MOTM

All,
  I was in Math class today, thinking about modular synths and about how once 
Paul gets the rails on the market (WHEN?) a bunch of us are going to be 
making cabinets.  So I got to planning out what I'd like, comparing it to 
some classics (Moogs, 2600, etc..) and realized that I'd need a huge system 
to fit all of what I want or to een equal these antiques.  See, Paul has many 
more modules than these old companies did, and most of Paul's modules are 
physically bigger. 
   So basically I was wondering about what happened to the so called 
"Utility" modules.  One space bare bones jobbies.  A one space tri/square 
vco/lfo would be nice, or maybe a one space dual LFO that could go into audio 
range, one space basic VCA, etc you get my idea..  Having one or two of the 
bigger super spec modules in a system is definitely nice, but you don't 
always need all of the features in these modules, and in the interest of 
cabinet space, these "Utility" modules would let us pack more into less...   
It must be tough enough already for Paul having as many modules as he does in 
the line up and being a single man operation, but I think some stripped down, 
smaller, but still MOTM quality modules would be great..
~SteveM
(Anyone buy Synthesizers.com's keyboard yet? How's the quality?...  I'm 
thinking about it..)

You will see more 1U stuff next year. This year, the 1U mult and 1U triple
pre-amp
will be it.

Speaking of flat rails: I did get back Friday the '820 panels. Whew! They
are fine.
Recall, the machine shop went through a "re-organization" and I basically
had to
start over with them.

So, now that the '820s are done the flat rail prototypes are next in line.
Moe will get these
for QC approval. Once approved, then I'll order 100 of them. So, looks like
5 weeks from
now. Time moves slower around the "bricks and morter" folks. Sigh.

I did flush out over 1/2 of the backlog last week. Now concentrating on VCO
& LFO kits
to start shipping out next week. And the '820 is going to fab *tomorrow*.
I'm unplugging
the phone, putting on 5 Robert Rich CDs, and pounding that mother out.

While everyone's waiting for modules, I *sure* could use more demos! HINT
HINT HINT.

Paul S.

Yes, I've had one for 2 months now.  Overall I'm pleased with it if you 
keep in mind the cost of it, the availability of other "classy" looking 
keyboards, that it is new,  and it's walnut.  Very nice walnut.

Case quality - It's walnut.  I am a woodworker and was somewhat 
disappointed with the fact that the brads that hold the case together look 
like they are either from a air nailer or were set with a punch.  Hence 
small divits where the brads are.  From a few feet away it's not 
noticeable.  Otherwise the case is nice and well done.  Very compact in 
size.  And it's walnut.

Key bed -  When playing hard on the center of the key bed, it flexes down a 
bit.  Does not effect playability, but hey, I'm a type A engineer.  I fixed 
that with a little shimming. Overall I like the feel of the keys.  They 
look very nice in the walnut case.

Electronics - It's very nice having both dual CV and gate outputs combined 
with midi in and out.  Very flexible.  CV output is good measured by my 
Fluke. I have had some problems with the circuit locking up at power up 
occasionally.  Richard has responded very quickly on this issue and can not 
reproduce it on equipment on hand.  He is sending me a complete control 
circuit  board, power supply, etc. to switch out.  Great response.  It's 
housed in walnut.

Overall impression - I like this keyboard and feel it is worth the money 
spent.  It is not in the same class of quality as I have grown accustomed 
to with Paul's products.  Richard openly admits that he is not trying to 
compete at the equipment level of MOTM.  For the $400 this is definitely 
worth purchasing.  Did I mention it's walnut?

Dave



At 10:11 PM 9/11/00 -0400, you wrote:
>(Anyone buy Synthesizers.com's keyboard yet? How's the quality?...  I'm
>thinking about it..)