Doepfer

> dear dieter,
> again, i must apologise - i didn`t mean to create the impression that you
> were "borrowing" others ideas but rather serendipity comes into play -
people
> find themselves on similar development tracks and because they`ve
"started",
> they feel the need to "finish". my thought was if you were to see someone
else
> doing something close to what you were thinking about, you might put your
> idea on hold to see what a final product looks like and if its worth
bringing
> out something "better" *or* leaving that idea and looking for something
else
> unusual to develop hence spreading everyones efforts and encouraging even
> more unusual module development.
> i know you had put forth the generalized ad / da module idea long before
the
> malgorithm came out.
> sorry for the mis-understanding.
> best,
> dave

Dave,

thank you for clarification.

There are two aspects I have to mention:

1. From my point of view it's the wrong idea that we have to give up a
module after the announcement because another company finishes a similar
module (with or without taking the ideas from us or this group). On the
other hand we normally do not start to develop a module if there is a
similar module available on the market (whereas one could discuss the term
"similar"). But if the idea came from us or was born in this group I think
we should have the right to release this module even if another manufacturer
offers a similar module in the meantime. It's not only because of the money
that has been already invested (the development of a new module is very
expensive and these charges pay off not before the serial production begins)
but also as a matter of principle.

In the past we stopped several times the development of a module as soon as
we heard that a similar module has been announced already (e.g. the polivoks
filter). If there is a similar product available we try to find agreement
with the manufacturer (e.g. with Erwik for the A-107). Currently we are in
negotiations with Schneiders Buero because of the planned matrix module
(A-183-1) and their announced Steckbox. But it's quite plain to me that one
could discuss the term "similar".

2. One of my drawbacks (or not - it depends upon the point of view) is that
I don't spend too much time for looking what others do. Very often customers
refer to the module of another manufacturer I did not know before. E.g. I've
heard about the Malgorithm long time after our bit modifier has been
completed.

And all Eurorack manufacturers I know in person (Analogue Systems, Plan B,
Livewire, Harvestman just to name a few) have a very good relationship among
each other though they are competitors to some degree.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer