The best way to keep abreast of MOTM module development is to join our MOTM Yahoo Group (group name is, oddly enough, MOTM).

The controls include a WET/DRY mix (like on the MOTM-410) and a manual/remote IN/OUT bypass. An LED indicates EQ IN use. The module has an expansion connector that will allow individual, buffered outputs and envelope followers on a future 2U wide MOTM-451 Companion Module.

• Fixed output divisors simulataneously available and phase-locked. Outputs are 0 to +5V square waves.
• Variable output (divisor under voltage control) independent of the fixed divider outs
• RUN/STOP input for sync or driving all outputs low (0 volts)
• Can sych to positive or negative edge of input clock
• Unique 'Half Divide' mode where the divisors are 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, etc (all outputs)
• Stepped CV out is a 8-step rising sawtooth that has 3 fixed step intervals

The MOTM-730 fixed divisor outputs run independently of the variable ('/N') output. The large red LED display shows the divisor for the variable output. This divisor can be set by the INTINAL DIVIDE panel control or by a control voltage/attenuator. The MOTM-730 does not generate pulses on it's own: a CLOCK IN is required but can be any waveform that is at least 0V to 2V peak. The 'trip threshold' for the clock input is ~ +0.75V, so the output of a MOTM-800 EG can be used to clock the module.

One of the most useful applications is to use the various outputs to trigger multiple EG's. A MOTM-390 LFO can be used as the clock source, and then the various outputs can be used to trip EG's on regular intervals. Using multiple EGs in this manner can get up amazingly complex poly-rhythms that on first listen sound random but will repeat after a certain time (music in 9/11 time? No problem!).

The MOTM-730 requires the 6-pin MOTM power connection (requires +5V as well as +-15V).

Demos for the MOTM-730

• Using MOTM-730 as rhythmic clock divider with 4 pitched voices (2x MOTM-440 filter, 2x MOTM-480 filter) and 2 noise voices (2x MOTM-420 filter HP.) Pitches selected through MOTM-650 MIDI-CVdual arpeggios. Events triggered with rhythmic divide values of 4,5,7,9,11,12,16. Long sequence demo
• Uses 6 outputs from MOTM-730 acting as undertone series into mixer, which then goes into a single MOTM-440 filter, MOTM-190 dual VCA and external digital delay. Arpeggiated tones demo
• No filters used for this demo, just raw square waves through a MOTM-830 mixer. Ends with the variable divider doing a sweep. Raw tones demo.
• Another demo (multi-tracked using 12 MOTM voices as 3 sets of 4 each) using the 730 to trigger multiple voices (via MOTM-800 EGs). Multi-tracked sequence demo.
• The opening of Robert Rich's CD Electric Ladder. The MOTM-730 portion begins at the 2:00 mark, and again is used to trigger multiple MOTM voices (in this case 6 different ones). Openeing track demo.

The MOTM-520 is an entirely new concept in VCO design.

First, the module is NOT any sort of 'granular synthesis' device. This confusion is due to our use of the term 'Cloud'. But we really couldn't think of a more descriptive term, so that is what we call it.

The MOTM-520 contains 16 independent digital oscillators, each with Sine and Pulse outputs. The Sine outputs are very low distortion, less than 0.1%. The Square/Pulse waves can be PWM'd by an external control voltage or even audio. The sum of all 16 oscillators is routed to the SINE OUT and the SQR OUT jacks.

What makes the MOTM-520 generate what we call a 'Cloud' is by spreading apart the frequencies of 15 of the 16 oscillators (1 is the 'reference' pitch). This detuning can be manually adjusted using the SPREAD control, or with an external source (such as a LFO or EG). The WIDE/NARROW switch sets the overall frequency spread (NARROW = 1 semitone, WIDE = 1 octave). The module behaves just like any other 1V/Oct VCO, with standard COARSE, FINE and FM controls and inputs. The difference is that in a 2U space, you have 8 oscillators with no drift or calibration issues. Using SPREAD and SPREAD MODULATION, you can still get huge monophonic leads and interesting wooden percussive sounds. Want to sound like a drifty Minimoog? Just use the SLOW output of a MOTM-101 into the SPREAD MOD input. Each oscillator will spread up or down in different sensitivities, and in different directions. All of this creates the most massive bass and lead lines, all in a single VCO module.

But we were not content to stop there. You can ALSO independently modulate the relative phase of each oscillator to the reference. This is the PHASE MOD input. Using a slow sine LFO (like the MOTM-390), you can get wonderful phasing effects independent of the spread detuning.

And then we went overboard and added one more 'modulation': CHAOS. What does CHAOS do? Well, it is set by either the panel control or by a control voltage. As CHAOS is increased, the frequency SPREAD starts...errrr...acting 'funny'. There are 4 different algorithms used, and each one is wilder and wilder. I'm not sure how musically useful CHAOS is, but it's there for your enjoyment.

Download a preliminary PDF working specification here.

The MOTM-600 MicroSequencer (uSeq) is a 3U wide module that generates 2 control voltages and 2 Gates as a stored sequence in non-volatile FLASH memory. The module contains 9 sequences, each with up to 99 steps. There are 2 4-character, 14-segment 'British Flag' displays, 10 tactile NKK pushbuttons with LEDs, and 2 panel controls. One panel control is a Greyhill industrial-quality optical encoder. The encoder is used for data entry and menu selections, and also has a 'mouse click' integral pushbutton. A tap on the knob acts as an Enter key on a keyboard. Up to 3 additional slave MOTM-600s can be connected (via rear ribbon cable) and chained together. The Master uSeq controls all Slaves in the chain.