the best sounding current production synth (analog or digital) I've heard 
> (well, my Voyager is a close second, but nothing else comes close, imho).  Is 
> this just because of the excellent ckt designs or do the components affect

In the overall gradated scale of things that ultimately determine the 
relative sound "quality" between two synths I would say that 
psychoacoustics and the circuit design play a *much-much* higher role than 
component choice :) I say this owning a MOTM, doepfer, Evolver KB, and 
various other assorted VA/A synths.

> the sound?  I.e. if Alesis or someone were to take Paul's designs and mass 
> produce them - putting the whole PCB on a single SMT chip (as much as that 
> would be possible) - would they sound any different?

Yes. That would be a very different circuit :) If Alesis where to design a 
board, taking into account component placement with respect to the original 
design, well, that would be a different story :)

> Larry David (not wanting to stir up anti-SMT trouble :)

Nah, I think it's great! It's all new, and asking questions is a good 
thing (tm) Maybe in a few years DIY'rs and other synth enthusiasts will be 
trading tips on the best toaster oven for their latest creations (black 
& decker IR oven ;)

--mikes, who enjoys hand baking SMT boards.

> Remove the tin-foil hats!

Heh heh heh. But that will change the sound in my head!

^_^

--mikes

On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, Mike Estee wrote:

> I think I can answer this. (However, more experienced engineers should
> feel free to correct me where I'm missing something, I haven't been doing
> this long and I'm mostly a hack :)

Oh look, the rest of my mail came in and I see that this topic has already 
been beat to death, sorry folks ;) Nothing to see here, move along...

--mikes

By the way,

surface mount vs. through-hole "sound" worries will not apply at all
to a VC ADSR - it generates strictly control voltages.

Meaux

On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, mate_stubb wrote:

> By the way,
>
> surface mount vs. through-hole "sound" worries will not apply at all
> to a VC ADSR - it generates strictly control voltages.

Hmm, that gets me thinking: what's the timing limits for the VC-ADSR? One 
could generate (DC biased) changing wave shapes with this. Would probably 
require too much CV control shaping to get a useable audio signal, but...

Anyone tried something like this? I've used the UEG as an OSC, but not the 
ADSR. Hmmm.

--mikes

--- Mike Estee <squeeker@...> wrote:

> --mikes, who enjoys hand baking SMT boards.
> 

So, Mike, when are you going to give that SMT
tutorial/demonstration on dorkbotSF that you mentioned
a few weeks ago? Or did I miss that?

Best,

Dino


		
____________________________________________________
Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, Dino Leone wrote:
> --- Mike Estee <squeeker@...> wrote:
>> --mikes, who enjoys hand baking SMT boards.
> So, Mike, when are you going to give that SMT
> tutorial/demonstration on dorkbotSF that you mentioned
> a few weeks ago? Or did I miss that?

It was supposed to happen tonight but Karen mailed me last friday, which 
was too short a notice. Are you coming out to menlo park?

Hopefully, it'll happen at the next one in Sept.

--mikes

I used to reflow SMT board in a toaster oven, but working with solder paste is such a pain.  I've discovered it is so much easier to just use a "drag-solder" tip for even 0.5mm pitched pins on a quad flat pack.  SOICs are easy.  I use the heated forceps for Rs and Cs.  I can build two boards that way in the time it takes to oven reflow one.

Crow
/**/

> --mikes, who enjoys hand baking SMT boards.

On Wed, 17 Aug 2005, The Old Crow wrote:

>  I used to reflow SMT board in a toaster oven, but working with solder paste is such a pain.  I've discovered it is so much easier to just use a "drag-solder" tip for even 0.5mm pitched pins on a quad flat pack.  SOICs are easy.  I use the heated forceps for Rs and Cs.  I can build two boards that way in the time it takes to oven reflow one.

Yeah, for larger pitches at low chip counts that can be faster. Bake time 
is the same for one to ten parts ;) The trick is to use the paste syringe 
with a super fine tip, lay down a straight line over the pad row, center 
the part, and then bake. The nifty thing about reflow solder is that you 
don't have to be *to* precise as surface tension will correct small 
misalignments.

Anyway, this thread should probably move to alt.motm.smt.assembly ;)

--mikes

I have to admit I'm somewhat bewildered by this discussion.
Most resistors in MOTM modules have a tolerance of 5%.  For 
capacitors, the tolerance is 10% or higher.  The effect of 
inductance and capacitance generated by the lead wires inside IC 
chips is infinitesimal in comparison to the variations due to 
tolerance.

Every module is going to be slightly different.  In some cases there 
are trimmers to minimize these differences.  In other cases the 
difference does not matter.  Isn't this what we want as musicians?  
Does every Martin Guitar sound like every other?  Does every Les 
Paul sound the same?  It is that way for every musical instrument.

I remember a few years ago I bought a Yamaha Grand Piano.  I went to 
the warehouse and tried out a dozen different pianos.  There was one 
that most definitely sounded better than the others.  That was the 
one I bought.  They were all different, even though they appeared to 
be exactly the same.  

If you make a sound with two VCOs they will both have slightly 
different characteristics.  This is part of what makes them sound 
analog.  If they sounded the same you would say it sounded Digital.

My 2 cents.

Paul Haneberg

On Aug 18, 2005, at 11:52 AM, paulhaneberg wrote:

> I have to admit I'm somewhat bewildered by this discussion.
> Most resistors in MOTM modules have a tolerance of 5%.  For
> capacitors, the tolerance is 10% or higher.  The effect of
> inductance and capacitance generated by the lead wires inside IC
> chips is infinitesimal in comparison to the variations due to
> tolerance.

I was asking more about the physics of the silicon junctions - pn and  
np and all that - if they are physically smaller on SMT chips than on  
older through-hole ICs or DIPs or whatever they are called.  And if  
they are smaller - or different in some other way - whether that would  
affect how they sound in EM ckts.  Whether this would cause better  
tolerances and thus less variation, for example.  As I think I said in  
another post, these effects, if they exist at all, would probably be  
more noticeable in custom synth-on-a-chip ICs  like on the Andromeda -  
and not in an MOTM module that has some SMT ICs on a board full of  
discrete Rs and Cs.

> If you make a sound with two VCOs they will both have slightly
> different characteristics.  This is part of what makes them sound
> analog.  If they sounded the same you would say it sounded Digital.

Exactly.  My question was about whether SMT IC components would sound  
more "digital" in this sense than discrete components.  Intuitively it  
seems so, but I was asking the real engineers for the lowdown.

>
> My 2 cents.
>
> Paul Haneberg
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "paulhaneberg" <phaneber@o...> wrote:
  
> 
> If you make a sound with two VCOs they will both have slightly 
> different characteristics.  This is part of what makes them sound 
> analog.  If they sounded the same you would say it sounded Digital.
> 
> My 2 cents.
> 
> Paul Haneberg

Right.  I have 3 300s and I actually choose between them for certain
sounds.  And the 310s are different from the 300s, too.  

The discussion really wasn't meant as a criticism or anything: just an
observation (or a question) about the difference in sound between SMT
and thru-hole components.  If thru-holes components have differences
between themselves, then surely thru-hole vs SMT will sound different.
 If SMT components have closer tolerances, then surely the differences
between modules made with SMT will be less than those made with
thru-hole components.

As Paul says: 'different' not 'worse' :)

Mike

Oops, I replied to this in almost exactly the same way.  Except that
Larry says it better...

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Larry David <ldavid777@s...> wrote:

> 
> On Aug 18, 2005, at 11:52 AM, paulhaneberg wrote:
> 
> > I have to admit I'm somewhat bewildered by this discussion.
> > Most resistors in MOTM modules have a tolerance of 5%.  For
> > capacitors, the tolerance is 10% or higher.  The effect of
> > inductance and capacitance generated by the lead wires inside IC
> > chips is infinitesimal in comparison to the variations due to
> > tolerance.
> 
> I was asking more about the physics of the silicon junctions - pn and  
> np and all that - if they are physically smaller on SMT chips than on  
> older through-hole ICs or DIPs or whatever they are called.  And if  
> they are smaller - or different in some other way - whether that would  
> affect how they sound in EM ckts.  Whether this would cause better  
> tolerances and thus less variation, for example.  As I think I said in  
> another post, these effects, if they exist at all, would probably be  
> more noticeable in custom synth-on-a-chip ICs  like on the Andromeda -  
> and not in an MOTM module that has some SMT ICs on a board full of  
> discrete Rs and Cs.
> 
> > If you make a sound with two VCOs they will both have slightly
> > different characteristics.  This is part of what makes them sound
> > analog.  If they sounded the same you would say it sounded Digital.
> 
> Exactly.  My question was about whether SMT IC components would sound  
> more "digital" in this sense than discrete components.  Intuitively it  
> seems so, but I was asking the real engineers for the lowdown.
> 
> >
> > My 2 cents.
> >
> > Paul Haneberg
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

> The discussion really wasn't meant as a criticism or anything: just an
> observation (or a question) about the difference in sound between SMT
> and thru-hole components.  If thru-holes components have differences
> between themselves, then surely thru-hole vs SMT will sound different.


OK, everybody, I've been gritting my teeth up until now, but
PLEASE STOP. Statements like this have ABSOLUTELY NO FOUNDATION
and in fact, can cause a 'snowball' effect like, "Gee, MOTM sounded so great,
then Paul switched to SMT and now...pffttt!" or "Well, I *was* going to buy
MOTM but now I heard they are SMT and don't sound as good." and then everyone
wonders "what happened" when I go the way of Oakley :(

Also, does anyone *really think* I would have a MOTM-440 SMT version that didn't
sound *EXACTLY* the same as a thru-hole one? Come on......

What everyone has to realize this that "just idle speculation" turns into 
"absolute fact"
on the freakin' Internet. So, unless you have a EE degree, *DON''T SPECULATE*.

Crap, next I'll hear about changing wire color effects VCF resonance or some BS.

Paul S.
I told you I was having a bad day

Sorry for your bad day Paul, but this is not a great reply to these posts.

Mike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> 
> > The discussion really wasn't meant as a criticism or anything: just an
> > observation (or a question) about the difference in sound between SMT
> > and thru-hole components.  If thru-holes components have differences
> > between themselves, then surely thru-hole vs SMT will sound different.
> 
> 
> OK, everybody, I've been gritting my teeth up until now, but
> PLEASE STOP. Statements like this have ABSOLUTELY NO FOUNDATION
> and in fact, can cause a 'snowball' effect like, "Gee, MOTM sounded
so great,
> then Paul switched to SMT and now...pffttt!" or "Well, I *was* going
to buy
> MOTM but now I heard they are SMT and don't sound as good." and then
everyone
> wonders "what happened" when I go the way of Oakley :(
> 
> Also, does anyone *really think* I would have a MOTM-440 SMT version
that didn't
> sound *EXACTLY* the same as a thru-hole one? Come on......
> 
> What everyone has to realize this that "just idle speculation" turns
into 
> "absolute fact"
> on the freakin' Internet. So, unless you have a EE degree, *DON''T
SPECULATE*.
> 
> Crap, next I'll hear about changing wire color effects VCF resonance
or some BS.

> 
> Paul S.
> I told you I was having a bad day

> What everyone has to realize this that "just idle speculation" turns 
> into
> "absolute fact"
> on the freakin' Internet. So, unless you have a EE degree, *DON''T 
> SPECULATE*.

I see your point Paul.  "Internet legends" can be really destructive.  
No one here wants that (and if they do we'll put the beat-down on em 
:).  I have a couple EE degrees, so I'll speculate for the last time on 
this topic:  MOTM has a reputation for using the highest quality parts 
and producing the highest quality product.  You've been criticized in 
the past for going too far in this regard - I think you have a long way 
to go in the other direction before anyone could seriously suggest that 
MOTM quality is not up to snuff.  I mean what is the competition doing? 
  You can bet they are all going to SMT too, if that is the way the 
larger electronics industry is going/has gone.  So if people don't want 
MOTM because it uses SMT, they 'll have nowhere else to go.  This is of 
course setting aside the whole question of whether SMT is a "bad thing" 
in the first place - which no one here has suggested, to my knowledge.

>
> Crap, next I'll hear about changing wire color effects VCF resonance 
> or some BS.

Oh that's silly - but if you put green paint on the edge of your CDs 
they sound *waaayyyy* better!  Dude!  Try it - you'll see!

>
> Paul S.
> I told you I was having a bad day


SMT rocks!  MOTM rocks!!  :)

Larry D.
Will never mention SMT again, ever.  :-)

> Right.  I have 3 300s and I actually choose between them for certain
> sounds.  And the 310s are different from the 300s, too.
>
> The discussion really wasn't meant as a criticism or anything: just an
> observation (or a question) about the difference in sound between SMT
> and thru-hole components.  If thru-holes components have differences
> between themselves, then surely thru-hole vs SMT will sound different.

There is no basis in reality for this. The only thing that matters is the 
parts value/tolerances itself. A 1K ohm SMT resistor is the same thing as 
a through hole 1K ohm resistors. There is no correlation between 
SMT/through hole and resistor tolerances. That's silly.

> If SMT components have closer tolerances, then surely the differences
> between modules made with SMT will be less than those made with
> thru-hole components.

Has nothing to do with SMT vs. through hole.

This is all completely false speculation. The danger on the internet is 
starting to spread rumor like this - it'll eventually be picked up as 
"speculation" and become folklore, then "fact". Anything halfway 
"plausible" sounding becomes fact by those who don't know better, which is 
most people.

Please, stop now before someone starts believing this nonsense.

-->Neil

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Bradley            "If you owe the bank $100, it's your problem. If you
Synthcom Systems, Inc.   owe them $100mil, it's the bank's problem." - JP Getty

> Sorry for your bad day Paul, but this is not a great reply to these posts.

May not be great, but it's certainly appropriate. I work in a similar 
industry to Paul and I'm dogged by these constant, scientifically baseless 
speculations that wind up becoming "fact" very quickly.

This is how we end up with the beliefs that your toaster will shut down in 
the year 2000, that viruses can invade your computer with it shut off and 
disconnected from the outside world, the belief that one can see the great 
wall of China from space with the naked eye, the coriolis effect can be 
seen in any sink or toilet, coloring the edges of CDs with a felt tip 
marker makes them sound better, Windows' calculator exhibits the Pentium 
FDIV bug by doing subtracts, and tapping the side of pop cans will prevent 
it from exploding on you, and $10,000 per foot speaker wire is better at 
conducting electricity than $0.30 per foot speaker wire, but are all 
completely false. We may as well teach our children that the earth is flat 
and the moon is made of green cheese, because it makes the same amount of 
sense.

I'm just sick of seeing this kind of crap because of mob rules ignorance. 
I totally see where Paul is coming from on this, and agree 100%. STFU If 
you don't know what you're talking about. Feel free to ask, but don't 
spectulate/assert. In this specific case, it's starting a rumor that can 
be destructive to Paul's business and our ability to purchase those 
products, for no good reason other than "it sounded good". Don't repeat 
something if you can't verify it from someone who actually knows WTF is 
going on.

-->Neil

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neil Bradley            "If you owe the bank $100, it's your problem. If you
Synthcom Systems, Inc.   owe them $100mil, it's the bank's problem." - JP Getty

Hi ,

>Oh that's silly - but if you put green paint on the edge of your CDs 
>they sound *waaayyyy* better!  Dude!  Try it - you'll see!
>
>  
>
Something like this may be ?

http://www.ennemoser.com/c37theory.html

Well don't forget to apply everywhere on your MOTM , specialy all pots  
jacks & cabinets for a geat sound improvement...

:))))

Cheers,

Marc B;

Bravo to Paul and Neil for setting the record straight on this.  Some of you 
out there (and I mean "out there") seem to be insinuating that SMT is bad.  
Why?

We all agree that MOTM is the best designed modular synthesizer.  Possibly 
the best ever built.  So what's the problem?

And, most of all, why are people here second guessing Paul's decisions?  If 
you know so much about it then why buy MOTM and why don't you just build your 
own "better" synthesizer that is thru-hole.  Or, better, yet, use 
point-to-point wiring on turret boards since old guitar amps are built that way, and 
everyone knows they "sound" better.

Yes, I'm being sarcastic here.  But as others as have said, if you don't know 
what you're talking about then why talk about it?  I don't really care WHAT 
is inside an MOTM module as long as it sounds good and is reliable over the 
long term.  Paul knows more about this than us, that's why he's building and 
we're buying.  And yes, I have a lot of electronics experience and a degree in 
electronics manufacturing technology.  That and $0.35 and I can call someone who 
cares.

And if any of you still disagree then I will gladly sell you $1200 ac power 
cords for your MOTM that will make it sound soooooooo much better.

Ivan

Personally, I quite like the "semi-kit" idea. Was the final decision to 
include some input attenuators for the cv control? I would much prefer 
if there were two "general uncommitted" attenuators, like you mentioned 
before. It would be well worth the extra cost.

But that's just me....

Matthew

On 16-Aug-05, at 9:47 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> d) The MOTM-810 VC EG is a 'semi-kit'. I will make the pc board SMT, 
> with *just*
> the SMT parts stuffed. You
> will still solder the pots, jacks, wires, etc. There are just too many 
> parts to
> be practical (~90 resistors, 16 diodes, 18 transistors).
> Also, SMT will keep the price *lower* because I can stuff them all at 
> once in 1
> day and not even have to buy a single part (all I
> do is hand the assembler a stack of boards and a BOM and some $$$). 
> The design
> is in my CAD system, JH has to proof-read the schematic.
> Then I can start the layout, which will be *after* I start the '650 
> production
> layout, which is ***MONDAY*** (yippee).
>
> Paul S.
_________________________________________________
+ Reviews for Xpander/365Mag: www.365mag.com +
+ and Exclaim magazine: www.exclaim.ca +
+ The Bootleg Sounds/Bodega label: www.bootlegsounds.com +

Hey Paul, what about the RoHS directive and the effect it's going to have on
your synth when it's all lead free!?!? :)

Oh, and by the way someone commented on the accuracy of resistors and
capacitors in VLSI. Whatever they taught you in school was dead wrong. VLSI
resistors are made of polysilicon and it's a crap shoot getting it to a
particular value. They are able to get many resistors to similar (i.e.
matched) values, but the absolute target is very hard to achieve. Regular
SMT or through hole resistors are much more accurate. Let Paul make the
decisions on the component selection. He has a good track record and will
not let you down.

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Schreiber
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 2:44 PM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com; Mike Marsh
Subject: Re: [motm] Re: Possible strange question about SMT


> The discussion really wasn't meant as a criticism or anything: just an
> observation (or a question) about the difference in sound between SMT
> and thru-hole components.  If thru-holes components have differences
> between themselves, then surely thru-hole vs SMT will sound different.


OK, everybody, I've been gritting my teeth up until now, but
PLEASE STOP. Statements like this have ABSOLUTELY NO FOUNDATION
and in fact, can cause a 'snowball' effect like, "Gee, MOTM sounded so
great,
then Paul switched to SMT and now...pffttt!" or "Well, I *was* going to buy
MOTM but now I heard they are SMT and don't sound as good." and then
everyone
wonders "what happened" when I go the way of Oakley :(

Also, does anyone *really think* I would have a MOTM-440 SMT version that
didn't
sound *EXACTLY* the same as a thru-hole one? Come on......

What everyone has to realize this that "just idle speculation" turns into 
"absolute fact"
on the freakin' Internet. So, unless you have a EE degree, *DON''T
SPECULATE*.

Crap, next I'll hear about changing wire color effects VCF resonance or some
BS.

Paul S.
I told you I was having a bad day






 
Yahoo! Groups Links

a) Still waiting for many front panels to arrive from the sheet metal vendors. 
Not much
I can do but suffer along with everyone else. At least a large batch of rails 
and 2U blanks showed up.
And some '320 panels as well.

b) I just backed up the entire website (all 305MB) and hopefully this week I 
will get the new site up.
I didn't get my order in on time for this weekend's switch-overs. So it will be 
around Wed/Thur. I do
get to *triple* the web disk space, though.

c) I received the Mu-Tron Biphase clone 'design kit' last week so that will 
provide fun over the Thanksgiving
holidays.

d) I have a lot of paperwork to do, it's amazing how it all piles up :(  There 
was a rush of CEM orders as people
are beginning to realize I am very near to running out on many part numbers. I 
sure wish Doug Curtis had more
of these stashed somewhere. Especially 3310 EG chips. I still have plenty of 
3340s and 3320s. I'm not going
to mess with these orders much intil mid-Sept.

e) The Power One supplies used in the '950 were on 2 week backorder but I'm 
supposed to get 10 tomorrow
so I can ship them out this week. I spend ~20 hours/week, EVERY week, doing 
nothing but paperwork (orders,
email, paying bills, logging shipments, etc). Grumble.

f) I'm going to ship all the remaining '310 kit backlog next week.

g) I'm going to start back on the '650 finally and get more assembled modules 
shipped.

Thanks for all the support, I'm going as best I can and will mess up every now 
and then but approaching
module #6400 shipped.

Paul S.

a) I have 2 of the MOTM-650 pc boards built up and tested (jacks board and the 
MIDI I/O board). The CPU and LED boards arrive tomorrow. I will have the 
hardware all ready by Friday AM for SW testing. I've ordered 5 beta front panels 
as well. It does look like that if the SW is ready, I will have a "real' unit at 
the Oakland synth gathering on the 16th. I'm getting excited about *finally* 
being able to ship these.

b) some of you have emailed be about freebie modules, shipping status, etc. I 
haven't been concentrating on shipping lately in order to get the '650 ready. 
However, as the SMT assembler is building the prototype, I will respond to your 
inquiries. I'm also soldering assembled modules as fast as I can (which is not 
really all that fast) to try to get that backlog reduced. Recently placed kit 
order (last 8 days) will get transferred to Paul H. by tomorrow afternoon for 
shipment. I'll also going to ship out the few (cough) '995 orders.

c) Paul H. should get rails in 1 week. I have a few that I can ship Friday or 
Monday.

Paul S.

a) The MOTM-650 HW checkout is 99% complete. I am waiting for a cable to be made 
and the 1-off front panel to arrive to test feeding Ext Clk into the 
arpeggiators (which is 1% HW and 99% SW, really).

By the end of Oct I'll have selected a local SMT house to run the 100 production 
boards. If you have not yet ordered, now is a good time. Shipping will be at the 
end of Nov/1st week of Dec. This is the last 'new' module to ship this year. The 
'730, '600 and '810 will all be early next year. I have to spend all on my 
remaining time on shipping what is on order up until Nov. 15th.

b) Remember: Nov. 15th is a 'special day' for 2 reasons:

1) last day to cash in points
2) last day to order kits for delivery in 2005. If you need a Christmas present, 
the order needs to be in by *this day*.
3) Dec.15th is the last day of business until Jan. 15th. I play video games :) 
Looking forward to Age of Empires III, finishing latest Splinter Cell and 
Dungeon Siege II.

c) I made up some '310 kits today, will finish the '900 and '950 kits tomorrow 
and ship this week.

d) Hope to see some of you at the Oakland meeting next Sunday. Charles Stella 
and I will have a demo system set up with about 20 modules, the VC Pulse Divider 
and the MIDI-CV. Will give away a couple of hats and a shirt, maybe a couple of 
the new Robert Rich CDs.

Paul S.

Paul H. will begin shipping the kit backlog (including the start of the 
'freebies') on Tuesday. He has a 4 page list of shipments, but that is about 
60%. So, be patient while we get these 80+ modules out the door.

I will be shipping '310/'900 and '950 orders later this week. '300 VCO kitting 
will be next week after I order all the '650 production parts. I should have 4 
production-ready front panels on Nov. 3rd to approve (painted and screened). The 
'650 ship date is looking like Dec. 1st. If you haven't got your order in, now 
is a good time (or you will have to wait until early Feb.)

I soldered all weekend on assembled modules, and except for the '650 getting out 
that's about all I'm going to do until Dec. 15th.

Remember, the last date to order for freebies AND for getting kits in 2005 is 
Nov.15th. You can order after this, but I can't guarantee you will get them in 
2005.

Paul S.

I am starting to ship "my stuff" this week ('310s, power supplies, etc). I have 
lots of email to catch up with as well. I spent 4 hours doing nothing but 
paperwork/filing/email/etc this weekend and only got about 60% done. And 
tomorrow I have to pay bills :(

I sent Paul H. another long list of kits to ship (and rails, they came in 
finally!). We are trying to ship as much as we can this month (Nov) because both 
of us have long stretches of non-MOTM work/traveling. There will be a period of 
~8 days in the middle of Nov. where not much will go out the door. Try to get 
orders for kits into me by Nov. 8th if possible.

I'm trying to time it so during that time, the MOTM-650s are being fabbed. I'm 
ordering the rest of the parts this week and also sending out for the panelized 
boards (there are 4 pc boards on a panel in order to fit into the SMT part 
shooter. I plan to make a QuickTime movie of it in operation). I have some 
'touch-up' work to do on the layouts, nothing major.

Still soldering what I can on assembled modules as well. Making some progress 
there, still slow going, though.

Paul S.

Hi all,

apologies for the OT post, but I think this should
concern many of us who are using Logic and SoundDiver.
I stumbled over a petition that asks Apple to maintain
development of SoundDiver, the app that many of us use
to administer and remote-control our MIDI-synths. Ever
since Emagic has been acquired by Apple, development
of Sounddiver has been non-existent and its future
seems "endagered".
Anyway, here's the link to the petition that asks
Apple to maintain SD:

http://www.petitiononline.com/soundDVR/petition.html

Best Regards,
Dino




		
__________________________________ 
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
http://farechase.yahoo.com

Caveat signer, so to speak: Unfortunately that petition can be honestly
signed only if one is a Logic Pro user. While I would very much like to see
support and development of SoundDiver continue, I do not use Logic Pro for
making music (only for testing my AU products), so petitioning Apple to
integrate SoundDiver into (Mac-only) Logic really doesn't do me any good.

--Adam

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dino Leone [mailto:d_p_leone@...]
> Sent: Monday, October 31, 2005 9:54 AM
> To: MOTM litserv
> Subject: [motm] semi-OT: petition to keep SoundDiver alive
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> apologies for the OT post, but I think this should
> concern many of us who are using Logic and SoundDiver.
> I stumbled over a petition that asks Apple to maintain
> development of SoundDiver, the app that many of us use
> to administer and remote-control our MIDI-synths. Ever
> since Emagic has been acquired by Apple, development
> of Sounddiver has been non-existent and its future
> seems "endagered".
> Anyway, here's the link to the petition that asks
> Apple to maintain SD:
> 
> http://www.petitiononline.com/soundDVR/petition.html
> 
> Best Regards,
> Dino
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> __________________________________
> Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
> http://farechase.yahoo.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>

a) I am still having delays and issues with my metal supplier about the '650. I 
am hoping to put this to bed by Friday and get 75 front panels ordered. I am 
still amazed that in this day and age, I can't find a reliable sheet metal 
vendor that can read a drawing. Maybe if I was Dell or WalMart I could get 
better results (shrug). 18-layer pc boards with 0.005 mil lines shipped in 24 
hours? No problem! Buy 5,000 SMT resistors for $12 bucks? ZZzzzz..... Order a 
flat piece of metal with 20 holes drilled in it....errr....we'll have to get 
back to you on that one.

Honestly, there is a 50-50 chance I will be shipping MOTM-650s this year. I 
can't express how frustrating it has been this month dealing with these people. 
And this is the *6th* company I've tried since MOTM started. For the Frac-Rack 
panels, I'm NOT using them unless it's a very last resort. In fact, I may by the 
wholesale minimum (100 pounds) and have them shipped to me in standard panel 
sizes (about 1033 of 3 x 5.5 panels) undrill/unpainted (cost is <$1 each).

b) I am getting *very low* on most CEM ICs and I will be raising *some* prices 
next week. I still have 3340s/3320s but all the others are gone or will most 
likely be gone shortly.

c) Paul H. is still traveling and kit shipping will resume on the 22nd. We are 
running low on some kits, I have ordered more pc boards (takes 2 weeks to 
arrive).

d) There is a strong possibility (more testing needed) that kits that use 
tempcos will have a new 'style' of tempco beginning in late Feb. It is smaller 
but has the same specs (again, I have to test this) and I would be buying a 
lifetime supply :) The leads are smaller diameter, so the soldering is a little 
"clunky" on the current pc boards (next year I can change the drill holes for 
the smaller leads). This is not final, just a FYI. The current supplier is also 
a pain to deal with (missed the 3 last ship dates by 2-4 weeks). I can't ship 
stuff if my suppliers can't.

That's all for now, back to work!

Paul S.

Hi Paul

Understand your metal frustration.

Any delivery estmates on 960 and 19A mounting rails?

Then a question about the 650. Is there any more information about
it available than in the "motmcat5" pdf. Reviews or other?
Just for all of us who havent ordered one yet.

greetings

Gregory

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
>
> a) I am still having delays and issues with my metal supplier 
about the '650. I 
> am hoping to put this to bed by Friday and get 75 front panels 
ordered. I am 
> still amazed that in this day and age, I can't find a reliable 
sheet metal 
> vendor that can read a drawing. Maybe if I was Dell or WalMart I 
could get 
> better results (shrug). 18-layer pc boards with 0.005 mil lines 
shipped in 24 
> hours? No problem! Buy 5,000 SMT resistors for $12 bucks? 
ZZzzzz..... Order a 
> flat piece of metal with 20 holes drilled in it....errr....we'll 
have to get 
> back to you on that one.
> 
> Honestly, there is a 50-50 chance I will be shipping MOTM-650s 
this year. I 
> can't express how frustrating it has been this month dealing with 
these people. 
> And this is the *6th* company I've tried since MOTM started. For 
the Frac-Rack 
> panels, I'm NOT using them unless it's a very last resort. In 
fact, I may by the 
> wholesale minimum (100 pounds) and have them shipped to me in 
standard panel 
> sizes (about 1033 of 3 x 5.5 panels) undrill/unpainted (cost is 
<$1 each).
> 
> b) I am getting *very low* on most CEM ICs and I will be raising 
*some* prices 
> next week. I still have 3340s/3320s but all the others are gone or 
will most 
> likely be gone shortly.
> 
> c) Paul H. is still traveling and kit shipping will resume on the 
22nd. We are 
> running low on some kits, I have ordered more pc boards (takes 2 
weeks to 
> arrive).
> 
> d) There is a strong possibility (more testing needed) that kits 
that use 
> tempcos will have a new 'style' of tempco beginning in late Feb. 
It is smaller 
> but has the same specs (again, I have to test this) and I would be 
buying a 
> lifetime supply :) The leads are smaller diameter, so the 
soldering is a little 
> "clunky" on the current pc boards (next year I can change the 
drill holes for 
> the smaller leads). This is not final, just a FYI. The current 
supplier is also 
> a pain to deal with (missed the 3 last ship dates by 2-4 weeks). I 
can't ship 

> stuff if my suppliers can't.
> 
> That's all for now, back to work!
> 
> Paul S.
>

a) Paul H. has returned and module shipping will start again in a day or 2. We 
are low on MOTM-190 panels so not all requests for '190 kits can ship this 
month. I will order more this week. I did talk to the sheet metal vendor I 
currently use and hopefully can get the '650 rolling along.

I do have a lead on a "local" (45mi away) vendor, I will talk to them this week.

b) I did run tests on the new smaller-sized tempco and they perform as well as 
the current larger one. So, as I run out of pc boards that use them *after* 
March 1st these will start showing up in modules. You will still need heat-sink 
compound, but just not as much. They will be used first on Frac-Rack modules.

c) I am working 90% of my time on assembled modules. Currently building some 
'485s and '300s. I have built and tested around 45 pc boards. I plan to ship all 
of these as assembled modules between now and Christmas. This is about 70% of 
the current backlog. I wish there was some way to speed this up but really there 
isn't (well, and make money!). Looking forward to the Frac-Rack modules where 4 
pc boards at a time are assembled by a 8-head SMT shooter (it picks up 8 parts 
at once and then sequences across the 4 boards, 2 'touches' per board. It does 
this operation (get 8 parts, place 8 parts) every 1.66 seconds. For example, the 
MOTM-485 has about 81 'touches' x 4 = 324/8 x 1.66sec = 1 minute and 8 seconds 
to stuff 4 boards!

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> I did talk to the sheet metal vendor I currently use
> and hopefully can get the '650 rolling along.
> 
> I do have a lead on a "local" (45mi away) vendor,
> I will talk to them this week.

Hurry, please.  Some of us have resorted to putting drawings in
our racks in anticipation (e.g. the September Packrat).  See
waiting.jpg in the photos section. - Dave

I'm sure you've all read of John Simonton's passing. Very sad year for us. I 
*loved* reading Polyphony magazine. Although I never personally bought his synth 
modules, I did *repair* lots of them :)

Paul H. will begin shipping MOTM kits tomorrow. He has quite a pile! Remember, 
you still *can order* anytime (even Christmas Day) and maybe we can sneak in 
your order. We are getting low on some panels and that will be the factor in 
getting your module or not. I've just received over 450 pc boards (those suckers 
are heavy!) so we have lots of those. Note that the pc boards are now 
RoHS-compliant, they look *slightly* different but you can use the solder you 
have without any problems. There is 1 issue: you have 6 months to build your 
boards after receiving them. Else some oxidation will occur. So, don't stick 
them in a closet and forget about them!

The push is to ship assembled backlog now. All design is on hold until Jan. As 
of today, there are (gulp) 93 modules on the assembled backlog, and these do NOT 
include '650s. As far as "good" news goes, all but 22 of these have assembled 
and tested pc boards made and sitting in the store room. I ping-pong between 
shipping these out and soldering on the 22 left. I think I can get all of these 
out by the end of the year. I want to start 2006 with a 'clean slate'. These 
last 3 months have been an emotional rollercoaster and some days tougher to 
focus on MOTM than others.

Everyone hold off on the "where's my stuff' emails until Dec. 5th. If you are 
missing a kit, paid or freebie, then ping me after Dec. 5th.

OK, back to work!

Paul S.

Paul Schreiber wrote:

> There is 1 issue: you have 6 months to build your
> boards after receiving them. Else some oxidation will occur.

Why not vacuum seal them with an oxygen absorber inside?

$$$

Remember, MOTM is already "too expensive" as it is :)

Paul S.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay" <groups@...>
To: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
Cc: "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update


> Paul Schreiber wrote:
> 
>> There is 1 issue: you have 6 months to build your
>> boards after receiving them. Else some oxidation will occur.
> 
> Why not vacuum seal them with an oxygen absorber inside?

Well, I guess $1 is one dollar...

Paul Schreiber wrote:

> $$$
> 
> Remember, MOTM is already "too expensive" as it is :)
> 
> Paul S.

Paul Schreiber wrote:

> There is 1 issue: you have 6 months to build your
> boards after receiving them. Else some oxidation will occur. So, don't stick 
> them in a closet and forget about them!

I knew there _will_ be something forcing me to _finally_ get on with my 
terrible building backlog. But I certainly did not expect that from that 
side, although I heard of that already. ;-)

May the force be with you,
    :-) Michael.

450?!?  Fixed Filter Bank?  Oh please say it's true!

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:

>
> 
> ... I've just received over 450 pc boards (those suckers 
> are heavy!) so we have lots of those. 
>
>

> 450?!?  Fixed Filter Bank?  Oh please say it's true!
>
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> ... I've just received over 450 pc boards (those suckers
>> are heavy!) so we have lots of those.


Errr..450 pieces of various (MOTM-190, MOTM-440, etc) circuit boards.

Paul S.

Of course. Crap.  Wishful reading, maybe... :/

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, synth1@a... wrote:

>
> > 450?!?  Fixed Filter Bank?  Oh please say it's true!
> >
> > --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@a...> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> ... I've just received over 450 pc boards (those suckers
> >> are heavy!) so we have lots of those.
> 
> 
> Errr..450 pieces of various (MOTM-190, MOTM-440, etc) circuit boards.
> 
> Paul S.
>

a) YEAH! The MOTM-650 sheet metal is officially 'signed off' and so after the 
break I can start shipping them. This will of course conflict with getting ready 
for NAMM so as usual everyone sit tight but at least that 2-month disaster is 
over with.

b) This is my last week 'on the job' so if you have a last-second order to send 
over, do it quick. We are waiting for MOTM-190 front panels and some wire to 
arrive. I can't ship '300 kits either, because of the wire. But I expect to see 
the wire by Friday so next week I can get some VCOs out there.

c) I am busy soldering assembled modules. I have my old tech Shane helping, he 
is building a batch of '320s. I am concentrating on '300s and '480s. I have an 
extra '490 and '890 (not on backorder) 100% built, tested and sitting here if 
you want 1 day assembled module delivery :)

I hope to have others built up and ready to go by Feb. I will have surplus pc 
boards built (for example, I have 6 MOTM-101 boards unspoken for).

d) I'm also making the last CEM shipment of 2005 this week if anyone needs 
those.

Paul S.

a) Paul H. will be finishing his inventory for his 'real job' Monday. Kits will 
start to ship Tuesday. The MOTM-190 panels *did arrive* as did the MOTM-650 
panels. I am going to take a MOTM-650 to NAMM. When I return, getting these 
built and shipped is #1 priority. I have bought all of the parts. All that 
remains is to fab the pc boards and start building.

b) I have been frantically laying out the Frac pc boards for the NAMM demos. 
Finished the Looping ADSR pcb this afternoon. I have all of the parts, the FPE 
panels are all in transit. All I can do is take them to the assembly house this 
week and cross my fingers (and toes) that they will all work. Even if they 
don't, they will look impressive :) The Looping ADSR has 18 transistors, 71 
resistors, 14 caps, 4 dual op amps and 8 diodes. The layout is about 3.25 x 3.5 
inches.

c) If you want a kit(s) to ship between now and the end of the month, please 
order *this week* because next week will be a blur.

d) I did some kit repairs, still seeing the following (lecture mode on)

1 - when you solder to the pots, form a small bend (like a fish hook) in the 
tinned lead. Place the loop through the lug, then *fill the lug entirely with 
solder*. Do NOT just 'poke' the lead straight in and solder.

2 - when you wash the board, wash *both sides* with *WARM* water. Use a small 
*nail brush*, do NOT just run water over it. Then, you *have* to pat it dry with 
a towel. Do NOT let it "air dry" without first getting most of the water off 
with a towel.

3 - when soldering to the jacks, also *fill the lug hole up* with solder.

Paul S.

It was a good weekend for MOTM. I've updated my website with 
preliminary info about some MUUB-based utility modules that I'll be 
building fairly soon. These have all been breadboarded and are 
working fine. I'm just waiting for parts to arrive so I can start 
soldering the real things together.

Look at the top of my DIY pages for the TLN-861 through TLN-865:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/diy.html

I also uploaded some recent pictures of Darmok, an updated listing of 
modules, and some details regarding how I wired up two power supplies 
into one cabinet.

Start here:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/darmok/darmok.html

Scroll further down this page to the section on "Cabinet Design" to 
read about the power supplies and to get to another link with 
pictures. This was wired up a long time ago, I just haven't updated 
this part of the website in two years.

Scott - The TLN-864 seems to be a MOTM-700 on steroids.  Have I got that
right?

-George

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Scott Juskiw" <scott@...>
To: "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 9:20 PM
Subject: [motm] A good weekend for MOTM


> It was a good weekend for MOTM. I've updated my website with
> preliminary info about some MUUB-based utility modules that I'll be
> building fairly soon. These have all been breadboarded and are
> working fine. I'm just waiting for parts to arrive so I can start
> soldering the real things together.
>
> Look at the top of my DIY pages for the TLN-861 through TLN-865:
>
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/diy.html
>
> I also uploaded some recent pictures of Darmok, an updated listing of
> modules, and some details regarding how I wired up two power supplies
> into one cabinet.
>
> Start here:
>
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/darmok/darmok.html
>
> Scroll further down this page to the section on "Cabinet Design" to
> read about the power supplies and to get to another link with
> pictures. This was wired up a long time ago, I just haven't updated
> this part of the website in two years.
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

All very interesting.  Thanks, Scott!  I'm curious about what sort of 
bracket you'll use to mount the MUUB boards behind those new panel layouts.

-Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

Scott Juskiw wrote:

>It was a good weekend for MOTM. I've updated my website with 
>preliminary info about some MUUB-based utility modules that I'll be 
>building fairly soon. These have all been breadboarded and are 
>working fine. I'm just waiting for parts to arrive so I can start 
>soldering the real things together.
>
>Look at the top of my DIY pages for the TLN-861 through TLN-865:
>
>http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/diy.html
>
>I also uploaded some recent pictures of Darmok, an updated listing of 
>modules, and some details regarding how I wired up two power supplies 
>into one cabinet.
>
>Start here:
>
>http://www.tellun.com/motm/darmok/darmok.html
>
>Scroll further down this page to the section on "Cabinet Design" to 
>read about the power supplies and to get to another link with 
>pictures. This was wired up a long time ago, I just haven't updated 
>this part of the website in two years.
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>

>All very interesting.  Thanks, Scott!  I'm curious about what sort 
>of bracket you'll use to mount the MUUB boards behind those new 
>panel layouts.
>

I've ordered a bunch of Larry's modular brackets from Paul H. I'll 
figure out a way to get things to fit. I'm not opposed to redrilling 
and rebending metal as necessary.

>Scott - The TLN-864 seems to be a MOTM-700 on steroids.  Have I got that
>right?

Funny, I never noticed that, but I guess it does have some similar 
capabilities. It started out as just a plain comparator, then I added 
pots to set the output levels, then I added an analogue switch to 
fill up some space. I have two MOTM-700s and I use them A LOT. I 
guess I need more.

Another candidate for a utility module (not sure if it can be built
with MUUBs though - dual one shots/gate delays.

Moe

>Another candidate for a utility module (not sure if it can be built
>with MUUBs though - dual one shots/gate delays.

I had planned to build a digital gate delay (the TLN-774), but that's 
been on the back burner for two years now, I may never get it done. 
So maybe a simple MUUB gate delay would be useful in the meantime. 
There is space on the MUUB boards for adding a 7555 timer chip.  I'd 
like to fit two gate delays into 1U of space, so it would have to be 
very simple, just a delay of the rising edge of the gate, not the 
falling edge.

1. delay time pot and jack
2. input gate jack
3. output delay jack
4. LED

What other features would we need? Maybe a hold time on the delayed 
gate, if that's not too complicated for a MUUB.

I would want to be able to use it directly as a 1 shot, too - for
pulse stretching, for instance.

So in delay mode the output jack waits X time to go high (staying high
as long as the input gate is high), while in 1 shot mode the output
jack immediately goes high for X time then goes low again.

X time vc'able would be great.

