Synthesizers.com
2000-06-03 by Paul Schreiber
Since the "cat is out of the bag" as we say in Texas (meaning it has been discovered), I will comment below. WARNING: this is the *ONLY* comment I will EVER make on this subject. Everybody clear on this? And if you want to comment, fine. Just don't expect a response back. And delete the message portions not referenced so everyone doesn't get copies of the this entire text. When I went on-line just selling CEM chips, Roger Arrick called me up very excited. Euless, TX is only 5 miles from here (there are 6 small cities inbetween Ft Worth and Dallas, Euless is one of them). Even though he is a "hobbiest drummer", he has a long tinker's history in synths. PAiA, Electronotes, the whole routine. His degree is in Chemistry, so he is not formally trained in EE (this is *very* important to me personally. See comments later). We got together and had a long discussion. He is a 'domain name camper': he has bought about 50 names hoping to sell them (and I do have a problem with thoses people, too). But personally, he came across as nice and pleasant. He wanted to collaborate on designing a modular, since he owned synthesizers.com and was *absolutely convinced* that having this particular domain name would cause everyone to visit (sort of like pets.com or drugs.com or ferrari.com). I do agree, to a *certain point*. I think it's 85% "cute" and 15% useful. As we talked, it was evident that he had spent many hours think out his strategy: build with a Moog modular panel copy and use low-level Electronotes/PAiA electrical designs. I immediately rejected this on 2 grounds (pun): a) I didn't want current Moog owners thinking these were exact replacements (they use different power) and besides, I think that is sacred ground (another pun) b) I didn't agree with his electrical designs/price point (really in the Doepfer area) It was evident as we talked over the next weeks that he has a common problem with non-degreed people trying to design these types of analog circuits (no offense to anyone out there, but you asked my opinion and you're gonna get it!): quickly they hit a "brick-wall" in understanding the subtle stuff that analog design, and in particular synth circuits, require. They try to "brute-force" it: having walls of old HP test equipment give them confidence that this will help. It doesn't (I use a scope, a $200 DVM, a freq counter and a cheap-o function generator). They spend hours and hours poking around without results. But the main "problem" I have with Roger is that 1 year ago, he told me the robotics were his main business (he has a nice office/lab with 5 full-time employees) and he was "just screwing around" because like me, he had a life-long dream "to build a great modular". But as you can see, he has turned it into a real business. So, he has gone from friend to foe, as it were. Now, this may seem petty and childish on my part. Maybe so. But also ponder this: I have sold Doepfer over 200 CEM3340s so they can continue building VCOs to sell AGAINST ME. But Dieter has never given me any greif, in fact he has been nice to me (because he *has to* !). Also, what fun is it to be in business without competition (I guess one would have to ask Bill Gates). REMEMBER: I AM IN BUSINESS! THIS IS FUN BUT A BUSINESS. If Roger gets all new potential business and my growth stalls, then I start worrying about my $20,000 in parts inventory. Why worry? He uses cheesy designs, the pots are the cheapest he could find *surplus*, and he even posts his own review on sonicstate.com (and I have a problem with that, too). Because I worry about future customers. You have to admit, his site is well done, the modules do look good, but look at the prices. He is sell assembled stuff below my kits. I *detest* Wal-Mart, but I shop there because the prices are 30% less than drugstores. So, I lump him in with Doepfer (although Doepfer uses slightly better designs). I do wish things had turned out different. I was exciting for me to find a fellow synth lover close to home! And I will be the first to say he is not "evil incarnate". Our dreams just fell on seperate paths. But this is like your best friend stealing your girlfriend. Well, that's the *emotion*, anyway. As others pointed out, there are indicators that should raise flags (no phone #). But he could add one. He does have a nice keyboard with CV/Gate outs (uses Yamaha DX-7 actions he bought surplus for $40ea) and the case really is sold walnut (one thing he does have I wish I did is a full-blown machine shop with about $50,000 worth of stuff, including a plasma arc cutter. Cool!). I cannot say how they operate: he uses 12-bit DACs with hand-selected voltage references. Note that commercial MIDI-CVs use 16-bit DACS. And yes, the stuff is real: he has 100s of these modules built, tested and ready to ship. Yes, he has a nice 3x8 analog sequencer. So read the following carefully. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT *ANY* OF HIS MODULES! I don't tell people how to integrate Doepfer into a MOTM system. If you want to do it yourself, and post it, I *don't care*. Is Blacet in this arena? NO! In fact I want MOTM/Dark Stars, too! The bottom line: I support MOTM. MOTM only exists if there is a customer base. Dilution of the base will cause the MOTM to fail. Serge has lasted 20 years because there is a steady stream of business. Same with me. As long as there is support (and I still say I have the BEST customers of any company, ever) I will continue. I'm sure you think I'm over-reacting. OK, so I'm over-reacting. One last thing: I fully expect this discussion to stay HERE and DIE QUICKLY. Paul S.