MOTM

-----Original Message-----
From: norman fay [mailto:nfay@...] 
Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2000 9:06 AM
To: analogue@...
Subject: [AH] MOTM 300 VCO mini review

Having finished building my two latest purchases, I thought I'd post
this (440 VCF review to follow)

***General stuff about MOTM modules***

All of the MOTM modules I've built so far have the following
characteristics:
-Extremely sturdy construction - the circuit board is bolted onto a
metal plate, which is then bolted onto the front panel. This front panel
is extremely thick and strong.
-Smart appearance with easy-to-read graphics. Doesn't look as cool as
modcan or wiard, but it still looks good.
-Good-quality connectors and pots
-Extremely easy to follow instructions
   -which combined with-
-Well-packaged and labelled components
means that as long as you follow the instructions, solder neatly, and
*do as yr told* you will certainly get a fully working module for your
labours.
As an aside, personally speaking, I don't really enjoy soldering stuff
together.  I do enough of that at work, and I'd much rather play with
this stuff.  However, I'm glad that MOTM and Blacet electronics provide
their modules in kit form, because it means that I save money, which I
can spend on more modules...
The other good general thing about MOTM modules is that they are nicely
laid out, with the sockets in two rows across the bottom of the panel.
The sockets are big chunky 1/4" jacks - I prefer 4mm banana sockets
myself, because you don't need multiples, but you do get some handy
switching functions with the jacks, so I resisted the temptation to
replace them with bananas...
One downside of the size of the modules is that you'll need a lot of
wallspace even for a medium-sized system.  An SKB pop-up case will take
only two rows of modules.

***Specific to the MOTM 300 VCO***

building it.

This kit features a lot of components packed into a very small space.
In order to sucessfully build it you need to be able to solder very
neatly.  One of the components in particular - a small double transistor
- has TINY solder pads.  I can solder neatly, but I still managed to
blob two of these pads together, so I had to use my solder sucker, and
do it again.  MOTM recommend that beginners do not attempt this module,
but I'd say, having built two, that *if* you can solder neatly, and are
EXTREMELY careful abt following the instructions, you can probably
manage it.  I wouldn't recommend it though.
The worst bit is soldering leads from the circuit board onto the 9 front
panel sockets, three switches and two pots (the other 4 pots are circuit
board mounted).  For some reason this is just extremely tiresome.
I'd estimate that it took me abt 8 hrs to complete my VCO.  Once you get
into the rhythm of soldering all those little bits in, you'll find that
hours just melt away.  Despite all of the moans above, there is a real
sens of achievement when you plug the thing in and it works.  This is
the *best* bit, and it makes all the other stuff worthwhile.

using it.

This is a very well specified VCO.  The tuning is very stable, and it
warms up quickly.  The waveforms are nice and bright, so there's plenty
for filters to work on. one of the two modulation inputs has switchable
ac/dc coupling and linear/exponential scaling. Soft and hard sync are
available, and you get PWM with two controls (initial width and mod
depth) The few things it will not do are variable depth sync (like on
EMS), and other variable waveforms, like on EMS, Serge and my Rhodes
Chroma.  This is all pretty esoteric though, and I imagine that a
waveshaper module would cover the variable waveforms anyway. I used the
VCO with Serge, Blacet and Modcan modules, and it worked fine with
everything except the Serge and Modcan waveshapers, which produced
unpredicable, but still useable results.  Something to do with polarity
and DC coupling I think (the voice of ignorance speaks) Bottom line is
that this is a stable, well engineered VCO that, while it costs some
more $$ is worth it because of the clever design and the high-quality
parts.  If you buy one, I'm sure that like me, you won't be disappointed

For the record, I have no connection with MOTM or paul schreiber other
than that of being a customer, and I'm getting no kickbacks or any of
that shit for this.  I'm just trying to be informative...

Next - MOTM 440 VCF

Coming soon:   
modcan VCO and "Moog-style" VCF
Wiard dual filter

best wishes
-- 
norman fay