Moe

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:

> I had planned to build a digital gate delay (the TLN-774), but that's 
> been on the back burner for two years now, I may never get it done. 
> So maybe a simple MUUB gate delay would be useful in the meantime. 
> There is space on the MUUB boards for adding a 7555 timer chip.  I'd 
> like to fit two gate delays into 1U of space, so it would have to be 
> very simple, just a delay of the rising edge of the gate, not the 
> falling edge.
> 
> 1. delay time pot and jack
> 2. input gate jack
> 3. output delay jack
> 4. LED
> 
> What other features would we need? Maybe a hold time on the delayed 
> gate, if that's not too complicated for a MUUB.
>

I chose to use a gate and a trigger.  The gate going false will 
'cancel' a pending delayed trigger.  The gate input is normaled to 
'true'.  I made a dual delay and normal'd the second to the first.  
Thus I can cascade them for even longer delays.  I also had to decide 
if I wanted a subsequent trigger should restart the delay (e.g. 
retrigger) or be ignored.  Eventually I made this switch selectable 
and I do use it both ways.

Details and schematics on
http://modularsynthesis.com/modules/DJB-008/djb008.htm

I used a 4538 one shot which worked quite well.  To do it over again I 
might add a variable pulse width.  My delayed trigger is a fixed 5 mS 
trigger and there have been times I'd like to have stretched that a 
bit.  The LED indicator simply shows delay time.  It turns on when a 
trigger has started the delay and turns off when the delayed trigger 
occurs.

Dave

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@t...> wrote:
> I had planned to build a digital gate delay (the TLN-774), but 
that's 

> been on the back burner for two years now, I may never get it done. 
> So maybe a simple MUUB gate delay would be useful in the meantime. 
> There is space on the MUUB boards for adding a 7555 timer chip.  I'd 
> like to fit two gate delays into 1U of space, so it would have to be 
> very simple, just a delay of the rising edge of the gate, not the 
> falling edge.
> 
> 1. delay time pot and jack
> 2. input gate jack
> 3. output delay jack
> 4. LED
> 
> What other features would we need? Maybe a hold time on the delayed 
> gate, if that's not too complicated for a MUUB.

It all started last Friday, Friday the 13th under a full moon, when I 
first powered up my Moog Etherwave Pro. After a couple of failed 
attempts to play "Turkey in the Straw", I realized that P. Kurstin 
has nothing to fear. However, hooking this thing up to Darmok was 
much more gratifying. This thing is a blast!

The Etherwave Pro is a bit pricey, but it's gorgeous and is a great 
controller for synths because it has CV outputs for the volume and 
pitch antennas. There's a picture of it in action at the bottom of 
this page (click on the picture to see a bigger version):

http://www.tellun.com/motm/darmok/20060108/20060108.html

I've had success hooking these CV outputs up to oscillators, filters, 
LFOs, VCAs, you name it. Things I would recommend are: use Matthew 
Davidson's pitch quantizing ROM with a MiniWave when using a theremin 
for pitch control, use the volume output from the Etherwave to 
control a VCA so your synth goes silent when you leave the room (the 
volume output rises as you step away from the theremin, so it's at 
maximum volume when you walk away from it). Luckily, it's easy enough 
to hook up a MOTM-700 to control a VCA and EG to make the synth go 
silent when you're a few feet away.

I also tackled the request for a MUUB gate delay circuit. There 
wasn't room on the panel to have two of these in 1U with voltage 
control. I realized that if you really need a voltage controlled gate 
delay, you can do it with the MUUB lag processor and the MUUB 
comparator. Just use a long linear delay on the lag and use the 
voltage control inputs on the comparator to set the switching level 
(and thus the delay time). But I think there's still a need for a 
gate processor with hold and delay times, and a manual gate 
pushbutton, so that's what I built. Preliminary info can be found 
here:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln866/TLN-866.html

This module, and the MUUB lag processor, needs 1M log pots, which 
aren't easy to find. Bourns part number is 91A1AB28D25 and both 
Mouser and Allied require 500 minimum order. Gulp. This might be 
another good part for Stooge Enterprises to stock.

I'm likely to be getting another batch of Veeblefetzer PCBs made. 
Email me off list if you are interested so I'll be sure to get enough 
made. Info can be found here:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln904/TLN-904.html

Thanks

I have to say how much I like my Veeblefetzers.  I use them to monitor 
something in every patch.  I've discovered how entertaining it is to 
monitor audio signals with this device, too.   The changing energy 
patterns are really brought out visually.  Although tricky to build, you 
do get to design your own LED pattern and the result is both a useful 
and fun module.  I'm glad to see the boards are available again.  You 
can see pictures of my Veeblefetzers here at the bottom of the page.

http://www.pugix.com/top-cabinet.htm

-Richard Brewster

http://www.pugix.com

Scott Juskiw wrote:

>I'm likely to be getting another batch of Veeblefetzer PCBs made. 
>Email me off list if you are interested so I'll be sure to get enough 
>made. Info can be found here:
>
>http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln904/TLN-904.html
>
>Thanks
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  
>

>I have to say how much I like my Veeblefetzers.  I use them to monitor
>something in every patch.  I've discovered how entertaining it is to
>monitor audio signals with this device, too.   The changing energy
>patterns are really brought out visually.

I find I use it all the time too. Even just recently when hooking up 
the theremin, I had no idea what range of voltages that thing was 
putting out. But plugging in the 'fetzer made it all clear. I 
currently use it to monitor when I've gotten close enough to the 
volume antenna to open the VCA on the output.

a) I am taking care of all the "where's my kits" emails right now. I have 1 
"lost order" that was on Dec. 20th (customer received confirmation, I never got 
order). Again, if you are waiting for a non-VCO kit, tell me and I will get it 
shipped *this week*,

b) I hope to have the shopping cart installed this week. I will have a new 
catalog by Friday with the new prices.

c) That's the sort version...off to bed (had a massive Texas History project 
with my son this weekend. Remember the Alamo!)

Paul S.

a) MOTM-650s #2 & #3 shipping Monday to the coders to get the production release 
ready. The production pc boards will get to me on Feb. 15th. I have all the 
parts sitting here, ready to be stuffed and soldered. I expect to have them back 
to me by March 1st.

I figure I can ship 12 a week, because I also need to get the Frac stuff ready 
for Analog Haven. I have a system down to assemble 1 '650 in about 40min. This 
includes calibration and testing. There will be a detailed manual that you will 
*download* in PDF from the site. Or you can try to figure it out :)

b) I have ordered over 400 front panels. These should allow kits to ship until 
Paul H. gets the Buck Rogers Death Engraver going.

c) Although no one's ordered yet using the new form (cough), remember that's THE 
form to use:

www.synthtech.com/catalog

I will add the assembled modules and 'throw the switch' on Wednesday PM.

d) Robert Rich goes out on his US tour March 28th. His new mostly MOTM CD 
'Electric Ladder' will be shipping in 2 weeks. Highly recommended. For details, 
go here: www.robertrich.com

e) I have about 12 'where's my order' emails to reconcile. It looks like around 
Dec. 20th, my order form failed to keep *me* a copy of the order. So again, if 
you are waiting for a *kit* and have not done so, send me an email so I can get 
all of these shipped ASAP.

Paul S.

I just noticed that the CANTOS museum has virtual tours on their website now:

http://www.triumphent.com/collection/virtualtours.html

They really need to have more links to the actual instruments. I'm 
not associated with CANTOS other than having been there a couple of 
times to drool over the collection.

a) Hope all the MOTMers in the US NE region (NYC/Philly/CT) are snug and warm. 
They are getting a nasty blizzard about right now. Here in Texas, tonight it's 
getting to 24F, the coldest day so far. But it will be 68F by Wednesday :)

b) I have spent all day today going over my email in-basket. I started with 1127 
emails. I've got it down to 242. Tomorrow I am gathering up all the "where is my 
stuff" emails, verifying the contents, and passing what I can over to Paul H. 
for shipping. There may be a delay on some kits as we are out of some front 
panels. I did get my wire in so I can finish the '300 kits this coming week 
(yea!).

c) all of the '650 pc boards except the main CPU will arrive this week. On 
Friday I will take them to the stuffing house. The CPU boards arrive the 22nd. I 
expect all of these will be returned to me soldered by March 8th. It will take 
me 1 full week to get the first set of 20 ready to ship. This is still on track 
for March 15th. The SW team is hard at work cleaning up the code. There is a PC 
(followed later by Mac) program that will allow code updates flashed in over 
MIDI. I will have a file area for updates. My plane is to ship all pending 
MOTM-650 orders by April 1st.

d) Also due April 1st are Frac modules to Analog Haven. As you see, the next 6 
weeks I'm a busy guy. So now is a last chance for a while to inquire about 
modules owed. I may not respond back, but I *do* file all of these requests and 
as time allows (most of tomorrow, then sporadically until April) will reconcile 
them. Trust me, I don't enjoy this but neither do you wondering "why can't he 
keep track of all this?". Did I mention *1127 emails* plus another 500 or so in 
various folders? Ack......but after tomorrow, I just can't work on this 
"housekeeping" any longer, I have to get this stuff shipped because sitting over 
here on the desk is about $11,000 in bills to pay (bills were $18K in Dec and 
$19K in Jan) and I need the cash flow coming in to pay them. That would be 
MOTM-650s :)

e) I have ordered the vertical jacks for the '730 Pulse Divider, they will 
arrive at the end of March. The Pulse Divider is the next "new" module followed 
by the '810 CV EG.

f) Monday I will add the assembled modules to the new order page and redirect to 
it. I see 44 folks have "signed up", if you are one that has not please do so:

www.synthtech.com/catalog

I have asked one of our talented photographers on the list to take nice photos 
of the modules for the ordering pages and these will then be in the PDF catalog.

g) Don't forget, Robert Rich is going on tour this spring with the MOTM to 
promote the new 95% MOTM CD "Electric Ladder" which I think is shipping this 
coming Friday: www.robertrich.com

Paul S.

a) Website moving from Florida to San Jose seems to all be working.

b) received new module photos in super-hi res. Will add to website, ordering 
page and will place into new PDF version of the catalog that I
will work on next weekend.

c) Ken E. & I are working on a MOTM "patch book" series and hope to have the 
first one out shortly.

d) I am almost done with '300 VCO kits and will be able to start shipping 
Friday.

e) I am shipping all assembled power supply orders by Tuesday.

f) finished CAD drawings of the Frac Rack front panels and awaiting quotes. Will 
send out for production pc boards for the
first 4 modules by Friday (frac versions of '490, '485, '800 w/looping and 
'190). Next week I will send out for prototypes of
a new Frac power supply that uses a wall-wart and some low-noise 
switchers/linear post regulators so it's UL/CE listed
and can be used anywhere in world without jumpers/etc. How low noise are the 
switchers? Well, good enough to be used in
mic preamps :)

g) I'm receiving 1000 vertical-mount jacks this week for the VC Pulse Divider.

h) the last '650 pc board is due Wednesday. I'm setting aside next weekend to 
sort out all the SMT parts and the following Monday it's
off to the stuffing robots :)

Paul S.

> c) Ken E. & I are working on a MOTM "patch book" series and hope to have the
> first one out shortly.

wow. this is awesome! pdf, html, hardcover?

> f) finished CAD drawings of the Frac Rack front panels and awaiting quotes. Will
> send out for production pc boards for the
> first 4 modules by Friday (frac versions of '490, '485, '800 w/looping and
> '190). Next week I will send out for prototypes of
> a new Frac power supply that uses a wall-wart and some low-noise
> switchers/linear post regulators so it's UL/CE listed
> and can be used anywhere in world without jumpers/etc. How low noise are the
> switchers? Well, good enough to be used in
> mic preamps :)

part number? :D

--mikes

>> c) Ken E. & I are working on a MOTM "patch book" series and hope to have the
>> first one out shortly.
> 
> wow. this is awesome! pdf, html, hardcover?

PDF, not necessarily *free*, though :) Cost TBD.

>> part number? :D
> 

Of the switcher? It's custom made in Taiwan.

Paul S.

On Monday 27 February 2006 04:52, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> c) Ken E. & I are working on a MOTM "patch book" series
> and hope to have the first one out shortly.

A series even! :)

Since it's delivered in PDF format, aren't you guys worried 
about illegal copies that will no doubt appear on the net?

Okay, a book can be scanned, yes. ;)

- Robert

[Man do I hate Daylight Savings Time Sunday...grrr....I have to stay up until 
2AM to get any sleep]

a) By tomorrow about 10 MOTM-650s will be in testing for the V1.0 software. I 
will send out 10-12 more this week. I will revise the bug list later in the week 
when I can get verification (meaning I can duplicate the reported bug here on my 
system).

I don't expect to add 20 bugs, more like 3 to 6. We all appreciate the 'early 
adopters' assisting in the debug for everyone. Such is a fact of life when both 
new hardware and new software are in 1 product.

b) this week I have to switch focus from the '650 to Frac rack and getting the 
kit inventory back up and running in Indiana. As usual, the sheet metal vendor 
is 10 days late in delivery. I am in the process of gathering up parts that Paul 
H. would have bought and stocked, shipping them up to Indiana. By mid-month, all 
of the kits should be out of back order (including the VCOs and power supplies, 
both out of panels right now).

I have received all the long lead time items (power cables, and the pots) and I 
bought enough to last to at least to September.

c) For those outside the US: April 15th is Federal Tax day so I (and many 
others) will need a day or 2 to fill out the forms, curse under our breath (or 
at the top of our lungs) and pay Uncle Sam.

That's it for now, April will be quite busy so bear with me as I try to keep up.

Paul S.

Taxes are done and mailed! (I had to pay $216, not bad overall. That's not $216 
TOTAL, $216 *more*. Let's not go into what I paid overall....sigh.....)

So, if anyone is due a refund, now is a good time to buy that extra LFO or take 
the plunge and get a '650.

The next 2 1/2 weeks will be *very busy* for me. Last week not much got done, my 
whole family was sick with a nasty cold/virus/stomach flu. I still can't sleep 
well at night, hopefully the worst is behind me. I missed the first day at 'real 
work' due to illness in about 8 years.

All of the '650s "beta test" units are out there. No new reports have come in 
recently. Later this week, the work on a V1.1 release can start and hopefully be 
deployed by the end of the month. Those of you that asked to wait for shipping 
are in line. Everyone else will be shipped whatever version I have at the time 
your unit is ready. Generally speaking, if you avoid the external arpeggiator 
clock and sustain pedal, you should be able to use the unit no problem. Also, 
again: if you ordered a LONG TIME AGO and your credit card info has changed, 
please email me with an update.

I will be charging credit cards this week for '650s (and '950/'990s if also not 
yet delivered) on order.

Shipments from Indiana start tomorrow. Please email me if there are part 
shortages. Be patient, everyone will get their stuff. I have like 4 more '300 
kits to ship, then that backlog should be 0. I am waiting for tempcos to arrive 
to finish '310 kits (due mid May).

Frac rack module focus starts in...err...5min :) I'm taking all the parts over 
tomorrow. This week I can work on '650s, but next week is 100% frac rack. I'm 
holding my breath, as this time the pc board has 618 (!!) individual parts on it 
(it's 5 frac modules). These will be sent to Analog Haven around April 28th. 
Tell your non-MOTM friends about them. They will replace the CEM chips as a 
revenue stream. If I sell out of this pcb run, the $$$ profit will be just about 
what the CEM revenue was the last 18 months.

Paul H. is still in rehab, not able to go home. His wife has to install lots of 
hand rails and redo the bathroom before they will release him.

Paul S.

a) I am going to add content to the website this weekend. If anyone has MOTM 
demos to send me, now is a good time. Any drums from the patchbook? MOTM-650 
noodlings?

b) I picked up the Frac stuffed pc boards for the first shipment to Analog 
Haven. Tomorrow I will start assembling them for final inspection/packing up. 
They will be sitting on the shelf at AH next Friday, ready for delivery :) I am 
going to have info on my site, that will point over to the AH site (that may 
have the same info presented in a different format). I need to take pictures of 
the real modules with the real panels (those of you that have seen the NAMM 
versions: these look much nicer than the FPE panels).

c) I am also shipping 8 more MIDI-CV converters this coming week. The 
programmers are hard at work this weekend killing the bugs off the list. The 
next Frac module is the '650 version, I'm starting on that next weekend. It's 
mostly sheet metal messing around, trying to get a layout that makes sense and 
not be 12" wide.

d) Indiana shipped all the kits they had except 1 MOTM-480 kit (waiting for 
parts). I am waiting for mote tempcos: may move things around to clear the 
MOTM-300 kit backlog. MOTM-960 and MOTM-990s are at the stuffing house to be 
soldered. I'll pick them up Wednesday.

That's all for now. Nasty weather blowing in/around DFW tonight. The last week 
of April/first week of May is heat/floods/grass fire/tornado/hail time. And it 
looks like the new website is 100% up and certainly 3X faster. Yippee.

Paul S.

So are kits backstocked now? I am considering a substantial kit order in the 
next few weeks and am wondering about delivery time. With all the 
happennings lately I would like to know more about kit availability/delivery 
time.
----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...>
To: "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 11:44 PM
Subject: [motm] Update


> a) I am going to add content to the website this weekend. If anyone has 
> MOTM
> demos to send me, now is a good time. Any drums from the patchbook? 
> MOTM-650
> noodlings?
>
> b) I picked up the Frac stuffed pc boards for the first shipment to Analog
> Haven. Tomorrow I will start assembling them for final inspection/packing 
> up.
> They will be sitting on the shelf at AH next Friday, ready for delivery :) 
> I am
> going to have info on my site, that will point over to the AH site (that 
> may
> have the same info presented in a different format). I need to take 
> pictures of
> the real modules with the real panels (those of you that have seen the 
> NAMM
> versions: these look much nicer than the FPE panels).
>
> c) I am also shipping 8 more MIDI-CV converters this coming week. The
> programmers are hard at work this weekend killing the bugs off the list. 
> The
> next Frac module is the '650 version, I'm starting on that next weekend. 
> It's
> mostly sheet metal messing around, trying to get a layout that makes sense 
> and
> not be 12" wide.
>
> d) Indiana shipped all the kits they had except 1 MOTM-480 kit (waiting 
> for
> parts). I am waiting for mote tempcos: may move things around to clear the
> MOTM-300 kit backlog. MOTM-960 and MOTM-990s are at the stuffing house to 
> be
> soldered. I'll pick them up Wednesday.
>
> That's all for now. Nasty weather blowing in/around DFW tonight. The last 
> week
> of April/first week of May is heat/floods/grass fire/tornado/hail time. 
> And it
> looks like the new website is 100% up and certainly 3X faster. Yippee.
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

a) Frac rack MOTM modules are in stock at Analogue Haven for immediate shipment: 
www.analoguehaven.com/motm
I am shipping the MOTM-1485 GX-1 VCF and the MOTM-1800 Looping ADSR to the store 
this week. These will be followed ~6 weeks by Frac versions of the '650, '510, 
'300 and a bandpass version of the '485.

b) I haven't had time for shipping more '650s due to (a) above, but will turn 
attention back to them by Wednesday.

c) Also on Wednesday I will have all "power stuff" stocked fully: '960s, '990s, 
both power supplies.

d) I also need to ship some odds and ends: '110 semi-kits, some CEMs, 2 repair 
units.

e) I'm taking off the last week of May (turning 50yrs old, I think I deserve a 
party!) Not that I'm physically going anywhere, just taking a MOTM break. I have 
to fix the gutter on the back of the house, repair the gas grill, fix the 
sprinkler system and paint a bathroom. Hmmmm....not much of a "party"...

Paul S.

Happy birthday Paul! pete ... -- www.cubanpetemusic.com

Paul,

Do you have any photos or picture layouts of the Frac Rack version of
the 300 VCO? Will it have all of the capabilities of the larger 300 VCO?

Thanks!

a) Finished shipping the last Frac module to Analogue Haven Friday (the 
MOTM-1800 Looping ADSR). Should be in the store ready to ship by Tuesday. After 
the 4th of July holiday they should have a few other ones to sell, I'll keep you 
posted.

b) Later this week I will upload about 1/2 of the new "look and feel" of the 
website. The current site is just too difficult to add new modules/pages to. So, 
I'm redoing the overall Javascript to allow things like the MOTM-650 to more 
easily "appear". I'm also going to add more pages of content, more demos, more 
photos, updated FAQ, etc. The site will look about 80% the same as before, but 
there will be things like layout, font changes, etc. Again, I'm *always looking* 
for new content. Send me (if you haven't already) shots of your system/studio, 
audio clips, whatever. I have *plenty* of drive space AND bandwidth. The new 
server seems stable enough (SSL cert issue aside).

c) Now that the initial Frac shipment is completed, attention turns back to 
assembled module shipping. The non-prestuffed MOTM-480 kits will be ready to go 
by Friday, too. I now have a LOT of stock for all the power supply "stuff" 
(906s, 990s, etc) so those of you waiting for power supplies will get shipped 
this week. Indiana is about 100% "stocking levels" (about 100 kits sitting on 
the shelf). All that is a hassle are the Tempco resistors, still about 14 days 
away from getting those unless they ship early.

Paul S.

> c) Now that the initial Frac shipment is completed, attention turns 
back to 
> assembled module shipping. The non-prestuffed MOTM-480 kits will be 
ready to go 
> by Friday, too. I now have a LOT of stock for all the power 
supply "stuff" 
> (906s, 990s, etc) so those of you waiting for power supplies will get 
shipped 
> this week. Indiana is about 100% "stocking levels" (about 100 kits 
sitting on 
> the shelf). All that is a hassle are the Tempco resistors, still 
about 14 days 
> away from getting those unless they ship early.

So I read it this way: My nearly 3 year old points-only order of 310 
and 950 will ship very very very soon.  Do I have that right?

John Speth (whose patience is running out).

a) please note my access and MOTM involvement will be curtailed from Wed-to-Wed 
(cousin's wedding/my 50th birthday/yadda yadda). Isn't Bob Moog's birthday 
Wednesday?

b) the website has been revised to allow better operation with browsers other 
than IE, and to load faster. It also allows me easier ways to add web content. 
Expect to see lots more "stuff" on it shortly. There have been no more 
"slowdowns" of the shopping cart since the server move.

c) I am a bit behind in shipping, due to my 'real job' and the fact that Paul H. 
is still recovering at home (but getting better). The tempcos are due in this 
week, I'm going to call up there (they are built in New Hampshire) and make 
sure.

d) MOTM-480 kits will be ready to ship this week with "standard" resistor & cap 
bags.

e) I am out of MOTM-910 panels, will order more but it will take 6 weeks to get 
them. Sigh......

f) be sure to check out the MOTM Frac blurb in this month's Electronic Musician 
(Cynthia's ZeroVCO made the cover). This fall I will send in the full Frac set 
for a review :) Early sales reported by Analogue Haven are good (at least 4 
people bought one of each immediately). I haven't personally seen a "review" 
yet, maybe this week.

g) MOTM and motorcycles don't mix well :(  OK, Mike M., get well and take the 
bus next time. Poor Stephen (Marshall) St. Croix died last week from 
complications when he crashed his bike last year. I really liked his columns, 
and the Marshall Time Modulator is legendary.

Paul S.

a) Discovered today the LCD vendor for the '650 changed the LED backlighting 
from one date code to another. So, I have to swap a resistor out on the main 
board. Not that bad (it's a large 2010 size) but will slow me down a bit. Ah, 
the joy of being a 'synth designer'...sigh...

b) Program update for V1.1 targeted on or before June 17th. This addresses the 
issues in the bug list and cleans up the Solo voice assignment a little.

c) I called my solder supplier (Kester) and there will be "roll solder" that is 
lead-free (it has Tin-Silver-Copper alloy) and has both 'organic' and 'no clean' 
fluxes. The bad news it that it costs $40/roll (ack!!). But, this *will* allow 
me to ship assembled modules to EU!

As far as kits go: for EU kits I will include this BUT there is a $5/kit 
"pain-in-the-ass" charge. I will see how to add a checkbox on the order form for 
selecting EU destination (yes, the address has it but that is not tied as a 
global field to the product pages).

Now, this solder is *NOT* for use with older leaded boards! You have to use it 
in a RoHS environment, where all the parts are tin plated. I still suggest 
getting 63/37 tin-lead solder now for repair and use on current MOTM boards. 
Remember, you CAN use 63/37 solder on a lead-free board, but NOT the other way 
around (lead-free solder on a leaded board).

d) I should have the tempcos this week so I can ship '300s/'310s.

e) If anyone out there bought a Frac module, be curious what you think of it.

Paul S.

At 05:49 PM 6/4/2006, Paul Schreiber wrote:
><snip> e) If anyone out there bought a Frac module, be curious what 
>you think of it.
<snip>

I have all four.  Analogue Haven was great at prompt shipping, easy 
buying process, etc.  Always top-notch to deal with.

Installation into my Blacet rig was a snap.  Construction is solid as 
a rock and they perform as expected - top notch.  I haven't quite got 
my ears around the GX filter yet, but I need to spend more time with it.

Bottom line: these are just what many of us have been asking for - 
MOTM quality in a smaller space without compromise.  I have no 
problem with the spacing of the knobs and jacks and they seem 
expansive alongside my Doepfer panels.

Hopefully demand will warrant more modules in the future.

Meanwhile, my wife and I went up to Sausalito last night to see 
Robert Rich on the last night of the tour.  Interesting gallery space 
and quite a good crowd - I would estimate at least 75 
people.  Advance tickets sold out.  The sound quality was excellent 
and it was a joy to hear analog modular sounds performed with 
precision on a high quality sound installation.  Robert looked like 
he was having a great time and the audience responded very positively.

Take care,
Jim W.
San Mateo, CA

a) Received the box of 200 1K tempcos today (ordered March 3rd). This should 
supply VCOs and VCFs for the rest of the year.

b) I have been traveling for my 'day job' alot the last few weeks but should be 
able to ship another round of MOTM-650s by the July 4th holiday. Progress is 
being made on the bug list (Sustain Pedal is functional, a new voice assignment 
algorithm added).

c) Frac sales are going steady, I will start on adding more modules to the 
lineup shortly (the 4th of July holiday is CAD time for me).

d) the development platform for the Cloud Generator is now defined and work can 
begin (yea!). I found (by pure luck) a great Xilinx programmer that is not a 
synth nut pre se but he has potential :) We are working on a more or less 
'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of 
various things under voltage control. What's hard is to "unrestrict" your brain 
because we are (finally) at the point that digital HW is approaching free 
(24-bit stereo DAC ICs for $1.50, 16-bit CV ADCs for $6, 500K gates of logic for 
$10, 16M x 16 of SDDRAM in 1 chip for $8, etc). For $60 or so of hardware you 
can kick serious booty :) You just need 6 months to program it (shrug).

e) By July 1 I will flush all the old orders (those not entered by the cart) for 
the "future" modules, and have *every kit* shipped. For assembled, I have to get 
leaded assemblies out to EC countries before RoHS goes into effect. I will order 
the new RoHS solder ($35/roll, ack) for future EU kits and assembled modules.

I appreciate what Dave Bradley has done to support "my little hobby" and 
hopefully I can help in some way.

Paul S.

Hi Paul - I have been building a blacet system for about 8 months, and am a couple of months away (at most) from completing it. I am very happy to see your wonderful modules in frac format, and look forward to buying some from AH very soon. 

In particular I am excited about the ladder filter, the midi-to-cv converter (WOW!) and the uSeq. You have great designs and I look forward to becoming a customer. 

Best wishes,
Michael McGrath 
Ottawa, Canada

------------------------------
This message was sent from 
my Blackberry wireless device.

-----Original Message-----
From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@airmail.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:28:24 
To:"MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [motm] Update

a) Received the box of 200 1K tempcos today (ordered March 3rd). This should 
supply VCOs and VCFs for the rest of the year.

b) I have been traveling for my 'day job' alot the last few weeks but should be 
able to ship another round of MOTM-650s by the July 4th holiday. Progress is 
being made on the bug list (Sustain Pedal is functional, a new voice assignment 
algorithm added).

c) Frac sales are going steady, I will start on adding more modules to the 
lineup shortly (the 4th of July holiday is CAD time for me).

d) the development platform for the Cloud Generator is now defined and work can 
begin (yea!). I found (by pure luck) a great Xilinx programmer that is not a 
synth nut pre se but he has potential :) We are working on a more or less 
'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of 
various things under voltage control. What's hard is to "unrestrict" your brain 
because we are (finally) at the point that digital HW is approaching free 
(24-bit stereo DAC ICs for $1.50, 16-bit CV ADCs for $6, 500K gates of logic for 
$10, 16M x 16 of SDDRAM in 1 chip for $8, etc). For $60 or so of hardware you 
can kick serious booty :) You just need 6 months to program it (shrug).

e) By July 1 I will flush all the old orders (those not entered by the cart) for 
the "future" modules, and have *every kit* shipped. For assembled, I have to get 
leaded assemblies out to EC countries before RoHS goes into effect. I will order 
the new RoHS solder ($35/roll, ack) for future EU kits and assembled modules.

I appreciate what Dave Bradley has done to support "my little hobby" and 
hopefully I can help in some way.

Paul S.



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-----Original Message-----
From: "Michael McGrath" <mmcgrath@synercard.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:03:11 
To:"Paul Schreiber" <synth1@airmail.net>,       "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [motm] Update

Hi Paul - I have been building a blacet system for about 8 months, and am a couple of months away (at most) from completing it. I am very happy to see your wonderful modules in frac format, and look forward to buying some from AH very soon. 

In particular I am excited about the ladder filter, the midi-to-cv converter (WOW!) and the uSeq. You have great designs and I look forward to becoming a customer. 

Best wishes,
Michael McGrath 
Ottawa, Canada

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@airmail.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:28:24 
To:"MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [motm] Update

a) Received the box of 200 1K tempcos today (ordered March 3rd). This should 
supply VCOs and VCFs for the rest of the year.

b) I have been traveling for my 'day job' alot the last few weeks but should be 
able to ship another round of MOTM-650s by the July 4th holiday. Progress is 
being made on the bug list (Sustain Pedal is functional, a new voice assignment 
algorithm added).

c) Frac sales are going steady, I will start on adding more modules to the 
lineup shortly (the 4th of July holiday is CAD time for me).

d) the development platform for the Cloud Generator is now defined and work can 
begin (yea!). I found (by pure luck) a great Xilinx programmer that is not a 
synth nut pre se but he has potential :) We are working on a more or less 
'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of 
various things under voltage control. What's hard is to "unrestrict" your brain 
because we are (finally) at the point that digital HW is approaching free 
(24-bit stereo DAC ICs for $1.50, 16-bit CV ADCs for $6, 500K gates of logic for 
$10, 16M x 16 of SDDRAM in 1 chip for $8, etc). For $60 or so of hardware you 
can kick serious booty :) You just need 6 months to program it (shrug).

e) By July 1 I will flush all the old orders (those not entered by the cart) for 
the "future" modules, and have *every kit* shipped. For assembled, I have to get 
leaded assemblies out to EC countries before RoHS goes into effect. I will order 
the new RoHS solder ($35/roll, ack) for future EU kits and assembled modules.

I appreciate what Dave Bradley has done to support "my little hobby" and 
hopefully I can help in some way.

Paul S.



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Paul,

Any chance you could provide part numbers and supplier names for these 
parts?

Thanks, Scott E.
============================================================
Paul Schreiber wrote:

>
>
> d) the development platform for the Cloud Generator is now defined and 
> work can
> begin (yea!). I found (by pure luck) a great Xilinx programmer that is 
> not a
> synth nut pre se but he has potential :) We are working on a more or less
> 'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of
> various things under voltage control. What's hard is to "unrestrict" 
> your brain
> because we are (finally) at the point that digital HW is approaching free
> (24-bit stereo DAC ICs for $1.50, 16-bit CV ADCs for $6, 500K gates of 
> logic for
> $10, 16M x 16 of SDDRAM in 1 chip for $8, etc). For $60 or so of 
> hardware you
> can kick serious booty :) You just need 6 months to program it (shrug).
>
> .
>
>

>We are working on a more or less
>'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of
>various things under voltage control.

Then there should be a flood of new modules coming in 2007. Let's get 
the ball rolling and start making a new list of what you can build 
with this widget.

I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM 
format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. Should have at 
least a full second of delay at 24bit/96KHz with positive/negative 
feedback, regeneration control (delay phase and feedback phase), 
internal LFO with multiple waveforms and sync, and the ability to 
sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will 
buy it.

Actually, I'd be really happy with the Cloud Gen.

But a MOTM digital delay would be a killer module - I'd buy two!

-George

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Scott Juskiw" <scott@...>
To: "MOTM litserv" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 9:26 PM
Subject: [motm] New Digital Modules for 2007


> >We are working on a more or less
> >'universal digital sound widget' that has enough horsepower to do lots of
> >various things under voltage control.
>
> Then there should be a flood of new modules coming in 2007. Let's get
> the ball rolling and start making a new list of what you can build
> with this widget.
>
> I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
> format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. Should have at
> least a full second of delay at 24bit/96KHz with positive/negative
> feedback, regeneration control (delay phase and feedback phase),
> internal LFO with multiple waveforms and sync, and the ability to
> sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will
> buy it.

Anybody's on this list?

eBay Auction: 7424504316

or, if your lazy like me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7424504316&sspagename=ADM
E:B:AAQ:US:1

>I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
>format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. Should have at
>least a full second of delay at 24bit/96KHz with positive/negative
>feedback, regeneration control (delay phase and feedback phase),
>internal LFO with multiple waveforms and sync, and the ability to
>sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will
>buy it.

and... it should be DC coupled so it can also sample control voltages 
and process them just like audio. This would likely require longer 
delay times to be useful, say 5 to 8 seconds.

>  >I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
>  >format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. Should have at
>  >least a full second of delay at 24bit/96KHz with positive/negative
>  >feedback, regeneration control

...with a short enough delay time to do some physical modeling!

> >I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
> >format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. 
> >...the ability to
> >sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will
> >buy it.
> 
> and... it should be DC coupled so it can also sample control voltages 
> and process them just like audio. This would likely require longer 
> delay times to be useful, say 5 to 8 seconds.
>

You need 5-8 seconds to do Frippertronics stuff anyway. The tape delay
on Fripp's "Let the Power Fall" is around five seconds, and the delay
on Eno's "Discrete Music" (the first released recording of the
two-deck long-delay system) was around seven seconds.

Fortunately, RAM is cheap these days. The harder part is that the old
digital delays had a variable sampling rate driven by a high-frequency
VCO. The ADC, DAC, and RAM were all clocked together by this
oscillator, and the variable clocking is what produces the interesting
interdependence of perceived pitch and delay time that is characterist
of old delays. Emulating the behavior of such a system with code
running on a contemporary processor turns out to be trickier than one
might initially guess. (There are next to no software plug-ins that
emulate this behavior correctly, which *cough cough* possibly explains
the popularity of the ones that my company sells.) 

--Adam

> >I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
> >format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. 
> >...the ability to
> >sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will
> >buy it.
> 
> and... it should be DC coupled so it can also sample control voltages 
> and process them just like audio. This would likely require longer 
> delay times to be useful, say 5 to 8 seconds.
>

You need 5-8 seconds to do Frippertronics stuff anyway. The tape delay
on Fripp's "Let the Power Fall" is around five seconds, and the delay
on Eno's "Discrete Music" (the first released recording of the
two-deck long-delay system) was around seven seconds.

Fortunately, RAM is cheap these days. The harder part is that the old
digital delays had a variable sampling rate driven by a high-frequency
VCO. The ADC, DAC, and RAM were all clocked together by this
oscillator, and the variable clocking is what produces the interesting
interdependence of perceived pitch and delay time that is characterist
of old delays. Emulating the behavior of such a system with code
running on a contemporary processor turns out to be trickier than one
might initially guess. (There are next to no software plug-ins that
emulate this behavior correctly, which *cough cough* possibly explains
the popularity of the ones that my company sells.) 

--Adam

Ditto on the Frac Rack modules.

Really looking forward to adding a few VCO-300s to my existing Frac
Rack system!

Chad

This week is the last gasp for me to ship assembled modules to the EU without 
using the RoHS soldering. So, no MIDI-CV hardware shipping this week. The 
software should be ready to beta test next Sunday.

Also, my sister is in the hospital with liver issues after surgery so I'm 
running behind a bit with emails, etc.

Paul S.

On 23.06.2006 6:09 Uhr, Scott Juskiw wrote:
>  >I'd like a digital delay, similar to Roland's SDE-3000 but in MOTM
>  >format (natch) with voltage controlled EVERYTHING. Should have at
>  >least a full second of delay at 24bit/96KHz with positive/negative
>  >feedback, regeneration control (delay phase and feedback phase),
>  >internal LFO with multiple waveforms and sync, and the ability to
>  >sample and hold a loop (like Frippertronics). Build it and we will
>  >buy it.
> 
> and... it should be DC coupled so it can also sample control voltages
> and process them just like audio. This would likely require longer
> delay times to be useful, say 5 to 8 seconds.

I'd like to second this DC-coupled issue!
I'd be up for such a module immediately!

Fingers crossed!  :-) Michael.

a) the 15% off sale is slowing down, but the number of modules has hit the 400+ 
mark. I'm in the process of figuring out what needs to be ordered this week 
(wire is #1, followed by jacks, knobs and sheet metal). I will say more Pedal 
Interfaces were sold in 1 week than in the last 26 months :)

b) this past week, while the kit folks in Indiana were off, I worked on more 
assembled modules. I have concluded that building 8 MOTM-440 VCFs in 1 day is 
not easy :(
I am also starting 20 MOTM-650s tomorrow. I hope to have a RC2 code by the end 
of the week that clears up some arpeggiator clock bugs. I also discovered a new 
bug that user tuning tables 8-15 are corrupted. If you want to dump in a new 
tuning, be sure to map it into 1 of the first 7 user slots.

c) It will be around 10 days before we can start shipping kits from the sale. 
The kits will be done in batches of 12-18 at a time, based on popularity. It's 
then shipped by order number (the shopping cart should have sent you an email 
with an order #). If it makes sense and does not slow things down too badly, I 
will try to ship multiple orders from the same person in as few shipments as 
possible. No one will be charged for additional postage.

d) remember: if you are overseas, I CANNOT ship solder.

e) the MOTM-910 mults will now use a pc board instead of hand-wiring/soldering. 
This board will be a preview of how newer modules are constructed.

Thanks in advance for waiting for the kits to ship. There are around 2500 jacks, 
1800 knobs and 4000 pieces of wire to buy. Ack!

Paul S.

Paul,

Did you ever find out the process for downloading new tuning tables?  My
attempts did not work.

Isn't corruption of tuning tables 8-15 an old bug?  It was on your list.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 11:32 PM
> To: MOTM litserv
> Subject: [motm] Update
> 
> a) the 15% off sale is slowing down, but the number of modules has hit the
> 400+
> mark. I'm in the process of figuring out what needs to be ordered this
> week
> (wire is #1, followed by jacks, knobs and sheet metal). I will say more
> Pedal
> Interfaces were sold in 1 week than in the last 26 months :)
> 
> b) this past week, while the kit folks in Indiana were off, I worked on
> more
> assembled modules. I have concluded that building 8 MOTM-440 VCFs in 1 day
> is
> not easy :(
> I am also starting 20 MOTM-650s tomorrow. I hope to have a RC2 code by the
> end
> of the week that clears up some arpeggiator clock bugs. I also discovered
> a new
> bug that user tuning tables 8-15 are corrupted. If you want to dump in a
> new
> tuning, be sure to map it into 1 of the first 7 user slots.
> 
> c) It will be around 10 days before we can start shipping kits from the
> sale.
> The kits will be done in batches of 12-18 at a time, based on popularity.
> It's
> then shipped by order number (the shopping cart should have sent you an
> email
> with an order #). If it makes sense and does not slow things down too
> badly, I
> will try to ship multiple orders from the same person in as few shipments
> as
> possible. No one will be charged for additional postage.
> 
> d) remember: if you are overseas, I CANNOT ship solder.
> 
> e) the MOTM-910 mults will now use a pc board instead of hand-
> wiring/soldering.
> This board will be a preview of how newer modules are constructed.
> 
> Thanks in advance for waiting for the kits to ship. There are around 2500
> jacks,
> 1800 knobs and 4000 pieces of wire to buy. Ack!
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>

> Did you ever find out the process for downloading new tuning tables?  My
> attempts did not work.

Well, you can download them anytime. There is no menu selection you have to be 
in. Just be in 'play mode' (the state after power up) and send the table using 
the MIDI Tuning dump standard.

The tuning tables in slots 8-15 themselves are not corrupted. The routine to 
fetch the data out of the table has an issue.

I have downloaded tables into the current RC1 code using Logic.

Paul S.

I missed out on getting one of these during the sale since I was away 
on vacation.
So.... if anyone out there has one they want to sell (either an unbuilt 
kit or an assembled module) send me an email.

peace,

john

a) I spent the last 3 hours typing up and placing Internet orders for all the 
parts necessary to support the MOTM kits for the sale + more. I have 1 obsolete 
part to track down (it's in the MOTM-890) and then everything will be out of my 
hands.

b) Now that the sale kits are "out of the way" for a bit, I turn attention back 
to MOTM-650s, shipping VCOs, and working on future modules. Lots of work has 
been done on the Cloud Generator: in fact I am buying parts for the AudioEngine 
this week as well (I'm first going to build 3 prototypes on the 'big board' like 
the '650/'730 because I always screw something up). I hope to have a more 
detailed block diagram of the code in the AudioEngine that runs the Cloud later 
in the week. I'm still loading software on the new CAD laptop (if anyone is in 
the market for a new laptop, the HP nw8440 is MOTM-approved! Best PC-based 
laptop I've even seen). When I get the USB-to-JTAG cable from Xilinx, I can 
start poking around in hardware.

c) I still am looking for feedback (even if it's 'I don't see any issues') on 
the new RC2 MOTM-650 code up on the site. This is the code that is getting 
shipped (starting tomorrow). Those of you with '650s, please flash in this new 
code and verify the bug fixes.

Paul S.

Upper tuning tables are still screwed up after FW update, including after a
cold boot.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> c) I still am looking for feedback (even if it's 'I don't see any issues')
> on
> the new RC2 MOTM-650 code up on the site. This is the code that is getting
> shipped (starting tomorrow). Those of you with '650s, please flash in this
> new
> code and verify the bug fixes.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
>

Never mind.  User error.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John
> Loffink
> Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2006 11:19 PM
> To: 'Paul Schreiber'; 'MOTM litserv'
> Subject: RE: [motm] Update
> 
> Upper tuning tables are still screwed up after FW update, including after
> a
> cold boot.
>

Not much to report this week. Shipping out MOTM-650s Monday and 10 more the 
following Monday. I will also be shipping MOTM-310 kits, I think I have enough 
to cover all existing backorders prior to the sale. The tempco resistors are the 
pacing item, I am saving some for MOTM-480 assembled units (2ea required) and 
for a few VCOs to ship out. Most of the assembled modules shipping in the next 4 
weeks will be ones without tempcos.

Parts are arriving from the suppliers almost every day now. Indiana should be 
able to ship ~26 kits this week, then we will hit a "wall" because we will be 
out of front panels. Still no snags in the ordering, the last 'big ticket' item, 
2000pcs knobs, was ordered Friday.

