For Modular Folks - Check out the COTK C950A MIDI->CV!!!!

[JohnLRice]

Looks like it will be a really fun module!
http://www.cluboftheknobs.com/first.html

[Voltor07]

What? No price? Hmm. Well, as long as it’s two MFU’s or less, I’ll put one in the .com when I get one.

[Kevin_Lightner]

I have to say that in these cold winter months, I very much appreciate COTK.
I have a COTK power supply powering one of our heated toilet seats.
Lots of analog warmth there.

(and no, I’m not kidding)

[JohnLRice]

@Kevin Lightner

I have to say that in these cold winter months, I very much appreciate COTK.
I have a COTK power supply powering one of our heated toilet seats.
Lots of analog warmth there.

(and no, I’m not kidding)

LOL!

[EricK]

lololololol Jeez!

I had a lot of Analogue Warmth running down my leg last time I peed my pants.

[MC1]

Does the significant other prefer linear or switching power supplies on the heated toilet seat?

[nicholas_d_kent]

If it works it’s probably nice to have in a Moog with cinch jones form factor. Nothing that exceptional about a 5 channel interface per se other than there aren’t always many multichannel interfaces out there. It’s kind of a stretch to think it alone is going to answer your polyphony issues. After you’ve bought 5 of everything you’ll still have to wire the patch cords and or set knobs 5 times for every little adjustment. No off the shelf solution to get around that side of polyphony with a traditional modular.

[JohnLRice]

@nicholas d. kent

If it works it’s probably nice to have in a Moog with cinch jones form factor. Nothing that exceptional about a 5 channel interface per se other than there aren’t always many multichannel interfaces out there. It’s kind of a stretch to think it alone is going to answer your polyphony issues. After you’ve bought 5 of everything you’ll still have to wire the patch cords and or set knobs 5 times for every little adjustment. No off the shelf solution to get around that side of polyphony with a traditional modular.

heh, I keep getting this sort of reply from people who seem to be thinking ‘polyphony’ means “I’m going to play chords now”!

I’m thinking multiple simultainious arpeggiators with realtime voltage, knob and switch control! Interactive rhythm and counterpoint laden looping sorta stuff.

But, I’m primarily a drummer so you can safely ignore me!

[Kevin_Lightner]

I’ve patched up large modulars as polyphonics before using MPU401 or Kenton MIDI converters.
It’s surprisingly difficult to keep them in tune.
Oberheim SEMs did very well in this regard and I’m guessing it’s because each SEM has it’s own power regulators and multiturn tuning controls.
A JP8, Oberheim OB series or Memorymoog would be a mess without autotune though.

One thing you might find even if making polyphonic patches isn’t your bag is that one can run out of VCAs (and patchcords!) quickly.

MC, my rear can’t tell if the warmth is analog or digital.
But personally I prefer linear supplies in synths and not switchers.
The COTK is a switcher, so instead of it going in a synth, it went in the bathroom.
The COTK modular it came from got a linear put in instead.
COTK might have gotten manufacturing down better since I had one, but the modular I received was a mess.
No lockwashers, parts in backwards, terrible soldering, etc.
They wouldn’t even take it back.
I ended selling a couple modules and giving the rest away.
I know they didn’t appreciate my suggestions at the time, but apparently they incorporated many of the changes into the modules you now have.
I don’t believe what they sell now is what I received.
Mine was in pieces when it arrived.
A big box of hurt.

[JohnLRice]

@Kevin Lightner

I’ve patched up large modulars as polyphonics before using MPU401 or Kenton MIDI converters.
It’s surprisingly difficult to keep them in tune.
Oberheim SEMs did very well in this regard and I’m guessing it’s because each SEM has it’s own power regulators and multiturn tuning controls.
A JP8, Oberheim OB series or Memorymoog would be a mess without autotune though.

I doubt it would be much of an issue with Synth Tech MOTM oscillators either since they are super stable!

@Kevin Lightner

COTK might have gotten manufacturing down better since I had one, but the modular I received was a mess.
No lockwashers, parts in backwards, terrible soldering, etc.
They wouldn’t even take it back.
I ended selling a couple modules and giving the rest away.
I know they didn’t appreciate my suggestions at the time, but apparently they incorporated many of the changes into the modules you now have.
I don’t believe what they sell now is what I received.
Mine was in pieces when it arrived.
A big box of hurt.

Yeah, I’ve read those horror stories before and if I had received a big expensive box of garbage I think the disappointment would of had a lasting affect on me too!

I came in late to the party though and so far I’ve been pleased and impressed with COTK’s construction quality and sound performance (their order fulfillment and communications were very good also from my one experience with them).

Here’s a picture of the COTK C1670 Ensemble Generator’s densly populated circuit board. Looks good to me! Probably thanks in part to Kevin’s past suffering and subsequent suggestions! :

[MC1]

Note the “8233” datecode on the three BBD ICs (they’re marked MN3002) - they are 1982 vintage BBDs!!!

[EricK]

Kevin,
Do you have Voltage Controlled Washer and Dryers?

901 series Oscillator in your vibrating bed with exponeitial responce and 25cents?


what about a 904a coffee filter?

Eric

[Kevin_Lightner]

I could still nitpick about COTK (colored wire ties tend to break over time), but it seems they learned what was needed to survive.
I WAS impressed by their phase shifter.
I’ve owned a new Mutron Bi-phase and the COTK was far deeper and intense than even it.

Yeah, those BBD’s are indeed 26+ years old, but I’ve experienced more problems with BBD driver chips than the actual delay chips.
They don’t seem to use them here though as there’s other ways to create the clocks necessary for BBD operation.

Eric, no voltage controlled washers here. Sorry.
However all the closets have automatic lights including my parts room (ultrasonic on that one), all toilet seats are heated, there’s security cameras all around, 3 satellite dishes, underground high pressure air line to the house (200psi!), dimmers on all lights (even outside), wireless internet, wireless intercom and some other niceties.
Previously I had computer controlled sprinklers (see: http://www.synthfool.com/apple2 ) but this area is just too difficult to grow grass well.
For example, tomorrow we’re expecting 2-3 feet of snow.

As for coffee, I’ve never had a cup in my life.
Diet coke? Now that’s another story.

[JohnLRice]

@Kevin Lightner

I could still nitpick about COTK (colored wire ties tend to break over time), but it seems they learned what was needed to survive.
I WAS impressed by their phase shifter.
I’ve owned a new Mutron Bi-phase and the COTK was far deeper and intense than even it.

hi Kevin,

Good tip on the wire ties, i didn’t know that!

Do you recall which COTK phaser it was? I passed on getting a used C1640 at a good price because I really want the C1660 (15v version) instead. Seemed like the C1660 would have a larger range of effect.

http://www.cluboftheknobs.com/pro_c1640.htm

http://www.cluboftheknobs.com/pro_c1660.htm

Thanks!

[Kevin_Lightner]

John, it must have been the 1640.
It didn’t have all those extra controls on it.

[JohnLRice]

@Kevin Lightner

John, it must have been the 1640.
It didn’t have all those extra controls on it.

Thanks Kevin!