MacBeth Mk1 5U Synthesizer Modules- first pics!

[impaledfaith]

I'm sure the modules are wonderful, but wow: $775 per oscillator, $775 SVF, $350 per single envelope (plus vca) . . . Congrats, Ken, I think you just claimed the high end of pricing of any format.

Cheers,
Brian

i'm glad someone else said it.

unfortunately, for the time being, these prices keep the macbeth in the 'keep dreaming' realm for me.

maybe one day.

[krv]

Try to buy Modcan from Europe with shipment cost and custom taxes
and you'll find out how "cheap" are ken's modules

Good point! And who knows how AH's US pricing will fall. We may be adding shipping or import taxes and subtracting VAT yet for all I know. Based on this prices, though, Macbeth easily surpasses Buchla and Serge in cost on a per-function basis.

Cheers,
Brian

I know...Mabeth, buchla, serge and modcan prices are just a "no way" if you live in the "wrong" side of the globe

[sunsinger]

My loss... priced me right out of the market. That's Zeroscillator territory.
I'll reconfigure my dreams as well. In the U.S. $775 is equal to about $1000, as hard as cash is to come by.

[Morley]

Shoe
Other
Foot


Quality does indeed cost and buying from a foreign country adds costs. Macbeth is a UK builder and he has little control over the exchange rate which is a large part of why something seems expensive or not..
The prices are about what quality modules cost IMHO
Cwejman, Buchla, Serge, Macbeth, Modcan... I don't see huge differences price wise.
He's not competing with Paia and Doepfer. His market is people who want what he does and built to a VERY high standard.

I don't buy what I can't afford but I also don't whinge that it is too expensive. It's just not in my budget.

In short I find it rude to criticise his pricing especially when looking at it from a insular point of view.

[sunsinger]

I find it equally rude to criticize people for expressing what's on their mind.

[bwhittington]

Cwejman, Buchla, Serge, Macbeth, Modcan... I don't see huge differences price wise

Um, first of all I didn't comment on whether I personally would buy any. I said they were on the high end of the market. Which . . . they are. Seeing as you made the same point I did (above), surely you don't think stating the obvious is a particularly harsh criticism? Looking at the competition in that end of the market, I hope these sound really, really nice. Serge's Dual NTO offers VC waveshaping, VC portamento, VC FM, and an ancillary module for roughly the same price.

An insular point of view? Help me with that. Assuming Ken's plans go beyond selling the initial units, I'm going to guess the North American market is extremely important to him, simply as a matter of population/customer base. The price point of the modules here will have much to do with his success.

Cheers,
Brian

[Morley]

I find it equally rude to criticize people for expressing what's on their mind.

If you feel that way, fine. I'm sorry I offended you

Ken on the other hand doesn't just have something on his mind when setting prices, he has costs and they are real world and based in the UK.

[Morley]

Cwejman, Buchla, Serge, Macbeth, Modcan... I don't see huge differences price wise

Um, first of all I didn't comment on whether I personally would buy any. I said they were on the high end of the market. Which . . . they are. Seeing as you made the same point I did (above), surely you don't think stating the obvious is a particularly harsh criticism? Looking at the competition in that end of the market, I hope these sound really, really nice. Serge's Dual NTO offers VC waveshaping, VC portamento, VC FM, and an ancillary module for roughly the same price.

An insular point of view? Help me with that. Assuming Ken's plans go beyond selling the initial units, I'm going to guess the North American market is extremely important to him, simply as a matter of population/customer base. The price point of the modules here will have much to do with his success.

Cheers,
Brian

But you assume I was directing anything at you? Sorry. I wasn't.
I was just saying "it depends how you look at it"
Yes there are cheaper synths and yes there are more expensive. It's for the individual to decide if they are worth it or not. Just shouting "too expensive" on a forum when you haven't heard them or used them and perhaps aren't in the market for them is just not useful.
Well, if you haven't heard his stuff then I'll tell you. It sounds excellent and is built to last. For quite a few people who have spare $$$ that is all they need to know. For others, value for money trumps it..

And yes I am sure he would like to sell to the US (and do you honestly think he will have difficulty selling these modules?) but as I tried to explain how can he influence the US dollar rate and tax and housing and component costs etc? If he was based in the US, these things would be cheaper for US people and more expensive for European people..