I have ordered all the upgrades for my CAD system (ouch!) they should arrive by 
next weekend so I can learn how to use the new version of the Cadence SPECCTRA 
autorouter for the AudioEngine breadboard. I have quotes back from DigiKey, I'm 
going to order parts this week for 5 breadboards. I then at some point have to 
actually *design* the silly thing :)

Paul S>

I spent a lot of time this past week getting all of my new CAD software 
installed. Some of it requires the use of a USB 'dongle' (the older ones were 
off printer ports) in order to operate. Of course, the dongle drivers interfered 
with other programs, I had to reinstall, blah blah blah. But I eventually got 
all of it to work together without locking up. I generally update my CAD tools 
every 6 years or so, and 2006 was the year. I am hoping this is the last time, 
it is getting out of hand, expense-wise. I always use legal copies of all my 
software: I don't mind paying $300 for a program that I use all the time, but 
these $4500 programs are over-priced in today's market. I suppose I should be 
*grateful*, since I started doing serious CAD work around 1994 when I paid 
~$5600 for a Zeos 386 and $1200 for a 17" Nokia (!!) monitor and $2300 for the 
laser printer. And the DOS version of TangoPCB (precursor to what I use now) was 
$16,000 with the autorouter.

I does appear the V1.1 is stable enough to be the "official" release for the 
MOTM-650, so I am going full-steam-ahead. I built 10 '650s over the weekend, and 
next weekend will build 10 more. I will have to make more stuffed pc boards 
toward the end of the month to cover all the orders.

Indiana is in the process of kitting up over 125 modules for the first round of 
shipments. It will take then ~10 more days to finish. About 80% of the parts 
that I ordered have arrived, the front panels and tempcos are still the pacing 
items.My day-to-day interaction with Indiana is about over for the rest of the 
month, so I will get back to spending most of my time on assembled modules and 
when that gets too boring, I will run over and work on releasing the MOTM-730 VC 
Pulse Divider and getting the AudioEngine prototype designed. Analogue Haven 
also needs Frac modules, I haven't forgot about them :)

As a gentle reminder: please understand that I cannot say exactly when your 
order can ship. I don't have this pre-printed out schedule for every module for 
every person. Rest assured I work on MOTM all the time, usually 7 days/week. 
Everyone will get their stuff, you may have to email me several times for stuff 
not on the new shopping cart but once Indiana gets stocked up and all the parts 
are in (by next month) we can ship all the modules out fairly quickly.

Paul S.

a) the best news is that I got 1in of rain yesterday (even though the high temp 
was 104F). First rain at my house since May 15th. Oh, my electric bill for July 
was $601 :(

b) only 2 1/2 weeks left for the 15% off sale

c) after battling a bad batch of CA3280s, I built some MOTM-480 VCFs. Good thing 
I had my AC-power solder sucker, it's amazing.

d) This week I am building 4 assembled MOTM-510s, still waiting for tempcos to 
get here so I can get back to assembled VCOs.

e) ordering prototype parts this week for the AudioEngine. Maybe by Halloween it 
will be squeaking :)

f) after I finish a cabinet of modules for Joe Walsh (on tour with James Gang 
now) this week, will ship another 10ea MOTM-650s.

g) as far as kits shipping from Indiana: I will estimate around the 29th for 
that to start.

Paul S.
if I could play guitar, I want to play like this: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29CMRsWlDt0

Not much to report this week. I'm 1/4th of the way through the next shipment of 
12 '650s. Several folks have sent in modules for me to repair, will get to those 
this week. Also shipping the CEM IC backlog. If a few more items arrive this 
week from suppliers, Indiana will be able to start shipping orders next week. 
Analog Devices has released SMT updates of low offset/low drift op amps with 
standard pinouts (the LT1013 in SMT has a *different* pinout than DIP) so I can 
finish up the 1300 Frac VCO. 275 tempco resistors are due on Sept. 18th. I am 
finishing up the new "pcb version" of the '910 mult this week as well.

<2 weeks remaining for the sale :)

Paul S.

This is the last week of initial kitting before shipping begins on Sept 5th. I 
did get news that the Tempco resistors will arrive tomorrow or Tuesday, I 
ordered 200 of them so that should take care of all kits needing tempcos. The 
pacing item is now the 149 pots for VCOs (both kits and assembled). I have maybe 
100 of them now, so what I will do is get out assembled VCOs first, then kits. 
There are over 30 kits on order (180 pots needed). I will be that the pots ship 
the last week of September, because that is the end of the quarter and companies 
*hate* to carry orders past a quarter.

Tomorrow I'm ordering the AudioEngine parts, we have done preliminary coding on 
the Cloud Generator portion and it seems to all fit with some room to spare. The 
parts will not arrive for 6-8 weeks, there is still a lot of work to be done. 
But so far, it does look like a really interesting module.  The output quality 
is 48khz @ 18 bits (same as DVD). Hopefully in a month or so, we will be able to 
hack up the Xilinx dev board and get some audio samples. They won't be a 'clean' 
as the real thing because of lack of additional lowpass filtering (both analog 
and digital) on the real hardware.

This week was a "slow" week, dealing with getting the parts in (also referring 
as 'vendor bashing') sooner. I get to bash the front panel vendor this week.

Paul S.

a) MOTM kits are finally shipping! I will be sending out notices here in a few 
minutes to orders that went out last week. Many more will go out the next 2-3 
weeks, until we run out of pots. We are still waiting for front panels 
(MOTM-700s mainly), I expect those to arrive by Friday. MOTM-510s will ship 
around the 1st week of October. If you ordered one with *other* modules, chances 
are you will get a split shipment. The switches arrived from the UK (note: they 
are now all gray instead of mostly black).

Please email *me* if there are part issues. Remember, over 45,000 parts were 
bagged up, if there is 0.01% error rate that's 4 mistakes. Don't get all mad, 
just send me an email :)

b) I am going to ship MOTM modules from my end ('650s/power supplies/VCOs) this 
week as well. Last week I cleared out all the CEM orders and spent a LOT of time 
ordering parts/paying bills/doing paperwork. The non-glamorous stuff. Quarterly 
taxes are also due this week (yipee).

c) progress is being made on the AudioEngine. We have connected up the DAC we 
are going to use to the Xilinx development system and successfully generated a 
sin/cosine wave. This is not the final output, as there is a decimation FIR 
filter in-between the oscillators and the DAC. This is what is being worked on 
now. I also got samples of the high-speed 16MB FLASH memory that will allow the 
wavetable VCO (cough) to have 64 voices, each voice is selected from 1024 
different wavetables. All at a 48Khz sample rate, 16bit resolution. Maybe I'll 
make a Korg Wavestation A/D module :) Voltage-controlled, of course.

Paul S.

>c) progress is being made on the AudioEngine. We have connected up the DAC we
>are going to use to the Xilinx development system and successfully generated a
>sin/cosine wave. This is not the final output, as there is a decimation FIR
>filter in-between the oscillators and the DAC. This is what is being worked on
>now. I also got samples of the high-speed 16MB FLASH memory that 
>will allow the
>wavetable VCO (cough) to have 64 voices, each voice is selected from 1024
>different wavetables. All at a 48Khz sample rate, 16bit resolution. Maybe I'll
>make a Korg Wavestation A/D module :) Voltage-controlled, of course.

Go Paul Go! You build it and we'll buy it.

I apologize for the OT, somebody asked me to send an audio project as 
a "non interleaved" mono file for rehearsal. Could someone kindly 
explain the meaning of non interleaved? I'm a poor old analogian :-)
Many thanks Enrico Dibennardo (Italy)

I noticed that the Frac module has a loop switch - just wondering if 
there's a mod which causes the MOTM EG to go into loop mode?

thanks,

john

i think the quotes should be "non interleaved mono" :-)

most likely, two separate mono files are requested instead of a 
combined interleaved stereo file.

hth
j

>
>I think that mono is always non interleaved. Stereo can be 
>interleaved (both left and right channels into one audio file) or 
>non interleaved 2 separated mono files.
>

> I noticed that the Frac module has a loop switch - just wondering if
> there's a mod which causes the MOTM EG to go into loop mode?

It's a *completely* different circuit in the MOTM-1800 Frac than the '800.

Paul S.

Thanks for the comments, they all did make sense indeed.
Enrico Dibennardo (Italy)

a) now that the front panels (and 1U/2U blanks) have arrived, modules can start 
shipping again this week. I have charged up the next set of cards tonight, and 
will send the list to Indiana tomorrow. Please note they only ship Mon-Thurs, 
they are off every Friday.

b) I'm going to order the new white Spectrol pots this week, I'll take a picture 
of one side-by-side with the older ones.

c) I *think* I have all the parts issues resolved, the next one is to get the 
'510 rotary switches made for the 16 kits on order (they are also all white, 
must be something non-RoHS about black plastic!) That is my #1 priority this 
week. I am also looking into the *possibility* of 1 last '510 kit ONLY run in 
November. If I can gather up all the parts, I can maybe do like 35 kits. Also 
note the cost will be more due to the fact it's been 2 years since I had to buy 
the parts for it.

d) We are tracking down all reported MIDI-CV bugs. If you see any 'strange' 
response or display message in your '650, please email me and tell me what you 
were doing so we can *replicate* the problem. The nature of these bugs is 
usually along the lines of "I was in this menu and sending this MIDI info and 
when I pressed this key....".

Paul S>

As some of you can attest, it's been a busy shipping week. Over 180 kits have 
been shipped in 2 weeks. That is still less than 1/3 of the total :)
But we are trying to ship as much as possible with the parts issues to deal 
with.

I am going to go back over this evening all of the orders from #190 to #1 off 
the new cart, to see

a) if I missed anybody
b) what Texas stuff needs to go out
c) see what that assembled backlog is

I tested the new WaveWarper switches yesterday, they are OK. The CM made 4ea, 
these all went to assembled backlog. I am sending 70pcs off tomorrow for wiring 
up, this will cover the 16ea kits from the sale, and then hopefully some for 
more kits later in the year. NOTE!** the new switches are all white (the old 
ones were black and gray). I will have to edit the assembly instructions some to 
show this. I expect to get these switches back around Oct 13th. That is when all 
of the sale kit '510 backlog can ship out.

There is still a bug in the V1.2 '650 firmware that interferes with Unison Mode. 
I am waiting for a code revision to ship more '650s. I will make up my usual set 
of 8 this week to ship, they can go out when the code is ready.

The Spectrol pots are now the pacing item. This will effect VCOs mostly. They 
are the only modules that *require* the 149 cermet pots. Unless Spectrol can 
beat their ship date (which historically, they do not), I have only enough pots 
for about 40% of the kits and 10% of the assembled backlog. I'm only going to 
have these for the COARSE/FINE pots. Since the leads are short now, I will use a 
"pot chiclet" for the COARSE panel pot. This is actually easier than hand-wiring 
to the longer leads anyway. I will solder to the pcb and attach the wire, all 
you will have to do is solder to the pc board. What a deal.

BTW: I checked the price of the AD538AD used in the '510, the price has 
*doubled* since Sept (I guess the demand is low). When additional '510 kits are 
released, expect a price increase of around $30.

Paul S.

a) Thanks to everyone abusing the '650. This sort of thing is needed to assure 
rock-solid code. Jeffrey will hunt down the nasty bugs shortly.

b) Indiana will be getting the Spectrol 149 pots tomorrow, so again: don't panic 
if you get a kit that the instructions say '148' and you get '149'.

c) I am due the wired '510 rotary switches this Friday, so the following week 
the initial 16 sale '510 kits can ship.

d) Indiana kit/parts inventory will finish Tuesday, more kit shipping starts 
Wednesday. When these are shipped, I think that should be most orders up to 
~#270.

e) I have spent all weekend on assembled modules: '440s mainly and 1 '410 
shipping tomorrow. Next up: all '310 kits on order, from before the shopping 
cart up to #260.

f) I owe Analogue Haven some 1485s as well and need to get those finished.

g) I received an advance copy of Roger Powell's "Fossil Poets" CD. It's not what 
I 'expected' per se (70s cosmic/prog rock). Rather, it reminds me in many places 
of Jeff Beck's "Wired" and "Blow by Blow" albums. The guitar is featured as much 
as the keyboards are, and both the composition style and guitar tone/playing are 
like these 2 records (BTW: if you are not familiar with them, these are classic 
instrumental rock CDs, highly recommended). One track is different, it is more 
like Cliff Martinez/Jeff Rona (the score to the movie 'Traffic", again highly 
recommended. With synth work by MOTM user Tobias Enhus). The MOTM use is more 
down in the mix, there isn't a 'screaming lead line' like Jan Hammer/Chick Corea 
wailing away, but I smile many places when I hear it. Highly recommended, it's 
nice to support such a great guy as Roger, who has gone out of his way to be 
gracious to me on several occassions. The tempo is upbeat, good music to drive 
to :)

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> g) I received an advance copy of Roger Powell's "Fossil Poets" CD.
It's not what 
> I 'expected' per se (70s cosmic/prog rock). Rather, it reminds me in
many places 
> of Jeff Beck's "Wired" and "Blow by Blow" albums. The guitar is
featured as much 
> as the keyboards are, and both the composition style and guitar
tone/playing are 
> like these 2 records (BTW: if you are not familiar with them, these
are classic 
> instrumental rock CDs, highly recommended). One track is different,
it is more 
> like Cliff Martinez/Jeff Rona (the score to the movie 'Traffic",
again highly 
> recommended. With synth work by MOTM user Tobias Enhus). The MOTM
use is more 
> down in the mix, there isn't a 'screaming lead line' like Jan
Hammer/Chick Corea 
> wailing away, but I smile many places when I hear it. Highly
recommended, it's 
> nice to support such a great guy as Roger, who has gone out of his
way to be 
> gracious to me on several occassions. The tempo is upbeat, good
music to drive 
> to :)
> 
> Paul S.
>

I agree with much of this.  I was initially disappointed at not
hearing a lot of MOTM but every once in a while the 440 was
unmistakeable.  The synth is used for texture more than anything, and
the occassional bass.  The mix is a little dense, with the bass too up
front on some tracks; there was even one track with two basses!

But the music is GOOD and the playing is REALLY GOOD.  I recomend
getting an advanced copy!

Mike

BTW, in the same order I purchased "Destroying Silence" (which appears
when ripped as "Lives of the Saints" by R. Chris Murphy. Also highly
recommended, but note that it's not a synth album...

Mike

> 
> I agree with much of this.  I was initially disappointed at not
> hearing a lot of MOTM but every once in a while the 440 was
> unmistakeable.  The synth is used for texture more than anything, and
> the occassional bass.  The mix is a little dense, with the bass too up
> front on some tracks; there was even one track with two basses!
> 
> But the music is GOOD and the playing is REALLY GOOD.  I recomend
> getting an advanced copy!
> 
> Mike
>

a) email access this week will be limited

b) Indiana has received over 45,000 parts this week to kit up. It's going to 
take a few weeks to get to the point where a bunch of modules can ship. I am 
sending them the next set of modules that will go out. I am going back over the 
list to be sure I have not skipped someone (so far, I did skip 1 person). If you 
feel skipped, email me today if possible.

c) I received the proto MOTM-910 pc boards that use the 'stand-up' jacks. They 
look snazzy. I will have these fabbed up. The front panel washers are slightly 
smaller diameter than the current Switchcraft, I am trying to get them to send 
me those instead. The MOTM-650's washers are slightly *larger*, some days I just 
can't win :(

That's it for now, in a few weeks the MOTM pipeline will be filled up again. And 
maybe a new AudioEngine module announcement :) We are looking at coding up some 
simulations first and I have to look at some hardware issues. Meanwhile, all of 
the 'hard to get' silicon for the Cloud Generator has *arrived* , my goal is by 
Nov 1st to have a preliminary, full schematic finished (over 400 IC pins have to 
be hooked up to each other, that is tedious).

Paul S.

a) new audio demo of AudioEngine *hardware* running the Cloud algorithm.

www.synthtech.com/m520/cloud_hw.mp3

As usual, square-waves in the left channel, sine waves in the right.

This lashup uses the Xilinx S3Esk development board and the Analog
Devices ADuC7020 Mini-kit demo system. The two are connected through a
3-wire SPI interface running at ~500kHz clock rate, which means we only
get the oscillator frequencies updated at about a 100Hz rate. The ARM
reads two voltages and interprets them as frequency and spread. From
this it computes 16 oscillator frequencies and sends these to the FPGA.
The voltages are just 2 pots, so the demo is just "knob twisting". But you can
hear the various effects of the raw oscillators (no chaos or PWM or spectral 
shaping).

The ARM we will actually use is the 7026, which has more ROM/RAM but uses the 
same 'core'.

b) Indiana is still in the process of making up the ~400 kits left to ship. They 
are scheduled to receive
more parts late tomorrow (mostly 1500 knobs) and by the end of the week should 
have about 150 kits available to ship.
So, it's looking like these kits will start shipping out the week of the 13th. 
The pacing item remains the panel
pots, I am calling Bourns this week to see if they can speed things up. There 
are enough pots to make up around 240 kits
as of now.

c) On the MOTM-650 firmware front: the root cause of the remaining bugs has been 
identified (timer issue) and
also the week of the 13th I am expecting shipments to resume. If, however, the 
code takes longer I will ship the
current software.

d) I am shipping 17 assembled modules out this week.

Paul S.

a) A new MOTM-650 firmware version will be ready this week for testing. It 
addresses the Sustain Pedal operating with Unison mode bugs.

b) Indiana will be ready to start reshipping kits on Nov. 20th. If you have kit 
orders pending, be sure your credit/debit cards are ready to go. If you are 
using VISA, and are overseas, please call your card company and authorize 
Synthesis Technology not to be blocked as 'Internet Fraud' (this usually happens 
if the order is over $1200). I don't seem to have problems with Amex or 
MC/Cirrus.

c) I have been fighting vendor issues all week (the wrong-colored power cables 
was just one of 3 issues I had to resolve). On the 20th I will have extra tech 
help arriving for 1 week, mainly for assembled VCOs.

d) most of the old linear Spectrol pots (the black ones) are used up, and so the 
new white ones will beginning appearing. The log pots will be black until next 
year, so kits like the '420 and '440 will have both types on the same board. 
Also note that most new white pots are 149s, not 148s but that is OK, I used 
149s for the first 2 years of MOTM (because that's all I could buy). The 
documentation will be incorrect, just get a pen and scribble a note :)

e) If some of you went to the AH meeting this afternoon, report back :) Robert 
Rich had the MOTM-730 prototype chugging along.

f) on the Cloud Generator: we are going to add a 1U "expansion module" to 
control more parameters of the sound. We have a few A/D channels left over, 
might as well hook knobs up to them. Where else can you get 16 VCOs with 12 
control knobs in 1 module?

I owe a few folks odd and ends and email replies, will clear all of that up this 
week. 2 books for the sale need to ship out, etc.

Paul S.

>f) on the Cloud Generator: we are going to add a 1U "expansion module" to
>control more parameters of the sound.

Excellent, it's all about the voltage control. Otherwise it's just 
another piece of lab equipment.

> Excellent, it's all about the voltage control. Otherwise it's just 
> another piece of lab equipment.

I happen to love all my lab equipment :)

Paul S.

a) here in the US this is a "short week" due to the Thanksgiving holiday. I am 
flying in extra tech help for the next 8 days, mainly on assembled VCOs. From 
Wed PM to Sun PM I will be "almost off work", I am remodeling the game room for 
my 13yr old son (remove the Winnie the Pooh crap, replace with Lord of the 
Rings/World or Warcraft crap). Just as a *start*, I threw away 8 33gal trash 
bags of stuff (1 bag was entirely from under the couch and the 
cushions....uck!). Indiana is only working tomorrow, so kits will ship the 
following week (I was hoping to get some out this week, not going to happen).

b) some good news: Bourns shipped the 350 blue panel pots 4 weeks *early*, so 
that means the maximum number of kits will be able to ship by the 15th. Now, 
please read the next section closely.

c) I doubt that every single kit will be shipped by Dec 15th. I fully *expect* 
more than 80% will be. On Dec. 16th, Indiana will cease shipping, and then start 
packing up what is left to send to me. On Jan 15th, I will then start to ship 
out all that are left. This will probably take 10 days or so. So, please don't 
take it personally if you miss the Dec. 15th date. Everyone remember: GC Fuller 
is doing this as a *favor to me and Paul H.*, they are not making *any money*. 
It's not the end of the world if you don't get shipped, please don't act like 
it. I've spent $28,600 in the last 5 weeks buying parts, so everyone will get 
their stuff. I hate as much as the next person 'going down to the wire' but as 
usual, that's what tends to happen. I'm not taking your money and running off to 
Fuji: mostly it goes to Mouser and Digikey.

d) T-minus 10 days and counting for last of the kit ordering........

e) no reports on the new MIDI-CV code, please test this out this week if you 
can. Jeff has worked very hard rewriting the code to be bullet-proof.

Paul S.

I hope everyone got some days off (well, here stateside) to build or play or 
shop. I redid the gameroom, I grossly underestimated all the crap a 13yr old boy 
can accumulate (old creepy stuff under the couch and cushions alone filled 1 
33gal trashbag). I took 1 week and it's still not done, but at least the junk is 
on the side of the road (over 24 bags of trash hauled out! Most of it was old 
books/magazines/catalogs/clothes/about 85 VCR tapes dating to 1983). I still 
have 100 records I can't bring myself to toss out. But I did uncover that MOTM 
panel/pcb for the Time Machine (only 1 bid so far!). I'm also selling some 
analog synths, see AH, sDIY or email privately if not on those lists.

Indiana is back at work tomorrow, I will call up there and see when they can 
start shipping.

Officially, Friday at midnight will be the last day to order kits. Now, there 
are 2 large orders outstanding in the payment. If these order(s) cannot resolve 
payment by Wednesday PM, I'm going to cancel them and put the kits into the 
cart. I am going to run ALL the outstanding cards this week, and if I get *ANY* 
rejects, your order WILL GET CANCELLED IMMEDIATELY. So, if you thinks funds are 
not there, get it resolved TOMORROW. Everyone has had *plenty of time* to 
resolve payments, it's not like this is the first time I've mentioned it. It's 
not fair to the people who have no problems at all, to be locked out of kits on 
hold for those that have issues.

You can call my cell at 817-313-9836 to discuss if you want to.

Charles the Hard-Working Tech is soldering on MOTM-300s while I destroy his 
gameroom workplace :) I am also starting on VCO kits, now that the Bourns pots 
are here and I don't have to worry about that. The only issue I see now is I 
will be short 7 MOTM-830 panels due to delivery, these kits will ship the first 
week of Jan.

Since I have had no negative feedback, the last MOTM-650 code will now be 
"official" and I am shipping out 15 MOTM-650s before shutdown.

The next 3 weeks are going to be very hectic, I hope we can ship all 375 kits.

Paul S.

Indiana begins shipping kits Monday. They are responsible for about 375 kits, I 
am for about 60. Also, I have to deal with '650s and assembled modules. Lots to 
do for the next 2 weeks or so. We will try and ship as much as possible by Dec 
15th. I *doubt* all of it will ship, but *most* of it will.

Paul S.

1) Many of you should have received shipment notification (AKA "happy email"), I 
will try to update more of the database in a few minutes (it's a laborious 
task). Indiana *may* have shipped some stuff Friday, I won't know until noon 
Monday.

2) I am still not 100% finished getting all of the kit orders into the shipping 
log for Indiana. I hope to finish that by Wed. This Friday is the *last day* 
Indiana will ship kits. I will ship what I can up to the 20th, then I have to 
stop for what people are referring to as "Christmas" but what I usually refer to 
as "pcb layout for NAMM". Thankfully, not this year! My wife's birthday is this 
Friday as well, not that that adds to the pressure or anything :)

3) I have made some VCO kits to ship out, and tomorrow I am making up some power 
supply kits. I will *not* have time for MOTM-960s or MOTM-910s to be made up (I 
have 3 '910s of the new style I can ship). I doubt the panel supplier will have 
time to ship the MOTM-830 panels for the 9 that are short. These 9 kits will 
ship in early Jan when the panels arrive. There are 16 MOTM-830 kits that *will* 
ship.

Paul S.

I didn't get a happy email, but I did receive a happy UPS delivery
today.  Even got a 960.  Still have to wait for my VCO, but that's
alright.  Christmas is early this year.

Dave

Paul Schreiber wrote:

> 
> 
> 1) Many of you should have received shipment notification (AKA "happy
> email"), I
> will try to update more of the database in a few minutes (it's a laborious
> task). Indiana *may* have shipped some stuff Friday, I won't know until
> noon
> Monday.
> 
> 2) I am still not 100% finished getting all of the kit orders into the
> shipping
> log for Indiana. I hope to finish that by Wed. This Friday is the *last
> day*
> Indiana will ship kits. I will ship what I can up to the 20th, then I
> have to
> stop for what people are referring to as "Christmas" but what I usually
> refer to
> as "pcb layout for NAMM". Thankfully, not this year! My wife's birthday
> is this
> Friday as well, not that that adds to the pressure or anything :)
> 
> 3) I have made some VCO kits to ship out, and tomorrow I am making up
> some power
> supply kits. I will *not* have time for MOTM-960s or MOTM-910s to be
> made up (I
> have 3 '910s of the new style I can ship). I doubt the panel supplier
> will have
> time to ship the MOTM-830 panels for the 9 that are short. These 9 kits
> will
> ship in early Jan when the panels arrive. There are 16 MOTM-830 kits
> that *will*
> ship.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
>

I didn't get a happy mail either, but low and behold there was a box
on the stoop when I got home from work. All but three of the kits from
the five orders I've placed (starting in August) made it in today.
Still missing 2 microVCO kits and a 120 kit, the assembled modules and
a few other odds n ends, but lots of goodies there. Great stuff!

Can't wait for Christmas vacation!
"And the smoke from the solder curled round his head like a wreath..."

mrmike


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, David Moylan <dave@...> wrote:
>
> I didn't get a happy email, but I did receive a happy UPS delivery
> today.  Even got a 960.  Still have to wait for my VCO, but that's
> alright.  Christmas is early this year.
> 
> Dave
> 
> Paul Schreiber wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > 1) Many of you should have received shipment notification (AKA "happy
> > email"), I
> > will try to update more of the database in a few minutes (it's a
laborious
> > task). Indiana *may* have shipped some stuff Friday, I won't know
until
> > noon
> > Monday.
> > 
> > 2) I am still not 100% finished getting all of the kit orders into the
> > shipping
> > log for Indiana. I hope to finish that by Wed. This Friday is the
*last
> > day*
> > Indiana will ship kits. I will ship what I can up to the 20th, then I
> > have to
> > stop for what people are referring to as "Christmas" but what I
usually
> > refer to
> > as "pcb layout for NAMM". Thankfully, not this year! My wife's
birthday
> > is this
> > Friday as well, not that that adds to the pressure or anything :)
> > 
> > 3) I have made some VCO kits to ship out, and tomorrow I am making up
> > some power
> > supply kits. I will *not* have time for MOTM-960s or MOTM-910s to be
> > made up (I
> > have 3 '910s of the new style I can ship). I doubt the panel supplier
> > will have
> > time to ship the MOTM-830 panels for the 9 that are short. These 9
kits

> > will
> > ship in early Jan when the panels arrive. There are 16 MOTM-830 kits
> > that *will*
> > ship.
> > 
> > Paul S.
> > 
> >
>

Well, vacation officially ended today :(

I have unpacked 90% of the Indiana parts. I may not have a good place to put 
everything (the dining room table has 342 MOTM panels stacked in boxes on it 
right now. Wife not impressed).

There is no lack of things to do it seems :) I will start with MOTM-650s, then 
ship all of the power supplies and then start on the VCOs and ship all of the 
leftover complete kits from Indiana.

I ask that please hold off on the "where is my stuff" emails until Feb. 1st. Let 
me see what I can ship out the next 3 weeks first.

I will *not* be at NAMM this year, but if you run into Robert Rich at the Analog 
Haven booth you can talk to him. He's very nice and polite. And he thinks I take 
too long to ship, too.

Lastly: if you are looking for new CDs to listen to, here are my 2 favorites 
from 2006 (well, I *bought them* in 2006).

Miriam - Mariam Stockley (Narada). 4 octave range, most people know her work 
'singing' on the "Adiemus" series of stuff. This CD is more straightforward 
(only 1 song is done in that style). She is sort of a blend of Enya/Annie 
Halsam/Dusty Springfield (!). She has absolute perfect pitch  and this CD is 
really stunning. Probably the best female underrated singer in the world.

The Silver Tree - Lisa Gerrard (EMI). Voice from 'Dead Can Dance', this is not 
really "singing" but then it's hard to classify exactly *what* you would call 
it. A female Bobby McFarrin in the ambient style? Currently the #1 CDTST (CD to 
solder to). Lots of synths (sounds like software to me) but impeccable 
production values. A bit expensive (around $30) but there is really nothing like 
it out there.

Paul S.

The Lisa Gerrard cd, The Silver Tree is also available on Itunes, for
only 9.99. No box or artwork, but the music still sounds great! Thanks
for the recommendation, Paul.

On 1/7/07, Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:
>
>
>  The Silver Tree - Lisa Gerrard (EMI). Voice from 'Dead Can Dance', this is
> not
>  really "singing" but then it's hard to classify exactly *what* you would
> call
>  it. A female Bobby McFarrin in the ambient style? Currently the #1 CDTST
> (CD to
>  solder to). Lots of synths (sounds like software to me) but impeccable
>  production values. A bit expensive (around $30) but there is really nothing
> like
>  it out there.
>
>  Paul S.
>

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

a) bracing for really nasty *ice storms* due to hit tonight and carry over until 
Wednesday. Tomorrow is a US Postal Holiday, so I can't ship anything. With the 
weather, I may not be able to ship much this week. I have orders packed up 
though, we'll see how it goes.

b) will have a fully revised and expanded MOTM-650 User's Manual posted up on 
the site later this week.

c) looks like I will making a NAMM...errr.."cameo" appearance on this coming 
Saturday. Check the Analog Haven booth during the day (I have *nothing new* to 
show, but will be wandering around).

d) I will not have everything I want to on the site Feb 1st, but I *will* have 
some additional items in the shopping cart, and I will revise the website to 
be...errr...more current with reality :)

e) All this bad weather may mean I'm stuck at home a lot this week, guess I'll 
do more soldering and packing.

Paul S.

Additional items as in new modules?

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> 
> d) I will not have everything I want to on the site Feb 1st, but I *will*
> have
> some additional items in the shopping cart, and I will revise the website
> to
> be...errr...more current with reality :)
>

Thanks to popular demand (no doubt spurred on by the imminent return 
of Stooge panels), some of my long discontinued PCBs are once again 
available.

TLN-428, state variable filter:
http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln428/TLN-428.html

TLN-854, Sword of Kahless (ribbon controller):
http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln854/TLN-854.html

DB-800, daughterboard for MOTM-800:
http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/db800/DB-800.html

The new boards are all RoHS compliant.

What is the Clipper for in the DB-800?  To protect other modules? or 
to clip the attack to simulate AHDSR?  (Doesn't the mini-moog have its 
attack clipped?)

Larry

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@...> wrote:

>
> Thanks to popular demand (no doubt spurred on by the imminent return 
> of Stooge panels), some of my long discontinued PCBs are once again 
> available.
> 
> TLN-428, state variable filter:
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln428/TLN-428.html
> 
> TLN-854, Sword of Kahless (ribbon controller):
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln854/TLN-854.html
> 
> DB-800, daughterboard for MOTM-800:
> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/db800/DB-800.html
> 
> The new boards are all RoHS compliant.
>

I designed that clipper (based on a circuit from Electronotes).  All it 
does is to clamp the output at +5V max.  The clipper does not impact 
anything else.  Under some re-triggering conditions, the MOTM-800 output 
can rise above 5V.  This prevents that condition.  The purpose is to 
limit the maximum output to what a typical VCA considers to be unity gain.

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

leitner6 wrote:

> What is the Clipper for in the DB-800?  To protect other modules? or 
> to clip the attack to simulate AHDSR?  (Doesn't the mini-moog have its 
> attack clipped?)
>
> Larry
>
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Scott Juskiw <scott@...> wrote:
>   
>> Thanks to popular demand (no doubt spurred on by the imminent return 
>> of Stooge panels), some of my long discontinued PCBs are once again 
>> available.
>>
>> TLN-428, state variable filter:
>> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln428/TLN-428.html
>>
>> TLN-854, Sword of Kahless (ribbon controller):
>> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln854/TLN-854.html
>>
>> DB-800, daughterboard for MOTM-800:
>> http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/db800/DB-800.html
>>
>> The new boards are all RoHS compliant.
>>
>>     
>
>

a) I will get 50ea of all the connector pc boards ready to ship on Friday. These 
will start to ship the following week due to 'real work' schedule.

b) I am also making up over 200 Frac stuffed pc boards, so AH can be fully 
stocked for a while.

c) 10 more MOTM-650s will ship this coming week. I have to run more boards 
through wave solder (the jack boards) to finish up all the outstanding orders. 
As of today *no bug reports* have been sent to me for the current V1.3. Not that 
I'm asking for some :) But if you do see something........

d) On Feb 1st I will load the DIY stuff into the cart. I will not have pictures 
for everything, but will try (I am re-wiring the lab Monday PM when my 4-port 
DVI KVM switcher arrives, and I am moving my 6yr old Dell computer that is my 
day-to-day workhorse off-line and bringing up a new Dell Optiplex 745 to take 
it's place). Hopefully this will go smoothly and not require 3 trips to Frys.

e) Again, UPS shipping is turned off right now, I will try to add Fed-Ex (Ground 
is slow but cheap and you can track it) by the 1st but it may be a few days 
later.

Paul S.

V1.3 has been rock solid and I've not seen a single issue.

Dave

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

> As of today *no bug reports* have been sent to me for the
> current V1.3. Not that I'm asking for some :) But if you do
> see something........

What exactly is V1.3?  I updated using this release candidate file:  
motm650rc4.sfi.

Richard Brewster

djbrow54 wrote:

> V1.3 has been rock solid and I've not seen a single issue.
>
> Dave
>
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>   
>> As of today *no bug reports* have been sent to me for the
>> current V1.3. Not that I'm asking for some :) But if you do
>> see something........
>>     
>
>
>

a) I will have limited email time this week, and nothing will be shipped out 
until Friday.

b) next Sat. I will start shipping the DIY stuff. I will also have 
MOTM-960/990/995 connector boards in-house.

c) I will ship all VCO kit backorders by the end of the month. I will also ship 
80% of the assembled VCO backlog. Feb is VCO month :)

Thanks for all the comments/orders for the DIY stuff. I looks like it is 
generating more MOTM interest. OK, back to reading up on (gulp) Linux Device 
Drivers (ACK!).

Paul S.

i got my 650 2 weeks ago and love it


john



--- timothy cooper <shari_en_jin@...> wrote:

> "I ask that please hold off on the "where is my
> stuff" emails until Feb. 1st...."
> 
> so....how about them 650's?  Any word on how caught
> up you are on those?  Will they see the light of
> day...or the darkness of a nice happy studio any
> time soon?  Is anyone still waiting other than me? 
> I figure since it's now well into February and
> you;re already getting flooded with more new orders
> with the 2.0 jump we can start asking about it
> again...
> Thanks,
> Tim Cooper
> 
> Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:          
>                        a) I will have limited email
> time this week, and nothing will be shipped out 
>  until Friday.
>  
>  b) next Sat. I will start shipping the DIY stuff. I
> will also have 
>  MOTM-960/990/995 connector boards in-house.
>  
>  c) I will ship all VCO kit backorders by the end of
> the month. I will also ship 
>  80% of the assembled VCO backlog. Feb is VCO month
> :)
>  
>  Thanks for all the comments/orders for the DIY
> stuff. I looks like it is 
>  generating more MOTM interest. OK, back to reading
> up on (gulp) Linux Device 
>  Drivers (ACK!).
>  
>  Paul S.
>  
>  
>      
>                        
> 
>  
> ---------------------------------
> Finding fabulous fares is fun.
> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel
> sites to find flight and hotel bargains.



 
____________________________________________________________________________________
No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go 
with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail

For those waiting for their MOTM-650's, I took a lead from the 
September 2005 Packrat comic and glued a color photo of the 650 onto a 
2U blank panel while I was waiting.  Had it there for some time.  Try 
it, it will provide some much needed comfort. It even looked 
reasonably well in some of my posted photos although I have the real 
module there now.

http://www.keyboardmag.com/pop-up.asp?storycode=10698&seq=1&type=P

Dave


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, timothy cooper <shari_en_jin@...> wrote:
>
> "I ask that please hold off on the "where is my stuff" emails until 
Feb. 1st...."
> 
> so....how about them 650's?  Any word on how caught up you are on 
those?  Will they see the light of day...or the darkness of a nice 
happy studio any time soon?  Is anyone still waiting other than me?  I 
figure since it's now well into February and you;re already getting 
flooded with more new orders with the 2.0 jump we can start asking 
about it again...
> Thanks,
> Tim Cooper
> 
> Paul Schreiber <synth1@...> wrote:                                  
a) I will have limited email time this week, and nothing will be 
shipped out 
>  until Friday.
>  
>  b) next Sat. I will start shipping the DIY stuff. I will also have 
>  MOTM-960/990/995 connector boards in-house.
>  
>  c) I will ship all VCO kit backorders by the end of the month. I 
will also ship 
>  80% of the assembled VCO backlog. Feb is VCO month :)
>  
>  Thanks for all the comments/orders for the DIY stuff. I looks like 
it is 
>  generating more MOTM interest. OK, back to reading up on (gulp) 
Linux Device 
>  Drivers (ACK!).
>  
>  Paul S.
>  
>  
>      
>                        
> 
>  
> ---------------------------------
> Finding fabulous fares is fun.
> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find 
flight and hotel bargains.
>

Monday is a "mail holiday" in the US and I won't be able to ship until Thursday. 
I have shipped 26 MOTM DIY orders so far, with about 32 left. There was a 
delivery glitch in the connector boards being shipped from the board stuffer. I 
will have those by Thursday. My new job has taken most of my time the last 3 
weeks, but by the end of the month the load will reduce and I can ship more 
often. I have not been able to ship as much as I had hoped but things are 
looking better :)

The last week of Feb/first week of March I expect to ship over 60 orders, which 
will go a long way towards catching up.

Paul S.

Well, it was an exciting weekend. High winds (over 60MPH) blew through Ft. 
Worth. 15min before I was heading to the post office, my wood fence in the 
backyard "went Frisbee" a la Wizard of Oz. And while picking out various chunks, 
I managed to strain back muscles (turning 50 is a bitch).

So, things which were supposed to ship Saturday will go out tomorrow.

There will be a large increase of shipments the next 2 weeks as well. I am 
anxious to get going on new products. Look for 'happy emails' shortly :)

Paul S.
where's the Advil??

Paul - why use a rubber mallet when a sledge hammer will do?  My cure
for back pain: 2 percoset and a double martini.  Works every time.  -
- just kidding.  Heating Pad - Arnica 30C - wife with strong hands and
massage oil.  We look forward to whatever shipments you can muster.  Bill




--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> Well, it was an exciting weekend. High winds (over 60MPH) blew
through Ft. 
> Worth. 15min before I was heading to the post office, my wood fence
in the 
> backyard "went Frisbee" a la Wizard of Oz. And while picking out
various chunks, 
> I managed to strain back muscles (turning 50 is a bitch).
> 
> So, things which were supposed to ship Saturday will go out tomorrow.
> 
> There will be a large increase of shipments the next 2 weeks as
well. I am 

> anxious to get going on new products. Look for 'happy emails' shortly :)
> 
> Paul S.
> where's the Advil??
>

Growin' old ain't for sissies...

a) goodie box sold, thanks to all the bidders.

b) the next 2 weeks will be more "day job" than MOTM. I have about 10 orders I 
can ship Friday of this week. It will be about 1 more week after that until I 
can ship anything else. I also need to get my wood fence rebuilt, tired of 
chasing dog all over neighborhood. Neighbor's cat also wanders into yard, making 
dog go insane. Fish seems a nice option.

c) I have found someone willing to write the Mac version of the updater program. 
There is a V1.4 coming that will fix a few small bugs and change some text in 
the menus. There will also be a greatly expanded manual available with the 1.4 
release. I expect the release to be in mid-May.

If you want to be a Mac 'debugger' please send me an email, with what version of 
the OS you are running (no, it won't work on V9). Also email me what MIDI 
interface you are using (so I can keep a compatibility list) and if it is USB or 
FireWire.

That's it for now. Buy lottery tickets, my Moog needs a good home (and Uncle Sam 
needs my $$$).

Paul S.

Execellent news getting a Mac version! Hooray!

I run OS X , v 10.4.9 (the latest), using a USB midiman (now M audio) midisport 4x4 
interface.
I wouldn't mind beta testing but I am  not always at home, otherwise I'd defenitely help 
you beta test. Al the more because the updater on Windows doesn't seem to work that well 
on my work machine (running XP pro, using the same interface) I think the issue is the 
older driver from M audio, windows keeps finding "new hardware" everytime I plug it in 
and wants in install the driver......



--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

>
> a) goodie box sold, thanks to all the bidders.
> 
> b) the next 2 weeks will be more "day job" than MOTM. I have about 10 orders I 
> can ship Friday of this week. It will be about 1 more week after that until I 
> can ship anything else. I also need to get my wood fence rebuilt, tired of 
> chasing dog all over neighborhood. Neighbor's cat also wanders into yard, making 
> dog go insane. Fish seems a nice option.
> 
> c) I have found someone willing to write the Mac version of the updater program. 
> There is a V1.4 coming that will fix a few small bugs and change some text in 
> the menus. There will also be a greatly expanded manual available with the 1.4 
> release. I expect the release to be in mid-May.
> 
> If you want to be a Mac 'debugger' please send me an email, with what version of 
> the OS you are running (no, it won't work on V9). Also email me what MIDI 
> interface you are using (so I can keep a compatibility list) and if it is USB or 
> FireWire.
> 
> That's it for now. Buy lottery tickets, my Moog needs a good home (and Uncle Sam 
> needs my $$$).
> 
> Paul S.
>

Hi Paul,

On 19 Mar 2007, at 05:36, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> c) I have found someone willing to write the Mac version of the  
> updater program.
> There is a V1.4 coming that will fix a few small bugs and change  
> some text in
> the menus. There will also be a greatly expanded manual available  
> with the 1.4
> release. I expect the release to be in mid-May.
>
> If you want to be a Mac 'debugger' please send me an email, with  
> what version of
> the OS you are running (no, it won't work on V9). Also email me  
> what MIDI
> interface you are using (so I can keep a compatibility list) and if  
> it is USB or
> FireWire.

I'm willing to test, but I haven't received my 650 yet. Maybe I will  
by the time the updater is finished, so please put me on the list.  
I'm running OSX 10.4.9 on a PowerMac (2 x 2 GHz G5), with a Tascam  
FW-1884 firewire interface.

> That's it for now. Buy lottery tickets, my Moog needs a good home  
> (and Uncle Sam
> needs my $$$).

Man, I wish... It's a work of art.

