To me, the two main reasons for a meter module vs a multimeter (I own
two multimeters).

The first is to be able to have bipolar scale. Remember, this whole
discussion started when I mentioned using my A170 as a "meter module",
which is useful because you can see when a CV goes positive and
negative. The problem is, the A170 doesn't provide any calibrated
voltage value information, just relative brightness of the LEDs. You
can see the zero crossing precisely, but everything else is
approximate.

To use the multimeter for the same purpose, I have to apply an offset
voltage to the CV, so that 0 volts reads as +6V on my meter. That uses
up two extra modules - a CV source and a linear mixer - and then I
have to mentally translate the meter scale reading, pretending that 0V
to 12V is really -6V to +6V. That range isn't really adequate for the
A100 CVs either. The alternative is to switch to the 50V scale, but of
course this range is too large to get a precise reading.

Even to build this as a DIY module, I'd have to buy a panel-mount
meter, design and print a custom card with a -10V to +10V meter scale
on it (there's no stock meters with this kind of scale that I've ever
seen), and design and build am attenuator/offset circuit. Possible,
but a big stretch given my capabilities.

Florian's argument about mounting a multimeter in a panel doesn't
address this polarity issue. A Doepfer meter module could be
specifically designed to be useful with an A100 and other modular
systems.

The second arguement, let's admit it, is appearance. Doepfer has given
us modules to re-create a Moog modular, a Theremin, a vocoder, a
Trautonium, and many other classic electronic instruments. This is a
principal feature of the A100 system. Many people want A100 modules to
recreate a Buchla system. That's why there's so much interest in the
SOU, and that's why there's so much interest in a meter module. We
want it to look something like a Buchla.

Joe

Joe

--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com , Bakis Sirros
<synth_freak_2000@y...> wrote:

> hi florian,
> it's true that the analogue systems vu-meter costs
> about 150 euros(99 GBP).this module,also, has a
> built-in inverter.but i think that doepfer might make
> one that costs less(100 euros ).ok,i know that you can
> buy one in the shops for 20 euros,but,again,it won't
> be a beautiful part of the doepfer a100.so,that's why
> i want a doepfer one.it's easy to use,ready made with
> mini-jacks and looks like the rest of my a100...
> my opinion,anyway...
> bakis.
>
>
>
> --- Florian Anwander <Florian.Anwander@c...>
> wrote:
> > Hi Andreas
> >
> > > Here you go Florian... my reasons for a digital
> > display.
> > > a simple 8digit display is more expenisve than a
> > analog display. I own a
> > You misunderstood me: I asked why you want a meter
> > at all. I did not ask
> > for analog or digital. To my humble opinion: if
> > Dieter really would
> > construct and build the module on his own, it would
> > cost around 150EUR
> > (this is my guess; as far as I know even the
> > production, the transport and
> > the storing of a blind frontplate with an
> > unpopulated pcb attached costs
> > over 25 EUR). If I go to the next shop, I will get 7
> > (in words: seven)
> > multimeters of the same quality.
> >
> > Of course I want a digital meter, but why the heck
> > shall I spend 150 Bucks
> > when I can get it for 20
> >
> > If I were an a**hole, I'd go to Conrad, buy the
> > multimeter, get it out of
> > the case, switch the selector to 0-20V, mount it
> > behind a DOEPFER-like
> > front plate, connect the connectors with a jack in
> > the frontplate and sell
> > it for 200EUR (hey I am not Doepfer, for me its more
> > costy to produce such
> > a module)...
> >
> > Florian
> >
>
>
> =====
> synthfreak(parallel worlds)
> athens-greece
> 1 group owner
>
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