MOTM

--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, "Dave Bradley" <mate.stubb@...> wrote:
> Whatever direction Paul needs to take MOTM, may it give everyone the
> excitement and joy that it has given me over the years!
> 
> Stooge Moe

My thanks for all your help in the past.  I too have slowed down, 
mostly because my synth now has critical mass.  DIY is just getting 
harder.  While I'll miss the panels, there are other alternatives.  
Yes, they cost more, but that is because you, Larry, and others just 
donated your time to help subsidize our hobbies.

Kits are just no longer economically feasible.  Soldering PCBs means 
through hole and that just isn't practical any more.  New parts aren't 
being released in through hole packages and RoHS is reducing 
availability of many existing through hole parts.  Future design will 
be SMT and I'm not going to solder those!  Automated parts placement 
is far, far less expensive than kitting.  Assembled PCBs and the 
incremental manufacturing markup is less expensive than the cost of 
direct labor for kitting.  So, while I like the thrill of building a 
new module, I understand that it just isn't practical any more.  Every 
other major kit manufacturer faced this same issue, only many years 
ago.

I wish MOTM the best and I eagerly await the new modules.  I'm glad 
Paul continues to take the initiative to develop the complex modules 
such as the MOTM-650.

(another) Dave