With kind regards,
Ben

a) Shipments for the rest of the week are delayed until Saturday as 'real work' 
has priority.

b) this weekend I will upload the Mac MOTM-650 prototype app (it doesn't "do 
anything" but the point is can it see MIDI hardware and does it crash?). People 
that have expressed interest can download it and provide comments.

c) The next 5 weeks or so the focus is reducing the assembled module backlog and 
start to ship "leftover" Indiana kit orders. The backlogged MOTM-510 kits will 
be first to ship as that has the least amount of work left. There are also 
around 11 completed kits of various modules I can ship as well. But most of the 
time, I am back on the bench soldering away.

d) It's going to take at least until the end of May to ship all the kits ordered 
in 2006. "Real work" has several blocks of time away from MOTM (trade booth 
duty, yuck) and I want to get the MOTM-1300 Frac VCO at least into prototype by 
the end of May.

Paul S.

Do the assembled modules include the 650's and the mults??

-Jim

----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM litserv <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 12:20:23 AM
Subject: [motm] Update

a) Shipments for the rest of the week are delayed until Saturday as 'real work' 
has priority.

b) this weekend I will upload the Mac MOTM-650 prototype app (it doesn't "do 
anything" but the point is can it see MIDI hardware and does it crash?). People 
that have expressed interest can download it and provide comments.

c) The next 5 weeks or so the focus is reducing the assembled module backlog and 
start to ship "leftover" Indiana kit orders. The backlogged MOTM-510 kits will 
be first to ship as that has the least amount of work left. There are also 
around 11 completed kits of various modules I can ship as well. But most of the 
time, I am back on the bench soldering away.

d) It's going to take at least until the end of May to ship all the kits ordered 
in 2006. "Real work" has several blocks of time away from MOTM (trade booth 
duty, yuck) and I want to get the MOTM-1300 Frac VCO at least into prototype by 
the end of May.

Paul S.





 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Get your own web address.  
Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

a) still 6 days left to buy my Moog 55 :)

b) I am now turning attention to assembled modules, *including* re-stocking the 
Frac modules at Analog Haven. This will be the focus all of April. I have about 
18 MOTM 2.0 orders to fill, these should all ship by next Tuesday.

c) I also plan to ship this week about 9 leftover Indiana full kits and possibly 
6 or so MOTM-510 kits that I can make up fairly quickly.

d) I've received 12 or so "where's my stuff" emails last week. I really cannot 
give any "real" shipping dates, there just too many variables that come into 
play right now. Please hold off on pinging me until say April 25th. All of the 
orders are in a SQL database (so I can't lose them) offsite that is backed up 3 
times a day :) It is still looking like late May/early June until the majority 
of orders are shipped out. But the good news is that there are < 150 orders to 
ship (I had over 750 on Oct 1st 2006).

Paul S.

No worries! :-)

Shipping 600 modules in your case is no small feat, the modules will arrive, when they 
arrive, no problem, just curious how it is going with the redesign of the multiple's?


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

>
> a) still 6 days left to buy my Moog 55 :)
> 
> b) I am now turning attention to assembled modules, *including* re-stocking the 
> Frac modules at Analog Haven. This will be the focus all of April. I have about 
> 18 MOTM 2.0 orders to fill, these should all ship by next Tuesday.
> 
> c) I also plan to ship this week about 9 leftover Indiana full kits and possibly 
> 6 or so MOTM-510 kits that I can make up fairly quickly.
> 
> d) I've received 12 or so "where's my stuff" emails last week. I really cannot 
> give any "real" shipping dates, there just too many variables that come into 
> play right now. Please hold off on pinging me until say April 25th. All of the 
> orders are in a SQL database (so I can't lose them) offsite that is backed up 3 
> times a day :) It is still looking like late May/early June until the majority 
> of orders are shipped out. But the good news is that there are < 150 orders to 
> ship (I had over 750 on Oct 1st 2006).
> 
> Paul S.
>

a) Last week was fairly productive. I sent out 17 orders, including assembled 
modules, lots of CEM ICs, a few MOTM *kits* (!!?!) and some MOTM 2.0 stuff.

b) This week will not be so great, as real job issues (lots of customer 
meetings) will "get in the way of fun". This week I need to clear out MOTM 2.0 
orders that are stacking up and later in the week start soldering again. Next 
week I want to get 5ea of the MOTM Frac modules to Analog Haven.

c) Also later this week I will post the Mac Updater "test app" for those wanting 
to beta test. It doesn't "do anything", the main thing at this point is not 
crashing, and detecting MIDI hardware/drivers under OSX. I have a crackerjack 
Mac guru working on the 'real code' (but he also has a real job and is about to 
get married) so maybe in a few weeks the actual app will become available. This 
test is running 80% of the "real code" so I need to know if something isn't 
correct.

d) Robert Rich is doing a small tour in May/June (and will have a new CD/DVD 
coming out shortly), here is more info:

Sunday May 27
Detroit MI
Detroit Electronic Music Festival
Noon - 2 PM
More info at www.demf.com
Friday June 1
Louisville KY
University of Louisville, Bird Recital Hall
More info at www.krack.org

Sunday June 17
Philadelphia PA
Stars' End 30th Anniversary Concert
(not yet confirmed)

Sunday June 24
Bethlehem, PA
Nearfest - North East Art Rock Festival
Zoellner Arts Center, Leheigh University
Robert Rich performs from 2:45 to 3:15 on day 2 of the festival
More info at www.nearfest.com

Thursday June 28
Minneapolis, MN
Cedar Cultural Center
(not yet confirmed)



Catch him if you can, lots of MOTM blinky LEDs.

Paul S.

What exactly is MOTM 2.0??  Is that the partial kits, the proposed
digital modules, or something else entirely??

I think I occasionally miss announcements.  For example, I didn't
find out that the points system was being discontinued, until after
it was over.

>
> What exactly is MOTM 2.0??  Is that the partial kits, the proposed
> digital modules, or something else entirely??
>

It's a term I use to describe what MOTM 'stuff' is available after the kits were 
dropped AND in a more general way, to describe (or at this point, envision) how 
I am "going to market" later this year.

A quick recap for some newbies:

a) I decided to drop the kits because the sheer logistics were preventing me 
from doing any sort of R&D work. When I placed a Digikey order in May of 2006 
that put me over the 1.7 *million* parts mark (from Day One), I literally 
stopped dead in my tracks and thought "I am an idiot."

b) The *reality* of mid-2005 to mid-2006 was kit orders were DOWN over 45%, 
because most people were waiting for NEW stuff.

c) Assembled modules, always very slow to ship because I personally hand-solder 
every one (and I am a VERY picky solder person but I am NASA certified), were 
just not shipping AT ALL. Several people were approaching *2 years* of waiting.

d) I was getting many requests to supply just pc boards.

e) I was in a pretty sucky "day job" and was getting bored to the point of 
pondering some really drastic stuff (move to Vermont, etc). Luckily I found (via 
a spam folder in my Yahoo mail, I kid you not) a great new job that allows me to 
work out of my house (although I am on "call" 12hrs/day) and allows me to get 
more done during the week. The job pays more so that I was 'frantically 
dependent' on MOTM income. I did this for 14 months after the .com bust and 
although I worked 6 days/week for 12-14hrs a day, after 14 months I was 
*negative* $56K. This is why MOTM is *just a hobby*, it's hard to support 4 
people on negative $56K :) The profit structure of MOTM 2.0 means an always 
positive cash flow, even if sales are 20% of what they used to be, it's still 
POSITIVE :)

f) Quite frankly, the success of the Zero Oscillator caught me off-guard. It 
proved 2 things: a non-MOTM module *assembled* could sell into the MOTM customer 
base. So, Cynthia is partially to blame :) But the reality is: all the really 
cool stuff in my head (and other people's heads) are just not practical as kits. 
Newer, ROHS (don't forget, that is still in effect) compliant parts are SMT 
only. Also, SMT reels are a LOT easier to store and keep track of, even if the 
initial investment is probably 15X over thru-hole (because you have to buy so 
many freakin' parts on that reel). The MOTM Frac modules, at their selling price 
RETAIL are only possible because of SMT production (I ran 350 boards in about 4 
hours).

g) I think it's fair for me to say that the success of MOTM has caused several 
manufacturers to "jump into" the MOTM 'marketing space', which has captured a 
lot of my assembled module business. Not everyone wants to wait years for 
modules (some people don't want to wait 3 weeks). Again, the kitting logistics, 
even when Indiana was involved, caused assembled modules to not be shipped. Once 
the sale backlog is cleared out (mid-summer) I will be able to clear out the 
assembled backlog and actually STOCK ASSEMBLED MODULES which prevents MOTM from 
reaching a lot of people (especially in the film & gaming soundtrack genre) 
because they are on deadlines and I can't be depended on to meet delivery dates. 
The only way to solve this is to simply have them sitting here ready to go. 
Granted, I have a large hole to climb out of reputation-wise. Hopefully the 
other MOTM qualities will overcome that. This point is still 6 months away, but 
it will get there.

OK that's enough rambling. I have to orders to pack up tonight :)

Paul S.

a) Very thrilling weather this week: hail over 15cm in diameter, propelled at 
85MPH. Oh, and a tornado thrown in for good measure. The tornado was about 5km 
from my house, but the hail was on target. My former co-workers car, parked on 
my street until the leasing company picks it up, got smashed (shattered 
windshield, pock marks so hard the paint chipped off!). I will post pics at 
www.synthtech.com/pix/storm

b) Even though US taxes are due tomorrow, I shall brave the post office to ship 
about 17 MOTM orders. I get a staggering $62 refund which my daughter spent in 
less than 1min online buying a purse.

c) This week is Frac Week for Analog Haven. I and building up 20 Frac modules 
this week (and 30 more 10 days after that) so if you don't get a "happy email" 
by Tuesday, then it will be Saturday until I can get back to shipping MOTM 
orders. In the last 13 months, 650 orders have been placed. In fact 8 orders 
came in this weekend. So business is GREAT, I have to keep packing and shipping.

Again, please hold off on the "where is my stuff" emails until May. Your "stuff" 
is here :)

Paul S.

a) Things were a bit sluggish the past week as I wrapped up (literally) the sale 
of my Moog 55. It took a friend and I about 4 1/2 hours to pack it all up. In 
it's place is an empty Stooge Larry cabinet. Maybe one day it will have MOTM 
modules in it (ha!). I also have the top 2-row cabinet, but that won't fit 
unless I remove an wall existing shelf. It's always something......

b) As previously stated, the focus this week is on assembled backlog. I will 
ship between 15 and 20 MOTM 2.0 orders, though later in the week (Friday/Sat). 
The weekend is reserved for a few repairs I have to ship out. The week of the 
14th will be a very minimal MOTM week as I have a new local sales rep that I 
have to "babysit" and take him to all the local Dallas accounts. But the week of 
the 21st I will be back to my 'regular' schedule (whatever that means).

c) There are a few older power supply/rails types of orders that will ship this 
week. I ran out of MOTM-900 kits, I will make more up.

d) I am shipping 20 Frac modules to AH tomorrow, if you want one now is a good 
time to get them. I will have prototypes of the Frac VCO in late June.

e) I just spent $480 on a set of new development tools/eval boards for a future 
project that may be a 'dead end' but hopefully not (hardware is a bit 
'oblique'). The eval board was a total P.O.S. (I have designed eval boards for 
TI, Maxim and Cirrus Logic so I'm pretty sure I can recognize a P.O.S. eval 
board). In fact I have to hack it just to make it useable but it does look 
promising. More details to follow. This is just to show that I am *always* on 
the look-out for new ICs/etc that can be used in MOTM. This particular IC is not 
just for MOTM, I hope to make something any modular family can use (it's not a 
module per se).

Paul S.

There will not be any MOTM shipments this week until Saturday. The following 
week, the focus will be on VCO and power supply kits. If there is time, I also 
want to ship some MOTM-510 kits and 4 or 5 MOTM-650s. I will have 4 days off 
from "real work" over Memorial Day so there is some time to catch up there 
(although wife wants to clean out garage & attic for yard sale). I know I've 
been slogging a bit this month MOTM-wise, but the good news is that the second 
half of the month is looking good.

Robert Rich is about to leave for his US tour, promoting a new DVD & CD 
soundtrack. A list of tour dates is at www.robertrich.com and the DVD will be at 
www.cdbaby.com on Saturday. There are 4 all-new MOTM tracks (each about 7min 
long) and 4 'remixes' with snippets of prior CDs, some with added MOTM backing 
tracks. Please help support Robert and MOTM by attending if you can, and by also 
purchasing the DVD (he spent 15 months on it!).

I am somewhat saddened by having to sell off my Moog 55 last week (it's on it's 
way to the EU as we speak), as the desire to understand what the heck Wendy 
Carlos was playing is what inspired me to switch from chemistry to EE (and 
believe me, my early EE grades were far from stellar and I made perfect scores 
in chemistry). But it's going to a happy home and now the space is free for my 
MOTM system (HA! cough cough).

Paul S.

The next 2 weeks will be a huge amount of MOTM activity/shipping. I am finally 
to a point where I can make a serious dent in the backlog. This goes for 
everything: parts, kits and assembled modules. I will have 11 days in a row 
devoted entirely to MOTM (DDC is in factory summer shutdown). Also, I will be 
getting every other Friday off until September, which means that much more MOTM 
time. I'm pretty excited to get this behind me and being able to come out with 
*new* stuff.

Speaking of new stuff: on Sept. 9th in Oakland CA there will be a gathering of 
analog synth geeks at the 21Grand club from like 10AM to 5PM. I will be there, 
and I will have new goodies to show. I will attempt to drag Robert Rich along as 
well. I am buying prototype parts this week & development tools for something I 
am calling the LiteEngine. You can ponder that for a bit, hopefully in 4-5 weeks 
I will have more info. I also will have my engineering prototype of the Cloud 
Generator (85% functionality) there to listen to. I plan to have a  *production 
ready * LiteEngine there as well (some parts have a long lead time from 
overseas, so if the unit is in fact ready, I suspect shipping in early Nov).

I am about to move to order numbers up to #350 in the backlog, possibly more as 
time permits. The goal is to have the backlog <60 modules by July 10th. I'm 
stocking up on Dr. Pepper and parts, ready to start cranking!

Paul S.

Hey! This is just a few blocks from my place at lovely Lake Merritt!

I'm there. I may get ambitious & either invite folks over to my 
studio after the event or if I get REALLY ambitious I may drag my big 
modular down the street to the event.

Is there a link for the details?

Dave Peck

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

> 
> Speaking of new stuff: on Sept. 9th in Oakland CA there will be a 
gathering of 
> analog synth geeks at the 21Grand club from like 10AM to 5PM. I 
will be there, 
> and I will have new goodies to show. I will attempt to drag Robert 
Rich along as 
> well. I am buying prototype parts this week & development tools for 
something I 
> am calling the LiteEngine. You can ponder that for a bit, hopefully 
in 4-5 weeks 
> I will have more info. I also will have my engineering prototype of 
the Cloud 
> Generator (85% functionality) there to listen to. I plan to have a  
*production 

> ready * LiteEngine there as well 
> 
> Paul S.
>

usually here

http://fdiskc.com/ahcali/

i'm bccing the admin of this site to remind him to update it :-)

>Hey! This is just a few blocks from my place at lovely Lake Merritt!
>
>I'm there. I may get ambitious & either invite folks over to my
>studio after the event or if I get REALLY ambitious I may drag my big
>modular down the street to the event.
>
>Is there a link for the details?
>
>Dave Peck

a) I have about 60% "commitment level" for the Stooge cables. I know this is a 
holiday week, so I'm not
going to decide one way to the other until the 15 of July. But again, I *refuse* 
to be 'stuck' with a bunch
of odd colors/lengths. If you order 30 cables you *will get* 30 cables. As close 
as I can to what you want.

For example, the most requested is 1ft. So, you might get some 1ft and a few 
2ft.

I'm am doing this as a *favor* to the Haneberg's who right now are the ones 
being 'stuck'. Let's
pull together and help them out.

b) I am off all this week, been looking forward to attacking the backlog all 
year. I will ship *all* MOTM-310
kit backlogs this week, all of the MOTM-510s as well and all of the power supply 
kits. The rest of the time
is assembled modules, over 40 of them shipping out (and 17 Frac modules on top 
of that).

c) My trip to Oakland for the 9th gathering is booked! Hope to see the bay area 
MOTMers there.
If you stay until closing, dinner's on me at Scott's Seafood.

Paul S.

The MOTM 'work week' is about over. Despite the 11 *inches* of rain (thankfully 
today was just a drizzle) a lot got done. All of the outstanding MOTM-310 and 
MOTM-510 kits are built up and will start shipping next week. I sweet-talked my 
old tech Shane to put in some time soldering up all of MOTM-830 Mixer assembled 
backlog, so that module is at least caught up. I built 22 Frac modules and those 
are shipping tomorrow to Analog Haven. The one thing I didn't get to this week 
but will this coming week is all of the power supply backlog shipped out.

About the Stooge cables: another person has agreed to handle this and so I will 
forward him all of the previous requests. That deal is now between him and the 
Hanebergs and I am no longer involved. I'll let him "announce" it when he wants 
to.

The next three weeks will be more "real work" than MOTM. I am still on track to 
ship over 100 modules in July and another 100 in August which would get me 100% 
caught up. I think the single biggest chore is building about 15 assembled 
MOTM-510s but that pcb goes pretty smoothly and shouldn't take that much total 
time.

Paul S.

I've finished my waveform animation circuit and have posted a bunch 
of information about it on my website. I've been using this circuit 
for over a month now and am very happy with it; I'll probably build 4 
of them for myself. It took a long time to get the user guide written 
up, along with all the pictures and sound samples. I always forget 
how long it takes to do all that. PCBs are available for anyone who 
wants to build their own. You can find schematics, user guide, 
pictures, and sound samples at:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln712/TLN-712.html

I won't have to travel much for the next 11 days, so lots of MOTM will ship out 
the door.

a) 25 MOTM-650 pc board sets are being assembled by the contract manufacturer
this week. I should get the board sets Friday. This set of 25 should cover *all* 
existing '650 back-orders.
And have like 5 extras :)

b) I am still on track to ship all VCO kits and power supply orders by the end 
of the month. I still have
a few assembled MOTM-300s left to ship, those are tedious to make and calibrate. 
But 6 are shipping
tomorrow so I am making progress.

c) I will send the prototype LiteEngine pc boards out to fab later this week. 
When they come back and
I get them built up (1st week of August) I'll set up a web page and I hope 
people will offer suggestions
for the 36 presets. Just to get you started, there are 2 inputs (Left/Mono and 
Right) that are sampled.
We can make amplitude (volume) measurements, and we can split the signal into a 
set of fixed BP filters
(like a "color organ") and measure the energy content in each band (we are still 
crunching on the math/DSP
routines, but will have a minimum of 10 bands. Trying for 14). There is 1 CV 
input called MOD that can
be whatever you program it. It's just up to your imagination.

The "output" is a matrix of RGB LEDs. There are 8 horizontal and 16 vertical or 
128 total (they are 5mm, pretty big).
Each LED can be one of 63 colors (and #64 is off). So, SW routines can read the 
2 input channels and the MOD CV
and then "do something". The most obvious is a bank of 'VU Meters' like 
peak-hold. And all sorts of spectral displays.
And text as well. I'm open for suggestions (there is a LOT of code space and a 
LOT of internal RAM in this ARM
processor, so that is not an issue).

Paul S.

On Sun, 15 Jul 2007, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> The "output" is a matrix of RGB LEDs. There are 8 horizontal and 16 vertical or
> 128 total (they are 5mm, pretty big).

2D?  Darn, I was hoping for at least 4D.  I had a C. H. Hinton
effect I wanted to try...

--
Monty Brandenberg

1.  Two channel scope, use different colors and full display for each
channel.
2.  Frequency readout of input channels.  Scroll the number for more digits.
3.  Ratio comparison of input channels: 2 = octave, 1.5 = 5th, 1.333 = 4th,
etc.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> 
> c) I will send the prototype LiteEngine pc boards out to fab later this
> week.
> When they come back and
> I get them built up (1st week of August) I'll set up a web page and I hope
> people will offer suggestions
> for the 36 presets. Just to get you started, there are 2 inputs (Left/Mono
> and
> Right) that are sampled.
> We can make amplitude (volume) measurements, and we can split the signal
> into a
> set of fixed BP filters
> (like a "color organ") and measure the energy content in each band (we are
> still
> crunching on the math/DSP
> routines, but will have a minimum of 10 bands. Trying for 14). There is 1
> CV
> input called MOD that can
> be whatever you program it. It's just up to your imagination.
> 
> The "output" is a matrix of RGB LEDs. There are 8 horizontal and 16
> vertical or
> 128 total (they are 5mm, pretty big).
> Each LED can be one of 63 colors (and #64 is off). So, SW routines can
> read the
> 2 input channels and the MOD CV
> and then "do something". The most obvious is a bank of 'VU Meters' like
> peak-hold. And all sorts of spectral displays.
> And text as well. I'm open for suggestions (there is a LOT of code space
> and a
> LOT of internal RAM in this ARM
> processor, so that is not an issue).
> 
> Paul S.

This is exciting news! I can't wait to get my 650 & VCO's!!

-Jim Elliott

----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM litserv <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 3:11:29 PM
Subject: [motm] Update

I won't have to travel much for the next 11 days, so lots of MOTM will ship out 
the door.

a) 25 MOTM-650 pc board sets are being assembled by the contract manufacturer
this week. I should get the board sets Friday. This set of 25 should cover *all* 
existing '650 back-orders.
And have like 5 extras :)

b) I am still on track to ship all VCO kits and power supply orders by the end 
of the month. I still have
a few assembled MOTM-300s left to ship, those are tedious to make and calibrate. 
But 6 are shipping
tomorrow so I am making progress.

c) I will send the prototype LiteEngine pc boards out to fab later this week. 
When they come back and
I get them built up (1st week of August) I'll set up a web page and I hope 
people will offer suggestions
for the 36 presets. Just to get you started, there are 2 inputs (Left/Mono and 
Right) that are sampled.
We can make amplitude (volume) measurements, and we can split the signal into a 
set of fixed BP filters
(like a "color organ") and measure the energy content in each band (we are still 
crunching on the math/DSP
routines, but will have a minimum of 10 bands. Trying for 14). There is 1 CV 
input called MOD that can
be whatever you program it. It's just up to your imagination.

The "output" is a matrix of RGB LEDs. There are 8 horizontal and 16 vertical or 
128 total (they are 5mm, pretty big).
Each LED can be one of 63 colors (and #64 is off). So, SW routines can read the 
2 input channels and the MOD CV
and then "do something". The most obvious is a bank of 'VU Meters' like 
peak-hold. And all sorts of spectral displays.
And text as well. I'm open for suggestions (there is a LOT of code space and a 
LOT of internal RAM in this ARM
processor, so that is not an issue).

Paul S.





       
____________________________________________________________________________________
Need a vacation? Get great deals
to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
http://travel.yahoo.com/

One suggestion, and I've thought about making something like this before, is
a simulated strobe tuner. Set a note with the mod control, and get an
animated representation of the tuning of one of the inputs. In addition to
being cool, it might be easier to tune with such a thing than with a
frequency counter function.

				...Craig

-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Schreiber

I get them built up (1st week of August) I'll set up a web page and I hope 
people will offer suggestions
for the 36 presets.

At 01:12 AM 7/17/2007, Craig Critchley wrote:

>One suggestion, and I've thought about making something like this before, is
>a simulated strobe tuner. [snip]

Conn and/or Peterson patents could get in the way of that. Maybe not, 
but it would be prudent to do a little checking before releasing a 
commercial product. i wonder...
--
john


-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.8/904 - Release Date: 7/16/2007 5:42 PM

I had to spend *way* too much time this past week on my CAD 'saga'. I bought a 
new PC last year
from the Dell outlet to be my "CAD Station" and have discovered the pitfalls of 
TCP/IP server-based
protection schemes (complete with USB dongles, license files and DOS environment 
variables).

It took many hours to get the stuff working (although it not *entirely* all 
happy) but now I can
do schematic and pcb layout all in Windows (yep, it was DOS before) and use my 
whiz-bang
Cadence/SPECCTRA auto-router for pesky digital stuff (I still hand-route all 
analog stuff).

I am working on the LiteEngine and the MOTM-1300 Frac VCO layouts for the AH 
meeting Sept 9th.
I also want to do the VC Pulse Divider but probably will not have the time. That 
will have to wait until
after I get back from the trip. I have to use the auto-router for AudioEngine 
and now that it's
working I can start that layout in late Sept as well. It will be an 8-layer 
board with SMT parts
on both sides.

The next batch of 25 board sets for the MOTM-650 should all be back to me ~1 
week. I have the CPU
boards and the keypad/LED boards, the jack boards are due Tuesday and the MIDI 
I/O boards
are last in line. I want to ship all remaining MOTM-650 orders by Sept 1st. 
which right now should
be on track.

Yes, I know I'm behind about 2 1/2 weeks where I wanted to be at this point. I'm 
working extra-long
hours trying to catch up and by Aug 5th I'll be back to plan. Please 'hang in 
there' and not get discouraged
at this point. Yes, it's been about 1 year now since the 'Big Sale' and there 
are still kits left to ship. But
as you see, I haven't 'gone anywhere' and am still putting in 30hr + a week on 
MOTM stuff. It's just
a LOT of stuff :) And some days I have to spend *hours* chasing down stuff as 
trivial as switches and knobs.

Paul S.

My 83yr old father has suffered a heart attack and I will not be shipping any MOTM stuff until next Monday.

Paul S.

Sorry to hear that, Paul.  Speedy recovery to your father.

Dave


Paul Schreiber wrote:

> 
> 
> My 83yr old father has suffered a heart attack and I will not be
> shipping any MOTM stuff until next Monday.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
>

Don't worry Paul, take care and hope all the best for your father.

Koos



--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> My 83yr old father has suffered a heart attack and I will not be shipping any MOTM stuff 
until next Monday.

> 
> Paul S.
>

a) I have 4 192K versions of the Cloud Generator files. Will upload tomorrow 
AM.

b) Frac VCO going off to prototype board shop on Friday.

c) MOTM-650s/MOTM-310/MOTM-900-950s are up for shipping at the end of this 
week. I am also
going back looking for older orders needing MOTM-19As. If you have an 
outstanding order for MOTM-19As, please send me the Order # and I will get 
those out this week.

d) If you are owed any MOTM 2.0 order (blank boards/parts/etc) and you do 
not get a shipment notice by Aug 21st please email me. I want to get 100% 
caught up for those orders by then.

e) Dad had his gall bladder removed yesterday (after the heart attack AND 
the ulcer) and hopefully will be heading home later this week. Just in time 
for his 84th birthday on Sept 3rd.

Paul S.

My DDC travel days for the rest of the month are (hopefully!) finished. 
Unless there is a fire drill somewhere,
I should be able to ship a lot of MOTM stuff between now and Sept 2nd (I'm 
taking a 10 day "summer break"
after that). I finished up all of my 'honey do's' today (including toilet 
replacement....ech) so I'm hitting the ground
running tomorrow.

I replaced my 5yr old Dell that is my "everyday" computer (email, etc) so it 
will be a few days until I'm fully back on-line.
I have some new Cloud Generator files that are a lot 'cleaner' than the set 
from last week and cheap computer
speakers aside, these sound great. I will try and get my FTP program back up 
tomorrow and upload them.

I am 95% done with the Frac VCO layout, it has turned out to be a little 
more time-consuming that anticipated.
But, it will be sent off for prototypes this week (along with a FPE test 
front panel). I doubt it will be ready for
me to bring to the AH gathering, but I will try (that will depend on my 
assembly house granting me a time slot
for hand building it).

By this Friday, all of the MOTM-310 kits, power supply kits, and MOTM 2.0 
orders will be shipped. I then have
3 assembled system orders to ship. When I get back from the AH gathering, 
the MOTM-300 kits are #1 priority.

Paul S.

Hi Paul,

In your previous update you said the 650's would be shipping last  
week. But there's no mention of 'm in this week's update. Can you  
give us an update on that too?

Thanks,
Ben

a) I have built MOTM-900 and MOTM-950 power supply kits up for all of the 
existing backlog. If you are owed a power supply kit, please email me with 
the Order # and I will ship theis week. This speeds things up versus 
searching through the order database (SQL queries not all that easy to use 
in the existing framework).

b) Worked most of last week and all weekend on assembled module orders. MOTM 
2.0 orders are 95% caught up. Wed-Sunday the #1 issue is kitting MOTM-300s. 
My MOTM time will be limited the middle 2 weeks of October, but shipping 
MOTM kits in October is what I am going to focus on. Note: there are still 2 
MOTM-300 VCO kits left to buy. I also plan to ship the last week of October, 
all of the MOTM-510 kit backlog.

So, by Nov 1st, the plan is to have <20 kits remaining to be shipped. These 
are the few left-over kits that GC Fuller in Indiana were not able to ship 
at the end of last year (like VCFs, a few MOTM-190s, etc). I'm also going to 
release this week to the pcb house the MOTM-910 Mult pc board, so these will 
all ship around Nov 8th.

c) I have 10 weeks remaining for 2007 (I close Dec 15th, reopen Jan 15th). 
It has not been "smooth sailing" as I hoped, but looking at the backlog 10 
weeks will be enough time to ket all the "old stuff" out the door, so I can 
focus on what I've been wanting to do for the last 2 years: R&D! The focus 
of new R&D is to create modules that have an 'immediate and dramatic effect' 
by being added to your existing systems (and to spur non-MOTMers to get with 
the program). Believe me, I have *lots* of module ideas. Enough for at least 
8 *new modules*. Being free of providing end-user kits will allow me to 
offer more 'Buchla-esque' stuff for all the bug music lovers out there :) I 
am *extremely motivated* to flush out the backlog and get on with the design 
end of things. I have been saving capital dollars for Q1 2008 in order to 
buy the reels of SMT parts needed to rapidly build 100s of modules (guessing 
about $6200). Waiting 2 years for delivery will be just old news. Just wait 
and see :)

Paul S.

The Frac format option is, at the present time, controlled by the retail 
store/outlet Analog Haven. Currently, they are waiting for me to release the 
MOTM-1300 Frac VCO. Then, they will have a 'complete system' to demo/sell (a 
100% MOTM voice).

Future modules will be mostly digital in the 'core logic' (will full CV 
in/out) and currently, a 6-pin MOTM/Frac power supply does not exist. I have 
a prototype design that uses a 12V DC out laptop supply, that then feeds a 
set of DC-DC converters for generating the +5/+-15V (don't worry, I use the 
same DC/DC converters as Rupert Neve...very quiet. And I use a 'trick' to 
reduce the switching noise). AH also has expressed a desire for me to offer 
a 2-row Frac rack with the supply as 1 assembly.

But as a rule, the Frac option for these newer modules is not a driving 
force in the design. The large format MOTM customer is what got me this far, 
and that is who I plan to support. Who knows, maybe I can paint some white 
to be Modcan B compatible :)

What my customers have tought me over the years is as follows: useful 
features are worth the panel space, and the added cost is not going to 
prevent the purchase. For example, the MOTM-101 doesn't have a CLK OUT jack 
for the internal clock. The panel space is there, but I was paranoid that 
adding $10 cost to the kit was a 'big deal'. *Wrong!* The big deal was not 
having that jack!

Look at the Buchla 200e. Every module is crawling with all sorts of knobs, 
switches and jacks. Sometimes you have to look at them for 30min until the 
function is clear :) But no one can complain that the "functional density" 
in not there. And the concept of "functional density" is what I am shooting 
for with the new modules. No "empty" panel space! If there is room for a 
switch/jack/pot/LED, then *if it makes sense* why not add that function? I 
don't belive in adding stuff just for 'filler', though.

The Frac format does not easily lend itself to high 'functional density' 
unless you "go wide". Also, the traditional Frac economic model is not 
exactly where MOTM traditionally plays (cough). Would the average Frac user 
pay $499 for a Cloud Generator? Can I sell at *least* 50 Frac Cloud 
Generators (in order to make the time/effort worthwhile). It's a difficult 
qusetion to answer, and the "only way to find out" could be costly :(

The safe bet: invest in a full-size MOTM system. What other modern modular 
holds their value? People that sell their modules/systems discover there are 
many eager buyers. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but 
the users that will "stick it out" until 2008 will be rewarded with the 
arrival of all sorts of goodies.

This is not to say I am abandoning the Frac! There is nothing technolgy-wise 
to prevent a Frac MOTM-440 or MOTM-410 or even a Frac MOTM-480. I'm 
confident once the Frac VCO gets out there, more interest will be naturally 
generated and the overall sales will go up. To my knowledge, the users are 
very satisfied with the MOTM Frac modules. The MOTM-1485 puzzles some folks, 
but that is to be expected :) The good news is: the electrical component of 
these newer designs tend to occupy very small pcb area. So, it's not a case 
of "will the circuit fit in a Frac" but rather "how big a front panel for 
Frac is needed, and will those users pay for the module?".

Paul S.

At 11:23 PM 9/30/2007 -0500, Paul Schreiber wrote:
>The good news is: the electrical component of 
>these newer designs tend to occupy very small pcb area. So, it's not a case 
>of "will the circuit fit in a Frac" but rather "how big a front panel for 
>Frac is needed, and will those users pay for the module?".

Offering modules in Frac format would increase the size of the market for
those modules, which would allow you to make bigger board runs, which would
lower the per-board costs, which would be a good thing for all of us.  :)

Perhaps the Frac versions could have a subset of the MOTM versions'
features.  Most folks should be happy with just the necessary ones,
especially if Frac users are used to smaller module feature sets.  For
those that aren't, you can be sure that some devotee will come up with a
Stooge Frac panel for the expanded feature set.

Jeffrey

As I recall all the FRAC Rack PC boards are customized for the format to
simplify construction, so there is no board quantity advantage.

John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of J.D.
> McEachin
> 
> At 11:23 PM 9/30/2007 -0500, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> >The good news is: the electrical component of
> >these newer designs tend to occupy very small pcb area. So, it's not a
> case
> >of "will the circuit fit in a Frac" but rather "how big a front panel for
> >Frac is needed, and will those users pay for the module?".
> 
> Offering modules in Frac format would increase the size of the market for
> those modules, which would allow you to make bigger board runs, which
> would
> lower the per-board costs, which would be a good thing for all of us.  :)
> 
> Perhaps the Frac versions could have a subset of the MOTM versions'
> features.  Most folks should be happy with just the necessary ones,
> especially if Frac users are used to smaller module feature sets.  For
> those that aren't, you can be sure that some devotee will come up with a
> Stooge Frac panel for the expanded feature set.
>

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and its contents, including any attachments hereto (collectively, "this e-mail"), is hereby designated as "confidential and proprietary." This e-mail may be viewed and used only by the person to whom it has been sent and his/her employer solely for the express purpose for which it has been disclosed and only in accordance with any confidentiality or non-disclosure (or similar) agreement between TEAC Corporation or its affiliates and said employer, and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity.

a) I am almost done shipping the outstanding power supply kits. This will be 
done by this Friday. A few are going out Monday, the rest Friday.

b) If you have MOTM-700 pc boards on order: I just received these today, so 
they will ship later this week.

c) If you have MOTM-910s on order: I am making a slight pc board change with 
the prototypes, boards will be back on the 23rd. I have all the panels and 
all the jacks.

d) Note that many CEM ICs are getting to the end of my supply. I have just 
11 CEM3310s left. I cannibalized a busted Roland synth for a few CEM3360s. 
If you have older gear with these ICs, may think about stocking while I have 
them. I have 2ea CEM5530s for the Prophet VS. Every now and then, I can get 
some more but as time goes on, this is getting more and more difficult.

e) For the next 2 weeks, I will have less MOTM time available. Also, my 
father is now in a out-patient recovery/rehab clinic trying to get his 
strenght back from the gall bladder removal a few weeks back. So this is 
stressing me out a bit along with taking my son in for X-rays after the last 
football game (complaining of swollen wrist). I don't think there is a break 
but won't know until Monday PM. I did manage to ship 17 orders last week, so 
it wan't too bad :) Teas lost, and Texas A&M won today. Again, things could 
be worse.

f) If you are owed a MOTM-310 *kit*, please let me know as I want to ship 
all of the remaining ones this coming week. Then, it's time for the MOTM-300 
kits and assembled MOTM-510s (there are around 8 of those I have to make 
up).

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

> Texas lost, and Texas A&M won today.

I'm glad OU won (semi-proud Norman resident and alumnus), but my rabid OU fan neihbors 
have turned all cocky again - it was kind peaceful around here after the Colorado loss... 
Texas put up a good fight though. OSU can't win on the road, I guess - even in a squeaker, 
but after Gundy's recent rant, he's probably the most famous college coach in the world - on 
YouTube, anyway.

- Barry

What's the word on rack rails?
--
john


-- 
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Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
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Just a quick note to let everyone know the status of the backlog as of 
today:

a) the last 2 weeks, I have been soldering the pc boards for shipping ~60% 
of the assembled backlog. The pc board soldering should be done by this 
Saturday (not the entire module, but all of the parts on the pc board).

b) today, I started on putting together the kit backlog. Here are the kits 
that I am making up first-

MOTM-310
MOTM-800
MOTM-390
MOTM-380
MOTM-830
MOTM-420
the first 30 MOTM-300s
MOTM-900
MOTM-950

I am making up all the kits on order for these (except the 300s), and then I 
will start shipping. The shipping is by order #, oldest to newest. But, 
since I am making up all the backlog of a certain kit (unless I miscounted!) 
that means everyone who ordered these will get these. Now, there are many 
folks that have these *and* other kits not on this list. Those will be in 
batch #2, which I will start kitting up ~ Dec 1st. The vast majority of 
those are MOTM-300s, but it is *unlikely* I will have time to kit all of the 
backlog AND have time to finish out and ship the assembled backlog of the 
boards I have sitting here.

I expect the shipping will start Nov 21st. If it's sooner, so much the 
better :)

c) I will also ship 10 MOTM-650s out between now and Dec15th. If I have 
time, I can ship a few more.

d) Standard speech about payment>> If you have an outstanding order, and 
it's on a credit/debit card, and it has not been charged yet, then *BE SURE* 
that you have the funds/balance available to cover your orders. Because, if 
I get to your order and the card is declined, I *WILL NOT SHIP TO YOU THIS 
YEAR*. I do not have the time or energy to email, set your order aside, wait 
for funds, rerun the card, blah blah blah. I will simply put your order in a 
pile, email you on the 15th, and try again on Jan 15th.

I will not be running module order cards this week :) So you have some time 
to gather funds if need be.

e) if you have a current MOTM 2.0 order: all of these will ship out no later 
than Nov 21st. I *will not* ship any MOTM 2.0 orders after Dec 10th, I need 
all the time at the end for module backlog orders. You can place an order, 
but it won't ship until Jan.

OK, enough sounding like Cranky Old Fart. Back to work.

Paul S.

a) due to my "day job" schedule, I will actually ship modules up until Dec 
20th.

b) there will be 2 'groups' of modules: those shipped Nov 26-30 and those 
shipped Dec 15-20. So....if you don't get a 'Happy Email' for the first 
batch, you can email me and I will let you know if I think you will be 
getting something in the second batch.

c) Note that I am shipping these by *module*: meaning, I am making up sets 
of modules, then I will go through the backlog old to new, and ship all I 
have made up of those modules.

d) I don't have enough time to ship every module to every person. The 
backlog is about 356 modules total, and I expect to be shipping about 200 of 
them. Whatever is left over, will ship out by mid-Feb.

e) I am almost 100% done with the existing MOTM 2.0 orders. <10 orders left 
to ship

f) I am expecting mounting rails Nav. 18th.

g) still waiting for log pots to arrive from France.

h) be sure you have your credit/debit cards *ready to be charged* starting 
this Friday.

Paul S.

a) first set of VCO kits (300/310s) begins shipping this week

b) not much will be shipped the following week (Dec 1-6) due to 'real work' 
activity

c) tonight, I am going over all orders <#400 and making sure *everything* on 
those are able to ship. The only issue right now are the new Vishay log 
pots. It is looking like *next year* until they will ship. I ordered these 
June 14th. Also, Analog Devices is streaching out MAT02EH lead times from 3 
weeks to 7 weeks. I'm also getting frustrated with Mouser: they are starting 
to list stuff "in stock" but in reality, the stock is at the *supplier*, not 
at *Mouser*. So, after you order it, then 24hrs later here comes an email 
saying "oh, it really won't be here until blah blah later". I ran out of 
heat shrink, I may have to scramble to find some so I can ship the MOTM-300 
kits. This is relatively new there, very annoying! At least I can get in the 
car and drive to Allied and get some, but there goes 1hr out of the workday.

Let's see what I can get out between Monday and Saturday (the local PO is 
open 4hrs on Saturday) before flooding me with "where is my stuff" emails. I 
should be able to ship over 50 kits by Saturday!

Paul S.

I've added some additional pictures to my headphone/tuner project 
that will greatly help anyone who tries to build this circuit using 
MUUB-3 boards. Here's a direct link to the pictures:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln867/TLN-867_MUUB3_Pictures.zip

And here's the home page for this project:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln867/TLN-867.html

I know of one brave soul who has successfully built one of these and 
found these images quite useful.

37 Happy Emails were sent out this week. At least it's a start :)

I am focusing on shipping all the modules (both kit & assembled) up to order 
#300. There will be higher # orders that will see shipments (or partial 
shipments) because I tend to make up batches of modules, not individual 
ones. As of today, there are 63 modules that need to be ship to 100% clear 
out up to Order #300. This is, in all likelyhood, all of the available time 
I will have before Christmas break. I'm going to try my best to ship another 
batch of MOTM-300 kits before Dec 20th. around 15-18 kits. These will be in 
the range of Order #400-490, possibly the low 500s.

The next batch are all of the MOTM-850 Pedal Interface kits (I think there 
are 7 of them).

Just to note, the vast majority (over 75%) of module backlog is for Order 
#600 and below. The majority of orders above #600 were MOTM 2.0 orders 
(pcbs, CEM ICs, etc) and all but 4 of those have shipped.

28 of the 63 modules below #300 are assembled. I have made up all of the pc 
boards, I am in the process of "finishing out".

I had planned on having more ready to ship, but the available time 
vaporized.

