MOTM

In a message dated 2/4/2001 10:23:59 AM, mate_stubb@... writes:

>This is a good time to talk about 3U vs 2U for the Superladder.
>
>Have you looked at Tony's 3U layout for the Superladder? It contains 
>the following controls in common with a 440:
>FREQ POT
>RES POT
>3 AUDIO POTS
>2 CV POTS
>3 AUDIO INPUTS
>1V/OCT INPUT
>2 CV INPUTS
>RES CV INPUT
>4 POLE LP (MAIN) OUT
>
>In addition, there is a free onboard VCA that is set up to modulate a 
>dedicated EG input. So his layout adds:
>ENV INPUT
>ENV POT
>ENV MOD INPUT
>ENV MOD POT
>
>Since he has extra space to work with, might as well add an 
>attenuator on the resonance cv:
>RES CV POT
>
>Finally, the Superladder has two extra filter outputs:
>BANDPASS OUT
>1 POLE LP OUT
>
>So, let's see what we could cram into 2U, and what we'd have to give 
>up. Assume we take the first group on faith - 3 input and 2 cv 
>attenuators, res input. What we have looks just like the 440 except 
>for the switch. You could fit 2 jacks into that space. To me, the 
>bandpass and 1P lowpass would be the most valuable features to 
>retain. So you'd basically throw away the vca and associated controls.


I'd forgotten about the ENV Level control (I'm not sure I ever understood it, 
and I'm not sure it would be that useful to me -- but it is worth having). I 
agree that a 3U would be a good use of space. I wonder if it would be worth 
it to have two different labels for each version of the SuperLadder (Moog vs. 
diode) -- I'd forgotten that it could be built as a diode VCF too.

>Now, what about the MultiLadder? If it was just me building for 
>myself, I'd make a 3U panel. In that extra width I'd add a 4 input 
>dedicated mixer (no input jacks), inputs hardwired to the 4 separate 
>outputs. A single output jack would carry the mix response. The 
>inputs would use reversing attenuators just like the MultiMix. In 
>fact, a 4 pot version of the multimix would be perfect. By adding and 
>subtracting differing amounts of the various outputs, you could 
>achieve a wide variety of responses.

This would be my choice for this module as well!

>Another thing you could do, is make the filter output mixer a 
>separate 1U panel, that would mount right next to the MultiLadder. 
>You'd have to normal its inputs by hardwiring them to the 
>multiladder's jacks.

I might just do this if it ends up as 2U.

And Trenkel, you're a smart man! I'd prefer a 1U single AR/AD module (easier 
to spread around through a system), but a 2U double module would work for me 
too!

And everyone is right about the Dual VCA module!
JB