MOTM

Another option that worked well for me was just to tune the VCO using a
stroboscopic tuner, I just tuned my vco to A2 on the keyboard and then
rutuned at A6, The only drawback is that you have to retune your lower note
everytime you change the trimmer pot. -Nate

>> From: Dave Bradley <daveb@...>
>
>> I have a scope but dial mine in by ear. It doesn't
>
>> particularly make sense to buy one 300 assembled
>
>> for calibration purposes, because they both will
>
>> have to be calibrated with whatever midi/CV
>
>> converter you purchase. IMO the easiest way to
>
>> calibrate is to run 2 VCOs, one at a static pitch, the
>
>> other connected to the kbd, and set the tracking to
>
>> be 'beatless' over 5 octaves or so. Then calibrate the
>
>> original drone to the second with both tracking.
>
>
>
>When Dave originally suggested this, it was a big help to me.  I started
>
>trying to track my VCOs to a DCO I have and found out that not so good.
>
>Dave's thoughts above is exactly what worked best for me.  One thing I
>
>might add that helped me a little with hearing the beating when the
>
>oscillators were more than three octaves apart was to also use the 120.
>
>Since it is exact division, I found it useful to bring the higher
>
>oscillator frequency down an octave or two when beating against the lower
>
>osc.
>
>
>
>> 2. The Expressionist doesn't have true trigger outputs,
>
>> just gate. I don't find this to be an issue, if you use the
>
>> newer 800s or do the simple mod to the early 800s which
>
>> allows them to run a complete ADSR cycle from a gate
>
>> only.
>
>
>
>Yes, but only using triggers will allow re-triggering without prior note
>
>release.  This is probably the decision maker for some when deciding
>
>between the Kenton and Encore.  For Dave, the true triggers was not an
>
>issue.  For me, it was, so I bought the Kenton (and gave up the poly mode).
>
>
>
>> The new 440 SSM filter rocks!
>
>
>
>DITTO DITTO DITTO.  If you are into LOW pass filters, this is the one.
>
>
>
>Larry H
>
>
>
>
>
>

In a message dated 04/04/2000 7:32:10 PM, jlarryh@... writes:

<< I did modify all my 800s to work on gate only
for full ADSR.  I recommend that to anyone with the "original" 800s. >>

How can you tell if you have "original" 800's?

Ivan

In a message dated 4/4/2000 8:05:59 AM, thudson@... writes:

>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.

Welcome back Thomas, I coulda used your help with all these *keyboard 
players* gangin up on me.

>- 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'd be getting three 300s before getting a second 320, as far as 800s I might 
recommend three or four per voice per voice (again three or four 800s before 
a second 320). I know Larry really likes the 320 so he might not agree with 
these statements. As far as the 110 goes, I kinda know what you mean since I 
always want to use a VCA when I use RM, but there are so many uses for VCAs 
(again I'd recommend at least two for the first couple of voices you 
"purchase," since you may want to use them as panners, or to gate CV signals, 
as well as basic amplitude control). The dual VCA that Paul mentioned a 
couple of months back sounds very powerful, a multi use module which could be 
used for cross fading, panning, or dual independent VCA use, if I'm not 
mistaken.

>- 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?

Like Moe said <blah blah blah>.

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

Nope.

>- 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?

OK, I'll confess! I still haven't finished my 440 (but I know it'll be great 
since it is four pole, and has the "full compliment of Barlow features." 
Those, of course, being: the reversing attenuator for frequency VC, and a VC 
Q input -- rockin!). That said, I think the 440 would be the best for 
envelope follower VCF usage, while the 410 would is good for both that and 
pseudo phasor type effects (though I believe I actually mentioned this to you 
a few months ago). As for preamp, lets say I use another brand while awaiting 
the MOTM -- you know the brand. I think the last time we heard about the MOTM 
preamp, the guitar input was going to distort (?) maybe not.

Anyway, it's good to have you back(?) -- now fess up the rest of you getar 
players!
JB

>OK.  As a guy with only 1 420, you two 420 guys tell me how you hook up and
>use two.
>I'm all ears.
>Larry H
>
I believe the classic MS-20 set up is one lowpass into one highpass, I've
done this before and it's quite cool. Also, 2 lowpass in series makes a
pretty nasty 4-pole filter, esp with both run into distortion.

One thing I do often in bass patches is patch the ouput of the 120 in sub
maode into one lowpass 420, to take the "edges" off the square waves, and
then mixing the ouput of that 120 with the original oscillator into a 2nd
filter. It makes the suboctave a lot smoother.