Paul S.

a) I had to travel much of last week, but was able to build up all of the 
850 and 890 kits that are on order.

b) I am still working on order #300 and below to ship as much of that 
backlog as possible (with 'leftover' kits shipping out for all order 
numbers). I have to finish building 12 assembled modules, and make up some 
910 mults (back to hand wiring, the pcbs won't be here on time). There are 
61 modules total in this set of orders left to ship. Just looking over the 
remaining module types, I'll ship ~40 of the 61 in the backlog.

c) Independent of that set of 61, I am making up some MOTM-300 kits as well.

d) I am due MOTM-19A mounting rails by this coming Friday.

e) Here is a quick photo of the breadboard of the MOTM-521 Cloud Generator 
Expansion showing the LCD 'talking to' the ARM CPU and encoders. Up next: 
USB-to-serial interface.

www.synthtech.com/pix/exp_proto2.jpg

Paul S.

a) I am in the process of kitting up *all* of the remaining VCO, MOTM-510, 
MOTM-380, MOTM-850 and MOTM-890 orders. These will start shipping Jan 28th.

b) I'm having more connector boards wave-soldered this week (for the 900/950 
supplies, MOTM-960s).

c) As predicted, real 'work' has most of my Jan. bandwidth. However, I am 
doing what I can as time allows. I have to do my taxes this weekend (takes 
about 12hrs). Always interesting to see what the postage costs (usually 
around $8,500).

d) My 10th MOTM anniversary will be Feb. 14, 2008! I hope to have module 
#8100 shipped by then. I guess the next milestone will be #10,000. That 
seems "out of reach" but then again I never expected to see #5000, either :) 
I suppose Doepfer is pushing #20,000 by now, which is about the same *sales 
dollars* as I am now. Not shabby as a part-time hobby out of the spare 
bedroom. Plus I've sold ~70 Frac modules and ~90 blank pc boards.

e) 2007 Video Game Report follows:

a) if you have ~$270 sitting around, and you want a 2-3X jump in graphics 
performance, get an nVidia 8800GT card. I started with nVidia, been an ATI 
fanboy the last 5 years, but this card is *blazing* fast. It is 40% faster 
than my *2 card SLI* nvidia setup it replaced. Sold the old cards on eBay 
for $185 to boot.

b) went back and replayed some older games with the details cranked to max. 
Company of Heroes still hard to beat for the RTS stuff. Tried to replay the 
new patch of C&C Tiberium Wars, the patch *ruins* the game completely. The 
'Normal' difficulty is damn near impossible, and as the game progresses gets 
silly to the point of I uninstalled it.

c) got the Orange Box (HL2/Portal/CS2) and replayed HL2 (again) just because 
I love the "look" of the engine. About 50% through Episode 1, put it aside 
and played with Portal a bit. Was OK, didn't think it lived up to the hype 
but the running commentary from the computer was cute.

d) for recent stuff, loaded and played 1hr each with Crysis, Call of Duty 4 
and Gears of War. Crysis looks really good, not as 'spectacular' as the hype 
but it has that 'Far Cry' feel to it. The gameplay is just Far Cry which is 
not bad but not a leap forward. Call of Duty 4 is the most visually cool of 
the new games, but it is hard on the Normal setting. My 14yr old played it 
all the way through in 1 day on Easy. Gears of War I just ran around a bit, 
it is an XBox port so it had a certain "console feel" so the jury is still 
out. I have loaded but not patched up/played World in Conflict and UT3.

Paul S.
no longer playing video games....sigh......

Any ideas if/when another run of MOTM-650s will be done?

thanks,
Larry



--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> a) I am in the process of kitting up *all* of the remaining VCO, 
MOTM-510, 
> MOTM-380, MOTM-850 and MOTM-890 orders. These will start shipping 
Jan 28th.
> 
> b) I'm having more connector boards wave-soldered this week (for 
the 900/950 
> supplies, MOTM-960s).
> 
> c) As predicted, real 'work' has most of my Jan. bandwidth. 
However, I am 
> doing what I can as time allows. I have to do my taxes this 
weekend (takes 
> about 12hrs). Always interesting to see what the postage costs 
(usually 
> around $8,500).
> 
> d) My 10th MOTM anniversary will be Feb. 14, 2008! I hope to have 
module 
> #8100 shipped by then. I guess the next milestone will be #10,000. 
That 
> seems "out of reach" but then again I never expected to see #5000, 
either :) 
> I suppose Doepfer is pushing #20,000 by now, which is about the 
same *sales 
> dollars* as I am now. Not shabby as a part-time hobby out of the 
spare 
> bedroom. Plus I've sold ~70 Frac modules and ~90 blank pc boards.
> 
> e) 2007 Video Game Report follows:
> 
> a) if you have ~$270 sitting around, and you want a 2-3X jump in 
graphics 
> performance, get an nVidia 8800GT card. I started with nVidia, 
been an ATI 
> fanboy the last 5 years, but this card is *blazing* fast. It is 
40% faster 
> than my *2 card SLI* nvidia setup it replaced. Sold the old cards 
on eBay 
> for $185 to boot.
> 
> b) went back and replayed some older games with the details 
cranked to max. 
> Company of Heroes still hard to beat for the RTS stuff. Tried to 
replay the 
> new patch of C&C Tiberium Wars, the patch *ruins* the game 
completely. The 
> 'Normal' difficulty is damn near impossible, and as the game 
progresses gets 
> silly to the point of I uninstalled it.
> 
> c) got the Orange Box (HL2/Portal/CS2) and replayed HL2 (again) 
just because 
> I love the "look" of the engine. About 50% through Episode 1, put 
it aside 
> and played with Portal a bit. Was OK, didn't think it lived up to 
the hype 
> but the running commentary from the computer was cute.
> 
> d) for recent stuff, loaded and played 1hr each with Crysis, Call 
of Duty 4 
> and Gears of War. Crysis looks really good, not as 'spectacular' 
as the hype 
> but it has that 'Far Cry' feel to it. The gameplay is just Far Cry 
which is 
> not bad but not a leap forward. Call of Duty 4 is the most 
visually cool of 
> the new games, but it is hard on the Normal setting. My 14yr old 
played it 
> all the way through in 1 day on Easy. Gears of War I just ran 
around a bit, 
> it is an XBox port so it had a certain "console feel" so the jury 
is still 
> out. I have loaded but not patched up/played World in Conflict and 
UT3.

> 
> Paul S.
> no longer playing video games....sigh......
>

> Any ideas if/when another run of MOTM-650s will be done?
>

I will run the CPU boards in mid-Feb, so will have MOTM-650s in late March. 
LOTS of them :)

Paul S.

I have finished 'real job' travels for this month. So, I will be able to 
begin VCO shipping later this week (probably starting Thursday). This is for 
*all* of the remaining 300/310 kits. It will take me a good 5-6 days to pack 
and ship all of the orders.

I have ~8 MOTM 2.0 orders that I will also have shipped by Friday.

The other high priority is to order the parts for the next run of MOTM-650s. 
The CM that does my SMT work is moving, and they will not be set up until 
~Feb. 6th. That will allow time for me to gather up all the parts and take 
over there. It usually takes 2 weeks to get the boards back to me (I have to 
wait my turn on the machine, the boards themselves are all run in 2 days).

I will also see if there is a schedule for the V1.4 SW fixes, now that the 
new Europa code is released (the same person does the '650 and the Europa).

I will also ship 4 assembled MOTM-510s out this week (covers the backlog for 
orders <#399).

Paul S.

a) I am ~ 10 days behind shipping the VCO kits. Several family issues came 
up and I had to do my income tax paperwork, things are a bit calm for the 
time being. I will start shipping the week of the 18th.

b) I am close to shipping the entire assembled backlog for orders < #400. I 
have ~ 8 modules left to go.

c) All current MOTM 2.0 orders will ship by Wednesday.

d) Cloud Generator and the Expansion Modules undergoing final schematic 
review, I have set aside the week of March 17th to do the pc board layouts 
(over 'Spring Break'.....bwaaahahahaha!). I am putting some 'hooks' in the 
HW so that the next AudioEngine module, the wavetable VCO/"maxi-wave" can be 
prototyped enough without going to another full pcb layout. So, in the 
production Cloud Generator, there will be some unstuffed parts (and, 
stuffing them in isn't doesn't make the production wavetable module 
necessarily).

e) I still need folks to code up the 'librarian' for the Cloud Generator. XP 
and Mac needed. All of the I/O is mapped to a comm port (the hardware USB IC 
is all set up for that). All I'm asking for is to load/store the patches, 
not any sort of real-time stuff. Of course, the person(s) doing this will 
get *free stuff* and $$$ so contact me off-list if you are interested AND 
(the most important part) have the *time* to do it. I will have working HW 
by the end of April, but I can supply enough info now to get you started 
(heck, you can write HyperTerm scripts in XP to 'pretend' to be a CG for 
now).

Paul S.

Oooh, hadn't heard of this one before. Very cool.

On Feb 10, 2008, at 1:55 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> the next AudioEngine module, the wavetable VCO/"maxi-wave"

Oooh, hadn't heard of this one before. Very cool.
==================================

Well, for lack of a better term :)

The wavetable VCO has 2 'modes':

a) you put in a 1V/Oct CV, and audio comes out. So, it's a VCO, but the 
output waveshape is from scanning through a wavetable. The hardware 
digitizes the CV, looks up a number in a table, and programs a digital 
oscillator to output the correct frequency. Internally, the oscillator is 
running 1024 times the audio output. The wavetable has 1024 points per 
'cycle', so that combo generates the proper tone (in reality, it's a bit 
more complicated, but this will give you the basic idea).

b) there is quite a bit of "horsepower" in the AudioEngine HW: I'm sure 
without much effort the HW can output 8 simultaneous, different waveforms. 
It would not surprise me that we could output over *100* different waveforms 
from the FPGA gate count, but we can't get the waveform data out of Flash 
that fast.  This can be done over MIDI. For CVs, I'll probably make the 
basic unit monophonic, then have an expansion panel for say 4 more 
CVs/Outputs. It will sort of depend on how 'messy' the UI gets (I suppose 
folks will want to upload/download waveforms as well). Having 5 wavetable 
VCOs for <$900 total sounds like a good deal to me :)

c) the "MaxiWave" mode emulates the Blacet MiniWave. There is a dedicated 
input jack for inserting a +-5V audio waveform, which is digitized to 
8-bits, then the amplitude data is used as an address to "look up" an output 
voltage. Since the data is 8-bit, we are 'skipping' data in the table that 
would normally be outputted by the CV ('VCO mode'). However, the A/D speed 
in the 'Wave Mode' needs to run *really fast* (in our case, 1Mhz!) in order 
to keep up with the rapidly changing audio input (in 'VCO Mode', we still 
sample pretty fast but not THAT fast, maybe 200Khz or so). When a patchcord 
is inserted in the WAVE SCAN jack, the 'VCO Mode' is disabled (no, you can't 
do both at the same time).

Also, the wavetables are in banks like the Blacet, and you can scan through 
them with a CV as well. The on-board serial Flash is big enough to hold 
1024ea wavetables, each one is 16-bits wide and 1024 points long.

The WaveTable firmware is based on the CG firmware, with the fixed sine 
table 'replaced' by indexing into the serial Flash part (and no chaos, of 
course).

Paul S.

Sounds "way cool".

At 05:44 PM 2/10/2008, Paul Schreiber wrote:

>[snip]
>It would not surprise me that we could output over *100* different waveforms
>from the FPGA gate count, but we can't get the waveform data out of Flash
>that fast. [snip]

Is there no fast RAM to which you can copy the active wave tables?

John 


-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.2/1270 - Release Date: 2/10/2008 12:21 PM

> Is there no fast RAM to which you can copy the active wave tables?
>

It looks like we can do 18 to 20 waveforms at once using the current SPI 
Flash running at 66Mhz shifting speed. The question is: how do you interface 
to/control all of that stuff at once?

Playing it over MIDI. using 1 or 2 wavetables is not that big a deal. But I 
don't want to turn this into a Roland Sound Canvas :) You could spend 
*months* writing code for splits/layering/blah blah blah.

I'm open for suggestions/mock ups of proposed panels for the main VCO and 
the Expander module.

Paul S.

I was able to ship quite a few kits out last week, and shipping more 
tomorrow. I have to put MOTM aside for most of this coming week, however 
(real work!).

Here is the state of the current backlog:

Orders placed since 3/1/2006: 787
Orders shipped (completed): 669 (~85%)
Orders partially shipped: 38 (~5%)
Orders yet to ship: 80 (~10%)

Note this includes all orders such as 2.0 stuff.

By the end of March, I expect the backlog to drop 50%, to around 50 orders 
not 100% shipped, and by May to 25 orders and then June 1st *0* orders left. 
It's like running a marathon for the *first* time: part of you thinks that 
you will never get there, but if you don't stop, eventually you *will* get 
there. And I've been running now about 2 years in this mode now. It's time 
to finish out, and get ready for the next adventure: AudioEngine stuff. And 
the big folder of JH designs still begging to see the light of day.

Vishay is supposed to ship 400 log pots tomorrow from France to California 
(their US warehouse), so in 2 weeks or so I can start to ship all the 
mixer/VCF kits and modules.

I do expect to start shipping panels with the new paint in about 5 weeks: 
the first batch will be MOTM-300/MOTM-940/MOTM-700.

Paul S.

This state of the current backlog makes me mad. please, tell me it is still worth to wait ... 
Or just  say something good about MOTM-480. Will it track 1V/oct input better than 
MOTM-440? :) does the input level make significant changes to the resonance character? 
has anyone tried two of them in stereo mode (especially in bandpass mode with one input 
for both but slightly differrent frequency tracking and with one modulation source for both 
), any new dimensions appear? Or this trick is not good for non-self-oscillating filters? 
What if using this filter without vca at the end  - will it be silent enough (for example the 
MOTM-440 is OK for me in that regard)?


Thanks for support
Girts


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

>
> I was able to ship quite a few kits out last week, and shipping more 
> tomorrow. I have to put MOTM aside for most of this coming week, however 
> (real work!).
> 
> Here is the state of the current backlog:
> 
> Orders placed since 3/1/2006: 787
> Orders shipped (completed): 669 (~85%)
> Orders partially shipped: 38 (~5%)
> Orders yet to ship: 80 (~10%)
> 
> Note this includes all orders such as 2.0 stuff.
> 
> By the end of March, I expect the backlog to drop 50%, to around 50 orders 
> not 100% shipped, and by May to 25 orders and then June 1st *0* orders left. 
> It's like running a marathon for the *first* time: part of you thinks that 
> you will never get there, but if you don't stop, eventually you *will* get 
> there. And I've been running now about 2 years in this mode now. It's time 
> to finish out, and get ready for the next adventure: AudioEngine stuff. And 
> the big folder of JH designs still begging to see the light of day.
> 
> Vishay is supposed to ship 400 log pots tomorrow from France to California 
> (their US warehouse), so in 2 weeks or so I can start to ship all the 
> mixer/VCF kits and modules.
> 
> I do expect to start shipping panels with the new paint in about 5 weeks: 
> the first batch will be MOTM-300/MOTM-940/MOTM-700.
> 
> Paul S.
>

I can t really answer all your questions, but I can say that the 480 is certainly an extraordinary filter. I use mine all the time, and am always pleased with

I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character depending on
the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.  Because it has two outputs,
one of them can easily be patched back into an input for feedback tweakiness. 
(Reminder to self:  mult the 440 output and feed it back to itself, and compare
the character with the 480.)  I made a one-pass recording with three voices,
the third voice (which comes in somewhere around 2:30) uses the 480--its the
voice with the pingpong delay.  I fly in feedback during the recording.  Maybe
this will give you just a little hint of the character of the 480, although its
pretty low in the mix.  

[I really need to do another pass at this patch, but here it is:]

http://www.twango.com/media/YouFeel.public/YouFeel.10063




--- Girts R <boss@...> wrote:


> Or just  say something good about MOTM-480. Will it track 1V/oct input better
> than 
> MOTM-440? :) does the input level make significant changes to the resonance
> character? 
> has anyone tried two of them in stereo mode (especially in bandpass mode with
> one input 
> for both but slightly differrent frequency tracking and with one modulation
> source for both 
> ), any new dimensions appear? Or this trick is not good for
> non-self-oscillating filters? 
> What if using this filter without vca at the end  - will it be silent enough
> (for example the 
> MOTM-440 is OK for me in that regard)?



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> I was able to ship quite a few kits out last week, and shipping more 
> tomorrow. I have to put MOTM aside for most of this coming week,
however 
> (real work!).
> 
> Here is the state of the current backlog:
> 
> Orders placed since 3/1/2006: 787
> Orders shipped (completed): 669 (~85%)
> Orders partially shipped: 38 (~5%)
> Orders yet to ship: 80 (~10%)
> 
> Note this includes all orders such as 2.0 stuff.

Where does this leave incomplete orders placed *before* 3/1/2006?

JN

Thanks for sharing the MOTM480 sound clip. It seems this filter 
excels more in the nasty/extreme side. I remember Robert Rich has 
made great demo using MOTM480 in feedback mode and fm. I would like 
to hear how the MOTM480 sounds in rather basic terms, but as always 
for such a simple task only hands-on experience will tell.


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, loopcycle <loopcycle@...> wrote:
>
> I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character 
depending on
> the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.  Because it has 
two outputs,
> one of them can easily be patched back into an input for feedback 
tweakiness. 
> (Reminder to self:  mult the 440 output and feed it back to itself, 
and compare
> the character with the 480.)  I made a one-pass recording with 
three voices,
> the third voice (which comes in somewhere around 2:30) uses the 480-
-its the
> voice with the pingpong delay.  I fly in feedback during the 
recording.  Maybe
> this will give you just a little hint of the character of the 480, 
although its

> pretty low in the mix.  
> 
> [I really need to do another pass at this patch, but here it is:]
> 
> http://www.twango.com/media/YouFeel.public/YouFeel.10063
> 
>

Ah...   Seems I am not the only one ... 
it is just everyday loneliness that happens to everyone :) 
never mind, I will wait again (insert delay line here)


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "jneilnyc" <jneil@...> wrote:

>
> 
> Where does this leave incomplete orders placed *before* 3/1/2006?
> 
> JN
>

I would be very interested in hearing that demo.  RR did show me the 480 in
use, but this was long before I got my hands on one.  I'm also curious how he
does the big bass drop note on the atlas dei sample mp3 that Paul posted last
year.


--- Girts R <boss@...> wrote:

> Thanks for sharing the MOTM480 sound clip. It seems this filter 
> excels more in the nasty/extreme side. I remember Robert Rich has 
> made great demo using MOTM480 in feedback mode and fm. I would like 
> to hear how the MOTM480 sounds in rather basic terms, but as always 
> for such a simple task only hands-on experience will tell.
> 
> 
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, loopcycle <loopcycle@...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character 
> depending on
> > the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.  Because it has 
> two outputs,
> > one of them can easily be patched back into an input for feedback 
> tweakiness. 
> > (Reminder to self:  mult the 440 output and feed it back to itself, 
> and compare
> > the character with the 480.)  I made a one-pass recording with 
> three voices,
> > the third voice (which comes in somewhere around 2:30) uses the 480-
> -its the
> > voice with the pingpong delay.  I fly in feedback during the 
> recording.  Maybe
> > this will give you just a little hint of the character of the 480, 
> although its
> > pretty low in the mix.  
> > 
> > [I really need to do another pass at this patch, but here it is:]
> > 
> > http://www.twango.com/media/YouFeel.public/YouFeel.10063
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

from message #21430:

Extreme abuse of the MOTM-480 CS-80 VCF:

www.synthtech.com/demo/rr_480demo.mp3

There are 2 "abuses" of the VCF:

a) the voltage-controlled resonance input is being modulated by a 
sine wave at *audio* rates(generated by MOTM-300)
b) the BP Output is patched back to a VCF *input*. The feedback level 
is on a panel pot, and manually tweaked.

The repeating sequence is an Encore UEG, driving 2 MOTM-300 VCOs. One 
is the "pitch", the other is driving the resonance input at 1 octave 
higher. The LP Output then goes through a 'traditional' VCA (MOTM-
190) enveloped by a basic AR shape (MOTM-800).

No other processing is used (reverb, filters, etc). All of the timbre 
is the result of cross-modulation products in the MOTM-480, having 
the resonance "fight off" the driving signal, and your basic 
overload/clipping :)



--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, loopcycle <loopcycle@...> wrote:
>
> I would be very interested in hearing that demo.  RR did show me 
the 480 in
> use, but this was long before I got my hands on one.  I'm also 
curious how he
> does the big bass drop note on the atlas dei sample mp3 that Paul 
posted last
> year.
>

On 3/3/08, loopcycle put forth:
>I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character depending on
>the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.

That's true of most filters.  It is certainly true of Moog ladder
filters.  Which is why I think it would have made much more sense if
the 490 had only one input jack and an input level knob.  The 490
always seems to sound as though the input is not loud enough (and
MOTM mixers like the 830 and 890 have little or no gain).  So I'm
always patching in some sort of amplifier before the inputs.  Multing
the same signal to more than one input also works.  Which would be
the same as putting the input resistors in parallel.  While I could
change some or all of the input resistors to 5K, I don't think
lowering the input impedance of the module is such a good idea.
Would it be better to increase R5 to a larger value, or would that
cause other problems??  Any ideas??


Thanks :)

Here is a much more basic recording of the sound of the '480 that I made after
having received it.

http://www.twango.com/media/YouFeel.public/YouFeel.10052




--- Girts R <boss@...> wrote:

> Thanks for sharing the MOTM480 sound clip. It seems this filter 
> excels more in the nasty/extreme side. I remember Robert Rich has 
> made great demo using MOTM480 in feedback mode and fm. I would like 
> to hear how the MOTM480 sounds in rather basic terms, but as always 
> for such a simple task only hands-on experience will tell.
> 
> 
> --- In motm@yahoogroups.com, loopcycle <loopcycle@...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character 
> depending on
> > the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.  Because it has 
> two outputs,
> > one of them can easily be patched back into an input for feedback 
> tweakiness. 
> > (Reminder to self:  mult the 440 output and feed it back to itself, 
> and compare
> > the character with the 480.)  I made a one-pass recording with 
> three voices,
> > the third voice (which comes in somewhere around 2:30) uses the 480-
> -its the
> > voice with the pingpong delay.  I fly in feedback during the 
> recording.  Maybe
> > this will give you just a little hint of the character of the 480, 
> although its
> > pretty low in the mix.  
> > 
> > [I really need to do another pass at this patch, but here it is:]
> > 
> > http://www.twango.com/media/YouFeel.public/YouFeel.10063
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 



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Someone sent me the brilliant of normalling the inputs.  He connected
In 1 to the switched lug 2, and In 2 to switched lug 3 on his 490.
It is a less invasive mod than changing resistors on the board, and the use of
dummy plugs would provide the original function.

Normalling the inputs in the above way, then the input impedance for
one input would be 3K, and for two inputs it would be 10K on one
input and 5K for the other.

I'm thinking if I connect In 1 to the switched lugs 2 and 3, In 2 to
the switched lugs 1 and 3, and In 3 to switched lugs 1 and 2, then
the input impedance would be the same for any one or any combination
of two inputs.

Does anyone you see a problem with doing that, or have a better idea??

Thanks :)


On 3/4/08, Mark put forth:

>On 3/3/08, loopcycle put forth:
>  >I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character depending on
>  >the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.
>
>That's true of most filters.  It is certainly true of Moog ladder
>filters.  Which is why I think it would have made much more sense if
>the 490 had only one input jack and an input level knob.  The 490
>always seems to sound as though the input is not loud enough (and
>MOTM mixers like the 830 and 890 have little or no gain).  So I'm
>always patching in some sort of amplifier before the inputs.  Multing
>the same signal to more than one input also works.  Which would be
>the same as putting the input resistors in parallel.  While I could
>change some or all of the input resistors to 5K, I don't think
>lowering the input impedance of the module is such a good idea.
>Would it be better to increase R5 to a larger value, or would that
>cause other problems??  Any ideas??

How about adding an op-amp buffer on a daughterboard to handle the  
inputs? Would that help? You could customize the gain and input  
impedance to your liking. A MUUB-2 board would probably suffice.

On 7-Mar-08, at 7:38 AM, Mark wrote:

>
>
> Someone sent me the brilliant of normalling the inputs.  He connected
> In 1 to the switched lug 2, and In 2 to switched lug 3 on his 490.
> It is a less invasive mod than changing resistors on the board, and  
> the use of
> dummy plugs would provide the original function.
>
> Normalling the inputs in the above way, then the input impedance for
> one input would be 3K, and for two inputs it would be 10K on one
> input and 5K for the other.
>
> I'm thinking if I connect In 1 to the switched lugs 2 and 3, In 2 to
> the switched lugs 1 and 3, and In 3 to switched lugs 1 and 2, then
> the input impedance would be the same for any one or any combination
> of two inputs.
>
> Does anyone you see a problem with doing that, or have a better idea??
>
> Thanks :)
>
>
> On 3/4/08, Mark put forth:
>> On 3/3/08, loopcycle put forth:
>>> I'm still learning the 480, but it definitely changes character  
>>> depending on
>>> the input signal amplitude, just as the 440 does.
>>
>> That's true of most filters.  It is certainly true of Moog ladder
>> filters.  Which is why I think it would have made much more sense if
>> the 490 had only one input jack and an input level knob.  The 490
>> always seems to sound as though the input is not loud enough (and
>> MOTM mixers like the 830 and 890 have little or no gain).  So I'm
>> always patching in some sort of amplifier before the inputs.  Multing
>> the same signal to more than one input also works.  Which would be
>> the same as putting the input resistors in parallel.  While I could
>> change some or all of the input resistors to 5K, I don't think
>> lowering the input impedance of the module is such a good idea.
>> Would it be better to increase R5 to a larger value, or would that
>> cause other problems??  Any ideas??
>

On 3/7/08, Scott Juskiw put forth:
>How about adding an op-amp buffer on a daughterboard to handle the
>inputs? Would that help? You could customize the gain and input
>impedance to your liking. A MUUB-2 board would probably suffice.

Yes, that seems like it would work too.  While I'm sure it's a fine
product, I wouldn't even need a MUUB board for that.  Building a
summing amp would only require one dual op-amp.  Although I would
still have to run power, mount it somehow, etc.  Which is much more
work.  Ideally, the 490 should have had an input amp with a gain knob.

Anyway, since normalling the jacks seems the easiest, most
cost-effective, least invasive option, I'm looking on opinions on
what would be the best way to do it.

>Yes, that seems like it would work too.  While I'm sure it's a fine
>product, I wouldn't even need a MUUB board for that.  Building a
>summing amp would only require one dual op-amp.  Although I would
>still have to run power, mount it somehow, etc.  Which is much more
>work.  Ideally, the 490 should have had an input amp with a gain knob.

Surely there's an input amp in the 490, no? Presumably it's set up for unity gain, but changing that would be trivial, as would adding inputs. However, I'm miles away from my 490 schematic, so I may be totally wrong (and I'm not even a dancing fool!).

John

There is no op amp in the 490.  It is a Moog 904A emulator, all 
transistors, with a dual OTA output buffer.  In the theory of operation, 
Paul Schreiber wrote, "A passive mixer is used to mimic the loading 
effects of the 904A filter...".  Is the lower output level of the 490 
really a problem?  It's still much higher, I believe, than the output of 
a real 904A.  It works fine for me, as is.

Richard Brewster
http://www.pugix.com

John Mahoney wrote:

>> Yes, that seems like it would work too.  While I'm sure it's a fine
>> product, I wouldn't even need a MUUB board for that.  Building a
>> summing amp would only require one dual op-amp.  Although I would
>> still have to run power, mount it somehow, etc.  Which is much more
>> work.  Ideally, the 490 should have had an input amp with a gain knob.
>>     
>
> Surely there's an input amp in the 490, no? Presumably it's set up for unity gain, but changing that would be trivial, as would adding inputs. However, I'm miles away from my 490 schematic, so I may be totally wrong (and I'm not even a dancing fool!).
>
> John
>
>
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks, Richard, I should have remembered that.

John


At 07:21 PM 3/7/2008, Richard Brewster wrote:

>There is no op amp in the 490.  It is a Moog 904A emulator, all
>transistors, with a dual OTA output buffer.  In the theory of operation,
>Paul Schreiber wrote, "A passive mixer is used to mimic the loading
>effects of the 904A filter...".  Is the lower output level of the 490
>really a problem?  It's still much higher, I believe, than the output of
>a real 904A.  It works fine for me, as is.


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On 3/7/08, Richard Brewster put forth:
>There is no op amp in the 490.  It is a Moog 904A emulator, all
>transistors, with a dual OTA output buffer.  In the theory of operation,
>Paul Schreiber wrote, "A passive mixer is used to mimic the loading
>effects of the 904A filter...".  Is the lower output level of the 490
>really a problem?  It's still much higher, I believe, than the output of
>a real 904A.  It works fine for me, as is.

As far as I can tell, it's the input level, not the ouput level.

The problem is best demonstrated by setting the filter for minimum
effect -- turning the resonance all the way down, and the frequency
all the way up -- it sounds like it cuts the input level by half.  As
one would expect, adding resonance further lowers the input signal.

It says in the manual that "the output of the MOTM-490 is about 6Vpp
with a single 10Vpp input".  I realize that it is designed so that
you can plug two VCO's into it without clipping, but with one VCO the
level seems too low.   And it seems unusably low if I plug another
synth or drum machine into it.  I don't have that problem with the
410, 440, etc.

I wonder how much those loading effects have an effect on the sound,
other than amplitude, as I don't see the difference between putting
an input op-amp in the module and connecting that input to the output
amp of some other module with a patch cord.  The path is still op-amp
buffer/passive voltage divider/coupling cap.

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Sorry for the long time between updates. Things have been quite frantic here 
the last few weeks (tax preparation, spring break, Easter, I had a minor car 
wreck, etc). However:

a) all VCO kit backlog (300/310) is packed up and will ship out this week.

b) I have begun the CAD work and parts buying for the MOTM-730 VC Pulse 
Divider

c) the new Atmel ARM uP for the MOTM-521 GC Expander has been tested and the 
code ported over (it was on a NXP 21xx ARM part). This week we will connect 
up the 'reverse' LCD panel selected by the poll and verify it looks OK.

d) I have the new paint for the panels all squared away and am in process of 
converting all the CAD drawings over. I still have "old paint" panels left, 
most modules ~20 panels left (except MOTM-300s, all the old paint panels are 
about to be shipped out).

e) Once all these VCOs ship out, I am going to spend 2 weeks concentrating 
on *assembled* backlog and getting prototypes ordered for the 520/521/730. 
There are 61 non-VCO kits left to ship, and it will take me until June 1st 
to ship all of them. But having ZERO kit backlog will be cause for Happy 
Party Time.

f) BTW: the '730 will use the Frac Rack knobs/pots due to mechanical 
constraints. I wanted to continue to use the NKK flatted toggle switches (no 
failures in over 5,000 shipped) so in order to squeeze everything in, going 
to Frac pots/knobs. I have not tried, but "die hards" *may* be able to fit a 
PKES60B1/4 knob on there.

g) I have 1 customer that has 4 '300 VCO kits on order, but I have not been 
able to contact him for several months. If I do not hear back from him in a 
few weeks, I will offer these 4 kits (with the old panels) for general sale. 
I do know the company he worked for was recently bought out, so he's 
probably not thinking too much about MOTM kits right now :)

Paul S.

a) The last 3 VCO kits are shipping tomorrow!

b) this leaves 62 kits to ship to make a zero kit backlog. These will start 
to ship the 3rd week of April. April 7-12 I will not be able to ship any 
MOTM stuff, and email will be limited. It will take around *5 weeks* to kit 
these and ship.

c) this coming week, I am working on the 520/521/730 prototype boards (in 
production form-factors) and the production sheet metal drawings. I am also 
releasing the MOTM-910 mult pcb to production build, so in ~ 3 weeks all 
MOTM-910 orders can be shipped (and I will have PLENTY in stock for 
immediate shipment).

d) From last week's response, I will make up 40ea of the 520/521, and 
probably 40ea of the '730 as well for the first batch of shipments. The '730 
may be ready several weeks before the other 2, it is a much simpler design. 
The '102 will be a Sept/Oct release. That will be 4 new modules released in 
6 months. Not to shabby.

Thanks to everyone that has stuck with me through all these radical changes, 
and to those waiting for their assembled modules to arrive. I have not 
forgotten about the frac VCO, either. There is just so much to do, and my 
time is limited. I did reach the 700th *completed* order shipped since March 
2006, so I am averaging 1 order a day, every day, shipped complete out the 
door.

Paul S.

Paul-
Do you have an estimate on when the 2.0 order backlog will be eliminated?

Thanks,
mrmike

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
> a) The last 3 VCO kits are shipping tomorrow!
> 
> b) this leaves 62 kits to ship to make a zero kit backlog. These
will start 
> to ship the 3rd week of April. April 7-12 I will not be able to ship
any 
> MOTM stuff, and email will be limited. It will take around *5 weeks*
to kit 
> these and ship.
> 
> c) this coming week, I am working on the 520/521/730 prototype
boards (in 
> production form-factors) and the production sheet metal drawings. I
am also 
> releasing the MOTM-910 mult pcb to production build, so in ~ 3 weeks
all 
> MOTM-910 orders can be shipped (and I will have PLENTY in stock for 
> immediate shipment).
> 
> d) From last week's response, I will make up 40ea of the 520/521, and 
> probably 40ea of the '730 as well for the first batch of shipments.
The '730 
> may be ready several weeks before the other 2, it is a much simpler
design. 
> The '102 will be a Sept/Oct release. That will be 4 new modules
released in 
> 6 months. Not to shabby.
> 
> Thanks to everyone that has stuck with me through all these radical
changes, 
> and to those waiting for their assembled modules to arrive. I have not 
> forgotten about the frac VCO, either. There is just so much to do,
and my 
> time is limited. I did reach the 700th *completed* order shipped
since March 
> 2006, so I am averaging 1 order a day, every day, shipped complete
out the 

> door.
> 
> Paul S.
>

Since I already had a bunch of TRS patchcords (for use with a
patchbay), I often use them with my MOTM.  This doesn't make any
difference as the ring is simply disconnected on each end.  Even
going from MOTM to a balanced input works fine.

Last night I noticed that the oscillator in my Encore Frequency
Shifter was drifting.  Often when a an oscillator drifts, it is due
to noise or some other problem with the power supply, but the Encore
FS using a digital oscillator with its own regulator.  I checked a
bunch of things, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong.  Then I
replaced the TRS cables going from its audio outputs to unbalanced
inputs, with TS cables and the problem went away.

a) I will have 4 of the 5 boards in the MOTM-730 VC Divider in later this 
week for testing. These are "prototypes but ready for production', meaning 
unless I screwed up I can use the design for production. The last board is 
the CPU board, it is a 4-layer board (hopefully not 6) and I will get these 
at the end of the month. The mechanical design of how all 5 boards stack 
up/interconnect was quite a pain. By the end of May the board set & front 
panel will be released for production, and around the 4th of July will be 
ready to ship. The cost will be $349.

b) due to extensive non-MOTM work requirements starting tomorrow, very 
little will be shipped this month. I will be able to ship what I can April 
22-26, I will try to catch up as much as possible. The month of May looks to 
be *much* better in this regard, and also May is set aside for the CG/CGX 
pcb layouts. The breadboarding has gone well for both of these, we are 
convinced there is no major issues so it's time to flip the switch.

c) I will get MOTM-300 panels with the new paint April 21st.

d) as time allows (again, not a whole lot in April) I will start kitting up 
the last 62 MOTM kits, starting with the 4xx VCFs. I need to pound on Newark 
for the rest of the log pots (they owe me 200) but I do have 300 of the 248J 
(metal shafts, plastic bushings).

e) also due in this Wednesday are the revised MOTM-910 mult pc boards (I 
messed up the jack holes the first time, they worked but not 'perfectly') 
and I expect them to be good enough for production. I have 5 coming in, I 
will build up the 5 and ship them out ASAP as there are back orders for 9 I 
last checked.

Paul S.

Do you have any more details on the MOTM-730 and it's functions? Perhaps a front panel 
shot or mock up? I'd love to post that on my blog if that's okay with you :-)


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

>
> a) I will have 4 of the 5 boards in the MOTM-730 VC Divider in later this 
> week for testing. These are "prototypes but ready for production', meaning 
> unless I screwed up I can use the design for production. The last board is 
> the CPU board, it is a 4-layer board (hopefully not 6) and I will get these 
> at the end of the month. The mechanical design of how all 5 boards stack 
> up/interconnect was quite a pain. By the end of May the board set & front 
> panel will be released for production, and around the 4th of July will be 
> ready to ship. The cost will be $349.
> 
> b) due to extensive non-MOTM work requirements starting tomorrow, very 
> little will be shipped this month. I will be able to ship what I can April 
> 22-26, I will try to catch up as much as possible. The month of May looks to 
> be *much* better in this regard, and also May is set aside for the CG/CGX 
> pcb layouts. The breadboarding has gone well for both of these, we are 
> convinced there is no major issues so it's time to flip the switch.
> 
> c) I will get MOTM-300 panels with the new paint April 21st.
> 
> d) as time allows (again, not a whole lot in April) I will start kitting up 
> the last 62 MOTM kits, starting with the 4xx VCFs. I need to pound on Newark 
> for the rest of the log pots (they owe me 200) but I do have 300 of the 248J 
> (metal shafts, plastic bushings).
> 
> e) also due in this Wednesday are the revised MOTM-910 mult pc boards (I 
> messed up the jack holes the first time, they worked but not 'perfectly') 
> and I expect them to be good enough for production. I have 5 coming in, I 
> will build up the 5 and ship them out ASAP as there are back orders for 9 I 
> last checked.
> 
> Paul S.
>

Survived getting the income tax prepared (I'm now a TurboTax convert). I 
still will be tied up until the first week of May
with 'day job' stuff, so MOTM work will be limited in this time. Spent today 
(when not screwing with the yard) working
on getting a few more '650s shipped (tracking down solder bridges, etc). 
Tomorrow and Monday I will work
on getting the MOTM 2.0 stuff out, I want that backlog to be *zero* by 
Friday so next week I can turn attention
to the remaining kits.

I plan to make another 60 '650s, after these are gone I will have to make a 
different jack & MIDI pc board unless I can
source the 1/4" right angle jacks (the original importer went belly-up, but 
I have ~700 left).

I did receive 30pcs of the new paint panels (for MOTM-300s). The 2 main 
differences are the glossiness (older paint more glossy)
and 'grain' of the texture (new paint has finer, more uniform overall 
grain). From a 1.5m distance, side-by-side they look the same to me :) 
Again,
nothing I can really do at this point except slog on through yet another 
sheet metal shop saga (I have enough stories to fill a book).

I am low on MOTM-19As but expect 30pr to arrive by Friday.

Analog Haven will be stocked up with MOTM Frac modules by mid-June.

Paul S.

Things will pick up dramatically in MOTM-land after this week. My business 
travel will be put on hold
for almost 3 weeks. I will be able to start shipping and working on kits and 
assembled modules. I'm sorry
things have dragged here in March/April but I knew this was coming and not 
much I can do about it.

On a positive note, I have all the parts placed on the MOTM-730 VC divider 
CPU board and now I can
load in the netlist and start routing away :) I am hoping I can keep it to 4 
layers but it is quite dense and will not
be surprised if it is 6-layer like the '650 turned out (it is difficult to 
get +-15V routed all over and still have
room for all the signals). On boards of this nature I hand-route all of the 
analog signals and auto-route all
the digital ones and the +5V power/ground connections. The auto-router is 
blazing fast, I expect that the
digital signals (about 100 of them) will route in < 1 minute.

Paul S.

I will finish up this weekend the parts inventory and having everything on 
order for the kits and assembled backlog. I will also receive MOTM-910 pc 
boards so I can finish up that backlog (and have over 25 ready for immediate 
shipment). I will also send off the wave-soldered MIDI-CV boards to the CEM 
and get those in process. I am behind with the SMT inventory/ordering 
because I was waiting for the VC Divider to get done (it's at pcb fab) and 
also CG/CGX final schematics (digital all done, need to finish up analog).

I am about to run a set of all the Frac modules through SMT and the MOTM-650 
CPU cards after that. So, I have A LOT of SMT parts to keep track of. I am 
taking most of next week off to do this very thing (SMT parts 
inventory/ordering). I want to have everything in place to have a smooth 
roll-out for the VC Divider. After I get the parts ordered, I will get the 
CAD drawings done for the front panel and send that off. It is 85% done 
already, just have to tweak a few holes and get the Corel artwork generated 
(that is a pain).

I have been very busy getting my daughter moved to the Houston area, that is 
now over with and I am looking forward to getting more involved with MOTM 
now (the last 8 weeks have not been pleasant on the home-front). The only 
thing I have to overcome immediately is jury duty on Friday (Memorial Day 
weekend? Are they nuts?). I have only been picked 1 time in the last 6 trips 
down there (this is #7) because 3 immediate family members are lawyers and 1 
other one is a cop :)

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

 I have only been picked 1 time in the last 6 trips 
> down there (this is #7) because 3 immediate family members are
lawyers and 1 
> other one is a cop :)

Way to stack the deck, Paul!  

I've only been called to jury duty once and got out of it by claiming
economic hardship - my wife was working on her PhD('93 or '94).  Maybe
they already know I'm a flake?  What are you people saying about me?

Chub - not paranoid, realistic...

I have counted up all the modules in the backlog (some of you got 
calls/emails over the weekend).

I have also finished the inventory of parts, and have placed orders for all 
of the long lead-time
parts (wire/panels/pc boards). These parts will take 3 weeks to arrive.

There are approx. 280 total modules to be shipped. The split is about 50-50 
kits versus assembled,
although ~30 assembled modules are patch panels or power supplies.

While the ordered parts are in transit, I will solder and kit all I can with 
the parts I currently have.
Since postage is sky-high (especially overseas) I will not 'split-ship' 
unless 1 or 2 modules are holding up
many more. I have ~10 MOTM 2.0 orders that need attention and these will 
ship by Saturday..

I will be working as hard and fast as I can over the summer to get all of 
these shipped out. I am taking
over 2 weeks of vacation time from my 'day job' in June/July just to work on 
MOTM (except a few
days in Vegas for fun, to see Blue Man Group live). So, please refrain for 
the pleading 'where is my stuff'
emails unless you have a sinking feeling I have forgotten you entirely. If 
you got an Order Number
back from the cart, it is my SQL database. Sometime, PayPal is screwy and I 
don't see the order 'return back' to me.

I make up the kits by type (ie all of the MOTM-410s I will kit the same 
time) and after I kit up 5 or 6 types,
I will scan through the backlog to see what I ship complete. It may be that 
I have to kit over 80% of the total
in order to make progress this way. So, I do not expect to start shipping 
the kits until late June. I plan to kit
in order: 410, 120, 820, 390, 420, 310 as the first run-through (about 45 
total kits). By the time I finish these, the
parts will all arrive for everything (panels tend to drag in last). For a 
few panels (like the '700) I have to retool these
(the current vendor has not yet made these) and these will not arrive until 
mid-July.

Lastly, by July 1 I should have the pre-production prototype of the '730 up 
and running and also have the
MOTM-1300 Frac VCO in testing.

Paul S.

Any update on rack rails? I'm due a pair that Suit and Tie Guy paid 
for (I sent him my set because he was in a hurry), and I need a 
second set -- but they don't really seem to be shipping, so I haven't 
ordered more. Is the metal shop scheduled to produce a run of rack rails?

John


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On 5/28/08, John Mahoney put forth:
>Any update on rack rails? I'm due a pair that Suit and Tie Guy paid
>for (I sent him my set because he was in a hurry), and I need a
>second set -- but they don't really seem to be shipping, so I haven't
>ordered more. Is the metal shop scheduled to produce a run of rack rails?

I have some NOS rack rails -- still wrapped in their packaging --
that I put up for sale.  Not wanting to undersell Synthesis
Technology on the same exact product, I put them up at the same
price.  No one bought them.  So if you are interested, please let me know.

