Getting Started with MOTM

[zomgw00t]

Hey folks,

I've been thinking (well, more like obsessing...) about getting into modular synths. First, a little bit about myself to give you all a better idea of where I'm coming from: I am a college student (living in a dorm) majoring in EMAC and Electrical Engineering (read: DIY is cool with me). I don't have a ton of money, so I'm planning on building slowly and picking up modules when I can. At this point I find myself most attracted to MOTM, but I am open to suggestions.

Anyway, here are the questions I need help figuring out in order to get started:

(1) Case: How should I go about building (or buying) a cost effective case that can be easily be packed up and carried the 1/3 of a mile from my dorm to the basement that a group of students holds open mic nights in? Should I build the case from scratch or look for a cheap portable rack case?

(2) Power supply: I am considering the MOTM-900 Power Supply kit. Any suggestions that could save me a few bucks?

(3) If I can afford only one module after getting together a case a power supply, what should it be?

Thanks for the help!
~Chappie

[Moog$FooL$]

hey.

as far as power goes...... a Power One supply would probably be cheaper than the MOTM-900.

better yet..... the CGS or MFOS diy supplies would be good options.

d.

[ach_gott]

1.) How big do your want your system to be initially?

2.) You can pick up NOS Power One supplies on eBay... be careful about which ones and then use an MOTM-960 distribution board. Make sure you put the right fuse on there!

3.) I have difficulty thinking of something you can do that you could bring to a music night with less than three other modules, apart from a filter that others could plug into.

Or you could build an SN Voice module (check out the Thomas Henry section at electro-music.com and the panels are at Bridechamber.com)

[JohnLRice]

Wlcome, zomgw00t!

I highly recommend MOTM, it is the basis of my large modular and I loves it!


(1) Case:
I highly recommend the EWI Tourcases from www.audiopile.net and I have many of the 10" deep rack cases:



But for you I'd suggest getting the 10U or 12U mini mixer case:
http://www.audiopile.net/products/Cases ... heet.shtml


They are only $100 or $110. The 10U is a really nice size to carry around and makes for a great little table top rig. The 12U would give you a couple spaces for standard 19" rackmount gear like a multi effects unit or midi rack synth etc.


I recently got the even bigger extened 12U mixer case and modified it into a 14U case for my more portable portable modular (the big synth while "portable" is a big effort for me to move! ) So i have room for 2 rows of 5U MOTM, 3U taken up by the Mobius sequencer and 1U left over for a custom power, lighting, interfacing, multiples panel I'm going to design. I also made the rails parallel with the case instead of slanted so if I use short barrel plugs, I can leave the synth patched up and still put the lid on.




(2) Power supply:
If you want an easy as pie powersupply with most of the thinking aleardy done for you, by all means get the MOTM-900 (or MOTM-950 if you'll need +5VDC too)

If you want yo build your own and you don't place much value on your own time you can save money by making your own if you go minimal on it.

Check out this sticky thread:
viewtopic.php?t=1739

And I've got a few threads on the DIY supplies I've built. (some of mine didn't really save me much money!) Here's one:
viewtopic.php?t=2628

Search Ebay for Power-One supplies. Great deals to be had! I highly recommend this guy and these small Power-Ones if you only need around 300ma Only $24.99 shipped:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Power-One-HTAA-513- ... 0446639682


3) If I can afford only one module
That's a tough one. If you have other keyboards, I'd suggest getting a filter module, the MOTM-440 in particular because it's one of the most awesome filters ever and you can run your other synthsd/keys through it. It will be much better if you have something to provide control voltage though, so a MOTM-380 quad LFO would be great or maybe build the Oakley or Mattson looping ADSR.

http://www.synthtech.com/motm440.html

http://www.synthtech.com/motm380.html

http://www.oakleysound.com/adsr.htm

http://www.mattsonminimodular.com/shop/ ... b60ec70d87

[sduck]

1. for a case you might want to look at the skb mixer case solution - nice and portable, not too expensive. I think there are pictures of this somewhere on the motm site.

2. A 900 kit isn't a bad idea for a beginner. It isn't that expensive. I know you're studying EE, but how far into it are you? Building this kit will give you some practical experience, and it's extremely foolproof. Yes, with the instructions in the power supply sticky in the tech diy forum, a power inlet, a powerone psu, and a distribution board of some kind you can build your own, and probably for a bit less - it's just a matter of how comfortable you are with potentially lethal electrical currents at this point.

