6/19/2008

More words!

There were a few requests for some samples of audio being run through the Plague Bearer, so we recorded some and put them here. We had so much fun doing these that I had to design a unit that is more guitar-friendly: the Parasite.

The Parasite is a single channel Plague Bearer crammed into a smaller enclosure, but with more features. These enclosures are from the “Satellite” units that attached to the larger enclosure used for the Plague Bearer, and are of similar construction but flat. The Parasite features two LFOs and a Depth (or mix) control. Each LFO has Saw, Ramp, Triangle, Square, and Sine waveforms. Instead of High and Low CV inputs (no room), High and Low have a toggle switch to select either LFO 1, LFO 2, or none. I HAD to put the mix control in there, it was bugging me (a lot) not being able to squeeze one in on the Plague Bearer. The input and output jacks are 1/4″ Phone jacks (Switchcraft), and I am doing everything I can to make sure this thing is as rugged as possible. Due to space restrictions, the Parasite will be powered via wall-wart. I plan to produce some battery adapter units in the future, as this will make design a lot easier, with room for more features, and keep AC out of the enclosure.

One thing that was driven home to me while building the Plague Bearers – Be Sure Of Your Supply Chain! I had some mad scrambles trying to get everything out in reasonable time. The Parasite is presenting new difficulties. I have had to go almost entirely SMT just to cram everything in these enclosures! And, while there may actually be a manufacturer that makes the part you need, it is annoying likely – if you are doing anything that is not mainstream – that no distributor carries it! That means you have to either order 1000+ of it or re-design your product.

I would like to thank everyone who was willing to take a chance and send us money, I know that is a risky gamble with new web businesses. This is my full-time (and only) job, and your trust allows me to eat food (and pay back my student loans). I like food, and tend to get rather cranky without it. While most were very prompt in their payment, there were a few who just disappeared on me. With no notice. That is very rude and inconsiderate, no matter what size business you are dealing with. For me, it is very dangerous. To be honest, everything is riding on you. If I don’t fill an order, I don’t eat. I can’t afford to build a unit and then let it sit on the shelf while I wait for a response. For now, every unit built and shipped pays for the parts to build the next few units – that means if I am waiting, so are the rest of my customers!

From here onward, unless stated otherwise, orders must be prepaid upon confirmation. Confirmation meaning: You tell me you want it, I tell you OK (this is due to limited availability of particular models). Then I build it! I’m not going to build it if nobody wants it. Rest assured, however, that I will bust my ass to get it to you as soon as possible.

Oh yeah, very little (aside from what was just mentioned) is set in stone. If there are some changes, additions, or other modifications that you would like to be made to a device, let me know! If it can be done, I’ll probably do it – not necessarily for free but, maybe…

k, I’m done for now, back to work!

~flight

posted by flight at 2:23 PM