Thanks :)

Something that just occurred to me last night: you can use standard  
rack rails for mounting MOTM modules. I don't mean vertically mounting  
modules using the MOTM-19A rails, but running rack rails horizontally.  
I knew that 1u MOTM = 1u rackspace but I thought the screw size was  
different or something. This makes it super-easy to build a cabinet,  
just buy some rack rails from Middle Atlantic or wherever.

Of course I figured this out when I'm 90% finished with my new cabinet  
with Bridechamber rails (which are not that expensive). But you always  
outgrow your first cabinet, right?

On May 28, 2008, at 7:27 AM, John Mahoney wrote:

> Any update on rack rails? I'm due a pair that Suit and Tie Guy paid
> for (I sent him my set because he was in a hurry), and I need a
> second set -- but they don't really seem to be shipping, so I haven't
> ordered more. Is the metal shop scheduled to produce a run of rack  
> rails?


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On 5/28/08, Jeff Laity put forth:
>Something that just occurred to me last night: you can use standard
>rack rails for mounting MOTM modules. I don't mean vertically
>mounting modules using the MOTM-19A rails, but running rack rails
>horizontally. I knew that 1u MOTM = 1u rackspace but I thought the
>screw size was different or something.

The screw size is different, but it might work if regular rack screws
still fit through the holes in the panels.

I tried standard MOTM mounting screws in a Middle Atlantic rack rail  
and they seemed to fit the thread.

On May 28, 2008, at 9:27 AM, Mark wrote:

> On 5/28/08, Jeff Laity put forth:
> >Something that just occurred to me last night: you can use standard
> >rack rails for mounting MOTM modules. I don't mean vertically
> >mounting modules using the MOTM-19A rails, but running rack rails
> >horizontally. I knew that 1u MOTM = 1u rackspace but I thought the
> >screw size was different or something.
>
> The screw size is different, but it might work if regular rack screws
> still fit through the holes in the panels.


NOTICE: This electronic mail message and its contents, including any attachments hereto (collectively, "this e-mail"), is hereby designated as "confidential and proprietary." This e-mail\ufffdmay be viewed and used only by the person to whom it has been sent and his/her employer\ufffdsolely for the express purpose for which it has been disclosed and only in\ufffdaccordance with any confidentiality or non-disclosure (or similar) agreement between TEAC Corporation or its affiliates and said employer, and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity. \ufffd
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\ufffd

On Wed, 28 May 2008, Jeff Laity wrote:

> I tried standard MOTM mounting screws in a Middle Atlantic rack rail and they 
> seemed to fit the thread.

Hmmm, they shouldn't.  One's a #8 and the other's a #10, or so
I thought....

--
Monty Brandenberg

I used standard rack rails running horizontally when I built my cabinet. 
  Standard rack screws will fit through the holes, but the large heads 
tend to obscure some of the panel graphics.  I just looked around for 
some of the same size (10-32?) with a small head.  Found some allen head 
ones that work nicely and are stainless steel so the little heads help 
as markers for module boundaries as well.  Due to the arc of the rail 
bend you end up with about 1/8" gap top and bottom but I think they work 
fine.

Pics are here (pre stainless screws, those are standard MOTM screws 
which are wiggly but bite enough to hold the modules down):

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/motm/files/portable%3F/

Dave

Mark wrote:

> 
> 
> On 5/28/08, Jeff Laity put forth:
>  >Something that just occurred to me last night: you can use standard
>  >rack rails for mounting MOTM modules. I don't mean vertically
>  >mounting modules using the MOTM-19A rails, but running rack rails
>  >horizontally. I knew that 1u MOTM = 1u rackspace but I thought the
>  >screw size was different or something.
> 
> The screw size is different, but it might work if regular rack screws
> still fit through the holes in the panels.
> 
>

On 5/28/08, mcb, inc. put forth:
>On Wed, 28 May 2008, Jeff Laity wrote:
>
>>  I tried standard MOTM mounting screws in a Middle Atlantic rack 
>>rail and they
>>  seemed to fit the thread.
>
>Hmmm, they shouldn't.  One's a #8 and the other's a #10, or so
>I thought....

Right.

a) By Friday, the Rev B MOTM-730 pc board should arrive, and towards the end 
of the month I will have the pre-production painted/screened sheet metal 
(just a couple of panels) to verify everything will stack up properly. I 
don't anticipate any issues, but you never know. If everything is OK, by the 
4th of July holiday (see below) I will "sign off" on the design and order 
production front panels and all the parts (I have the PICs and the 
displays/bezels already).

b) I am taking a MOTM break July 4 to July 12. Hey, Europe takes off most of 
August :)

c) I am almost 100% done with all existing MOTM 2.0 orders, I have like 4 
left and 3 of those are quite large. If you have an order less than #975 
that is a MOTM 2.0 order (not kits or modules, just parts) please email me 
and let me know (if your initials are KH I will email you about yours).

d) I will start shipping out the first batch of MOTM kits ~ July 17th. I 
won't be able to ship all of them until the end of August. I got all the pc 
boards in I ordered, I still have a lot of sheet metal due in and a few 
panels to order ('700s mostly). I will ping the vendor tomorrow for due 
dates. I still have a lot to do and this is still a hobby (nights & 
weekends) but things are looking better. I will have 9 consecutive days 
coming up when we are shut down for inventory/audits for the day job, I will 
be able to do MOTM most of that time. Some of that will be to get the 
prototype CGX pc boards & sheet metal on order. I also have not been able to 
get going on the '650 reordering, I need to do that AND get Analog Haven 40 
more Frac modules.

At least I'm not bored.

Paul S.

I received 2ea MOTM-730 VC Divider Rev B (added 3 pullups) CPU boards. The 
pre-production sheet metal panels are due to arrive Tuesday PM (5pcs, cost 
the same as 2pcs so.....). Hopefully I will have some pictures Wed PM of the 
'real' module and I'll get out my new USB-based logic analyzer and grab some 
screenshots. I have already soldered most of the parts on to the 2 boards. I 
can do the 1206 parts with ease, the 0603 parts are really a pain :(

Also shipped (by ground) are 300pcs of various front panels. This should 
keep me in panels for the next 6 months or so.

I am off the next 7 days from my 'real job' so I will be able to do a LOT of 
catching up. Here is what I plan to do:

a) ship *every* MOTM 2.0 outstanding order
b) finish making the '420, '190 and '800 kits
c) complete 12 assembled modules (I just finished making 8 MOTM-910s today)
d) build 20 Frac modules
e) get the CGX pc boards to prototype fab (actually, there are 4 different 
boards in the set)

I will be available to chat at 817 281 7776 if you want to call and check up 
on your order (no I don't mind).

I will be MOTM vacation July 7-11, no shipments, no work except I will check 
email.

Paul S.

Doing an 'early' update because of so much going on :)

a) I will have some MOTM-730 VC Divider demos posted up this evening. So 
far, everything looks good
HW/SW-wise for the production release. I guess I'll start ordering parts.

b) the first batch of kits will start shipping the 24th. I will ship what 
'makes sense' in terms of not
shipping 1 kit when you ordered 5. I received the second of 3 batches of 
front panels Friday and 1
have 1 batch of panels that need new drawings/artwork files which won't get 
sent to them until
the first week of August (700/380/890/940). These are panels they have not 
made to date and
so I have to generate new CAD data.

c) I will get more MOTM-510 parts/panels made up as there seems to be 
increased interest. I have
about 35 pc boards in stock.

d) I am going to order 50pr of MOTM-19A rails, but when these are sold there 
will be a price increase
to $45/pr because right now I only make $1.83 per *pair* "profit". The cost 
of these has risen 2.4X
over the last 11 years. So, better order them before the end of the year. 
You will need
something to hold all the new modules coming out :)

Paul S.

a) All parts for MOTM-650 next run and MOTM-730 first run are on order. All 
of the SMT components will arrive tomorrow, the pc boards in 2 weeks. I will 
order the MOTM-730 front panels tomorrow, they will take about 3 weeks. So, 
by Sept 1st. the pc boards should all be at the assembly house waiting their 
turn. By the 3rd week or so of September, both '650 and '730 will in supply 
for *immediate* shipment (like within 3 days). I have put the MOTM-650s in 
the cart already, I will put the '730s in the cart tomorrow with an 
advertised lead time of 6-8 weeks. I *will not* charge credit cards unless 
you *specifically ask me to*. Of course, PayPal goes through immediately and 
I will use that money to pay the $9,855 in bills sitting here for the parts 
(so far...ack!). I will ping the group when the cart is loaded and I will 
NOT advertise elsewhere until they are in stock. Of course, anyone can see 
them in there :)

b) I have finished 10ea MOTM-1490 Frac Moog VCFs and will finish & ship by 
Wednesday 10ea MOTM-1190 dual VCA off to Analog Haven. Next week I will ship 
10ea MOTM-1485 GX-1 VCFs and 20ea MOTM-1800 Looping EGs.

c) This Friday I will start shipping the following kits: 410, 420, 440, 190, 
820 and 830.

That's about it for now, back to soldering.

Paul S.

a) MOTM-1190 (Frac VCA) and MOTM-1490s (Frac Moog VCF) shipping to Analog 
Haven Monday. The other 2 (MOTM-1180 EG and MOTM-1485 GX-1 VCF) will ship to 
AH around the 19th.

b) I am taking the MOTM-650 CPU cards to the assembly house Tuesday. The 
MOTM-730 blank CPU panels are due to arrive Aug. 26th, then I will send 
those out for stuffing.
The '730 front panels get ordered tomorrow.

c) Batch #1 of the kits will ship out beginning Wednesday (finally!). I also 
have a few assembled modules going out as well.

I will have a LOT more time this month to devote to shipping stuff out than 
in July. I see no reason right now why all of the kits cannot be shipped by 
the end of the month. It always takes me long than anticipated to ship this 
stuff out, but once I have the Frac order out and the kits out, I will be 
"home free" and can start to 'pour it on', module-wise.

Paul S.

a) MOTM-650s are at SMT assembly house getting stuffed

b) MOTM-730: all parts/boards now in-house, will send to SMT assembly after 
the '650s are done
(plus they are moving to a larger location, so I expect this will be 1st 
week of Sept). Front panels
on order. Still looking good for Oct 15th ship date. They are in the cart, 
get yours on order today!
Operators standing by.

c) MOTM-1800 and MOTM-1485 Fracs will ship to AH on Sept 5th.

d) Will ship over 60 MOTM modules (kits + assembled) by Sept 8th. This is 
1/3 of existing backlog but it's a dent.
My 'day job' has had much travel this summer, nothing I can do about that. 
But with the
4-day holiday weekend coming up I have blocked that time for lots of MOTM 
activity, have hired
part-time help (for putting together '650s).

e) after I get the 60 modules shipped I will devote some time to CG/CGX 
production hardware. I can't
let the Livewire AFG get all the attention/fun :)

f) several folks have asked about additional Frac modules (like a '440). If 
you want to see such modules,
lobby Shawn at Analog Haven. He decides, not me.

g) there are several modules here for repair, I will attend to them this 
week as well. Please note that
dropping these face-down from 4ft onto a concrete floor will likely cause 
problems. Also, plugging in the
power cord backwards is a sure bet to blow stuff up.

Paul S.

a) kits have been shipping steadily every day this week. I am taking 2 days 
"off" to work on Frac modules, then will resume the kits on Wednesday. I am 
making up 820/830/490/390 kits this week. The 300/310/480 will follow in the 
middle of the month. This is a LOT of time-consuming work, but I am upbeat 
that these are FINALLY out the door.

b) I am out of MOTM-19A rails but expect a shipment of 50pr by Friday.

c) I am out of MOTM-940 panels, ordering more tomorrow. I still need to 
order 700/380/890 panels will do that ~ 10 days. These will be the last 3 
kits to ship out.

d) I'm also catching up on assembled modules, my part-time tech Shane is 
assisting me. Together we have to build 21 (!) MOTM-300s, 10 MOTM-440s 12 
MOTM-800s and a few more others here and there. It's going to take us into 
November to get all of these out. This is why I am delaying the 520/521 a 
bit, in order to gave the time available for backorder completion.

e) My SMT assembler is backed up with his #1 customer (military encrypted 
radios) and I don't expect to see the MOTM-650s CPU boards back to me until 
the 22nd. He is then moving to a larger building, this will take 1 week to 
set up the machines and get going again. So, the last week of Sept I will 
send over the MOTM-730 boards (I should have 60 front panels delivered by 
then as well).

If you have not got a 'happy email' yet about your kits, it won't be much 
longer.

Paul S.

Hurricane worries are over (except all my family down in Houston without 
power, may be 2 weeks until restored).

a) finished MOTM-820 and MOTM-830 kitting, will make up 1 more (MOTM-490s) 
then start shipping kits again.

b) also will ship 10ea MOTM-1800 Frac EGs to AH by Tuesday and 10ea 
MOTM-1485 VCFs by Friday.

c) I got in 50pr of MOTM-19A mounting rails, so there are a few orders I was 
holding up until they arrived that will ship this week.

d) still no MOTM-650s, waiting for assembler.

e) Supplier is shipping the front panels for the MOTM-730 VC Divider 
tomorrow, so all that I will lack there is (again) the SMT stuffer to run my 
boards. But that will be in early October after they move and set back up.

f) I am redesigning the MOTM-1300 Frac VCO this week and the plan it to have 
them in stock at AH in late October. I'm going through a bit of cost 
reduction/fewer manual operations to keep the final cost as low as possible.

g) I'm also going to order the remaining sheet metal now that all the 
current orders are shipped.

I'm busy as ever, by the end of this week another 40 or kits will be shipped 
out. Then I will start on the 4 'big ones': 300, 310, 480, 320s.

Paul S.

a) Analogue Haven has some MOTM-1800 Frac EGs in stock (will be getting more 
~ 15 days) and I will ship them some MOTM-1485s by Thursday.

b) I still have a lot of kits and some MOTM 2.0 orders left to ship. I will 
be able to ship quite a lot the next 4 days. Probably 30 kits or so.

c) I am due the assembled MOTM-650 pc boards on Thursday. So, I will be able 
to start shipping those Oct 1st. with the current V1.3 code. Still no word 
on a V1.4, Jeffrey is aware of what needs to be done.

d) Now that all previous sheet metal orders are in-house, I will be able to 
order the 'straggler' panels to finish off all the module orders, and to 
'bring back' all of the modules but the '510. If I decide to redo the '510, 
it's going to be DSP-based anyway because those ICs are $10 versus $54 for 
the current part.

e) leftover kits: there is a *chance* that when all the backlog is shipped, 
there will be a few kits left over. These are due to orders being cancelled, 
and I just went ahead and made them anyway :) If so, I will load them into 
the cart and send out a notice to the group.

My 'real job' will be quite busy in October, I am doing everything I can to 
ship orders the next 2 weeks.

Paul S.

a) the MOTM-650 MIDI-CV boards arrived today from the assembly house. I have 
not tested any yet, will do so over the weekend. If they are built right, 
then I will have all the MIDI-CV modules on backorder shipped this month. I 
think there are 12 on order. They will still be V1.3 of the firmware.

b) I have been travelling all week, so not much has shipped. I have ~ 12 
MOTM 2.0 orders to ship, and to finish up 10ea MOTM-1485s (they are 90% 
done). I am about out of CEM ICs so those orders will go away (sigh.....) 
and I will get back to kitting.

c) Shane the tech has built up 10ea MOTM-440 pc boards, next up the 2 of us 
have to build 22 (gulp!) MOTM-300 VCOs (10 are going to 1 customer).

So there is still much to do and to ship. I plan to have all the MOTM-730 
parts kitted up and sent off to assembly by the end of the month.

Paul S.

a) Happy to say the new MOTM-650 MIDI-CV boards check out OK (by 'new', this 
is the second SMT run of the board set). I will add the module to the cart. 
For those of you waiting for back order: I can ship this month. For those 
wanting to buy one, I can also ship this month :) They are pretty quick to 
build up, I can do 5 a day no problem and I need the $$$.

b) Sad to say, about out of CEM ICs. I am hoping that at some later date I 
can get more to sell. A few folks here are waiting for ICs, I do have them 
and will send them out ASAP. Much MOTM R&D funding was paid for via these IC 
sales. I hope to sell some MOTM-650/730s to fund more stuff.

c) Once I ship the '650 backlog, I will finish up the kits. I originally 
planned to have all the kits shipped by Oct 1st, now it's going to be more 
like Dec 1st.

d) I am currently out of MOTM-940 front panels, but will order more soon.

e) I will finish up 10ea MOTM-1485s (all that is left is final 
testing/pack/ship) this week and ship to Analogue Haven.

Paul S.

a) I'm still behind in kitting due to 'real job' time. I did finish up the 
MOTM-830 kits yesterday, tomorrow I start on the MOTM-490 and the MOTM-310 
kits. The first week of November I am going to start shipping kits out 
again. The '300 and '320 kits will be the last out, due to the large number 
of parts required (equals lots of time needed).

b) I am ordering more MOTM-940 panels tomorrow, so in ~ 3 weeks I will have 
more in stock.

c) I still need to order MOTM-700, '380 and '890 panels. I have to redraw 
all of these into AutoCAD. Should have all of these around the last week of 
November ready to ship.

d) Hopefully, some of you got the see the MOTM-730 'in action' with Robert 
Rich at the AH Cali meet Saturday. It is looking like the first week of 
December when I can ship these out.

I have not been able to spend as much time on MOTM in October as I hoped. 
Traditionally, Nov/Dec are slow months for me 'real job wise',  and I'm 
looking forward to getting that Cloud Generator + CGX out the door, too. And 
the Frac VCOs (1 analog, 1 digital) as well.

Paul S.

a) kits will start shipping out again this week. I want to finish up the 
MOTM-310 kits, I expect this to finish by Thursday. Monday & Tuesday I have 
some assembled modules to ship out, including a batch of '650s.

The week of Thanksgiving I will be starting the MOTM-300 VCO kits (I am 
making 21 of them) and after these, the MOTM-480s and '320s.

b) I expect to get new MOTM-940 panels in later this month as well.

c) Next weekend I will be gathering up MOTM-730 VC Divider parts for 
shipping to the SMT assembler. I was going to try this coming week, but 
travel for 'real job' used up all that time.

The good news is that is looks like I will have only 3 days of 'real job' 
travel between now and Christmas shutdown (my company shuts down the last 2 
weeks of December). Looking ahead, the last MOTM ship date of 2008 will be 
Monday Dec 22nd. I will then retreat to my usual 'video game mode' until 
Monday Jan 12th. I just bought this video card:

www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130400

but my current PC has to have a beefier supply. So, I am trying to weasel a 
new Intel MB + Quad Core CPU from my friend who is a local Intel FAE :) My 
current Dell 410 doesn't have PCIe 2.0 slots so this card is a waste really 
in the Dell. Looks like the playlist will be:

a) Fallout 3
b) Crysis: Awakening
c) Band of Brothers: Hell's Highway

So, if you have kits on order expect to see them next week in your mailbox.

Paul S.

a) I am able to ship Monday but will not be able to ship again until Friday. 
Monday the 22nd is my final ship day of the year. I will not ship again 
until the week of Jan. 5th. This does not mean I am not working on MOTM 
stuff, it just means I'm not going to be shipping.

b) I am sending the MOTM-730 VC Divider CPU cards to SMT assembly on Monday. 
I expect to have 100 boards stuffed by Jan. 8th. I will begin shipping 
orders the week of Jan. 19th. (assuming all is well).

c) I have MOTM-940 panels in stock, I will be working on the '940 backlog 
right after Christmas. I changed the hole sizes slightly in order to speed 
up the assembly process. I also have MOTM-380 Quad LFO panels on order and 
will place MOTM-700 panels on order the week of Jan 5th.

d) Shane the tech starts tomorrow on assembly of assembled MOTM-510s. I 
expect to ship all '510 orders the week of Jan. 12th. I am 1 week behind on 
getting him the parts.

e) I am out of MOTM-000 breadboards but 50 are due in the 22nd. I am also 
out of MOTM-960s but 75 more pc boards are due this Friday and I will send 
them to wave solder on Jan. 5th (they can do these pretty quickly). I have 
plenty of MOTM-990s, though.

As seems to happen every December, I 'run out of days' to allow me to ship 
as much as I want to. On the 22nd I will probably ship around 40 kits out, 
hopefully more. I cannot ship MOTM-300s as the pc boards all went to 
assembled units and the next order will not arrive until the 29th. But 
300/310s kits are my #1 priority after the Christmas "break".

Paul S.

a) nasty weather is blowing in tonight and is due to leave around Wednesday. 
So, I may be delayed getting stuff to the PO. The (in)famous Celine Dion 
concert is tomorrow (figures), might be a LONG day (since it's also the 
first day back for the day job).

b) I'm out of MOTM-960s but have parts to build 35 all boxed up to send over 
to wave solder tomorrow if weather (a) above holds off until lunch.

c) I expected MOTM-380 front panels to show up by now but the metal fab has 
gone 'radio silent' the last 2 weeks, so I guess they also shut down. Will 
try to get an update tomorrow.

d) I have the CAD drawing for the MOTM-700 panel ready so as soon as the 
'380s show up I will send those off. This is the last remaining panel that 
needs to convert over to the new paint/fab. Note that there are no plans 
currently to revive the MOTM-510 WaveWarper (past the ones on order) plus I 
*may* have 1 original kit left over from Paul Haneberg in Indiana (2006 
vintage) that I can find the bits to. I'll get to that in a few weeks. I 
also have no plans to revive the MOTM-850 Pedal Interface (since I sold like 
23 total in 4 years).

e) I am also going to decide this week if I'm going to change over (mostly, 
not entirely) to the new BI pots:

100K linear is part # P260P-D1BS3CB100K
50K log is part # P260P-D1BS3CA50K

what is also on interest is there is a 'vertical mount' lead-forming option 
that would make Frac/Euro modules have less depth (there is a 3.5" depth 
limit which is pretty shallow for complicated stuff). Now, several folks 
have asked me to be in the pot resale business :) I will only do this for 
large (over 50pcs at ONCE) shipments. Contact me *off list* is you are 
interested. The price will be around $3.60ea . I will *still* offer the 
Spectrol parts as long as I can:

a) get them
b) get them for <$6ea
c) get them in < 16 weeks which is the going time now

BI is quoting 6-8 week delivery, BTW. Also note that Rapid Electronics in 
the UK has these for $2ea + shipping which by the time you get them 
delivered is about $3.50ea.

My 2 weeks off did not translate to the MOTM activity I had planned for. I 
got sick, then the wife got it, then my 84yr old aunt died in Houston and I 
had to attend. Please give me 2 weeks before asking 'where is my stuff?'. I 
have quite a pile of things to do and to ship out + plus 'real work' is very 
busy in Jan. Don't worry, I'll get to it :) Quarterly taxes are due in 10 
days and I need to get stuff out the door so Uncle Sam can get it.

Paul S.

I've started my 'real work' travel schedule. I'm not going to have many 
"MOTM days" the rest of the month, maybe 7 out of the next 20. I'm running 
through the backlog, shipping a mixture of old and newer orders (the newer 
ones are usually ones that I can ship very quickly, like a blank pc board or 
a pair of rails). I am waiting for a quote for MOTM-510 rotary switches from 
my assembler to finish the existing MOTM-510 backlog, and (hopefully) have a 
few more left to sell (depends on the front panel situation).

The MOTM-380 panels ship this week from the supplier, so I will be able to 
finish that backlog up by the end of the month.

I'm over 'the crud' illness that dragged me down the last 3 weeks. Now, it's 
just finding time 'between the cracks' to ship orders. There are still over 
*100* orders in the backlog and I'll keep plugging along as usual :) Looks 
like 8 orders going out tomorrow at least.

I have not focused on kits since early December but 90% of the month of Feb. 
will be kit orders and shipping the '730 (I expect the CPU cards to also 
ship to me later this week).

Paul S.

My travels are on a 10 day break for my real job. I will be able to get back 
to shipping this week (Monday is a US holiday, no post office).

The MOTM-730 CPU boards: should get these from assembly by the end of the 
week, I plan to ship *all* the ones on order by Feb. 10th. They are in the 
cart :)

I ordered a lifetime supply of Frac pots, so look for more Frac modules in 
2009. I am ordering the new BI pots this week for Euro modules with eventual 
cut-in to all MOTM modules going forward.

The MOTM-380 panels are 10 days late due to really nasty weather in 
Washington state. I will call the supplier Tuesday and get an update, they 
ought to be here by Friday.

Shane the tech is working on MOTM-190 assembled boards and then after that, 
MOTM-320s. I am building VCOs and MOTM-800s. I am still focusing this month 
on assembled backlog, shifting next month to MOTM-730s and finishing the 
kits. I also want to get the E340 SuperSaw VCO to prototype by the end of 
Feb.

I 'ran the numbers' for the sales for 2008. The total sales were flat from 
2007, which I was surprised (thinking 2008 would be less). This is based on 
"bookings" and not "shipments". If I can stay flat for 2009 I'd be more than 
happy :) I expect money to be tight this year, hopefully I can introduce a 
good product mix that will make up the loss of CEM IC sales (that was about 
$13,000 last year) so I can keep on plugging along. I haven't run the actual 
*profit* number yet, I'd just rather wait until April to find out I'm at 
$4/hr.

Paul S.

> I haven't run the actual 
> *profit* number yet, I'd just rather wait until April to find out I'm at 
> $4/hr.
>
> Paul S.

:) I know that feeling all too well. Thanks always for you hard work. I hope to add to your 2009 sales. Let's just hope I can keep my job.

Erik

this being my case, was assuming I was not alone...

from a marketing standpoint, I guess motu soundcards will really benefit from that promess.

I am personnaly already thinking of adding some audio I/O... and more CV control btw

(am I a marketing victim ?)


--- On Wed, 1/21/09, Miguel Mendoza <miguel@...> wrote:

From: Miguel Mendoza <miguel@filminteractive.es>
Subject: Re: [motm] MOTU's Volta  : midi to CV virtual instrument
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 5:10 PM










    
            


It seems interesting but only if you are using Mac 
and an audio interface with DC coupled outputs, not very common, excepting Motu 
audio interfaces.. .
 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: 
  ROV PILOT 
  
  To: motm@yahoogroups. com 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 8:42 
  PM
  Subject: [motm] MOTU's Volta : midi to CV 
  virtual instrument
  

  
  
  
    
    
      Dear all,
Anyone has heard about MOTU's midi to CV 
        virtual instrument ?

http://www.kvraudio .com/get/ 3631.html

This 
        seems to be quite convenient.. .
Kind 
regards,

a) It's OK to have for sale items in MOTM format. Just not other stuff 
(unless it's me, and it's good to be the king).

b) I had to start the pc board layout of the E340 VCO over due to not being 
able to fit all parts on 1 board (splitting into 2 boards). But should be 
able to get another type of VCO from the design with different firmware and 
a small add-on board. Will see how it goes with more testing.

c) Still working on assembled module backlog but switching back to kits ~ 10 
days and getting all of these out the door by the end of the month.

Paul S.

This is an early update due to Super Bowl tomorrow (it's about the only NFL 
game we watch as a family. Snacks are a big factor).

a) This coming week is the last time for a while that I will work on 
assembled modules, instead switching over to the last of the kits.
Now that I have MOTM-380 Quad LFO pc boards/panels in stock, I can finish up 
all the kit backlog *except* a few MOTM-700s.
I need to get that panel (the very last remaining to switch over to the new 
paint/current machine shop) sent out and on order.

b) The last 10 days I got flooded with 2.0 orders (like 22 of them!) and 
about 1/2 of these will ship Monday. I worked on these
all day today. I did work on 3 assembled MOTM-480s as a diversion :)

c) Due to 'real work' travel I told the SMT assembly house to delay 1 week 
for delivery of the MOTM-730 boards. It is looking
like the 5th is when they ship to me. I am excited about shipping out 
something new, which I have not done in 2 years.

d) I have adjusted the shopping cart to lower shipping costs about 10% 
across the board. Note that the postal service *increased*
rates like 3% a few weeks ago but I adjusted some weights so the overall 
effect should be a reduction *mainly* in overseas costs.

If my travel schedule stays 'light' this month (weather is a big factor, as 
most of my accounts are in the Great Lakes area) I expect
to ship over 75 modules and reduce the backlog over 50% by March 1st. I also 
will reserve time to get the Euro/Frac SuperSaw
VCO to prototype phase. I need to select that new logo sometime and get the 
artwork ready.

Paul S.

Back from 'break' (ha!) and continuing to focus on the assembled backlog. 
The upcoming month of April will have limited shipping dates due to a busy 
'real work' schedule. I am stocking up on stuffed pc boards the whole month 
of April. By the 3rd week, I should have over 75 stuffed pc boards in stock, 
across every module. I can then start shipping the assembled backlog so that 
orders are shipped complete. The MOTM-700 will be the last to go out due to 
panels (starting the quote process this week).  I can't, with any sort of 
accuracy, specify when a specific order will ship. I average 3 orders a day, 
every day Mon-Fri which is as fast as I can go. The 300s/320s/480s/440s are 
very labor intensive (for those of you that have these, imagine building 37 
which is what we have to). Please hold off until April 17th to inquire where 
you are in the queue.

Be sure to get your copies of both Electronic Musician and Sound-on-Sound 
for April, lots of MOTM content.

Paul S.

Have been travelling this past week since Tuesday.

a) the new BTI pots for my Euro rack E340 SSAW VCO arrived. They look very 
nice! I can now finish up the pc board layout/front panel design and get 
that module moved into prototype/production. The delivery time was 10 weeks 
which was not bad considering Bourns is 16 weeks.

b) I am ordering a batch of parts to finish up all the VCO kits. The 
schedule is to ship assembled backlog until mid-May, then switch over to 
shipping all the kit backlog. Since Jan 1st, I have reduced the number of 
orders in the backlog by 58. I still have ~ 85 orders left to go. Probably 
50 of these are strictly kit orders, so once I have all the kits ready they 
will ship in 1 week. I will then have a reasonable backlog so after 3 years 
or so I can have R&D time in large blocks. Looking at the cart, I've shipped 
1069 orders since June 2006 with another 32 partially shipped orders.

c) I am ordering parts for the next 'DIY' module, the Yamaha Bandpass VCF. 
The pots are Bourns but 100K linear and 10K linear. These will be in the 
Extra Parts Kit with a few other things. It's a easy-to-build module (about 
like a '420) in 1U width. I am setting aside time the last week of May to 
lay the board out. It's already prototyped so the design is checked out. 
More info later as I get it going.

I know things have gotten a bit "draggy" this spring due to real job travel. 
But by June 1 I still think that the vast majority of orders will be shipped 
out.

d) So far only 2 folks have entered the '730 contest. I'll declare the 
winners (coin flip?) on Monday so if anyone wants to go at it this 
weekend...........

Paul S.

>From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Schreiber
>c) I am ordering parts for the next 'DIY' module, the Yamaha Bandpass VCF.

I thought it was going to be an Oberheim SEM type filter, not a Yamaha. A
typo, something changed and I missed it or I'm just corn-fused?

John L Rice

Did I miss the announcement? ;-)

John L Rice 

PS - Happy Easter

-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Schreiber
Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 8:40 AM
To: MOTM List
Subject: [motm] Update

d) So far only 2 folks have entered the '730 contest. I'll declare the 
winners (coin flip?) on Monday so if anyone wants to go at it this 
weekend...........

Paul S.

I will have very limited email/shipping time between tomorrow and May 3rd. 
Don't panic if you send an email and don't get a reply quickly. I haven't 
even thought about the '730 contest (of 2 entries....sigh......) but will 
announce next weekend so there is time for 1 more person. Please? There are 
35 of these out there.

I have been able to ship quite a bit this past week (+ tomorrow), the 
backlog is the lowest point since June 2006. By mid-May it will be the 
lowest in 10 years. Everyone hang tight, Shane just picked up MOTM-320 
boards to start on with '410s to follow.

Paul S.

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
>  I haven't 
> even thought about the '730 contest (of 2 entries....sigh......) but will 
> announce next weekend so there is time for 1 more person. Please? There are 
> 35 of these out there.
> 
> Paul S.

Hey, so can we get a resolution on this thing?  

Waiting for more entries seems like a lose/lose proposition at this point - even if one does come in and bumps one of the existing entries, it'll look like it's because they had almost 2 months of extra time to work on it.

Thanks.
JN

Yes! I whole heartedly and for obvious reasons agree! ;-)

John L Rice

-----Original Message-----
From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
jneilnyc
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 11:06 AM
To: motm@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [motm] Re: Update

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:
>
>  I haven't 
> even thought about the '730 contest (of 2 entries....sigh......) but will 
> announce next weekend so there is time for 1 more person. Please? There
are 
> 35 of these out there.
> 
> Paul S.

Hey, so can we get a resolution on this thing?  

Waiting for more entries seems like a lose/lose proposition at this point -
even if one does come in and bumps one of the existing entries, it'll look
like it's because they had almost 2 months of extra time to work on it.

Thanks.
JN



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

a) after 100s of hours of listening (OK...each piece several times) decided 
it was a 'photo finish'. No filly to win this time, but a John vs John tie. 
Both entries featured clever use of both the MOTM-730 and the MOTM-700 
'dynamically patch' which is what the module was originally designed to do. 
Another variant is show by Robert Rich's video on the NEWS page of the site. 
So, congrats and maybe I'll have another contest this fall.

b) I am still shipping assembled modules as the primary focus. I have some 
MOTM 2.0 large orders (W&B and Kerry H.among others) shipping this week. I 
am starting to kit up again, I want to have all the kits out by 4th of July 
break. Also shipping Josh H.'s '650, Sam W.'s 4 assembled modules from when 
dinosaurs roamed the Earth and David K.'s borrowed Harvestman module and the 
'730 [the '320s will soon follow]). I had to get power supplies in from 
Allied and then 3M heat shrink went on back order. But I have both 900 & 950 
kit/assembled orders going out this week.

c) As I cut over to the newer BTI pots, I will also use them for the blue 
Bourns pots (so all the shafts are equal length) using the infamous 'Pot 
Chicklet' pc boards. The Spectrol pots have entered the Land of Silly 
Pricing. I did raise the knob prices slightly to reflect Tyco 
rape-and-pillage "let's jack up the price every May 1st because, well....we 
can!" policy. Still trying to understand how a knob, that was originally 
designed in 1968 and in 1998 cost 68 cents is now over $2ea. And to think 
back then I was saying things like "I'll pick this over the Moog Cosmo 
Plastics or Davies knobs because IT'S CHEAPER!"

d) I did the 2008 'corporate books' today. That new Ferrari will have to 
wait :(  Still for now the beat-up Nissan XTerra with the broken tail-light 
and intermittent gas gauge. Just to throw out some numbers: spent ~$5300 on 
postage and ~$65,000 on parts. The prior year I only spent $39,000 on parts. 
A lot of this is increases in wire, sheet metal and '730 tooling. The 
adjusted sales (after payments out, including royalties) was within $2,000 
of last year. So, a 'flat' revenue but a lot more expenses. I shipped fewer 
modules in 2008 and also had revenue impacted by loss of CEM chip sales 
(over the last 10 years, I sold a LOT of them.....sigh......).

So, it's up to me to ship out the backlog and introduce new modules to 
generate revenue. There is not much I can do about the price of parts, in 
fact I just bought $800 of knobs and tomorrow will spend $900 on jacks and 
resistors.

OK, back to the bench. I will ship many orders out the next 3 weeks. Shane 
is soldering '420s now and will start on '410s on Friday.

Paul S.

My 'travel-free' month of May is over. I was able to ship many assembled 
modules from the backlog. I will be able to ship a few orders 
Monday/Tuesday. Then, I will not be able to ship until the week of the 15th 
(there is a small chance I can get a few orders shipped on June 8th). The 
next 'stretch' I will be able to ship will be June 29-July17th. After the 
4th of July holiday, I will put assembled modules aside ~ 2 weeks and finish 
the kit backlog. The '700 kits may or may not be ready, that is a sheet 
metal issue. I think I will be able to have '380 panels then.

I will try this week to find any remaining Spectrol pots for a reasonable 
price, but chances are the replacement BTI pots will start shipping in late 
July. If this is true for the last remaining kits (mostly '300s and '480s) 
then I will ship the 'pot chiclets' in place of the blue Bourns pots (the 
'800 EG is not affected by this). I may have some of the pots left over and 
offered for sale later on (cheap).

I have shipped 96 assembled modules this year, including 32 last month 
alone. So I'm soldering as fast as possible :)

Paul S.

I will be shipping every day this week (Mon-Fri) but after that, no again 
until Tuesday the 30th. (Eanna, please contact me off-list about your 
order). Still on schedule to finish up 90% of all kit orders by July 15th. I 
will be emailing/calling for order clarification/shipping addresses/expired 
cards as needed. Looking forward into getting back into "design mode" later 
in July. I have good, solid leads on new sheet metal vendors to replace my 
(5th....sigh) current supplier, that is getting slower and slower to 
deliver. In this 'down' economy there are many "hungry" sheet metal shops 
out there and I plan to take advantage of it. They aren't necessarily 
*cheaper* but they are *faster* to deliver and not 1/2 way across the 
country.

Shane the tech is finishing up a batch of '440 pc boards this week and next 
up will be '410s. He is running a week behind due to kids now out of school 
reducing bandwidth. I expect both '440s and '410s will be done by July 1st. 
The last set will be the remaining '300 boards, somewhere around 12 are 
needed.

I did make up all the power supply kits so they are ready to ship out.

Thanks to everyone that has waited (and waited and waited....) for their 
modules, most everyone will have their orders by Aug 1st and then we all can 
"start over" with the newer stuff that can ship in a reasonable timeframe.

Paul S.

a) I will try to sort out the reversed cables tomorrow and will give an 
update whenever I hear something. I have ~ 10 assembled modules to ship 
Mon/Tues that I will 'borrow' correct power cables from kits previously made 
up. But then I will stop doing that so I'll have kits to ship out this week 
as well. Hopefully the new company can get me corrected cables by the end of 
the week.

b) MOTM-190 panels arrived, MOTM-650 panels due July 20th.

c) I am out of the special bi-color LED used in the MOTM-320 and will look 
for a replacement. Some kits will require soldering wires to the LED (the 
older LED has red/black wires pre-soldered). I will have to call Lumex as it 
looks from their website this particular LED/lens assembly is no longer 
offered.

d) I'm still going to finish all of the kits up this week (even if I have to 
wait for power cables) then go back to assembled modules. The assembled 
backlog is still large and it will be many weeks until it gets to the < 20 
level. Shane & I will be soldering for ~ 3 straight weeks this month and 
that will probably be a 30% overall reduction. So, it will be into August to 
get the backlog level substantially reduced.

e) remember: if you want an order shipped "with a tracking number", you need 
to:

1) use EMS Express (both US and Foreign)
2) for *US ONLY* you can specify Fed-Ex Ground in the COMMENT field of the 
order page, the cost is the *same* as Priority Mail. For people receiving 
large/heavy/expensive shipments, I usually ship Fed-Ex Ground anyway.

Paul S.

a) couple of shipping scheduling issues: Shane the Tech is in the process of 
selling his current house/buying another and will not be able to assist me 
for ~ 4 weeks. So, assembled module output will be slow (you mean it can 
actually *get* slower??!?) until the end of August.

Also: I will not be able to ship any MOTM stuff from July 27-31.

b) on a positive note: MOTM-650 panels due the end of this week. I expect 
MOTM-700 panels ~ 10 days. The PWR-20 cables are here, now I need to get a 
few more wire items on order (hopefully by tomorrow) so by August 1st I will 
have everything in stock to start shipping kits.

c) I'm going to order MOTM-19A rails from a new supplier this week, let's 
hope they are OK.

d) I'm going to be short MOTM-900 supplies for ~ 10 days as I get more 
connector boards made up. MOTM-950s not an issue.

e) in ~ 3 weeks I will be selling off my Spectrol 248J log pots CHEAP. I 
have a few 100 :)

I'm going to be working very hard this week to try to make up for the 
following week.

Paul S.

I will be back to 'regular' shipping schedule for the next several weeks. 
The MOTM-650 panels have arrived, and I will be building several units the 
next few days. Shane the tech has freed up time the next 2 weeks, so he will 
work on '410s, '830s and '300s. Around Aug 17th all the parts on order to 
complete the kits and assembled backlog should arrive. In the meantime we 
will build and ship what we can based on what is now in stock. The gating 
factors will be the second BTI pot order & the large front panel order. Wire 
from the latest vendor will be here on the 10th. I am low on the connector 
boards for MOTM-900s but have parts in stock to build 30 more and those get 
mailed Monday to the wave solder house.

On the Euro front E340 panels are released Monday for production, I have 
started to order parts (mostly metric hardware and mechanical stuff).

I still have ~ 95 assembled modules in the backlog (Ivan S. please check 
your VM!) so there is still much work to be done but certainly down from the 
~177 I had on June 1. I expect the assembled backlog will be ~ 50 by Sept. 
1st, which is a level I have not seen since May of  2003. The kit backlog is 
~ 87 total. When all the wire finally gets here, I will start finishing 
those up (I have around 50 of them either 100% done or missing the wire 
only).

I am aware many people in Europe are on holiday in August. If you have a 
pending order and will be gone, PLEASE email me. Before I ship to most 
everybody  in August, expect a email/phone call from me asking if someone 
will be there to get the package.

Paul S.

a) Shipping MOTM-650s this week, if you have a '650 on order you should get 
it shortly.

b) MOTM-410s are at the tech, next up '830s followed by '300s.

c) wire is due on Friday. This will allow kit shipping at the end of the 
month.

d) I will be able to ship most every day in August, so the backlog will be 
greatly reduced by Sept 1st. I have a large front panel order coming later 
in the month that will re-stock every module so no shortages there. I am 
going to try a new MOTM-19A vendor from Florida, hopefully they will work 
out.

e) Remember MOTM-730 VC Dividers have very quick shipping, usually 1 week.

Paul S.

I've got some panels and brackets I'm not using, all official MOTM  
parts with no significant wear or rack rash. Priced to sell, buyer  
will have to pay shipping and any customs charges. Prices shown are  
for the parts only.  I can post pictures if there's a need to see them.

2	MOTM-120 panel			$15 each
4	MOTM-320 panel			$15 each
6	BR-1 Large Bracket		$3 each

Email me off list if you're interested in any of these. Preference  
will be given to someone who buys the whole lot. Thanks.

