MOTM

> From: thudson@...
> I've been absent from the MOTM world for a while
> but I'm ready to return in full force.

First off, welcome back !

> I'm going
> to put in an order early next week for at least
> one of every module that I don't have. I currently
> have a 900, 100, 110, and 120. I have a couple of
> questions for those with more modules.
> 
> - Which modules would you most want duplicates
>   of? I was thinking of an extra 300, 320, and
>   800. I know I'll need more VCAs, are there
>   plans for a VCA other than the 110, or is
>   there merit in having more than one 110?

Well, 300 is an obvious choice.  You just cannot have too many oscillators.
 I would think everyone would want to start with a couple.  Same is true
for the 320.  It is one of my favorites.  And, since it can be used in the
audio range (and synced up to your 300s - I have used my 120 to sync the
320 as a sub osc), it is very versatile.  The shape control is the coolest
thing going.  If you can't get a LFO wave out of the 320 that you like, you
must be Paul's 14 year old daughter. <snicker>

I cannot imagine even a one voice system without at least two 800 EGs.  I
have 6 in my two voice system and sometimes have them all patched.
 
> - I'm wondering how hard it is to calibrate the
>   300. I have a low-end scope (Protek 20m dual
>   trace), but no precision voltage source.
>   Should I purchase one 300 assembled to use
>   to calibrate the other?

The scope is only needed to set the sine symmetry.  Even that can be done
by ear.  The calibration of 1volt/oct does not use the scope.  It is mostly
an ear thing (for me anyhow).  The best way to calibrate a 300 is against
another 300 and do them both at the same time.  Another good reason to buy
two.  I wouldn't buy one assembled just for the calibration.
 
> - I also want to purchase a midi-to-cv. I've
>   read reviews and I'm leaning towards the
>   Encore Expressionist. Any opinions?

They get rave reviews.  If you want more than two voices they do support a
poly mode.  I recently saw the insides of one and they are well built.  
However, for a little less money, the Kenton Pro-2000 is also a good
choice.  It has two dedicated voices for CV and gate and 6 auxes you can
assign to almost anything (triggers is one).  You can have up to 5 voices
of gate and CV only if you use up the 6 auxes.  However, it is not a
polyphonic operation.  Just 5 monophonic voices.

Yes, dual VCA and pre-amp are things Paul has said are coming.

Larry Hendry

Well, here's my personal take on your question.

I have three 800 EGs and three 300 VCOs to start with, and one of everything
else so far (on order at least). I find those to be the most useful modules
to duplicate for starters. The VCOs because you need to specify initial
harmonic content using VCOs, and the EGs because there are so many
parameters of a sound that are good to control with different contours over
the sound's "life."

There are plans for a new VCO and a new Dual VCA in the near future. I would
consider the VCA to be the next most useful module to have a lot of, because
they not only control the sound's output envelope, but can essentially
control the flow of any signal or control voltage as it travels through your
patch.

I calibrated three of the 300 VCOs and one VCF for V/Oct in under thirty
minutes. The first ten of those minutes was spent letting the modules warm
up! I used a MIDI keyboard, a MIDI-CV converter (Encore Expressionist), and
a $99 DVM with a frequency counter in it. I also used the Patch Panel
module-I bought red & black banana posts from Radio Shack and stuck them in
one row of the patch module, to which I clamped the DVM leads, and then took
a patchcord out of that row into the pulse output of the VCO being
calibrated, making sure PWM was off and Width was 50%, just for good
measure.

Then I played a low C on the keyboard, tuned the VCO to 100 Hz with the
front panel controls, played a C an octave up, and turned the trim pot until
the DVM frequency counter reading was halfway between what it was and 200
Hz. Then I played the low C again, retuning with the front panel to 100Hz,
then played the C one octave up... going back and forth five or six times.

It doesn't matter that C isn't 100 Hz "for real" because you're just setting
the linearity of the V/Oct converter, and round numbers are easier to work
with.

When that looked stable, I played a C four octaves up and did the same
tweaking until I got 100 Hz at one end of the keyboard and 1600 Hz at the
other. Once that was set, I tried the octaves in between and found rock
solid 200 Hz, 400 Hz, & 800 Hz in between. Calibration done, bring on the
next one.

There is an MOTM Triple Preamp module coming out soon.

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	thudson@... [mailto:thudson@...] 
Sent:	Tuesday, 04 April, 2000 11:06 AM
To:	MOTM
Subject:	[motm] Purchasing decisions 


I've been absent from the MOTM world for a while
but I'm ready to return in full force. I'm going
to put in an order early next week for at least
one of every module that I don't have. I currently
have a 900, 100, 110, and 120. I have a couple of
questions for those with more modules.