I built one of these (900 kit) at first, and since then have copied it in other cabinets using parts I've sourced myself.

3. Tough call. When I got into motm, I already had a handful of synthesizer.com modules, so didn't need the obvious stuff. I think my first order from Paul was for the 900 kit and a 380 quad lfo kit. Not an obvious first set of modules, and in fact Paul called me and made sure I hadn't made a bad mistake. You're really going to need 3 or 4 obvious things at first, so maybe start with a 300 vco? That's pretty basic, but a good start.

oic - JLR and I were typing at the same time. His post is much more thorough than mine is though!

[bwhittington]

With any of the 5U stuff, you can hack together any kind of DIY case you want and use a NOS power supply, as mentioned about. The total cost for that stuff would likely be under $50 in parts. I'd highly recommend scrimping in that direction if your budget is extremely limited. That way, perhaps you could afford another module or two. If it has to be just one module to start, go with an oscillator since it at least makes some noise. It won't be that much fun on its own, but it beats an EG as a choice. (Except that the oscillator might be a more difficult build.)

Cheers,
Brian

[fac]

I'm not "into" MOTM, but I would also advice getting a filter as your first module. Running external audio (synths, drum machines, your DAW's output) through an analog filter is much more fun than having a single oscillator, and most filters can also be used as sine oscillators in high-resonance mode, so you can, for example, run a signal through the cutoff CV in and do some crazy FM stuff. Plus I've read the MOTM 440 filter is a must.

IMO, the oscillator should be your second module.

[krv]

Wlcome, zomgw00t!



I recently got the even bigger extened 12U mixer case and modified it into a 14U case for my more portable portable modular (the big synth while "portable" is a big effort for me to move! ) So i have room for 2 rows of 5U MOTM, 3U taken up by the Mobius sequencer and 1U left over for a custom power, lighting, interfacing, multiples panel I'm going to design. I also made the rails parallel with the case instead of slanted so if I use short barrel plugs, I can leave the synth patched up and still put the lid on.

John, I'm in love with this slanted "modular" case. Have you ever tried to play this in vertical position? do you feel it would be stable enough?

[wenzel]

I'll second the MOTM-440 filter. It's about as top-flight a module as money can buy. You can also DIY one if you fancy a (smallish) challenge.

[loydb]

Be prepared to be repeatedly lied to about ship dates, and to have your emails get ignored if you start bitching too much about it...

YMMV.

[zerosum]

(2) Power supply: I am considering the MOTM-900 Power Supply kit.

I have one of those, I like it, it does what its supposed to. I mount it in the back, which takes up extra rails, but that is worth it to me just to have it in the back and suspended off the bottom of the case.

Any suggestions that could save me a few bucks?

Mount the power supply in the front so you don't have to buy another pair of rails.

Case: How should I go about building (or buying) a cost effective case that can be easily be packed up and carried

I do the same as the others have suggested, I really like the EWI tour cases

Here is what I love about MOTM format:
(rough numbers cause Im tired)
-MOTM 900 power supply -around 200 bucks
-MOTM Rails(2 pairs) - around 120 bucks
EWI R12UE-10 12 space case - around 160 bucks.

Fill the remaining two top spaces with mults, passive attenuators, anything passive, so you don't have to use up MOTM space.
Or you could DIY something into a 1 or 2U rack panel then power it off of your MOTM 900.

Now that you have a house for your modules, you have tons of DIY to choose from, lots of synth tech modules, and you can also rack Modcan b modules on the same rails and power supply(just with a different cable)

That's a ton of modules to choose from.


I also have some dotcom modules, but the MOTM size works out a little better for me. (I use them all together of course )

If I can afford only one module after getting together a case a power supply, what should it be?

Ahhh there are so many.....
It's impossible to choose your first module

[zerosum]

#1 rule of modular synthesizers(or anything really)...
This stuff takes time to build, be okay with waiting for your modules, that is just part of it.

[zerosum]

Wlcome, zomgw00t!
I highly recommend MOTM, it is the basis of my large modular and I loves it!

John, what are those white things in your rack? You have white things now too?

[loydb]

#1 rule of modular synthesizers(or anything really)...
This stuff takes time to build, be okay with waiting for your modules, that is just part of it.