I received all of the MOTM front panels Friday except the 700s, and those 
should be here this week. I can now start looking at the kits to finally 
ship. I need to inventory blank pc boards tomorrow and order any that are 
getting a bit low. I have spent most of the last 5 days on the E340 Euro 
mini-Cloud Generator pc board layout. Starting tomorrow, I will ping-pong 
back and forth spending 50% of my time finishing up the layout to send for 
prototypes, and working on both kits and assembled modules. My "day job" 
travel kicks in next month, so I will really strive the next 2 weeks to ship 
as much as I can. I expect to have the first E340 board done Thursday and 
the 2nd one on Monday the 24th. I plan to use Euro rack sales to replace CEM 
sales, in order to continue MOTM R&D. Don't panic: I'm *not* "leaving" my 
own format :)

Shane is working on MOTM-410 pc boards, as soon as he finishes those he gets 
MOTM-300s. I am working on things like more MOTM-730s, I finished up 5 
MOTM-650s and those will ship this week. I have shipped ~ 50% of the 
assembled backlog so I'm make steady (if not slow) progress. In fact I wore 
out my diagonal cutters, got a new pair arriving tomorrow (this is pair #4 
in 12 years, but I figure each pair cuts about 100,000 leads).

Paul S.

a) Shane the tech dropped off MOTM-410 assembled pc boards. I will start 
finishing them up starting Saturday. He is starting on MOTM-300 VCO boards 
tomorrow.

b) I am running 8 days behind schedule due to many factors, including school 
starts tomorrow (buy supplies, new shoes, the whole drill) and getting 
fitted for 2 pair of hi-tech glasses (one pair cost $944) so I can correct 
some nagging vision issues. Many orders will ship out this week that should 
have shipped last week. I have 3 repairs that I need to work on this week as 
well.

c) all the front panels have arrived! Including "old school", Polane-painted 
MOTM-700 panels. I'm going to work on assembled modules all this week, but 
starting the following week will spend more time on the kits. I need these 
things out of the way, for one :) I need to start preparing for E340 & E350 
module shipping to Analog Haven in early October and I need the floor space. 
The E340 mini-Cloud front panels are due to arrive here Thursday.

d) speaking of E340/350: I have finished 2 of the 3 pc boards in the set and 
have sent off for prototype boards. I'm starting on the DSP board layout 
tomorrow, will send ~ 1 hour/day on it until it's finished. Revenue form 
these 2 modules will enable both the MOTM-520/521 and the MOTM-600 to be 
funded to go into production later on. The '600 will be a limited run of 
around 55 modules. I hope to sell that may MOTM-520/521s as well.

e) Shipping MOTM module #8400 tomorrow (not counting Frac stuff). I have 
shipped 200 modules in 2009, all but ~ 12 of these assembled by me/Shane. So 
I'm averaging 1 module a day, every day for 8 full months going out the 
door. That's a lot of soldering :) Maybe that's why I need the fancy 
specs........

Paul S.

I was able to ship some orders last week, but had to spend time on other 
things. I will ship some orders this Tuesday, and then again the following 
Tuesday (the 7th). The MOTM-410 cards are here from Shane, he is building 
2/3rd of the remaining MOTM-300 pc boards on order. That is a tedious, 
time-consuming board, I expect to get them next weekend.

The next modules up for assembly are the MOTM-830 Mixers and the MOTM-940 
patch panels.

Please note shipping in September from the 14th to the end of the month will 
be sporadic due to non-MOTM workload filling the pipeline. I also will be 
getting the E340 ready for shipment to dealers late Sept/early October. But 
before that happens, I plan to ship ~ 30 assembled modules out and most of 
the kits.

Thanks to everyone for waiting on me, I'm happy to be busy (the alternative 
is not so great) and continue to work on MOTM orders every spare chance I 
get (I did sneak out and watched both 'District 9' and "Inglorious 
Basterds', liked them both).

Paul S.

a) Monday is a national holiday in the US, so no shipping until Tuesday.

b) There will be much MOTM activity the next 2 weeks. Kits will begin to 
ship on Thursday the 17th. It will probably take me 2 full weeks to ship 
every last one of them. **IMPORTANT NOTE** I will be modifying the 
instructions to cover the new BTI pots. Some kits will be as before, but 
some will have *only* BTI pots in them (no Spectrol, no Bourns). Where the 
blue Bourns pots once were, will be a BTI pot on a little pc board. You 
solder the pot on one end, and the 3 wires to the other.

The BTI pots have shafts that are 0.197 shorter, but the knobs will still be 
above the nuts. The 'feel' of these pots is very smooth, I personally think 
they are an improvement.

In October, any surplus Spectrol and Bourns pots will be offered up for sale 
REALLY CHEAP.

c) I am low on MOTM-19A rails, I will order more this week. I've been 
putting this off due to cash flow, but I can't wait much longer. I'm going 
to try a new vendor.

d) Info on the Euro modules (E340 and E350) is posted at www.muffwiggler.com 
EuroRack forum

e) I will be able to ship assembled '410s and '300s the next 2 weeks, and 
most likely MOTM-830s by the 20th. If you have a MOTM-480 on order, those 
are about 5-6 weeks away.

f) every MOTM 2.0 order in backlog will ship this week. I'm also going to 
ship all pending repairs this week.

Paul S.

a) Spent more time than expected getting the 2 Euro cards for the E340/E350 
off to fab. But it's all done, expect to get them ~24th. Will have more demo 
files the first week of October. Look for them in early November at AH and 
Schneider's. 5U MOTM versions to follow ('520/'521 pc board layout begins 
Thanksgiving holiday week).

b) '830 mixers are with Shane, expect to get those back this week and then 
he starts some more '320s. I start tomorrow on assembled orders + kits. 
Wanted to ship kits this week, will have to delay until following week. Need 
to ship more assembled backlog this week, but will also work on the kits 
between modules.

c) I verified that the MOTM-19A mounting rails, in order to be compliant 
with European M6 captive nuts, needs to have the end "slots" widened to 
0.250 (currently they are 0.200). I will modify the drawing and get new 
quotes this week and then order them.

d) MOTM shipping from Sept 21 to Oct 1 will be very limited.

Paul S.

"'520/'521 pc board layout begins..."

now that will truly be something to give thanks for. Been waiting for ages! Now if only you'll make the panel for the O G and Expander match like a set or be available in one big panel my complaint-o-meter about this long awaited module will be at zero. Any chance of that happening?

Thomas

Paul Schreiber wrote: 

>    
>                   a) Spent more time than expected getting the 2 Euro cards for the E340/E350 
> off to fab. But it's all done, expect to get them ~24th. Will have more demo 
> files the first week of October. Look for them in early November at AH and 
> Schneider's. 5U MOTM versions to follow ('520/'521 pc board layout begins 
> Thanksgiving holiday week). 
> b) '830 mixers are with Shane, expect to get those back this week and then 
> he starts some more '320s. I start tomorrow on assembled orders + kits. 
> Wanted to ship kits this week, will have to delay until following week. Need 
> to ship more assembled backlog this week, but will also work on the kits 
> between modules. 
> c) I verified that the MOTM-19A mounting rails, in order to be compliant 
> with European M6 captive nuts, needs to have the end "slots" widened to 
> 0.250 (currently they are 0.200). I will modify the drawing and get new 
> quotes this week and then order them. 
> d) MOTM shipping from Sept 21 to Oct 1 will be very limited. 
> Paul S. 
>

make the panel for the O G and Expander match like a set

I'm not sure what you mean by this.

 or be available in one big panel 

No, it's 2 modules. You are not required to buy a '521 with every '520.

Paul S.

a) I will be attending the AH California meeting in Mountain View Sat. Nov 
14th. Info is here:

http://fdiskc.com/ahcali/

Drop in and say hi to myself and Robert Rich, we will have a small MOTM 
system and the E340 and E350 Euro VCOs on display. If I can get it running 
(it's in pieces) I may bring the MOTM-520 Cloud breadboard.

b) I will be in all week and will be shipping a LOT of assembled modules 
this week. I will also be able to ship the week of the 19th unless I get 
scheduled this week.

Paul S.

a) tomorrow is US Postal holiday, so some packages will be mailed on 
Tuesday.

b) After Tuesday, next mailing day will be Saturday.

c) Shane the tech is starting tomorrow on MOTM-480s, but they are 
time-consuming (and he is building 10 pc boards up). I should get them back 
the week of the 19th.

d) the week of the 19th will be my last chance to ship until mid-November. I 
have business travel and must prepare the Euro modules to hand off to 
production assembly. By Oct. 23rd I expect to have <20 unfilled MOTM orders 
for assembled modules. This time last year I had over 160 orders unfilled. 
Thanks to everyone who has decided to "stick it out" to the end of the year.

e) I am taking vacation days in Nov to work on Euro and kits. These kits 
have sat here long enough in various state of completion. Now that I have 
all the panels I need it's time to wrap them up. I will have to edit some 
kit documentation to reflect using the new pots. I have shipped ~ 20 modules 
with the new pots. BTW: I have these pots for sale under Accessories on the 
site.

f) note that my Christmas break this year will be from Dec. 18 to Jan 18th. 
To n00bies, what I mean by 'break' is:

1 - I ship *very little* during this time
2 - I work *very hard* on new R&D designs for the upcoming year
3 - I am here in the office you can email or still call anytime

Paul S.

I have TWO of these rare modules in MOTM format for sale. I haven't  
used them much in the past few years and would rather use the space  
for something else. Both are in excellent condition with no  
significant rack rash. Includes original documentation, power cable,  
Stooge panel, and all the mods listed here:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/mods/bdsc/bdsc.html
http://www.hotrodmotm.com/ds_mods.htm

Note the bit about having to momentarily insert a jack into the GATE  
jack on power up; it applies to both of the ones I am selling.

Some pics:

http://www.tellun.com/dsc_front.jpg
http://www.tellun.com/dsc_back.jpg

Asking $300 USD for each one, USPS/Canada Post shipping included.  
Paypal only. Items will be shipped from Canada, if that matters to you  
for customs purposes.

Email me privately (off list) if interested. Thanks.

a) I am in the office here for the next 7 days (at least) so I will be able 
to ship orders this week.

b) I will *not* be able to ship the first week of Nov., I have webinars (I 
hate that word...ugh...), a twice-a-year thing for the day job. At least I 
still *have* a day job ( 30 people were laid off on Friday which is ~ 7% of 
workforce).

c) this week I am shipping a lot of '410s and some '300s. It does appear 
that by Saturday I will be at 20 assembled orders left in the backlog (not 
modules, orders).

d) I am going to also spend significant time this week on getting the 2 Euro 
modules into final PCB CAD.

e) I am also thinking that over Christmas break, I could easily make a 5U, 
2U wide version of the E350 Morphing Terrarium (demos at 
www.synthtech.com/demo/e350) fairly quickly. I would have a few more toggle 
switches on the panel to select different modes (in the Euro version, these 
are jumper selections).

This would be a $399 assembled module.

I would consider doing it if I get 25 modules "pre-sold", so drop me a line 
off-list if you are interested. There is a lot of info about it at 
www.muffwiggler.com forums in the Euro section (just search for E350) or 
start here:

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8497&highlight=e350

We are still fiddling with the waveforms in banks B & C: 'B' has a lot of 
PPG-style "digital-sounding" waveforms and more vocal formants, while 'C' is 
aimed at LFO signals (the E350 can go down to 1 cycle in 13 minutes).

f) Power supplies going up in price tomorrow!

Paul S.

a) I will ship a few things tomorrow AM, but will not be able to again until 
the week of Nov. 9th. I am taking vacation that week in order to catch up 
and to get the Euro modules released to production. The code for both is now 
finalized and is entering beta testing. I think the HW is also done but need 
to run a few system-level tests first.

b) MOTM-960s will be out-of-stock (in reality, not shopping cart) until Nov. 
16th.

c) MOTM-19A rails are out-of-stock (reality) until Nov. 9th.

d) The week of Nov. 9th will be focused on shipping remaining assembled 
backlog as much as I can. I will not have time to work on assembled backlog 
again until Dec. I am spending Thanksgiving week on kit backlog. December is 
looking very insane, as I need to get E340s/E350s to Analog Haven and still 
see what I can ship out for 'regular' backlog. I cannot possibly ship 
*everything* to *everybody*. By Dec 1st I will guess that only 5% of the 
*total* backlog will remain from where it was on Jan 1st of this year. But 
that means there will be some people without there modules for yet *another* 
year.

The upside (??!?) is that by the end of Jan. I expect to hit the milestone 
that has not happened in over 10 years: zero backlog (or maybe a few modules 
on order). Of course that in turn means zero income until orders arrive. So 
what will be the next (hopefully) order-driver? The MOTM-520/521/530s of 
course :)

But I will be frank: in order to continue with new 5U modules, I have to 
sell reasonable numbers of the 520/530. And by 'reasonable' I mean at least 
40 of each one in the first 3 months. Remember: these are SMT modules (like 
the '650 and the '730) and when I put them into the cart, I will have 
sufficient pc boards built up to ship orders in < 4 weeks. If I am not 
travelling for my day job that may drop to < 1 week. The solder jockeys out 
there (you know who you are) will have to make due with not being able to 
DIY it but instead actually use it.

Lastly, there are several people that have been waiting a VERY LONG TIME for 
all of their modules, and I *will not* put the new modules up for sale until 
every module is shipped to those folks. I want to start with a completely 
clean slate. Sometimes I think it's too late for that, but I hope enough of 
the ~ 700 people that have been MOTM customers will let me prove it next 
year. I would like to hit 10,000 MOTM 5U modules shipped one day. Let's 
see....as of today I need another 1553 (that's shipped, BTW). I should hit 
module #8500 by Dec 31st.

Paul S.

Re: MOTM-520/521/530

Please refresh my memory; what are these?

Ivan

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

> Re: MOTM-520/521/530
>
> Please refresh my memory; what are these?

MOTM-520: Cloud Generator (the MOTM-521 is the CGX: Cloud Generatoe 
Expander/Programmer)

MOTM-530: Morphing Terrarium: a wavetable VCO with 1024 base waveforms, 
stereo outputs, LFO range down to 1 cycle/18min, and voltage-controlled 
waveform morphing in 2 dimensions (the "super-duper" version of the Euro 
E350). Demos of the E350 are here: www.synthtech.com/demo/e350

Paul S.

I will be able to spend a LOT of time this month on MOTM. I am taking 
vacation days this week to get the Euro modules off to production (and to 
show at the Mt. View CA meeting this coming Saturday at HackerDojo). When I 
get back from that, I will spend the following week on the assembled 
backlog, then the week of Thanksgiving (taking more vacation!) on getting 
all the kits ready to start shipping on Dec. 1st.

December will be insane, between getting the Euro modules shipped to the 
dealers and getting out the kits and as much of the backlog as I possibly 
can.I foresee many 18hr days in December.

I will have MOTM-19A rails on Tuesday to ship out this week, and will have 
MOTM-960s on the 17th.

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----

From: michael stein

To: motm@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:10 PM

Subject: [motm] MOdule compatibilty ?

Can I power a Blacet module that requires +/-15vdc regulated @ +60/-30mA off of an MOTM-900 power supply?


Thank you

a) thanks to everyone that came out to the AH get-together on Sat. I had a 
bit of trouble getting the 2 modules in the little Doepfer case through TSA 
security at the airport. I finally convinced them it was a 'DJ Mixer' and 
they let me through.

If you have a Facebook account, a short video of the fancy Lissajous 
patterns is here:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?comments&v=175397836908&ref=mf

b) this week will be shipping assembled modules and getting the E340/350 off 
to production. I will be able to ship ~ 12 assembled modules this week. 
Then, the week of the 23rd is all kits (they will start shipping in early 
December, around the 4th).

c) Rails are in, and MOTM-960s are due to me by Thursday.

Paul S.

a) starting tomorrow, I am moving to the kits as the primary focus until 
they are all shipped. This will most likely take all of this week. The 
following week I only have a few MOTM days to work. The week after that 
(Dec7-15th) I will be working 95% on the 2 Euro modules. I will *stop* MOTM 
shipping on Dec. 16th and resume on Jan. 10th.

So, as usual, time for the year will be running out, and some modules will 
not be able to ship until Jan.

b) I expect to have MOTM-960s Monday (they were supposed to be here 
Thursday).

c) this is not to say that *no one* will be getting any assembled modules 
until Jan., but I will have time only to ship maybe 6-8 until then. I do 
have over 50 stuffed pc boards, so the main issue is just my time to do the 
last 40% of the work.

I'll be working long and hard the next 4 weeks in order to ship as much as I 
can, to as many people as I can. Some will be disappointed/angry but just 
enjoy the holiday break, and when I pick up in Jan. I'll start shipping 
again.

d) If I have any leftover kits I will post a 'warning' email 24hrs before I 
put them in the cart. The price *will* be higher than in 2006. This will be 
~ Dec. 14th. I *cannot* promise I will be able to ship all leftover kits 
before Jan. 4th, but I'll ship some of them. The Euro modules *have 
priority* in December.

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----

From: Argitoth

To: Paul Schreiber

Cc: motm@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 1:07 AM

Subject: Re: [motm] Update

By kits do you mean those packages of parts, solder, hardware, etc. that you don't sell anymore? Or are kits the PCB, Extra Parts, Front Banel, and Bracket that you sell currently?

a) I will ship a few orders tomorrow (Monday) but then will not be able to 
again until Saturday. The MOTM-960s are in, I will ship orders with them 
first.

b) There are also a few orders waiting for rack rails, those will also go 
out.

c) I started making up the kits. I now recall why I stopped making 
kits....man it is that *tedious*. I am making 2-4 extra for each kit that I 
can (ie that I have parts for) and will put the extra kits in the cart later 
in December. It will all depend on the Euro modules and when they actually 
come back from the board stuffer. I plan to start shipping *some* of the 
backordered kits on Monday the 14th. I might start running low on the 
prepared wire, I've been dreading that because that vendor is no longer in 
business and so far the other 2 local wire companies have been 50% higher 
than the old prices when I quote. I might have to spend time/effort in 
sending out global quotes to China or something in order to get decent 
prices.

As side note, I think it's really sad that prices of 'simple' things like 
switches, pots, knobs and wire have *tripled* in the last 12 years, while 
'really complicated' things like DSPs, ARM processors and Flash memories 
have dropped by 3 times in the last 2 years or so. I've even noticed the 
lowly TL072A op amp has gone up about 40% in 2 years because, well, who 
needs op amps anymore?

d) speaking of the kits: rather than going back and updating all 16 manuals 
to reflect parts changes over the years, I'm going to generate 1 'READ_ME' 
PDF file that I'll send out with every kit order that will explain (with 
photos!) the newer parts used in some places (mostly the pots and the '320 
LED).

Paul S.

Are we going to get an OS update for the 650 for christmas? That would be a totally awesome present!

-Jim




________________________________

From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, November 29, 2009 10:49:58 PM
Subject: [motm] Update

  
a) I will ship a few orders tomorrow (Monday) but then will not be able to 
again until Saturday. The MOTM-960s are in, I will ship orders with them 
first.

b) There are also a few orders waiting for rack rails, those will also go 
out.

c) I started making up the kits. I now recall why I stopped making 
kits....man it is that *tedious*. I am making 2-4 extra for each kit that I 
can (ie that I have parts for) and will put the extra kits in the cart later 
in December. It will all depend on the Euro modules and when they actually 
come back from the board stuffer. I plan to start shipping *some* of the 
backordered kits on Monday the 14th. I might start running low on the 
prepared wire, I've been dreading that because that vendor is no longer in 
business and so far the other 2 local wire companies have been 50% higher 
than the old prices when I quote. I might have to spend time/effort in 
sending out global quotes to China or something in order to get decent 
prices.

As side note, I think it's really sad that prices of 'simple' things like 
switches, pots, knobs and wire have *tripled* in the last 12 years, while 
'really complicated' things like DSPs, ARM processors and Flash memories 
have dropped by 3 times in the last 2 years or so. I've even noticed the 
lowly TL072A op amp has gone up about 40% in 2 years because, well, who 
needs op amps anymore?

d) speaking of the kits: rather than going back and updating all 16 manuals 
to reflect parts changes over the years, I'm going to generate 1 'READ_ME' 
PDF file that I'll send out with every kit order that will explain (with 
photos!) the newer parts used in some places (mostly the pots and the '320 
LED).

Paul S.

a) kits will begin shipping later this week. I won't have every module 
kitted but over 1/2 of them.

b) extra kits go on sale 10PM Texas time Monday Dec 28th.

c) I will ship until Friday Dec. 18th, then start back up again around Dec 
30th.

d) I'm doing all I can to ship as much as I can, to as many people as I can. 
I will respond to individual "where is my stuff" emails mid-week. I need to 
get the 2 Euro modules to the SMT assembly house as #1 priority the next few 
days, then I can 'relax' and get back to MOTM until they get sent to me 
around the 21st.

Paul S.

Hi Paul,

Did I miss when this new batch of kits originally went on sale?

I used to have some MOTM modules a few years ago and am thinking about getting back into it.. still got the MOTM-900 kicking about.

I realize you can get PC boards and panels from the shop, but I remember those kits contained everything you needed and were quite a substantial savings over the assembled modules.

-Jim


--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

>
> a) kits will begin shipping later this week. I won't have every module 
> kitted but over 1/2 of them.
> 
> b) extra kits go on sale 10PM Texas time Monday Dec 28th.
> 
> c) I will ship until Friday Dec. 18th, then start back up again around Dec 
> 30th.
> 
> d) I'm doing all I can to ship as much as I can, to as many people as I can. 
> I will respond to individual "where is my stuff" emails mid-week. I need to 
> get the 2 Euro modules to the SMT assembly house as #1 priority the next few 
> days, then I can 'relax' and get back to MOTM until they get sent to me 
> around the 21st.
> 
> Paul S.
>

> Did I miss when this new batch of kits originally went on sale?
>
> I used to have some MOTM modules a few years ago and am thinking about 
> getting back into it.. still got the MOTM-900 kicking about.

No, these kits going on sale are 'new', meaning I am just now making them 
up. I stopped in 2006, after one night I realized had stuffed over 1.7 
*million* parts into little plastic bags (about 96,000 little plastic bags).

Meanwhile, my competition was doing *just fine* without selling kits at all.

It was also taking away what little time I had developing anything new.

Paul S.

a) MOTM E340 and E350 modules will be available from pre-ordering on Tuesday 
from www.analoguehaven.com (US) and Schneidersburo in Germany. Also possibly 
PostModular in the UK (check their site). Google is your friend. I will add 
direct links on the NEWS page when they post-up on Tuesday. These have MOTM 
4-pin +-15V connectors installed and will work in a MOTM system.

b) I will spend all of this coming week shipping all that I can (kits and 
assembled modules, a few rails/parts). The *last* day I am shipping is this 
Friday (the 18th). I will ship maybe 1 or 2 days between the 19th and Jan. 
6th. It's a holiday :)

c) Extra full MOTM kits will be placed into the shopping cart Monday Dec. 
the 28th at 6PM Texas time, if you don't see them after a browser refresh 
that means lunch at the in-laws were overtime, the new time will be 9PM 
Texas time. I work on these kits every day. I will have *all* of them 
shipped out by Jan 11th *unless* I run out of wire. It's going to be close 
on a few of them.

This year is no different than the last 11: I will work the 18hr days to 
ship all that I can. At least I won't be doing pc board layout on Christmas 
Eve (no NAMM). Which I did 4 times over the years :(

Paul S.

NAMM is over...yea! (I had to ship some Euro modules before NAMM started).

a) ordering the custom 5U panels for the RR Edition of the E350 tomorrow. I 
expect to ship the 2nd week of Feb. Start saving your $$$, those that 
ordered.

b) alternating day-by-day between Euro & MOTM backlog. Spent this weekend on 
assembled modules.

c) reminder!! If you want a 'tracking number', you *MUST* use the EMS option 
when you order. The is especially true for Italy, France and Germany! Their 
customs office is more than likely to hold packages for duty/VAT than the 
UK. I have a case pending now that it appears an order to Italy sent Oct. 30 
has not been delivered. This was sent 'regular mail' so all we can do is 
hope that it's on a shelf waiting for duty to be paid.

I can also ship Fed-Ex (not UPS, they are a HUGE PAIN for me) just as 
easily. NOTE: just get a free account. I sent 16 pounds (~6kg) to the UK via 
Fed-Ex. It cost the receiver $94 and they got it in 2 days. 'Regular mail' 
would take at least 10 days and cost about $68. This was for a $3200 order. 
I would think a 1% adder to have it tracked and delivered in 2 days is worth 
it, but that's just me.

Paul S.

Is it just me, or has the whole MOTM scene gotten noticeably quieter over
the past 6 months?

(Paul - you're not allowed to answer!)

Is it the economy or are people just buried building their DIY kits?

-Greg
(Just curious)

Many of us also hang out over at the Muff Wiggler. Unlike my mail, it isn't blocked at work.  :^)

cheers,
eric f

--- On Wed, 1/20/10, Greg James <gjames@...> wrote:

From: Greg James <gjames@...>
Subject: [motm] Testing 123, Testing...
To: "'MOTM List'" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 9:32 PM







 



  


    
      
      
      Is it just me, or has the whole MOTM scene gotten noticeably quieter over

the past 6 months?



(Paul - you're not allowed to answer!)



Is it the economy or are people just buried building their DIY kits?



-Greg

(Just curious)

Economy.  Working harder than ever to make less money.  

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Greg James" <gjames@...> wrote:

>
> Is it just me, or has the whole MOTM scene gotten noticeably quieter over
> the past 6 months?
> 
> (Paul - you're not allowed to answer!)
> 
> Is it the economy or are people just buried building their DIY kits?
>

Now that NAMM is a thing of the past and I will be home for 3 weeks in a 
row, I can turn attention back to MOTM shipments.

a) Shane is building up the remaining back orders for 380/390/890 assembled 
modules this week.

b) This week I am focusing on assembled '300s and finishing kits. I want to 
ship out *all* the kits next week. Remember, I will have an 'Appendix' for 
all the manuals in a single document that describes a few "workarounds" 
needed (like the LED in the '320). There are a few typos/resistor tweaks in 
a few manuals (again, mostly in the '320) that I will make before the kits 
physically ship.

c) I don't expect to have the PWR-20s by next week so look for PWR-30 cables 
in some of the kits.

d) I owe some of you MOTM-900 kits and these will ship *this* week (was 
waiting for heat-shrink tubing).

e) I decided to let the kits 'sit' in the shopping cart until they sell out. 
Some already have, the others have 2 or 3 left to buy.

I have been slow doing 100 other things since Thanksgiving but expect to 
ship over 60 modules (kits and assembled) by Feb. 16th. Also expect to ship 
over 100 Euro modules in that time period. No rest for the wicked. And yes, 
R&D for new 5U modules continues as well.

Paul S.

I will have lots of available MOTM time between now and April 5th.

a) All outstanding MOTM 2.0 orders (parts, rails, pc boards, etc) will ship 
by Wednesday.

b) I will alternate between kits and assembled modules for the next 2 weeks 
(then expect to do some Euro assembly towards the end of the month).

c) if you ordered a RR Edition E350: I will be sending emails out later this 
week/early next week to PayPal the balance and I will ship your module < 3 
days after I receive the balance.

d) MOTM-995 .com power adapters are at the assembly house for wave 
soldering.

Paul S.

I will be able to spend time the next 10 days on the MOTM backlog. I did not 
ship as many 2.0 type orders last week (parts, pcbs, etc) as I thought, but 
Monday/Tuesday I will get all of those out. Then I'll get back to finishing 
up the kits.

The middle of April will not have much MOTM time but the end of April/first 
of May looks good.

I am also starting work on the RR E350s in 5U. I had to buy thinner hook-up 
wire for the option switches.

Paul S.

I am *mostly* caught up with all the outstanding MOTM 2.0 orders (pc boards, 
parts, rails, etc). I have 3 left to ship. I will have very limited MOTM 
time until April 15th (nothing to do with taxes, BTW).

I am slowly back to kit shipping, I think 8 kits are going out tomorrow and 
another 6 on Friday.

I have dropped the backlog 18% from 2 weeks ago (including orders placed the 
last 2 weeks) so some progress being made. It's going to be the end of 
summer until everything is shipped that's currently on order. About 8 month 
longer than what I was hoping to do.

I'm running low on MOTM-900 supplies, it will be ~ 3 weeks until I will have 
all the parts in. I'm running a LOT 'leaner' now with my parts inventory, 
because sales are tapering off and everything keeps going up and up in 
price. Next month I will have a major decision to make about all the 
color-coded wire I've been using for 12 years. My suppler bailed out 14 
months ago, I've been running off wire I bout 16 months ago but it's about 
to run out. No one locally has any interest in making it for a reasonable 
price, I might have to source off-shore and then they will want so much 
minimum quantity I would not use it up in the next 12 years.

This is why all my new designs use flat ribbon cable or zero wires (like the 
2 Euro modules). Even my old supplier raised prices 7 times in 12 years (the 
last PO I placed, the wire was 2.8X the original price).

It's always something........

Paul S.

a) I'm going to be able to ship a lot of MOTM orders from now until June 
2nd. There are currently 78 orders in the backlog, I expect this to drop to 
< 45 by June 2nd.

b) if you have either an assembled MOTM-480 or a 480 Extra Parts Kit on 
order: I am having to sort out the CA3280s and this will delay things a bit. 
I hope to have this done by Friday.

c) I am going to order new MOTM-19A rails next week that increase the 
opening of the 'ears' at each end (where the screws go to hold it into the 
vertical rails) so that metric-size racks and screws will fit. I am changing 
vendors so the finish may be slightly different. Just a 'heads up'.

d) I am waiting for MOTM-310 and MOTM-420 pc boards to ship from the vendor, 
they are due May 27th. If you have a kit/assembled module you will most 
likely not see it until the 3rd week of June.

e) Due to non-MOTM activity I will not be able to ship from June 3 to June 
13.

f) I am also going to have the wire/coax requoted next week, hopefully I can 
get a reasonable price so that I can finish out all the kits and assembled 
backlog this summer. I am taking 'vacation' (cough) for 2 weeks in July to 
do nothing but MOTM work, this should be the last effort needed to wipe the 
backlog completely and re-asses where to go from here. The Euro sales should 
provide the cash needed to fund whatever direction I go. By mid-August I 
expect zero backlog, the next Euro module to be shipping (or nearly so), and 
a clear roadmap through 2011. The CG and MT in 5U are proceeding, in fact 
the audio/CV I/O board for the 5U MT will be ready to beta test by the July 
4th 'vacation' (not customer beta testing, internal code debugging beta 
testing). There will be units for customer beta testing in the fall when we 
think the code is ready (and there is a LOT of code, both Linux drivers and 
FPGA Verilog code to implement the smoothing algorithms in hardware).

g) I you have a 2.0 order it will ship this week (expect the '480 stuff, 
maybe.....grumble).

h) I have to wavesolder more pc boards for the MOTM-900s, I expect to get 
them back May 30. I have a few assembled MOTM-900s shipping this week, then 
no more until I get these back (no issue with MOTM-950s).

Paul S.

a) I am out of rack rails. I am revising the rack screw 'ear' dimension 
0.050 wider to allow metric screws to fit without having to file. I am also 
going to look at a new vendor (if possible) to reduce lead-time. This will 
allow me to stock 50pr -75pr batches at a time.

b) June is *very limited* for MOTM time (only the weekends). I am taking off 
11 days in a row in early July to ship *every* kit on order (I did finish 
the '440s and '320s kitting yesterday) and to ship assembled modules on 
order. In the recent 4 'ship days' 27 orders have gone out. The order 
backlog is approaching the lowest point in 7 years. I have the 
190/700/300/480/820 kits left to make up. This will take up about 5 of the 
11 available days. 2 full days will be packing kit orders, leaving 4 for 
assembly.

c) I still need to set up the CA3280 testing for the '480 VCF. I have like 7 
assembled '480s on order but I need to run the parts through to check for 
gain. I think I may have 1 date code with out-of-spec gm. This is the issue 
with parts that went obsolete 6 years ago. When I get them there is no 
telling where they originated.

d) Bourns is now letting me order 50pcs of the log pots in the '800 EG now 
(instead of a 500pc minimum) but the lead time is 10 weeks (well, for 500pcs 
it's 16 weeks and they take *every day* of that 16 weeks). I will be able to 
have the '800 Extra Parts Kits in the cart in mid-August when I get them. 
The ones I have left are "spoken for" in assembled modules.

Paul S.

Thanks for the regular updates, Paul! :-)

John L Rice

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Paul Schreiber
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 11:39 PM
> To: MOTM List
> Subject: [motm] Update
> 
> a) I am out of rack rails. I am revising the rack screw 'ear' dimension
> 0.050 wider to allow metric screws to fit without having to file. I am
> also
> going to look at a new vendor (if possible) to reduce lead-time. This
> will
> allow me to stock 50pr -75pr batches at a time.
> 
> b) June is *very limited* for MOTM time (only the weekends). I am
> taking off
> 11 days in a row in early July to ship *every* kit on order (I did
> finish
> the '440s and '320s kitting yesterday) and to ship assembled modules on
> order. In the recent 4 'ship days' 27 orders have gone out. The order
> backlog is approaching the lowest point in 7 years. I have the
> 190/700/300/480/820 kits left to make up. This will take up about 5 of
> the
> 11 available days. 2 full days will be packing kit orders, leaving 4
> for
> assembly.
> 
> c) I still need to set up the CA3280 testing for the '480 VCF. I have
> like 7
> assembled '480s on order but I need to run the parts through to check
> for
> gain. I think I may have 1 date code with out-of-spec gm. This is the
> issue
> with parts that went obsolete 6 years ago. When I get them there is no
> telling where they originated.
> 
> d) Bourns is now letting me order 50pcs of the log pots in the '800 EG
> now
> (instead of a 500pc minimum) but the lead time is 10 weeks (well, for
> 500pcs
> it's 16 weeks and they take *every day* of that 16 weeks). I will be
> able to
> have the '800 Extra Parts Kits in the cart in mid-August when I get
> them.
> The ones I have left are "spoken for" in assembled modules.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

1) I have received some wire from a local supplier. They were out of gray 
wire so expect to see the short orange/white/gray bundle to be more like 
orange/white/black. People with MOTM-800 kits on order will get this most 
likely.

I have bids back from several US/overseas wire suppliers that is more 
in-line with what I was expecting to pay (in 1 or 2 case slightly cheaper). 
I am ordering a year's supply of wire for all the 5U modules. At least this 
issue is (more or less) resolved. Unlike.......

2) My attempts to get overseas suppliers for the MOTM-19A rails has failed 
miserably. These people can't read a simple blueprint. I asked for samples 
first and 2 out of 2 suppliers failed to even get *close* to the correct 
part. So, it appears I will have to stick with my current US, high-$$$ 
supplier. I tried to bribe BrideChamber, he's not falling for my evil 
tricks. :(

I don't expect to have rails available now until the end of July. But, I am 
going to buy 50prs of them.

3) this coming week I will make more MOTM-800 kits and finish up the 
MOTM-300 kits (might be 2 short on the '300 due to wire). I still need time 
to look at more '480 kits/assembled, but that has to take a backseat to 
other goings on. Finishing the 800/300 kits will allow me to reduce the kit 
backlog to almost 0. I won't have time to get to the '480s until the end of 
July.

4) people that have RR Edition E350s: the wire for that did arrive. Once I 
finish the 800/300 kitting I will start on these. These are *slow going* so 
it will take time to get all 10 shipped out.

Here are 2 videos where Robert discusses them in use on his tour:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch6TYazAhws

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLVDvqtUGKs

Even though I am still jobless I spend time bouncing back-and-forth looking 
for jobs and MOTM. I have lots to do this summer to get caught up and to 
plan ahead if this job search goes.....errr...badly. One possibility is 
having Shane make up more kits in the 'background' and then place all at 
once in the cart in say September. Another possibility is moving Frac 
designs into Euro, or moving MOTM designs into MU (.com panels). I have to 
"follow the money" if I intend to have MOTM at least break-even (by that I 
mean it pays my salary that I give myself which is a staggering $38,000/yr 
and the rest is for parts/labor). I appreciate any orders that can come my 
way the next 3 months or so, especially the pc boards/parts orders (quick to 
ship and they add up). If I can maintain the business at the $38K rate, then 
that will allow me as a whole to 'treed water' financially family-wise until 
I can find another job.

Back to work!

Paul S.

Exciting news/rumor, there Paul.  I'd love a 440 and 380, and perhaps a smattering of other modules in Dotcom format.  In my own opinion, Dotcom versions would be best with Alpha pots, to maintain a consistent feel.  That might be blasphemy to you and might not be everyone's preference, but I found that the fancy pots in MOTM format stuck out like a sore thumb when I had a converted module in my cabinet.  

Cheers,
Brian 

----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, July 3, 2010 10:46:40 PM
Subject: [motm] Update

Another possibility is moving Frac designs into Euro, or moving MOTM designs into MU (.com panels).

Stuck out: in what way? note that the newer BTI pots I use are more 
"smoother" than the older Spectrol pots.

I would get rid of the blue Bourns pots, use all BTI pots so they 'feel' is 
the same everywhere in the module. The
pots are needed in the MU case as I would more than likely use a 'Stooge 
bracket' approach as opposed to
PEM and the BR-1 brackets. I guess a bigger issue is do I keep the MOTM 
knobs or switch over to Cosmo knobs?

Paul S.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Brian Whittington" <analoguelist@...>
To: "MOTM List" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update


>
>
> Exciting news/rumor, there Paul.  I'd love a 440 and 380, and perhaps a 
> smattering of other modules in Dotcom format.  In my own opinion, Dotcom 
> versions would be best with Alpha pots, to maintain a consistent feel. 
> That might be blasphemy to you and might not be everyone's preference, but 
> I found that the fancy pots in MOTM format stuck out like a sore thumb 
> when I had a converted module in my cabinet.
>
> Cheers,
> Brian
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
> To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sat, July 3, 2010 10:46:40 PM
> Subject: [motm] Update
>
> Another possibility is moving Frac designs into Euro, or moving MOTM 
> designs into MU (.com panels).
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

I meant that the MOTM pots were so much nicer that they felt out of place next to the cheap Dotcom ones.  If you used Alpha pots, your modules would actually fit into into that format better and be cheaper to produce as well.  But It's a minor issue and probably a non-starter in your mind.

I'd be delighted to see a few MOTM modules available in Dotcom format in any case, and I'm sure that would be a popular bit of gossip with others as well.

Cheers, 
Brian

On Jul 3, 2010, at 11:39 PM, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

Stuck out: in what way? note that the newer BTI pots I use are more "smoother" than the older Spectrol pots.

I would get rid of the blue Bourns pots, use all BTI pots so they 'feel' is the same everywhere in the module. The
pots are needed in the MU case as I would more than likely use a 'Stooge bracket' approach as opposed to
PEM and the BR-1 brackets. I guess a bigger issue is do I keep the MOTM knobs or switch over to Cosmo knobs?

Paul S.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Whittington" <analoguelist@...>
To: "MOTM List" <motm@yahoogroups.com>

Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update




Exciting news/rumor, there Paul.  I'd love a 440 and 380, and perhaps a smattering of other modules in Dotcom format.  In my own opinion, Dotcom versions would be best with Alpha pots, to maintain a consistent feel. That might be blasphemy to you and might not be everyone's preference, but I found that the fancy pots in MOTM format stuck out like a sore thumb when I had a converted module in my cabinet.

Cheers,
Brian


----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, July 3, 2010 10:46:40 PM
Subject: [motm] Update

Another possibility is moving Frac designs into Euro, or moving MOTM designs into MU (.com panels).






------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

>I meant that the MOTM pots were so much nicer that they felt out of place 
>next to the cheap Dotcom ones.  If you used Alpha pots, your modules would 
>actually fit into into that format better and be cheaper to produce as 
>well.  But It's a minor issue and probably a non-starter in your mind.
>

The labor is too high and there is no easy way to remount the pc boards. I 
want to use the stock boards (so you would need at least 1 MOTM-995 adapter 
card) and as much stock parts as possible. I know people agonize over things 
like pot 'feel', jack washers and the like, but I want to keep the cost as 
low as possible.

I am investigating sending the pc boards to a local board stuffer that has a 
through-hole insertion machine. Several years ago, they ran boards for the 
MOTM-480 that had the axial parts stuffed but not soldered. I'll get price 
quotes to see if it makes economic sense to have them at least stuff all the 
parts but the pots and wires, then run them through the wave solder. Shane & 
I can then attached the pots and wires and in this manner quickly build up 
assembled modules. It would be nice to run say 25 of every MOTM module this 
way if I can afford it. I don't recall off-hand what they charged me to run 
the passive axial parts for the '480 boards (it was like $14/board in 100pcs 
thereabouts).

It would be nice if sales into the .com base paid for the assembly cost so 
that the remaining boards then "fill up" the backlog and have some left over 
for new sales.

I'll talk to them next week after the break.

Paul S.

Did I miss this announcement to the list or do I have to get my 
information on the street?  I feel a bit betrayed ;)  Looks like a very 
cool module, is this planned for 5U?

Dave

a) I have shipped 95% of all the kits in the backlog. I am out of MOTM-950 
panels, have ordered more but it will be 4 weeks until they arrive. I will 
ship all of the remaining kits *except* the '480s (and people overseas that 
have a '480 + 1 or 2 others) this week. I still need the test the CA3280s, 
that will take several days and decided to ship all that I can first.

b) I expect to get MOTM-19A rails next week.

c) I have started back on the assembled backlog now that I have the wire. If 
things go as planned (cough), I will start my new 'real day job' on Sept 1st 
(I should know by Friday AM) so I will have time to make quite a dent in the 
assembled backlog all this month. This includes the RR E350s as well.

The backlog continues to drop overall, it's probably 20% of it's peak from 2 
years ago. It would not surprise me that by Sept. 1st it's down to 5%. 
Please everyone hang in there a bit longer so I can get back to R&D on new 
stuff and have the funds to cover this last set of parts buys (about $6,000 
worth the last 3 weeks).

d) for folks with "deposits only" for the RR E350s: expect an  email the 
week of the 23rd to "pony up" the balance :)

Paul S.

This week was pretty frantic: my 24yr old daughter announced she's getting 
married! This is *completely unexpected* so the 'wheels came off' a bit. 
Such is life.

Many folks should have (by now) received new rails. I hope they are OK.

I start my new job tomorrow, so for a bit shipping will be erratic (perhaps 
more accurately: even more erratic) as I work out a schedule with my wife 
going to the post office for me and I see if I have one nearby by new office 
building. The local PO is open on Saturday, old-timers will recall I used to 
only ship on Saturdays (this is back when the PO had 5 people working there 
on Saturday. Now there is 1 or 2 and the wait in line can be 45min.).

The backlog is now < 50 orders. I have a few more kits left to ship, then 
the leftovers I will put in the cart. I will give everyone a 24hr "head up" 
first.

Paul S.

I was out all of last week, so getting back to shipping this week. The #1 
thing left to do to purge out all the kit backlog (and also about 1/4th of 
assembled) is the MOTM-480 situation. I am going to set aside this coming 
weekend to figure out what the situation is with my CA3280 stock (I suspect 
one date code might not function properly in the '480 although it works fine 
in the '190 which is probably a transconductance issue). I will ship out on 
Wed and Fri of this week all that I can.

Paul S.

I am beginning to look at the '480/CA3280 issues this evening. I'll post 
what I figure out. Shane the tech is due back next week, he will be working 
on assembled '440 modules. I have a few others that I will be woking on.