So I might in theory agree with certain points but the real world dictates US pricing not Ken

And for me, it's the same price or less than Modcan B (just under $500 for a VCO plus shipping and import) so it has a direct comparison out there and Modcan are still going strong as far as I can tell and has MANY happy users.

[bwhittington]

But you assume I was directing anything at you? Sorry. I wasn't.

Well let's count that as my "insular assumption" for the day then.

I agree with what you are saying about cost and value, and that is probably the thrust of my thoughts on this. For a presumed $650 (based on the cost of Euro line), I would be ordering a pair straight off. Add 15-20% to the price tag, and to me it crosses a threshold in price that makes me really want to evaluate the module firsthand instead of being impulsive.

I don't begrudge Ken for the price at all, and no doubt 35 units will sell--probably quickly--but it is a "wow" price to me for sure.

I am reminded of the classic merchandising theory about crossing the emotional thresholds of 3, 5, and 7. We perceive $28 as a considerably lower price that $30, $495 as more desirable than $500, and then $775 . . . two 7's.

But as krv rightly pointed out, I'm discussing this without actually knowing the US price.

Cheers,
Brian

[Morley]

But you assume I was directing anything at you? Sorry. I wasn't.

Well let's count that as my "insular assumption" for the day then.

I agree with what you are saying about cost and value, and that is probably the thrust of my thoughts on this. For a presumed $650 (based on the cost of Euro line), I would be ordering a pair straight off. Add 15-20% to the price tag, and to me it crosses a threshold in price that makes me really want to evaluate the module firsthand instead of being impulsive.

I don't begrudge Ken for the price at all, and no doubt 35 units will sell--probably quickly--but it is a "wow" price to me for sure.

I am reminded of the classic merchandising theory about crossing the emotional thresholds of 3, 5, and 7. We perceive $28 as a considerably lower price that $30, $495 as more desirable than $500, and then $775 . . . two 7's.

But as krv rightly pointed out, I'm discussing this without actually knowing the US price.

Cheers,
Brian

And I agree, it's a hefty price tag BUT I honestly think it's valid. Components, sound (unless Ken has made them sound worse than other stuff he has done!) quality of design and build.
Don't get me wrong..I'm a big fan of cheap stuff too! People can get into the modular world for WAY less than ever before and this is good, but there is a market for pro gear still. Stuff that should last years and years and be relied on by people who use their gear professionally. Another market is the impulse market. Throw a new module out at $100-200 and people buy it just because it isn't expensive...
Both valid markets, but I see Ken in the first market where cost is not the ultimate criteria compared to quality.
So let's all agree to disagree and move on.

[bwhittington]

Hi Steve- you can order these units now- If you are in the US- talk to Shawn @ Analogue Haven-

Just a heads up, I spoke with Shawn this afternoon, and he didn't seem quite ready to take our money just yet. (Yes, I know, but gear lust has gotten the better of me lately ) He said to give it a few days until he had his pricing squared away.

Cheers,
Brian

[sascha.victoria]

Has there been any update on the new MacBeth stuff? Sorry if imissed something in another thread.

[krv]

Has there been any update on the new MacBeth stuff? Sorry if imissed something in another thread.

No, I'm in the process of placing an order but I'm still waiting for "final price" from Ken.....

[Karl Jeffers]

bump.

[jonnypowell]

Any updates here..?
I'm yet to hear back from Ken.

[nerdware]

He's preparing for NAMM, I think. It's this week!

[krv]

Ken will be at namm and MK1 modules are going to be shipped in January.... few weeks to go

[JohnLRice]

Ken at NAMM showing off his 5U!
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/01/ ... y-modules/

[Christopher W.]

Ken's enthusiasm makes him a great salesman. I want to spend oodles of money on his stuff and send my family into the throes of bankruptcy in the process.

[Bryan B]

John, you had a little extra stuff in your link.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/01/ ... y-modules/

[JohnLRice]

John, you had a little extra stuff in your link.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/01/ ... y-modules/

Thans Bryan! I usually double check that links work but I guess I didn't that time! I fixed it in my post to.

[Bryan B]

No prob.

[BlueOctopus]

Ha! That's a fantastic demo; the man exudes joy for his craft

[jl]

Any word on these? Did AH get them in and sell out already or did they never happen?

[jonnypowell]

STILL no details!?? What's going on here?