SynthModules

Thanks Brice.  I think this is the kind of update that people like to
hear.  A good appraisal of the current situation.  Certainly we all
appreicate you unwillingness to shortcut.

I'm sorry to hear of your family loss.  And, it does steal away
something you have been looking forward to.  But, family always comes
first.

I'm sure we would all appreciate it if you can send something out for
us to hang our hats on again in the not too distant future.

I will be sure to take plenty of photos at AHMW.

On the concept of a module that could be used adjacent to the PSIM-1
for storage of programs, I say fantastic if that can be made to work.
 And, I could live with a USB option too.  My current PC does not
even have a serial port.  So, I will need one of those USB to serial
adapters for my programming anyhow.  And, the portable USB storage
devices are getting damn cheap.  Keep thinking along those lines.

Larry H.


--- synthmodules <synthmodules@synthmodules.com> wrote:
> Larry (and everyone else),
> 
> Sorry for the delay in replying.  I missed the message and haven't
> had
> time to weed through all the emails (yes, I get over 1,000 spam
> messages a day to my primary email address).  Anyway, "Super
> Sunday"
> has actually been three (3) super Sundays so far.  All of the
> boards
> are about 80% populated with only a few components remaining to be
> stuffed.  This last Sunday we made the most progress so far.  The
> prior two Sundays I was "out" with both the flu and a sinus
> infection.
>  I was on some pretty strong antibiotics but finally kicked it.  I
> missed work for a week... but there was no way I could build
> anything
> during that time.  (I work with computers every day and if any of
> you
> know what an Intel Prescot is... I now know what they feel like. 
> With
> a temp of 104 deg. F... I needed a larger heatsink!  hehe)  But,
> like
> I said, last Sunday we made a lot more progress and I hope to be
> firing up the soldering iron shortly.  I'm making a little progress
> every night, but by the time I get home around 8 PM, I'm already
> exhausted and can not afford to make mistakes because I'm tired.
> 
> Again, I'll be shipping all the partials as soon as they are ready.
> I
> *will not* compromise anything as far as testing goes to get them
> shipped faster.  Each module takes at least one full hour of
> testing
> before I'll let it go out the door.  If I wouldn't want it in my
> system... it's not going out the door until it's 100% perfect.  I
> know
> I want to get them shipped as quickly as possible (just as everyone
> who has waited so patiently wants to get them as soon as possible),
> but I'm not going to take shortcuts when it comes to the final
> testing.  The fully assembled modules will then be finished...
> again,
> all at once.  All the panels are already populated with jacks and
> switches.  It shouldn't take more than a couple days to get them
> wired, tested, and ready to ship.  We are nearing the end of this
> batch and I'm really getting excited.  I *never* intended for it to
> take this long.  For that, I am sorry.  I've learned a LOT of
> important lessons here and won't be making the same mistakes twice.
> 
> Yes, I plan on offering another batch of PSIM-1 modules... but they
> will be going through a slight redesign to make manufacturing
> easier
> (more details on that later once all these have shipped).  I
> haven't
> given up on the plans for a MIDI interface and a SpeakJet module...
> but these remaining PSIM-1 modules have to be finished and shipped
> before I will even think about the add-on modules.  Also, I ran
> across
> an article in a recent issues of "Circuit Cellar" magazine that
> outlines interfacing a microcontroller to flash storage devices (as
> in
> SD cards).  No promises... but we may have a way to *store*
> programs
> on flash cards (or possibly a USB drive) if I can come up with a
> way
> to interface a bootloader to the Hitachi H8.  I know one PSIM-1 can
> program another PSIM-1 (yes, it really can)... so a new module that
> stores hundreds of programs for the PSIM-1 isn't out of the
> question.
>  That's about all the thought I've put into it so far... but there
> is
> a glance at the future of where SynthModules is headed.  I'm also
> sitting here with 150 LCD displays... and need to figure out
> something
> to do with them.  Anyone have a suggestion?  :)
> 
> By the way, I have two completed PSIM-1 modules here already that
> I'm
> using as "templates"... so two of you out there will be getting
> modules dated much earlier than these.  Consider those special
> modules
> as they have been through extensive testing and used as templates
> for
> a lot of these modules.
> 
> Another update, I will not be able to attend the AHMW 2005
> gathering
> on March 26th, 2005 due to my work schedule.  I can only get one
> Saturday off each month (if that... as I haven't had a Saturday off
> in
> four months) and this Saturday I have to attend my wife's
> grandmother's funeral.  So, while you are all enjoying the greatest
> gathering of the best bunch of people with the most incredible
> analog
> synth gear in the world... I'll be working.  :(  If someone could
> please take lots of photos and maybe record some live sounds for me
> I'd appreciate it.  I've looked forward to this for the last twelve
> months... and then at the last minute, had to change my plans.
> 
> More details about AHMW 2005 can be found here:
> http://www.ph.k12.in.us/~drew/ahmw/
> 
> Take care everyone... I'll keep in touch with more regular updates.
> 
> Right now, I'm still finishing up stuffing parts.  I'll let you all
> know when that's done and I'm onto soldering, cleaning, testing,
> etc.
>  I plan on uploading a photo of all the completed boards together. 
> It's already quite a site.
> 
> Again... thank you *ALL* for your patience with me on this.  As I'm
> sure anyone who already has a PSIM-1 can/will tell you... it's
> worth
> the wait.  I just really wish I could have gotten them out faster.
> 
> Best regards,
> Brice
> http://www.SynthModules.com 
> 
> 
> --- In SynthModules@yahoogroups.com, Larry Hendry <hendrysr@y...>
> wrote:
> > Brice, Can you bring us up-to-date on progress since and
> including
> > "Super Sunday."
> > 
> > Thanks
> > Larry Hendry
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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