Note: newer MOTM-650s will have a replacement LCD module as the one I have 
been using is now super-expensive in quantities < 100. The differences are 
the color of the backlight, other than that it's pin-for-pin.

By the end of the month all "spoken for" kits will ship out, and any 
left-overs I will place in the cart. I'll give a 1-day heads-up announcement 
first. Since these sold fairly briskly I might make more up on a 'running' 
basis (not say 20 of every one all at once, more like 10 of this and 6 of 
that). I depends on my available bandwidth in the weeks and months ahead. 
Some kits like the '800, '390 and '830 are not that bad to put together. 
Others like the '320 and '440 are nightmares.

I plan to be at Winter NAMM in Jan 2011, mark your calanders. No, I can't 
get badges to get in, even I am a guest. I used to be a member when I had my 
own booth. That was when I still had stock options at Maxim worth $88 :(

Paul S.

I am done messing with Euro modules for the next 3 weeks or so. Getting back 
to MOTM orders, first doing MOTM-650 modules, then a few repairs, then back 
to assembled/kits. I'm a bit behind in my emails as well. Will have new 
3-pot Stooge brackets arriving this coming week, some orders are waiting for 
them (new vendor, but should look exactly like previous vendor's parts).

I am taking a 'stay-cation' Nov 24-29 to try to get 100% (yes, 100%) caught 
up. I have been buying parts like crazy and should have everything in to 
flush out the backlog (approaching < 40 orders left to ship). Older parts & 
electromechanical parts (like switches and knobs) continue to rise but I am 
holding all prices steady.

Paul S.

Well, here it is November already (I can remember saying..."It's June 
already!").

a) I am going to focus the entire month of Nov in shipping out *every* 5U 
order in the backlog. I worked this weekend on a few repairs and making up 
kits. The only kit I need to make up is the '480. MOTM-480s are about 1/2 of 
all the current backlog orders (not modules, orders). I will have 3 1/2 
weeks doing nothing but 5U work (Euro modules will be at the SMT assembler 
until the end of the month).

b) The month of December is getting ready for NAMM and shipping the E560 
Euro module. Whatever is left to do in 5U that did not go out in Nov, I will 
do in the time between Christmas and NAMM (NAMM starts Jan 12th). I have 
*all* the 'raw materials' now to fulfill the 5U backlog (panels/pc 
boards/wire/parts/pots/etc). I haven't counted it recently, it's around 60 
modules. I have stuffed pc boards already for about 3/4 of them.Again, 
mostly '480 and '440s and maybe '300s are the ones I'll be building in Nov.

c) after NAMM, I will be taking a step back to ponder the future of 5U MOTM. 
It will be a 13 year project by then, and few things in electronics last 3 
years, much less 13. Decisions made 8-10yrs ago are no longer valid. Every 6 
months, a MOTM part goes obsolete (most recently SSM2010s which *at some 
point* will be a SSM2012).

For whatever reason, *both* MOTM 2.0 orders (pc boards, extra parts, etc) 
and assembled modules have dried up to nearly no activity over the last 4 
months. MOTM 2.0 was going pretty well in the spring and early summer but is 
just a trickle now. If I had zero backlog now, I'd be in big trouble!

There are many options available, I just have to figure out what makes sense 
for me *money-wise* in terms of pc boards and front panels (after the 
backlog is shipped, I will still have something like 200 front panels left). 
Most of the $$$s in inventory are panels (#1), pots (#2) and pc boards (#3). 
The actual electronic parts are < 15% of the $$$ amount.

It very well may be that after 13 years, I've saturated the market with 
*these* particular modules (everyone has migrated to JH or CGS or ???). It 
doesn't matter, it is what it is.

I'm still considering moving to 100% SMT, redesigning the MOTM pc boards to 
be SMT, keeping the existing pc boards for DIYers only. Or, do I focus on 
non-DIY, new MOTM modules that are "upgrades" to the Euro line?

I'll just worry about that issue when the time comes. Meanwhile, start 
looking for your happy email starting the 15th.

Paul S.

Over at Muff Wigglers it seems that a 5U DIY is heating up in the MU 
(dot com) panel format.  Krisp (Oakley) modules are now available in 
MU.  Seems to me that if MU panels were readily available for MOTM 2.0 
boards and parts, you would sell more of those.  Just my impression.  I 
don't expect you to make MU panels.  Bridechamber?

Richard Brewster
http://pugix.com

On 11/1/10 1:07 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> For whatever reason, *both* MOTM 2.0 orders (pc boards, extra parts, etc)
> and assembled modules have dried up to nearly no activity over the last 4
> months. MOTM 2.0 was going pretty well in the spring and early summer but is
> just a trickle now. If I had zero backlog now, I'd be in big trouble!
>
> There are many options available, I just have to figure out what makes sense
> for me *money-wise* in terms of pc boards and front panels (after the
> backlog is shipped, I will still have something like 200 front panels left).
> Most of the $$$s in inventory are panels (#1), pots (#2) and pc boards (#3).
> The actual electronic parts are<  15% of the $$$ amount.
>
> It very well may be that after 13 years, I've saturated the market with
> *these* particular modules (everyone has migrated to JH or CGS or ???). It
> doesn't matter, it is what it is.
>
> I'm still considering moving to 100% SMT, redesigning the MOTM pc boards to
> be SMT, keeping the existing pc boards for DIYers only. Or, do I focus on
> non-DIY, new MOTM modules that are "upgrades" to the Euro line?
>
> I'll just worry about that issue when the time comes. Meanwhile, start
> looking for your happy email starting the 15th.
>
> Paul S.
>

And the MOTM-310, MOTM-380 and MOTM-800 PCBs are so small that they can
still be mounted perpendicular to the panel and fit into any MU case I
believe! Good ones to start with? ;-) Just make some little MTA 0.156 female
to MTA 0.100 male adapter cables and DotCom folks could just plug 'em right
it, no PCB modifications necessary?

John L Rice

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard Brewster
> Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 5:23 AM
> To: Paul Schreiber
> Cc: MOTM List
> Subject: Re: [motm] Update
> 
> Over at Muff Wigglers it seems that a 5U DIY is heating up in the MU
> (dot com) panel format.  Krisp (Oakley) modules are now available in
> MU.  Seems to me that if MU panels were readily available for MOTM 2.0
> boards and parts, you would sell more of those.  Just my impression.  I
> don't expect you to make MU panels.  Bridechamber?
> 
> Richard Brewster
> http://pugix.com
> 
> On 11/1/10 1:07 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> > For whatever reason, *both* MOTM 2.0 orders (pc boards, extra parts,
> etc)
> > and assembled modules have dried up to nearly no activity over the
> last 4
> > months. MOTM 2.0 was going pretty well in the spring and early summer
> but is
> > just a trickle now. If I had zero backlog now, I'd be in big trouble!
> >
> > There are many options available, I just have to figure out what
> makes sense
> > for me *money-wise* in terms of pc boards and front panels (after the
> > backlog is shipped, I will still have something like 200 front panels
> left).
> > Most of the $$$s in inventory are panels (#1), pots (#2) and pc
> boards (#3).
> > The actual electronic parts are<  15% of the $$$ amount.
> >
> > It very well may be that after 13 years, I've saturated the market
> with
> > *these* particular modules (everyone has migrated to JH or CGS or
> ???). It
> > doesn't matter, it is what it is.
> >
> > I'm still considering moving to 100% SMT, redesigning the MOTM pc
> boards to
> > be SMT, keeping the existing pc boards for DIYers only. Or, do I
> focus on
> > non-DIY, new MOTM modules that are "upgrades" to the Euro line?
> >
> > I'll just worry about that issue when the time comes. Meanwhile,
> start
> > looking for your happy email starting the 15th.
> >
> > Paul S.
> >
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

I am just about done typing in all the MOTM backlog into 2 spreadsheets (kit 
& assembled). Well, I have a lot more work ahead than I imagined.

I'll have the tally done by tomorrow. Many of you have emails in your in-box 
about shipping info, credit cards, etc.

I will then get with Shane the tech and start to split up the workload. I 
looks at first glance he will start by soldering 10 MOTM-300 VCOs. I get to 
solder 10 MOTM-440 VCFs.

There are about 30 pre-soldered boards of various types in inventory, that 
will help quite a bit.

If you have a pending order, and you will NOT be around Dec 15-Jan 4 to 
receive it, email me NOW please and I will *gladly* put you in the post-NAMM 
ship pile.

Last week I shipped 13 orders, it was my highest 1 week total in 6 months.

I am taking many vacation days this year to work soley on the 5U backlog. I 
have to get my 4 wisdom teeth out Dec 10th, I expect to be not in a mood to 
solder for a day or 3.

The last ship day of the year is Dec 22. After that, I will start shipping 
again on Jan. 5th up until NAMM (12-16).

I'll ship what I can, when I can to as *many people*  I can. I will "eat" 
the postage for split shipments.

Thanks to everyone for supporting me, it will be 13 years next Feb 12th. 
Sometime next year I hope to ship module #9000 in 5U.

And yes, I will also work on the mythical RR E350s, I am getting DSP boards 
for them this Friday. If you haven't already, prepare your PayPal accounts 
for the balance owed.

Paul S.

Things are moving right along for the 5U backlog. Shane the tech will be 
finishing up 10 MOTM-440 pc boards this week, and then will start on 
MOTM-300s. I am finishing up MOTM-420s tomorrow, then moving on the 
MOTM-410s and '700s. I am going to build ~ 40 modules, then start shipping 
the week of  Dec 13th. I also have some kits I ran out of (mis-counted) and 
those will also ship, probably before the 13th. I have ~ 11 modules already 
built that will ship out this week (mostly power supplies/mults).

I will ship as much as I can, to as many people as I can. My last ship day 
is Dec 20th for the year.

Paul S.

a) I have a few extra MOTM-510 modules/panels/extra parts kits (not many, 
just a few) put into the cart.

b) Shane will have the MOTM-440 pc boards finished tomorrow. I need to make 
up a few kit shortages this week before I can ship kits out. I am going to 
finish this week a set of 420s/410s/490s so I can ship after I get my wisdom 
teeth out. Yes, it's always something here at the ranch.

c) I will clear out the repair backlog the week of the 27th. This is my 
"vacation" time (oh, really?) and this year it's allocated for repairs and 
getting ready for NAMM. I will be updating the website this week as well. I 
haven't touched it in over a year. But as the competitive landscape shifts 
(shades of 1999! I need a mission statement!) I need to at least keep the 
site updated twice a year.

d) I will be shipping out that last week of December (usually I don't) 
because I am running behind 8 days now.

e) I have ordered the jacks to finish out the MOTM-650 pc boards already 
stuffed, they are quoting a 9-11 week lead time (and then, I will have 800 
extra jacks.) There are 5 or 6 left in the cart. There is no deadline, 
except when they run out.

I'm working 6-12 hours/day on the backlog, doing as much as I possibly can. 
Please bear with me, you will get your stuff.

Paul S.

Paul,

Don't see 510 panels in the order page.  They gone already?

Thanks, Scott

On 12/5/2010 6:19 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
>
> a) I have a few extra MOTM-510 modules/panels/extra parts kits (not many,
> just a few) put into the cart.
>
>
>
>

My wisdom teeth extraction went OK on Friday. Still sore and can't get much 
sleep.

a) Am going to PO tomorrow, shipping some MOTM 2.0 stuff.

b) Jacks for MOTM-650s on order, don't expect to see them until mid-Feb.

c) Have 10 MOTM-440 assembled pc boards, will see about getting some of 
those up on panels later this week.

d) I am going to ship up until Dec. 21 and then start back up again around 
the 29th.

Paul S.

From: "Paul Schreiber"
>>My wisdom teeth extraction went OK on Friday. Still sore and can't get
much sleep.<<

I'm reminded of that joke about the patient who says to the doctor "It hurts
when I do this", to which the doctor replies "Then don't do that".  Not
having your teeth yanked out would prevent the soreness and lack of sleep.

-Elhardt

I will be shipping stuff up until Thursday of this week, and then again on 
the 30th. There will be a bunch of stuff going out on Jan 10th as well.

Please hold of doing any order cancels until Jan 10th, I am behind due to 
the dental issues and other things prior and I want to make up for that lost 
time between now and the 10th.

Due to bad weather here and overseas, I am seeing very long shipping delays 
(it took 5 days for a Priority mail package to reach California last week). 
Shiping to the UK right now is a mess, Germany is slightly better but a 
large snow system is supposed to hit this week in Chicago/Memphis that will 
clog things up until next week.

I will also next week ship out every repair module.

Regards,
Paul S.

Hi all and Happy Holidays!

I am going to be diving into some old projects that have been siting on 
the shelf for a bit.

These parts and PCB's are a good five years old, so I'm sure everything 
is pre ROHS, but wanted to know if I need to do any prep work on the 
parts leads or boards.

Any suggestions or just fire up the iron and let the flux do it's job?

Thanks,

Scott

Pre-RoHS = 10 years shelf life

RoHS = 1 year life

Paul S.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Scott E." <megalists-1@...>
To: "MOTM List" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 1:50 PM
Subject: [motm] Question on old parts and PCB's


> Hi all and Happy Holidays!
> 
> I am going to be diving into some old projects that have been siting on 
> the shelf for a bit.
> 
> These parts and PCB's are a good five years old, so I'm sure everything 
> is pre ROHS, but wanted to know if I need to do any prep work on the 
> parts leads or boards.
> 
> Any suggestions or just fire up the iron and let the flux do it's job?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Scott
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

Pardon the dim question but: Does this mean my stack of unbuilt JH boards and 440 kit from 2 years ago are DOA?




Sent from my iPad

On 24.12.2010, at 21:45, "Paul Schreiber" <synth1@...> wrote:

> Pre-RoHS = 10 years shelf life
> 
> RoHS = 1 year life
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Scott E." <megalists-1@...>
> To: "MOTM List" <motm@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 1:50 PM
> Subject: [motm] Question on old parts and PCB's
> 
> > Hi all and Happy Holidays!
> > 
> > I am going to be diving into some old projects that have been siting on 
> > the shelf for a bit.
> > 
> > These parts and PCB's are a good five years old, so I'm sure everything 
> > is pre ROHS, but wanted to know if I need to do any prep work on the 
> > parts leads or boards.
> > 
> > Any suggestions or just fire up the iron and let the flux do it's job?
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Scott
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> > 
>

What I would suggest (ROHS or not) would be to take an old (ie, not used  
for anything other than electronics) sponge (or rag) and some powdered 
cleanser  (eg: Ajax) and water, and give the boards a little scrub to brighten up 
the  copper and remove any tarnish/oxidization.
 
Am I wrong to do this?
 
JB
 
Merry Christmas too all.
 
 
In a message dated 12/24/2010 11:50:27 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
megalists-1@... writes:

These  parts and PCB's are a good five years old, so I'm sure everything 
is pre  ROHS, but wanted to know if I need to do any prep work on the 
parts leads  or boards.

Any suggestions or just fire up the iron and let the flux do  it's job?

On 25 Dec 2010, at 18:38, jwbarlow@... wrote:

> What I would suggest (ROHS or not) would be to take an old (ie, not  
> used for anything other than electronics) sponge (or rag) and some  
> powdered cleanser (eg: Ajax) and water, and give the boards a little  
> scrub to brighten up the copper and remove any tarnish/oxidization.
>
> Am I wrong to do this?

Fine if they are simple copper etched PCB's. However most people will  
have PCB's made by commercial board houses which have pre tinned pads  
and are solder masked and silk screened, you would be advised not to  
use abrasives on them. ROHS only applies to the
tinned coating, not bare copper.

Graham

Easier to use a piece of steel wool on the board. This is standard procedure for bare copper PCBs which oxidize very quickly when left exposed to the elements.

> 
> What I would suggest (ROHS or not) would be to take an old (ie, not used for anything other than electronics) sponge (or rag) and some powdered cleanser (eg: Ajax) and water, and give the boards a little scrub to brighten up the copper and remove any tarnish/oxidization.
>

a) All unpacked from NAMM, minimal damage (cracked plexi case, lost my Shure 
SM58). Lots of good videos at Gearwire and Sonic State. Nice to meet 
everyone.

b) I am finishing up the RR E350s next 2 weeks. It takes 1 1/2hrs for each 
one, did 2 today and will do 1 tomorrow. If you owe a balance, you will be 
getting an email. Some are paid up in full.

c) I am still looking around as to the best/fastest way to get 'formal' 
5U/MU versions of the Euro stuff out. Nothing definitive yet.

d) MOTM-510 front panels arrived (I have not had time to unpack them).

e) getting low on MOTM-960s, will have to order more later this week.

f) getting back to the 5U backlog, as Euro panels must be 
reordered/re-stuffed so that will be 3-4 weeks until finished. I still don't 
have a definitive answer for the '480s, I might just order a few more 
CA3280s (NOT Futurelec!!!) and start testing those.

g) I have 3 folks waiting on ancient repairs, these have priority after RR 
editions.

h) preliminary electrical design of new MOTM-650 has started. Should have 
first round schematic finished in ~ 2 weeks (this weekend is my son's 18th 
birthday bash, have to prevent bad Seth Rogen movie from breaking out).

I'm going as fast as I can :)

Paul S.

This MOTM-650 MkII have at least one arppegiator in it, right?

I started thinking this weekend about a nice arp hold feature to have. Fully
featured it would need an On-Off-(On) toggle switch and a jack.

Switch up = Hold Off 
Switch middle = Hold On
Switch down = Hold Reset

Jack accepts standard +5 gate and trigger signals etc

When switch is up, a positive voltage into the jack will hold onto any notes
present. Drop the voltage and they are released.

When switch is center, any notes present will be held onto. A positive
voltage into the jack will release all notes and not hold again until the
voltage drops to zero (or whatever threshold is common) My thinking is that
a trigger would be used in this instance to clear all the held notes and
continue to hold any current ones.

The momentary down position of the switch does the same thing as above,
clears all the held notes and doesn't hold anymore until released.

I'm not sure if it would be a simple matter of sending "fake" MIDI pedal
hold signals into the MIDI stream or to just do some direct programming into
the processor etc.

John L Rice

PS - if you want to get really fancy, the level of the voltage into the jack
could hold notes based on a time period or???:

+5 = held indefinitely/none held
+4 = held for 4 seconds/cleared if older than 4 seconds
+3 = held for 3 seconds/cleared if older than 3 seconds
+2 = held for 2 seconds/cleared if older than 2 seconds
+1 = held for 1 second/cleared if older than 1 seconds
+0 = none held/held indefinitely 
(switch up/switch center)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2011 7:07 PM
> To: MOTM List
> Subject: [motm] Update
> 
> h) preliminary electrical design of new MOTM-650 has started. Should have
> first round schematic finished in ~ 2 weeks (this weekend is my son's 18th
> birthday bash, have to prevent bad Seth Rogen movie from breaking out).

Well, we are out of the deep freeze (for now, more crap coming on 
Wednesday). No more 5cm of solid ice everywhere.

I spent all of last week soldering on 5U stuff. I discovered today I 
mis-stuffed 4 resistors on a batch of MOTM-485s, that messed up my shipping 
for tomorrow. Happy emails will be sent out this week to ~ 10 people. I am 
putting Euro on the back-burner for a few more weeks to clear out more 5U 
orders. I am somewhat slowed by the fact that Shane the Tech has switched 
job schedules at his regular place and his assistance will be lost for 
several months to come. I put about 1/2 of the pc board he had previously 
solder up on panels. I will keep on "panelling up" what I can until I've run 
out, then I will have to start soldering up the pc boards to complete the 
assembled backlog. For the last year or so Shane has soldered all the pc 
boards for me.

It appears that I will have time to panel up about 16 more 5U modules before 
the Euro SMT boards arrive. I also need to 'fill in the holes' for the 
remaining kits orders. At least I have plenty of wire :)

I am still hard at mork, most every day on the synth modules. It's just a 
lot of stuff to do!

Paul S.

Your work is much appreciated, Paul.  Thanks for the update emails, too.

I was wondering if you have an update on the E340 Cloud Generator DIY kits.

Thanks,

Richard Brewster
http://pugix.com/synth

On 2/7/11 12:15 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> Well, we are out of the deep freeze (for now, more crap coming on
> Wednesday). No more 5cm of solid ice everywhere.
>
> I spent all of last week soldering on 5U stuff. I discovered today I
> mis-stuffed 4 resistors on a batch of MOTM-485s, that messed up my shipping
> for tomorrow. Happy emails will be sent out this week to ~ 10 people. I am
> putting Euro on the back-burner for a few more weeks to clear out more 5U
> orders. I am somewhat slowed by the fact that Shane the Tech has switched
> job schedules at his regular place and his assistance will be lost for
> several months to come. I put about 1/2 of the pc board he had previously
> solder up on panels. I will keep on "panelling up" what I can until I've run
> out, then I will have to start soldering up the pc boards to complete the
> assembled backlog. For the last year or so Shane has soldered all the pc
> boards for me.
>
> It appears that I will have time to panel up about 16 more 5U modules before
> the Euro SMT boards arrive. I also need to 'fill in the holes' for the
> remaining kits orders. At least I have plenty of wire :)
>
> I am still hard at mork, most every day on the synth modules. It's just a
> lot of stuff to do!
>
> Paul S.
>
>

I was able to ship out a few things during the crazy weather week (sunny, 
then ice, then below 24 for 3 days, then was 78 today). Was tied up this 
weekend with my 27th wedding anniversary dinner and moving my daughter out 
of her apartment. This week the weather will be nice, so I will be able to 
ship through Saturday. Next Monday is a postal holiday (21st).

I am going to move into a slightly smaller house ~ June time-frame (will be 
an "empty nester"). This will trigger 2 events:

a) I will be selling off a TON of stuff, including the MOAGB (Mother of All 
Goodie Boxes). Our goal is to get rid of half of our pocessions. More 
details to follow

b) there will be ~ 2 weeks where nothing will get done as I pack up, move, 
unpack, etc. I hope to keep my same office/fax number but may not, depending 
on how far north I go (still will be in Texas, just moving ~ 25rmi away).

Paul S.

Happy Anniversary, Paul !

Scott

On 2/13/2011 9:54 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
>
> I was able to ship out a few things during the crazy weather week (sunny,
> then ice, then below 24 for 3 days, then was 78 today). Was tied up this
> weekend with my 27th wedding anniversary dinner and moving my daughter 
> out
> of her apartment. This week the weather will be nice, so I will be 
> able to
> ship through Saturday. Next Monday is a postal holiday (21st).
>
> I am going to move into a slightly smaller house ~ June time-frame 
> (will be
> an "empty nester"). This will trigger 2 events:
>
> a) I will be selling off a TON of stuff, including the MOAGB (Mother 
> of All
> Goodie Boxes). Our goal is to get rid of half of our pocessions. More
> details to follow
>
> b) there will be ~ 2 weeks where nothing will get done as I pack up, 
> move,
> unpack, etc. I hope to keep my same office/fax number but may not, 
> depending
> on how far north I go (still will be in Texas, just moving ~ 25rmi away).
>
> Paul S.
>
>

Yes! Congrats!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Scott E.
> Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 12:12 AM
> Cc: MOTM List
> Subject: Re: [motm] Update
> 
> Happy Anniversary, Paul !
> 
> Scott
> 
> On 2/13/2011 9:54 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> >
> > I was able to ship out a few things during the crazy weather week
(sunny,
> > then ice, then below 24 for 3 days, then was 78 today). Was tied up this
> > weekend with my 27th wedding anniversary dinner and moving my daughter
> > out
> > of her apartment. This week the weather will be nice, so I will be
> > able to
> > ship through Saturday. Next Monday is a postal holiday (21st).
> >
> > I am going to move into a slightly smaller house ~ June time-frame
> > (will be
> > an "empty nester"). This will trigger 2 events:
> >
> > a) I will be selling off a TON of stuff, including the MOAGB (Mother
> > of All
> > Goodie Boxes). Our goal is to get rid of half of our pocessions. More
> > details to follow
> >
> > b) there will be ~ 2 weeks where nothing will get done as I pack up,
> > move,
> > unpack, etc. I hope to keep my same office/fax number but may not,
> > depending
> > on how far north I go (still will be in Texas, just moving ~ 25rmi
away).

> >
> > Paul S.
> >
> >
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

On Sun, 13 Feb 2011, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> I am going to move into a slightly smaller house ~ June time-frame

Hope this is really about moving closer to Shane the Tech.  :-)

--
Monty Brandenberg

Briefly:

Last week was not productive. I was slammed at work and then I had to deal 
with family issues all weekend.

However, this week looks promising :)

Shane has picked up parts for all the current MOTM-300 assmebled modules in 
the backlog. I am finishing up all the '440s. Several folks have asked for 
MOTM-19A rails, I will ship them this week (more are on order).

I am also stressed some over the earthquake in Japan: stuff such as this 
upsets me a great deal.

But any rate, back in the saddle tomorrow AM bright and early.

Paul S.

I will be able to spend most of the next 3 weeks catching up on 5U 
kits/assembled orders. Between work crunch and family issues, the last 5 
weeks or so have been very light on the MOTM front. This will greatly 
improve.

a) more MOTM-19A rails and MOTM-960 boards due by Friday.

b) I am shipping all but 2 RR E350s this week. I am waiting for NKK switches 
to arrive from Japan, then I have to send them to the SMT assembly house. It 
will be 4 weeks until I get stuffed pc boards back.

I will have another 'run' of 10 in May. The price is $439 US/$459 foreign 
(includes postage). There is a $50 deposit needed (this is what I use to buy 
the FPE panels). You can PayPal anytime to synth1@... and 10 is the 
limit (2 per person). You don't have to pay the balance until I email you 
your module(s) is ready to go. But 10 is all I will have time for.

c) I plan to move to a new house in ~ 8 weeks. I will be taking 3 weeks off 
MOTM during that time. This will be most of June. I expect to have a BIG 
sell-off of stuff. I have synths, rack-mount effects, Event 20/20bas 
speakers and a Digi 001/ProTools LE system. Save your income tax refunds. 
The new house is 2X what I paid for this one (been here since '93). It does 
have a 3 car garage, suitable for MOTM parts storage.

d) I have uncovered a MOTM module that some one has sent in for repair with 
*no name*. No telling how long it's been here. If you are this person, email 
me.

I am behind on emails as well. I will get back to folks this week with 
replies.

Paul S.

a) rails have arrived and I start shipping Monday. They didn't individually 
bag them this time, that's the only difference. The price went up 15% but I 
will hold until this batch gone, then new price will be $58/pr. I know it's 
crazy but it is what it is.

b) I am running behind from last week due to new house purchase insanity (I 
have signed over 30 documents so far before closing). Oh and tax filing, too 
:(  So, many happy emails this week that I was hoping to do last week.

c) I have MOTM-960s in stock now.

Paul S.

Good luck with the move, Paul!

 

John L Rice

From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Schreiber
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 8:16 AM
To: MOTM List
Subject: [motm] Update

 






Physically packing up and moving this week. Delayed due to having to
register son for college last wee in Arkansas. Email/Internet will be down
Wednesday until Saturday. Will try and get back running ASAP.

 

Paul S.

Good luck - see you on the other side!

George

On Jun 19, 2011, at 11:15 AM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> 
> 
> Physically packing up and moving this week. Delayed due to having to register son for college last wee in Arkansas. Email/Internet will be down Wednesday until Saturday. Will try and get back running ASAP.
>  
> Paul S.
>  
> 
> 
>

I will begin shipping MOTM stuff later this week. I have unpacked enough to 
get started. My assembly area will be up in 1 week.

Paul S.

Have a happy 4th, Paul!

John L Rice

> -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Schreiber
> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 7:52 PM
> To: MOTM List
> Subject: [motm] Update
> 
> I will begin shipping MOTM stuff later this week. I have unpacked enough
to

> get started. My assembly area will be up in 1 week.
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

Starting to ship orders (finally).

Will have the bench & lab equipment set up by Friday. Right now, shipping 
all the minimal or non-solder stuff (rails, garage sale items, etc).

Oppressive heat is slowing things down, getting new A/C unit this week, 
hopefully that will perk me up.

Paul S.

It's really hot and humid here, too. God bless Willis Carrier:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Carrier

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 2:20 am
Subject: [motm] Update


 

Starting to ship orders (finally).

Will have the bench & lab equipment set up by Friday. Right now, shipping 
all the minimal or non-solder stuff (rails, garage sale items, etc).

Oppressive heat is slowing things down, getting new A/C unit this week, 
hopefully that will perk me up.

Paul S.

Hear, HEAR, Kheck73!  I'm sure that Paul's quite relieved too, knowing the 
propensity for intense HEAT in the Metroplex!

Dave Garfield - tryin' to chill as well...




________________________________

From: "kheck73@aol.com" <kheck73@...>
To: synth1@...; motm@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 5:22:58 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Update

  
It's really hot and humid here, too. God bless Willis Carrier:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Carrier


-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Schreiber <synth1@...>
To: MOTM List <motm@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 2:20 am
Subject: [motm] Update


  
Starting to ship orders (finally).

Will have the bench & lab equipment set up by Friday. Right now, shipping 
all the minimal or non-solder stuff (rails, garage sale items, etc).

Oppressive heat is slowing things down, getting new A/C unit this week, 
hopefully that will perk me up.

Paul S.

a) my daughter will be having baby in < 4 weeks so if you have any "quick to 
ship" 2.0 orders, please send them in ASAP.

b) I am unpacked 100% and have started back to building and shipping stuff

c) wife wants to have her car in garage by next weekend, so look for goodie 
boxes for sale later in the week.

Paul S.

a) Many order will be filled the next 10 days or so as I have been working 
hard to get organized and set up from the move. I have a few left over 
orders from the garage sale as well.

b) I am starting MOTM-650 build tomorrow, I am still waiting on some front 
panels but I have parts to ship most of the existing orders. I have blank pc 
boards, enough to make ~ 8 more units be fore retirement. But due to the 
setup charge on the SMT machine, these last 8 would be $50ea more so not 
sure I will run them or not.

c) MOTM-730s have been built and will be shipping this week as well.

d) I have a new job + new grandbaby coming. There will be some changes in 
the business going forward and will have an announcement next Sunday.

Paul S.

a) Bridechamber should receive the 2.0 DIY parts tomorrow. I will start 
switch off these parts on my order page and replace with links. I will also 
post to the main page and News page of my site.

b) Todd Fletcher is also assisting with pc board assembly for the backlog.

c) I start (yet another) new job tomorrow after 12 week vacation (cough). I 
have the entire kit/assembled backlog in spreadsheets, I know the task ahead 
will take all year to finish. But with the new org and assistance it's 
doable.

Paul S.

Scott @ Bridechamber has the MOTM 2.0 stuff I had. It's not 100% complete as 
there are a few pc boards and panels needed. I will be sending CAD files to 
him this week so he can get going on the missing items. I will ship orders I 
had but please contact Bridechamber in the future.

I am now working on getting the remaining orders shipped. I just ordered the 
mechanical parts I will need and a few log pots to finish. I have Shane 
soldering all the thru-hole MOTM-650 boards. Todd Fletcher is soldering on ~ 
87 pc boards. I have a few MOTM-730s to finish, then I am making up the 
"holes" in the kits and shipping off all the kits (waiting on CA3280s).

It's going to take a while to ship everything to everybody. It is ~ 187 
assembled modules and ~ 43 kits. That's a LOT of work but the only way to do 
it is work on it a little every day (which I pretty much have been doing for 
13 years).

I have "found" everything from the move (the very last thing I found today 
were parts for MOTM-510s). There is a chance (will know ~ 3 weeks) that I 
will have around 6-8 more MOTM-650s available BUT they will be slightly more 
due to the high tooling cost (like $40 more). Which is still less than what 
most people paid for them.

My unscheduled 12-week summer vacation (read: RIM layoff) is now over as I 
have a 9-5 job now. I was able to do quite a bit of MOTM/Euro work this 
summer while moving and now with live-in grandbaby. I will as always work 
*every day* on *someones* order. It might not be your. But you never know :)

Paul S.

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and its contents, including any attachments hereto (collectively, "this e-mail"), is hereby designated as "confidential and proprietary." This e-mail may be viewed and used only by the person to whom it has been sent and his/her employer solely for the express purpose for which it has been disclosed and only in accordance with any confidentiality or non-disclosure (or similar) agreement between TEAC Corporation or its affiliates and said employer, and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jeff Laity

To: MOTM List

Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 5:17 PM

Subject: Re: [motm] Update

Does that include "extra parts kits"?

On Sep 11, 2011, at 9:35 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:

Scott @ Bridechamber has the MOTM 2.0 stuff I had. It's not 100% complete as there are a few pc boards and panels needed. I will be sending CAD files to him this week so he can get going on the missing items. I will ship orders I had but please contact Bridechamber in the future.

NOTICE: This electronic mail message and its contents, including any attachments hereto (collectively, "this e-mail"), is hereby designated as "confidential and proprietary." This e-mail may be viewed and used only by the person to whom it has been sent and his/her employer solely for the express purpose for which it has been disclosed and only in accordance with any confidentiality or non-disclosure (or similar) agreement between TEAC Corporation or its affiliates and said employer, and may not be disclosed to any other person or entity.

a) tomorrow (Monday) is a US holiday. Columbus Day. No. Really. So the post 
office is closed.

b) I just received more front panels and PWR-20 power cables to send to 
BrideChamber. These will go out this week. I should also have some blank pc 
boards for him as well. Please help support Scott and Todd.

c) I am still having a few issues with my shopping cart SW. There is a 
possibility that I may have to punt my hosting company because 2 hours of 
"Hello, this is....(pause)...Randy" India tech support isn't helpful. I 
spent 3 hours yesterday going over 100s of lines of PHP code trying to get 
the MySQL database to configure. I don't even know what that *means* :( 
Something about setting the CHMODE permission for the SSL to daemon to the 
shell unicorn purple dinosaur eggplant.

d) It actually rained here a bit, first time since May 22nd.

e) When the MOTM-480 boards arrive, I will test the new CA3280s and if 
everything is OK kit up the MOTM-480s and get all the kits out the door. I 
am running behind a bit but have shipped most '650s (I need a few more 
ribbon cable assemblies made up to get 100% finished). I will try to find 
more time this week to work on the backlog.

Paul S.

Nothing but some rain. All the action was 35mi SE of me.

 

Paul S.

 

 

From: Greg James [mailto:gjames@...] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2012 8:20 PM
To: 'Paul Schreiber'; 'MOTM List'
Subject: RE: [motm] Update

 

Paul - hope you're well.

a) I am still on plan to officially transfer all MOTM-related activity to
BrideChamber on May 1st. Orders placed on my site before that date will
still be fulfilled by me.

b) The new website will also magically appear on that date. It is much
easier to work with, so I can update it without a huge effort. For now, most
of the content is the same but the overall nav and UI is totally different.
As time goes on, newer content will appear.

c) I am about 3 weeks behind schedule shipping the MOTM backlog, due to 2
weeks of illness. Not a whole lot was done, I was in sad shape. But, that is
what day care does, it brings home the germs. I have 6 orders < #1500 left
to ship. These get priority. I received all the MOTM-650 assembled pc board
sets. The only thing left to do R&D wise is the '480 situation with the
CA3280s. As reported earlier, I messed up and ordered prototype pc boards
instead of production for the kits and for Scott. Well, the correct ones
arrived and Scott is getting them this week. I have 11 MOTM-480 kits to
ship, if the CA3280s work out these will ship in April. I built the
assembled pc boards with the correct version and they need to be verified as
well.

I am in a lull in Euro building right now (waiting for parts to
arrive/assembly at SMT place) so for the next 5 weeks or so, it's pretty
much MOTM all the way. The goal was to 100% clear the backlog May 1st, Now I
will say by June 10th or so. I calculated that I need ~ 280 hours of work to
finish the backlog. 

Paul S.

Sorry to hear you were sick, Paul.  Thanks for the update.

Richard Brewster
http://pugix.com

On 4/15/12 8:18 PM, Paul Schreiber wrote:
> a) I am still on plan to officially transfer all MOTM-related activity to
> BrideChamber on May 1st. Orders placed on my site before that date will
> still be fulfilled by me.
>
> b) The new website will also magically appear on that date. It is much
> easier to work with, so I can update it without a huge effort. For now, most
> of the content is the same but the overall nav and UI is totally different.
> As time goes on, newer content will appear.
>
> c) I am about 3 weeks behind schedule shipping the MOTM backlog, due to 2
> weeks of illness. Not a whole lot was done, I was in sad shape. But, that is
> what day care does, it brings home the germs. I have 6 orders<  #1500 left
> to ship. These get priority. I received all the MOTM-650 assembled pc board
> sets. The only thing left to do R&D wise is the '480 situation with the
> CA3280s. As reported earlier, I messed up and ordered prototype pc boards
> instead of production for the kits and for Scott. Well, the correct ones
> arrived and Scott is getting them this week. I have 11 MOTM-480 kits to
> ship, if the CA3280s work out these will ship in April. I built the
> assembled pc boards with the correct version and they need to be verified as
> well.
>
> I am in a lull in Euro building right now (waiting for parts to
> arrive/assembly at SMT place) so for the next 5 weeks or so, it's pretty
> much MOTM all the way. The goal was to 100% clear the backlog May 1st, Now I
> will say by June 10th or so. I calculated that I need ~ 280 hours of work to
> finish the backlog.
>
> Paul S.
>
>
>

Today starts "MOTM WEEK". Wife is in France spending my money. Grandson at
baby-sitter 9hrs/day. So, I'm going to get somewhere around 50 modules out
the door by Friday.

The backlog is 112, so this is almost 1/2 of them. 

Paul S.

I have had this policy for 13 years:

 

If you want a refund JUST ASK. It's not any more involved than that. Send an
email with the Order # and I will take care of the rest. I can only refund
via PayPal or bank transfer. If takes about 7 days to transfer money into
PayPal and then to have it sent.

 

And next time, send such demands privately. It doesn't "spur me into action
via shame". In fact, just the opposite.

 

Paul S.

/BTW: I have started packing up for the move. I built ~ 22 modules this week
and they will ship on Tuesday. I will guess the soonest I will be unpacked
and back to work is ~ Sept. 25th. Since I will go from having very little
spare to nothing BUT spare time the backlog will be quickly shipped. I need
to stuff more MOTM-300 boards but I have 95% of EVERY other order's pc board
stuffed and ready to go. Next Wednesday I am preparing EVERY backlogged kit
for shipping (note the '480s are shipped pre-stuffed and soldered). All the
kits are shipping by Monday the 10th.

//BTW #2: will no longer post to the group after Sept. 16th.

Paul,

I don't want a refund, I simply want you to follow through on delivery promises made publically to this group.

You post public updates to the group stating that ordered modules will ship out by a certain date, these promises are broken, and then more promises are made, and broken, etc., etc.

As a customer, who has paid for modules (approx. $1500 on November 25th, 2010) and has been waiting to receive them since then, I read these updates, with the hope that maybe they will eventually come true, but they never do.

I just want the modules delivered, as when promised in your updates, I don't want to jump the queue to get mine before someone that has ordered before me, and after waiting a number of years already, I don't want a refund.

As you are posting these delivery promises publically to this group, I see no problem in discussing the breaking of such promises in this same public group.

Your bullying of customers into censorship, with threats of being bumped even further down the never ending list, through threats of even less action than the inaction we are experiencing already, obviously scares others into submission, judging by the off-list thanks for raising the issue and then subsequent lack of any on-list support, but isn't going to silence me at all.

Obviously by raising this on the list, I risk having my modules built by you while feeling animosity towards me, so they might not be built to the same standard as they otherwise would, hopefully you are professional enough not to do this, but at this stage, and with the attitude you have towards your customers, I don't really expect it.

It is bizarre that you behave like this towards paying customers, on top of taking money, making promise after broken promise, and not delivering anything for years, to try to bully them into keeping quiet on-list with threats of even further mistreatment is really a strange approach to customer service.

This is in no way an attempt to spur you into action via shame, I have given up long ago on seeing these modules anytime soon, feel free to bump me to the end of your list if that is how you think you should treat paying/paid customers, it is simply an on list discussion of a very real and major obstacle and concern with MOTM ownership.

Simon
Canberra
AUSTRALIA

From: Paul Schreiber
Sent: Sunday, 2 September 2012 1:30 AM
I have had this policy for 13 years:
If you want a refund JUST ASK. It's not any more involved than that. Send an email with the Order # and I will take care of the rest. I can only refund via PayPal or bank transfer. If takes about 7 days to transfer money into PayPal and then to have it sent.
And next time, send such demands privately. It doesn't "spur me into action via shame". In fact, just the opposite.
Paul S.
/BTW: I have started packing up for the move. I built ~ 22 modules this week and they will ship on Tuesday. I will guess the soonest I will be unpacked and back to work is ~ Sept. 25th. Since I will go from having very little spare to nothing BUT spare time the backlog will be quickly shipped. I need to stuff more MOTM-300 boards but I have 95% of EVERY other order's pc board stuffed and ready to go. Next Wednesday I am preparing EVERY backlogged kit for shipping (note the '480s are shipped pre-stuffed and soldered). All the kits are shipping by Monday the 10th.
//BTW #2: will no longer post to the group after Sept. 16th.







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Things are now settled in here in AZ until July at least. The family drama
has stabilized for the most part and I have all my parts to finish out the
MOTM backlog.

I have not been able to get much MOTM out since July. But, between now and
Christmas/New Year break I will start shipping in moderate volumes. I now
have all the MOTM-300 VCO pc boards stuffed and soldered and this was the
last module waiting for stuffed boards.

I am going to go 1 person at a time, old to new for assembled. For the kits:
I need to do the '480s, which are actually stuffed pc boards and ship all of
those at once. 

The only thing left is to get BR-15 small brackets, I will get those on
order Monday (for '800s, mostly).

I will send out 'ping' emails to check for shipping addresses/if you will be
there. The LAST day I am shipping is Dec. 20. I will start again on Jan.
7th.

All foreign orders: I will ship EMS Express with tracking at my added
expense. You MUST HAVE SOMEONE SIGN for delivery. THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IT.
If you will be at work, them have me ship it to work or to a friend or your
mom or whoever.

Paul S.

Last 4 days were all MOTM, all the time :)

A) MOTM-480 kits are done. ALL remaining MOTM kits will ship by this coming
Saturday.

B) I may have a few extra, the first for sure is 1ea MOTM-480 kit for $300,
free US shipping, $30 foreign. This is a SEMI-KIT, as all the pcb parts are
pre-soldered. The pots are not, nor the wires. So assembly time is only 1-2
hours. Email if interested.

I also have 2ea MOTM-310 uVCOs, assembled, calibrated and just sitting here.
$300ea also/$330 foreign. Free shipping.

In ~ 10 days I will list what I have left over.

b) I built 11 assembled modules as well, but have about 42 to go. This
coming week will still be MOTM-focused (but have to go back to
work.....sigh). Happy emails will dribble out all month long. MOTM assembly
is *slow going* :)

Paul S.

I will be unpacking my 5U MOTM parts and boards this weekend. I have not
been able to ship any 5U for several months, but this will not be the case
for April/May. I have reduced the unboxing from the move from 93 boxes to
about 14. I will start shipping on Monday.

Paul S.