I'm ok with waiting. I'm not ok with being told "ships on Thursday" and then a month going by without anything. Then I ask again, and am told "expect orders to take 6 weeks" (this was at the 8 week mark). Followups have been ignored. It's not the delay that burns me, it's the lies.

[Moog$FooL$]

#1 rule of modular synthesizers(or anything really)...
This stuff takes time to build, be okay with waiting for your modules, that is just part of it.

I'm ok with waiting. I'm not ok with being told "ships on Thursday" and then a month going by without anything. Then I ask again, and am told "expect orders to take 6 weeks" (this was at the 8 week mark). Followups have been ignored. It's not the delay that burns me, it's the lies.

your not the only one that's gone down this road. try ordering those kits if you live in Canada.
anyways, i think this is why he's pretty much out of the kit business now.
MOTM is a great product nonetheless, but if you want kits.... go elsewhere.

[pugix]

If you're willing to DIY a MOTM module, it's not that hard. You can order the PC board, MOTM panel, bracket, pots, special parts, i.e. everything that is harder to find. Then you make a separate order to Mouser or such for resistors, capacitors, ICs, transistors, wire, solder, etc., etc..

NOTE: This is not a kit with instructions. You will work from a supplied schematic.

I found that Paul is able to ship the 'MOTM 2.0' stuff (as above) pretty quickly.

[sunsinger]

I have 9 MOTM modules. They are great. Great quality, great build, great sound. On other matters, not so much

However, in all fairness, it is true, that on this very forum a month back, Paul did refer to his synthesizer building as his hobby.
So be prepared to wait for awhile. The system may come together a module at a time, over time. And if your a very patient man, you will eventually love your synthesizer.

[ach_gott]

Don't forget the second hand market. Apart from the MOTM-300, you see just about everything come up at least once every couple of months and then at pretty reasonable prices.

[zomgw00t]

Woah! Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys!

John, what kind of modifications did you do to make the rails parallel? Also, how much clearance between the modules and the back of the case is there with those mini mixer cases?

Do any of you all have any experience with Calzone cases? A guy on craigslist is selling a used 10U case for $50.

Is it worth it to pay the extra $10 for the MOTM-950?

3.) I have difficulty thinking of something you can do that you could bring to a music night with less than three other modules, apart from a filter that others could plug into.

I wasn't particularly planning on having enough modules to play at open mic nights until next semester. I just want to start working on it now, especially because DIY will take a bit more time with all the coursework I have. It definitely sounds like I should go for the MOTM-440 as a first module though.

[ach_gott]

Woah! Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys!

John, what kind of modifications did you do to make the rails parallel? Also, how much clearance between the modules and the back of the case is there with those mini mixer cases?

Do any of you all have any experience with Calzone cases? A guy on craigslist is selling a used 10U case for $50.

Is it worth it to pay the extra $10 for the MOTM-950?

No. The MOTM-950 adds a +5V supply which is used on just two modules in the Synth Tech line and in return the actual amount of +/- 15V power is piddly (400ma).

I think John just installed the 19a rails from Synth Tech.

[Moog$FooL$]

oh yeah....... u might wanna check out this one as a cheaper alternative to the 440.

viewtopic.php?t=21058&start=0&postdays= ... highlight=

[ach_gott]

oh yeah....... u might wanna check out this one as a cheaper alternative to the 440.

viewtopic.php?t=21058&start=0&postdays= ... highlight=

Wouldn't that be a replacement for the MOTM-420?

[Moog$FooL$]

oh yeah....... u might wanna check out this one as a cheaper alternative to the 440.

viewtopic.php?t=21058&start=0&postdays= ... highlight=

Wouldn't that be a replacement for the MOTM-420?

YEouch!!

my bad.... good call ach_gott.
i just assumed we were talking the ms filter with the 440 ref.

so yeah, check that of your list please!!

[JohnLRice]

John, I'm in love with this slanted "modular" case. Have you ever tried to play this in vertical position? do you feel it would be stable enough?

Hi, thanks, I'm excited for this too but as of yet it hasn't even been powered on! Way too many projects happening at once and this case still needs a power supply built for it . . .

This WILL NOT stand up on it's end. It's not deep enough and too front heavy. I plan to use it either on its back on a table or on this amp stand I just ordered:

[JohnLRice]

If it has to be just one module to start, go with an oscillator since it at least makes some noise.

I sorta agree but . . .if he gets the 440 filter, he can still put it into self oscillation and make some noisy noise!