- Which modules would you most want duplicates
  of? I was thinking of an extra 300, 320, and
  800. I know I'll need more VCAs, are there
  plans for a VCA other than the 110, or is
  there merit in having more than one 110?

- I'm wondering how hard it is to calibrate the
  300. I have a low-end scope (Protek 20m dual
  trace), but no precision voltage source.
  Should I purchase one 300 assembled to use
  to calibrate the other?

- I also want to purchase a midi-to-cv. I've
  read reviews and I'm leaning towards the
  Encore Expressionist. Any opinions?

- I also want to process guitar and other 
  instruments with my MOTM modules. What
  do most of you use to get the right
  levels. How far off is +4db/-20db
  (my JMP-1 preamp output levels) from
  what MOTM wants? Is there a MOTM preamp 
  planned?


Thomas, Eagerly awaiting MOTM heaven...

> - Which modules would you most want duplicates
>   of? I was thinking of an extra 300, 320, and
>   800. I know I'll need more VCAs, are there
>   plans for a VCA other than the 110, or is
>   there merit in having more than one 110?

I like having duplicates of the ...
MOTM-300 VCO
MOTM-320 VC-LFO
MOTM-800 EG

Cross-patching two VCOs can be pretty fun.

I love the new MOTM-440 VCF, but I imagine one per
voice would be fine for most synthesists.

I would only buy one or two MOTM-110s now, since the
new Dual VCA will be awesome.  But really, the only
thing I miss on the current VCA for "normal" patches
is that it only has one CV input.  ... And we don't
have a CV mixer yet.

Regards,

Roy

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> From: thudson@...
> So here's what I finally end up with:
>  - snip out list of currently available modules - <

> That also brings me up to 20 modules,
> so I guess I can use my motm points to
> get two free modules. Brings me close to 2k,
> which is what I planned to spend anyway.
> 
> Good grief, I'm drooling...

Thomas.  You are in trouble.  You list only includes currently available
modules.  What about all the new ones coming out this year?  You need more
spaces in that rack <snicker>

On your power distribution question:  Use a nice heavy gauge wire to patch
over to your extra distribution board.  I have some very nice 14 gauge
utility grade panel wire I would be happy to send you to make the jump if
you send me your snail mail address and how long you need it.  I know it
seems like overkill, but the bigger wire keeps things closer to the true
ideal "star" configuration for power distribution.  Plus this nice wire I
have is VERY flexible.  You will need the crimp style (I solder them
anyhow) spade lugs (available anywhere, RS, automotive stores, good
hardware stores) to go on the extra power distribution panel.  Since I have
no 900, I am not certain of the connection at that end.  If you are in a
wood case, you can just screw the panel down to the wood.  I am currently
in a metal rack, so I bought one of those cheap plastic project boxes from
RS and mounted mine inside (threw away the lid) and mounted that to the
rack.  for me this was an easy way to assure that nothing gets shorted.

Larry (not a total stooge) Hendry

Yes, this summer (june) I'll have one.

Paul S.

----- Original Message -----
From: Nathan Hunsicker <nate@...>
To: <motm@egroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: [motm] Purchasing decisions


> I know there was some discussion on this... Is a 1U multiple panel ever
> going to be manufactured? I'd rather wait for that than try to make my
own,
> just to keep my panels uniform. Was there a projected date for this
project

> or was is canceled? Let me know. -Nate
>
>
> >
> >> From: Dave Bradley <daveb@...>
> >
> >> If you just want real mults, buy one or two 1U
> >
> >> blank panels from Paul, getsome Switchcraft
> >
> >> 112A jacks from Mouser or DigiKey, and make
> >
> >> your own. It's simple! And, you'd get a couple
> >
> >> of spaces back to put another real module.
> >
> >
> >
> >Dave's right.  I made myself one this way and even painted on the little
> >
> >lines.  They are simple, cheap, and bound to please anyone (except of
> >
> >course Paul's 14 year old daughter).
> >
> >
> >
> >Stooge Larry
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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From: thudson@... <thudson@...>
>it possible we're living in a better time than the wonder
>years of analog synths?


yep...





...for a start my meagre pocket money in the early seventies wouldn't have
stood for it...
cheers paul b

> From: thudson@...
> But to be honest I'd rather build MOTM modules.
> Thomas

Amen !
LH