I hate to announce products on a Moog board, but Im sure all of you will appreciate this tidbit of info. This just came in via my email from the doctom users group…
Sweet!
Eric
The Q171 Quantizer accepts a varying input voltage and produces an output voltage that is locked into a selected group of notes (semitones, scale, chord, etc.)
The quantizer’s primary use is to simplify tuning of an analog sequencer, but there are many other musical applications. Any voltage source can be processed by the quantizer including envelope generators, oscillators, noise sources, etc.
The Q171 can also be synchronized with external events and operated as a programmable Sample & Hold using the Gate Inputs.
Three independent channels are provided. Channels produce one of the valid semitone notes (12-notes per-octave) unless an alternate group of notes is selected using the option switches. These option switches narrow the possible outputs to further simplify tuning. Possible note groups include Major, Minor, Augmented, Diminished versions of scales, Triad chords, and Root+5th.
Controls and Connectors
Option Switches
Options Channel Selection Switch
Determines which channels the 2 note group selection switches apply to,
otherwise the channel produces notes from the 12-note Chromatic (Semitone) scale.
Scale/Triad/Root+5th Switch
Along with the other Major/Minor/Aug/Dim switch, sets the note group used for the selected channel(s).
In the Scale position, the Major/Minor/Aug/Dim switch selects the group of notes produced.
In Triad mode, the 3-note triad chord group is used. In this mode, the Major/Minor/Aug/Dim switch also affects the group of notes produced.
In Root+5th mode, a 2-note group using the Root and the 5th is used. In this mode, the Major, Augmented and Diminished switch positions apply. Major and Minor positions are the same.
Major/Minor/Augmented/Dimished Switch
This 4-position switch, along with the Scale/Triad/Root+5th switch, selects the note group used by the selected channels.
The top position select Major and the bottom position selects Minor.
The center position provides Augmented or Diminished options depending on the previous position. If the switch is moved from the Major position down to the center position, the selection is Augmented (A). If the switch is moved from the Minor position up to the center position, the selection is Diminished (D).
Channel Jacks
Pitch Input
Pitch voltage to be quantized.
This does not have to be a pitch voltage, it can be any signal within the valid range.
Voltage range is 0-10 volts (10 octaves).
Voltages below 0 will be quantized as 0.
and voltages above 10 will be quantized as 10.
To quantize bipolar signals such as -5v/+5v waveforms from an oscillator, use the signal processor to shift (add +5v offset) the signal to 0-10v.
Pitch Output
Quantized pitch output.
The output voltage will be the closest match to a note within the selected note group. Low impedance capable of driving 6 oscillators with minimal droop.
Gate Input
Allows control of quantizing timing. When no plug is inserted, quantizing occurs continually with timing determined by the internal processor. When a plug is inserted, quantizing occurs on the rising edge of the signal (typically 0 - 5 volts). This allows the quantizer to operate as a Sample & Hold.
Gate Output
Short 5ms pulse (0 - 5 volts) is produced when quantization occurs and a new signal is present at the pitch output. A 2ms off-time is guaranteed.
Specifications
Panel Size: Single width 2.125"w x 8.75"h.
Quantization Method: Processor controlled using ADC/DAC.
ADC Inputs: 10-bit and precision buffer/scaler.
DAC outputs: 12-bit and precision buffer/scaler.
Power: +15V@30ma, -15V@30ma, +5V@50ma
PREORDER INFORMATION - 17 Nov 2009
The Q171 is in the final stages of development.
The estimated ship date is January 15th, 2010.
Orders will be shipped in the order they are received.
Price
$248.00 US.
Usage and Patch Tips
Basics
The fundamental use of the quantizer is to ease tuning of analog sequencers such as our Q119 and Q960. Instead of of being able to adjust the sequencer’s knobs to any voltage, the quantizer will lock them into a pre-selected scale. In other words, the output will produce only valid notes. This makes setting the sequencer much easier and musical.
Actually, it’s the interval between notes that are important. The specific notes that an oscillator produces is a product of the input voltage and the frequency controls on the oscillator. So, it will still be necessary to set the oscillator’s controls to the desired base frequency.
Thanks for posting this.
It looks like it is made for the Q119. (one of my prized analog possesions)
Dag nabbit, now I might need to get another cabinet on top of the two I already planned on! Hmm…sequencers, perhaps? 
I’m waiting for mine!
The Q172 module that goes with this has some really cool features!
http://www.synthesizers.com/q172.html
Also, Moon Modular is coming out with a cool expander module for their M565 quantizer. No official details yet.