Stayed up too late last night finishing the 440, and payed for it trying to
work today! Worth it though, the 440 is a nasty filter. I love the bass
enhance feature, being able to keep the bass response at high resonance.
And VC resonance is just too cool!

____________________________________________
Dave Trenkel : improv@...
Minus Web Site: http://listen.to/minusmusic
Minus MP3's: http://www.mp3.com/-minus-
____________________________________________

Thanks for everyone's input. I had originally thought
I'd be adding a second row of MOTM, but now I'm starting
to spill over into a third. It speaks volumes for a 
product when its best salesmen are its customers.

Tomy

thudson@... wrote:
> 
> Thanks for everyone's input. I had originally thought
> I'd be adding a second row of MOTM, but now I'm starting
> to spill over into a third. 

Excuse me, spilling into a fourth...

Tomy

So here's what I finally end up with:

Qty    Spcs	Description
---    ----	-----------
3	6	300 Ultra VCO
2	4	320 VC LFO
1	2	410 Triple resonate filter
2	4	420 VCF	
1	2	700 VC Router
3	3	800 ADSR
2	4	940 Patch Panel
1	2	440 SSM VCF
1	2	110 RM/VCA	

I already have:
1	3	900 Pwr
1	2	100 Noise/SH
1	2	110 RM/VCA
1	2	120 Sub-Octave Mux

I will also need:
3	Rack rails
1	Extra power distribution pcb

I'll only have two VCAs and know I will need more, but I'll
wait for the new one. That's 38 spaces, four rows, with a
2U open. I guess I'll either save that for the next goody,
or use it for a breakout of an expressionist. 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

Nice system!

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: thudson@... [mailto:thudson@...]On Behalf Of
> thudson@...
> Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 11:13 AM
> To: motm@egroups.com
> Subject: Re: [motm] Purchasing decisions 
> 
> 
> 
> So here's what I finally end up with:
> 
> Qty    Spcs	Description
> ---    ----	-----------
> 3	6	300 Ultra VCO
> 2	4	320 VC LFO
> 1	2	410 Triple resonate filter
> 2	4	420 VCF	
> 1	2	700 VC Router
> 3	3	800 ADSR
> 2	4	940 Patch Panel
> 1	2	440 SSM VCF
> 1	2	110 RM/VCA	
> 
> I already have:
> 1	3	900 Pwr
> 1	2	100 Noise/SH
> 1	2	110 RM/VCA
> 1	2	120 Sub-Octave Mux
> 
> I will also need:
> 3	Rack rails
> 1	Extra power distribution pcb
> 
> I'll only have two VCAs and know I will need more, but I'll
> wait for the new one. That's 38 spaces, four rows, with a
> 2U open. I guess I'll either save that for the next goody,
> or use it for a breakout of an expressionist. 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

Are you accounting for any new modules in planning or development? You're 
going to end up with more than you think. Looks like a monster system as is 
though.

>From: thudson@...
>Reply-To: motm@egroups.com
>To: motm@egroups.com
>Subject: Re: [motm] Purchasing decisions
>Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 12:13:16 -0400
>
>
>So here's what I finally end up with:
>
>Qty    Spcs	Description
>---    ----	-----------
>3	6	300 Ultra VCO
>2	4	320 VC LFO
>1	2	410 Triple resonate filter
>2	4	420 VCF
>1	2	700 VC Router
>3	3	800 ADSR
>2	4	940 Patch Panel
>1	2	440 SSM VCF
>1	2	110 RM/VCA
>
>I already have:
>1	3	900 Pwr
>1	2	100 Noise/SH
>1	2	110 RM/VCA
>1	2	120 Sub-Octave Mux
>
>I will also need:
>3	Rack rails
>1	Extra power distribution pcb
>
>I'll only have two VCAs and know I will need more, but I'll
>wait for the new one. That's 38 spaces, four rows, with a
>2U open. I guess I'll either save that for the next goody,
>or use it for a breakout of an expressionist. 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

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

james holloway wrote:
> 
> Are you accounting for any new modules in planning or development? You're
> going to end up with more than you think. Looks like a monster system as is
> though.
> 
It is definitely changing my plans on case design. I had originally 
planned on each "wing" holding two rows. But I do plan to expand over 
time to include any new modules (wish list: preamp/envfol, phasor,
sequencer, math module, freq shifter, VC delay). Now I'm leaning
towards three rows per cab with the ergonomic/cool looking angles.
Of course, I'm wondering about power supply considerations. With
these four rows I'm just about at the suggested limit of a single
900. 
 
