MOTM

> From: "Scetta, Mark" <mark.scetta@...>
> i've been lurking for a month or so now and have talked with steve as
well
> and i'm wondering if i'm cut out for owning a modular. the talk on the
list
> is very techy (with good reason--trying to develop future modules etc)
and i
> am wondering if your regular-average-joe-analog-synth-user can handle
this
> modular stuff. of course i know about vcos, vca, envelopes, yadda yadda,
but
> i don't have the level of understanding that one needs to understand the
> posts on this list. would you say, 'no problem, go ahead and get a few
> modules and dive in anyway/you don't need to know so much about the
> technical workings of them...' or 'if you're not interested in the inner
> workings of these things, don't bother.' 

Well, Mark, you and I may not be too far apart on this issue.  I wondered
exactly the same thing when considering ASM and some of the designs
presented by people on synth diy that know more about this that I ever
will.  What changed my mind and pushed me over the edge was MOTM.  Here
finally is something easy enough that I can build it even if I don't know
enough.  But, at the same time, some of my long lost electronic skills are
returning and I am taking the opportunity to learn again. 

As with you, many of the posts on the diy list and some of them here are
over my head.  However, I also find interesting ideas presented that I
would not have considered because of my lack of experience.  There are some
good books on the subject.  I have the Allen Strange book, but am not far
enough along with it to give you an assessment.

I will say that everyone on this list at one time knew nothing about
modular.  Most of them learned by doing I suspect.  So, given that you
sound like an intelligent person, I suspect you could be writing down your
experiences for the next newbie to come along if you choose to dive in.  To
me, the question is "do you want to?"  Do you want to explore sonic
possibilities that your basic VCO/VCF/VCA combination does not present?  If
so, then dig in.  YOU can do it.   However, if you are satisfied to explore
the music that can be made with great sounding commercial synths and they
never leave you lacking for sonic diversity, then maybe a modular is not
for you.

I'm sure others will have advice too.  However, MOTM was the answer for me.
 Not only does MOTM help you build a modular, but it helps you learn to use
it.

Larry Hendry