MOTM specs of the pre MOTM days
The above title may sound confusing, so let me explain. Fellow MOTM'er Jeff Laity send me the below messaGE, that comes from the archives of the Analog Heavens website. In this message Paul Schreiber, the founder and owner of Synthesis Technology, and the driving force behind the MOTM format/spec synthesizer, is brainstorming about his future plans of releasing kits and modules to build a synthesizer. This message dates from 1997, so these are the PRE-MOTM days.
Reading this, and comparing this to the current state of affairs is quite 'funny' and interesting. Thank you Jeff for sharing this.
Subject: My evil modular plans
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 11:50:43 -0000
Here are my plans (well, to date at least) for my modular projects
1) The $35/module synth
This will presented 1 module at a time on the website. All documents will be in PDF format. I plan to author in Visio Technical for the schematics (or maybe OrCAD 4.3 DOS using Postscript output). The verbage will be MS Word 7.
(People who want these 'native' files can get them as well).
The modules are presented as a schematic, theory, parts list. No pcb. No front panel. All parts are either from Digikey/Mouser here in the States, or CEM chips (from me!).
I will avoid CEM when possible (saving them for item #2).
The schematics will be a merge of Electronotes, Moog, ARP, and stuff I plain make up. These are presented "as is": hey, they're only $35 in parts!! Some modules will have SPICE analysis charts as well.
This is to encourage a "jumping off" point for DIYers. I suggest a contest for:
a) nicest looking unit
b) best audio use . Make a big .WAV or something, let's all vote!
2) Re-Issue Digisound
These are updates/redesigns of the Digisound modules. Same "footprint". People with existing racks can shove these right in. Presented (from me, at least) as "semi-kit": all CEM chips + pcb + front panel. All other parts Mouser/Digikey again.
Guessing these will average about $85 each (from me) plus the R's & C's (not much!) I may go off and buy 1000 good pots and throw those in as well. Note that in my modules, ALL pots/jacks are SOLDERED to the pcb. NO WIRES!!
Since everybody likes sequencers, I'll do that one first!
3) Titan Modular
Makes the Serge and Moog stuff look like a SH101. The no-holds-barred design (for me. And anybody else who tags along!). This is a CD quality, (but FAAAAATTTTTTT) modular using DSPs, Xilinx gate arrays, $25 optical
shaft encoders, etc etc. Fully MIDI. patchable, and reload-able using any old computer with RS232. And the best part is, I expect a Moog 55 equivalent to fit in the size of a Moog 15 cabinet and cost around $4000. Last time I checked, Moog 55s were around $15,000.
As a teaser, the "low end" VCO has 16 independent outputs!
4) Moog 35 on a ISA card
I am pondering doing a full EXACT copy (part for part, slop and all) all on an IBM ISA card. Plugs into your PC. Can patch it, CakeWalk it, etc. Guessing this will run about $750. Any response? Have I lost all sense on this one???
Your kind comments and feedback welcome!
Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology
T J
Reading this, and comparing this to the current state of affairs is quite 'funny' and interesting. Thank you Jeff for sharing this.
Subject: My evil modular plans
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 11:50:43 -0000
Here are my plans (well, to date at least) for my modular projects
1) The $35/module synth
This will presented 1 module at a time on the website. All documents will be in PDF format. I plan to author in Visio Technical for the schematics (or maybe OrCAD 4.3 DOS using Postscript output). The verbage will be MS Word 7.
(People who want these 'native' files can get them as well).
The modules are presented as a schematic, theory, parts list. No pcb. No front panel. All parts are either from Digikey/Mouser here in the States, or CEM chips (from me!).
I will avoid CEM when possible (saving them for item #2).
The schematics will be a merge of Electronotes, Moog, ARP, and stuff I plain make up. These are presented "as is": hey, they're only $35 in parts!! Some modules will have SPICE analysis charts as well.
This is to encourage a "jumping off" point for DIYers. I suggest a contest for:
a) nicest looking unit
b) best audio use . Make a big .WAV or something, let's all vote!
2) Re-Issue Digisound
These are updates/redesigns of the Digisound modules. Same "footprint". People with existing racks can shove these right in. Presented (from me, at least) as "semi-kit": all CEM chips + pcb + front panel. All other parts Mouser/Digikey again.
Guessing these will average about $85 each (from me) plus the R's & C's (not much!) I may go off and buy 1000 good pots and throw those in as well. Note that in my modules, ALL pots/jacks are SOLDERED to the pcb. NO WIRES!!
Since everybody likes sequencers, I'll do that one first!
3) Titan Modular
Makes the Serge and Moog stuff look like a SH101. The no-holds-barred design (for me. And anybody else who tags along!). This is a CD quality, (but FAAAAATTTTTTT) modular using DSPs, Xilinx gate arrays, $25 optical
shaft encoders, etc etc. Fully MIDI. patchable, and reload-able using any old computer with RS232. And the best part is, I expect a Moog 55 equivalent to fit in the size of a Moog 15 cabinet and cost around $4000. Last time I checked, Moog 55s were around $15,000.
As a teaser, the "low end" VCO has 16 independent outputs!
4) Moog 35 on a ISA card
I am pondering doing a full EXACT copy (part for part, slop and all) all on an IBM ISA card. Plugs into your PC. Can patch it, CakeWalk it, etc. Guessing this will run about $750. Any response? Have I lost all sense on this one???
Your kind comments and feedback welcome!
Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology
T J
posted by T J at 6:39 PM
2 Comments:
its funny that the original idea of one module a month (Module Of The Month = MOTM) didnt work out. just not enough designs to update (replace opamps with more expensive ones) to keep that idea going.
See Paul's responses on Matrixsynth.
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