My dream system would be a six voice to use with the midi outs on
my Roland GR50 guitar synth; Jimi Synthix!

Thomas

Sounds like a godlike system.  Hey, wait a few weeks and you might get the
1000th module prize. My only comment is whether you really need the 940
patch panels. What else are you patching into? I just bought a bunch of
1/8" -> 1/4" cables at rat-shack to patch between my Doepfer/Blacet and
MOTM. If you're patching to a banana system, I'm not sure if adaptors would
work, though.

>So here's what I finally end up with:
>
>Qty    Spcs     Description
>---    ----     -----------
>3       6       300 Ultra VCO
>2       4       320 VC LFO
>1       2       410 Triple resonate filter
>2       4       420 VCF
>1       2       700 VC Router
>3       3       800 ADSR
>2       4       940 Patch Panel
>1       2       440 SSM VCF
>1       2       110 RM/VCA
>
>I already have:
>1       3       900 Pwr
>1       2       100 Noise/SH
>1       2       110 RM/VCA
>1       2       120 Sub-Octave Mux
>
>I will also need:
>3       Rack rails
>1       Extra power distribution pcb
>
>I'll only have two VCAs and know I will need more, but I'll
>wait for the new one. That's 38 spaces, four rows, with a
>2U open. I guess I'll either save that for the next goody,
>or use it for a breakout of an expressionist. 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

____________________________________________
Dave Trenkel : improv@...
Minus Web Site: http://listen.to/minusmusic
Minus MP3's: http://www.mp3.com/-minus-
____________________________________________

improv@... wrote:
> 
> Sounds like a godlike system.  Hey, wait a few weeks and you might get the
> 1000th module prize. My only comment is whether you really need the 940
> patch panels. 

I'm wondering about this too. I may only get one of these. I was only
getting it for the mults at the bottom. I wonder if it would be 
possible to drill out the 1/8 and banana holes for 1/4 jacks.
All the other gear I will interface with is 1/4. I even built
my ASM-1 with the Chris List faceplate to use 1/4. Though after
seeing what an ASM-1 went for on eBay recently, I may use it 
to fund more MOTM purchases :-)

Thomas

RE drilling out a 940 - you can replace the 1/8" and left column of bananas
with 1/4" jacks, but note that the right column of banana ground plugs is
spaced closer than normal to accomodate dual banana plugs.

If you just want real mults, buy one or two 1U blank panels from Paul, get
some 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 Bradley
Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Animation, Inc.
daveb@...

> I'm wondering about this too. I may only get one of these. I was only
> getting it for the mults at the bottom. I wonder if it would be
> possible to drill out the 1/8 and banana holes for 1/4 jacks.
> All the other gear I will interface with is 1/4. I even built
> my ASM-1 with the Chris List faceplate to use 1/4. Though after
> seeing what an ASM-1 went for on eBay recently, I may use it
> to fund more MOTM purchases :-)
>
> Thomas
>

I drilled all of the non 1/4" holes to accomodate 1/4" jacks. worked just 
fine. I too used the Chris List design for 1/4" capability on the ASM-1. 
Just finished it, haven't even calibrated it yet. Hoping it will compliment 
the MOTM well.

>From: thudson@...
>Reply-To: motm@egroups.com
>To: motm@egroups.com
>Subject: Re: [motm] Purchasing decisions
>Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000 13:20:13 -0400
>
>improv@... wrote:
> >
> > Sounds like a godlike system.  Hey, wait a few weeks and you might get 
>the
> > 1000th module prize. My only comment is whether you really need the 940
> > patch panels.
>
>I'm wondering about this too. I may only get one of these. I was only
>getting it for the mults at the bottom. I wonder if it would be
>possible to drill out the 1/8 and banana holes for 1/4 jacks.
>All the other gear I will interface with is 1/4. I even built
>my ASM-1 with the Chris List faceplate to use 1/4. Though after
>seeing what an ASM-1 went for on eBay recently, I may use it
>to fund more MOTM purchases :-)
>
>Thomas

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

james holloway wrote:
> 
> I drilled all of the non 1/4" holes to accomodate 1/4" jacks. worked just
> fine. I too used the Chris List design for 1/4" capability on the ASM-1.
> Just finished it, haven't even calibrated it yet. Hoping it will compliment
> the MOTM well.
> 
I've used mine quite a bit with my limited set of MOTM modules. The
only thing that was disappointing to me on the ASM-1 are the ADSRs.
And I can only be totally subjective here. I may have them calibrated
incorrectly, but they seem "touchy." Too much change in the interesting
places, not enough change in others. When I compare them to the ADSRs
on an old PAIA 4700 series modular, I'm not able to get the same nice
plucked string sounds (think harpsichord). And they don't seem as
punchy.

Other than that I'm quite happy with the one that I've built. It was
hell wiring the panel. I actually have three more circuit boards and
panels. But to be honest I'd rather build MOTM modules.

Thomas

"J. Larry Hendry" wrote:
> 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>
> 
Hush. What do you expect me to use as an excuse to my wife for starting
a new row. :-) "Damn, my modular is incomplete now without those new
modules, I'll need two more rows. And look honey, I've already got the
second (4 row) wooden case. Did I say two rows? I meant four."

Actually this is just catchup for me. After the first row I got busy
with work (even some nineteen hour days). Then Red Hat bought my company 
and closed the Atlanta office. I got good serverance and lots of
options. 
I'm consulting now so I have more free time (Well, shorts bursts of
frenzy followed by small stretches of free time).

I spent the last year almost going into convulsions listening to you 
guys talk about all the modules I don't have. Every time Paul came 
out with a new module it drove me crazy knowing that even if I found 
time to build it, I wouldn't have much time to play with it.

I think the 440 was the last straw. I've been hearing people rave
about the SSM filters for years. I even emailed JH about offering
circuit boards of his clone. Then it becomes available as a MOTM
module? 

Oh wait. Maybe it was the Jean Michelle Jarre-in-a-box 410. I 
have got to run some of my bizarre guitar patches through that.
That sound has intrigued me for years.

Anyway, I assure you that I desperately want to be back in the
land of impatience waiting for the next MOTM, rather than 
watching the train go by. To echo a thread on synth-diy, is 
it possible we're living in a better time than the wonder 
years of analog synths?

Thomas

Paul & Alleyne wrote:
> ...for a start my meagre pocket money in the early seventies wouldn't have
> stood for it...

And every wholesale electronics house in Greenville, SC hated seeing
that young long haired freak coming in to ask if they had 4739's for 
Craig Anderton projects. To this day I've never even seen one.

Thomas

>Set the first to HP, second to LP; connect out of 1 into in of 2 and play a
>snaky bass or lead line. Adjust cutoff. I promise you'll like it.
>
>Here's another reason for that (bear with me): I was listening to the
>Bladerunner soundtrack on the way in to work this morning, marvelling at
>Vangelis' expressive use of his instruments. Think about it--when we want to
>make the timbre "move," we often reach for the filters, and particularly the
>cutoff frequency; we open up a low-pass to make the sound brighten up, we
>turn it down to mellow it. Of course, we often (when we have the
>opportunity) use hi-pass filters in the same way--sweep up to thin the
>sound, back down to open it back up. Just think of how much fun (and how
>useful) it would be to control both of those expressive elements at once!
>Consider multiplying a keyboard tracking CV and inputting it into FM1 of
>each filter, with a slightly different offset on each; how about the same
>patch but with a lag processor between one of the CVs and one of the FM
>inputs! I'm salivating.
>
I've just been experimenting with something like this. I patched a joystick
with the X controlling cutoff of a highpass 420, Y controlling the cutoff
of a lowpass, set in series on a 300 sawtooth. Very nice effect, playing a
melody with one hand and manipulating the 2 frequencies with the other
makes for a very expressive combo. Of course, like any expressive
instrument, I'm gonna have to practice to really make it work. Thanks for
the inspiration!

I'm gonna have to go back and listen to Bladerunner again...

____________________________________________
Dave Trenkel : improv@...
Minus Web Site: http://listen.to/minusmusic
Minus MP3's: http://www.mp3.com/-minus-
____________________________________________

In a message dated 4/5/2000 1:49:19 PM, thudson@... writes:

>The
>only thing that was disappointing to me on the ASM-1 are the ADSRs.
>And I can only be totally subjective here. I may have them calibrated
>incorrectly, but they seem "touchy." Too much change in the interesting
>places, not enough change in others.


Do you have linear pots on your ASM-1? I find that the log pots on the MOTM 
800s are MUCH nicer than linear pots.

JB