Caladan Update? Please?

Caladan
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It’s coming up on two years since preordering and three months since the instagram video saying we could expect a video soon. So, can we please have an update? I understand that it takes time to get these things right but some actual information on progress and an expected timeline would be greatly appreciated. Please don’t refer me to YouTube video’s with a mention of the Caladan but no reliable information about expected shipping dates. I think everyone who has preordered deserves an update on progress and a potential timeline even if it’s just to let everyone know that they’re going to have to keep waiting. Knowing is much better than being left in dark. Thank you. I love my S2400 and look forward to the day that I get to introduce the Caladan into my work flow.

Respectfully,

Matt Mars

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Hey Matt,

I’m there with you 100%. As investors that co-determine the success of Isla Instruments, we should should be treated as any business stakeholder that get periodically updated about the progress of this project. Even when there is no to little progress, you share to manage expectations and to keep your stakeholders on board.

in this particular case Brad has shared, three weeks ago, but the chosen channel was not this forum, and was also a passive one since it was in reaction of another customer eagerly waiting for a glimpse of information.

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Please Isla, get your communication game up!

Nothing but love :heart:

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I propose a volunteer position of Caladan Communicator, whose only role is to act as the liaison between the community (but specifically Caladan pre-orderers) and Isla.

Basically, a person who is the “update person” for Caladan, so instead of fielding a bunch of us getting nervous about our preorders (I know guys, I feel it too), it is just one. That means this person also receives little updates from Brad directly without him having to worry about community feedback - the Communicator collates community concerns and then passes that to Brad, who can reply in a more casual, less spotlit (and I would hope less pressured) manner.

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Thank you for the feedback. I guess I stand corrected. It’s been about a month since Brad has made a comment on social media about an upcoming update that has yet to be seen. To be honest I’m pretty disappointed that this post has been up for nearly a week with no comments from Brad or anyone associated with Isla. I don’t think it’s that crazy to expect an update at this point. Any update. I understand wanting to post an epic video update but right now, as someone who paid in full almost two years ago, I would rather get an email explaining the situation and delays directly and what a timeline looks like going forward. Maybe that’s asking too much but I feel like as investors in this project we all deserve more insight into the process and some honest answers about a timeline. I mean… it still says an expected ship date of July 2024 on the Isla website. If you’re not gonna update us at least update your website.

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Feeling Is mutual. Ordered my unit September of 23. Sadly I’ve decided to get a refund of my money. I have other things at this time I could use $1099 for. I’ll just buy one once it’s actually in full production.

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It’s pretty sad that @bradholland is okay with people canceling orders rather than giving the people who preordered an update with a realistic timeline on when we can expect to see shipments starting. It’s not like he doesn’t see these and other comments. He responded directly to my message on instagram saying he knows an update is needed but as usual no update has been seen.

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Caladan Update

Alright folks, here it is. I hate giving updates like this, but saying nothing is worse, so I’m just gonna lay it out straight.

First off, life’s been a bit of a shitshow. My family and I are staying at a friend’s place right now, and I’ve cobbled together a makeshift dev station in the corner of his workshop. Most of my personal life and business is sitting in a storage unit. Not the way I wanted things to be, but that’s the reality.

The real reason you haven’t seen a big flashy progress video with me waffling bollocks for hours on end is that no UI code has been developed.
The hardware has been sitting ready, waiting, for 6 months or so at this point, however, I haven’t had anything handed to me. I don’t have any reasons why and cannot offer any explanations.
The relationship has been dissolved in terms of fw development and I have now taken over sole responsibilty of the UI. I should’ve stepped in sooner but haven’t, hoping something would change but also not being able to do much about it anyway because of the situation I have currently been in. That’s on me. I own that, Let’s move on…

I’ve taken over, and despite being crammed into this little setup, I’ve already made up a lot of ground. Thanks to the work that went into the S2400 DSP card, all the underlying engine code and Linux subsystems that Caladan runs on are basically done. Firmwares for both the stock 3DCO card and the OPL3 FM hybrid card are already finished and working. What’s left is pretty much just the UI. That’s what I’m hammering on now.

I won’t lie, I’ve been suffering serious burnout this past year. Took on too much, tried to keep too many plates spinning, and it’s chewed me up. But Caladan is not something I’m willing to let slip. Pre-orders didn’t bring in enough money to cover the first batch, so I’ve been subsidising it out of DSP card sales and selling off my own gear just to keep this moving.

I want you to understand this one thing: if I fuck this up and don’t deliver Caladan, my name and reputation are toast. I won’t have a career left in this industry. That would crush me. So I’m doing everything I can to make sure it does get delivered. and it WILL.

Here’s the current state of play — a lot of the physical hardware for the first 500 units is already produced and on hand:

  • Custom Linux modules (as used on the DSP card)

  • Internal wiring assemblies

  • Internal power supply

  • LED encoder ring illumination PCBs

  • OLED display screens

  • CNC machined aluminium knobs

  • Injection molded screen/LED ring lens (this was a massive headache and wasted a LOT of money)

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  • DCO3 Stock Voicecards (2000 of them)

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  • Aluminum side panels for enclosure

  • Case hardware (feet, screws, misc)

Remaining to mass produce:

  • Main motherboard which holds the encoders and Linux module, I/O ports etc. (there is still some work to be done on noise mitigation)

  • Metal enclosure (this is the last thing to produce as the silkscreen graphics could change at any point up until this goes to manufacture)

So that’s where we are. I’m head down on the UI now, progress is being made, and I just need more time.

My family and I should be in a new place within the next month. My “dev” setup, as you’ve seen in the photo, basically travels with me wherever I go. I’m cramming in as much time as I can on the firmware, and I will start showing you development progress literally as soon as I can.

Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with me.

I am truly sorry.

—Brad

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Thank you so much for the update. Sorry to hear about the issues that you are dealing with on all fronts but I will gladly continue waiting for what I expect to be an incredible game changing synth. Shit happens. Things get delayed. Knowing that the project is still active and moving forward is really the most important thing to me in this moment. Periodic updates going forward would be great. I’m willing to wait for quality I would just like to know occasionally that it’s still progressing even if slower than expected.

Thank you.

Matt Mars

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thank you, Matt. you really have no idea how much that means to me.

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Not trying to pry, I wouldn’t ask for the nitty gritty, but does this mean both Mickey and Vlad are out of the picture?

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It means, as far as I can tell, that I will be taking over Mickey’s work for now.
I have no idea what happens in the future, I love Mickey, but I have to keep Caladan moving.
That’s all I have to say.

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Big love mate. Reach out if you want to talk shit. Love ya xxx

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Hey Brad,

Taking the time to be open and vulnerable, is very much appreciated and is exactly what I need to stay onboard.

Allow me to be bluntly honest. If you stop doing regular updates and stop fostering the transparency that you are known for to be so good at, and I bet a lot of people truly appreciate, than people will feel like you are giving up on your accountability and you risk losing part of your such loyal user base.

You can already see by the reactions in the topic, that if you DO communicate that people tend to remain supportive even when challenges arise. It can even unlock additional support because every one wants Isla to be successful.

please consider a proper communication plan. It’s super simple. Yes it takes a day or two day’s to set-up properly, and you need to commit to it, but it will give your customers AND yourself peace of mind. And for someone that experienced burn-out, and im speaking from personal experience, these are the investments that can prevent possible future triggers. I can imagine that this is not your thing, but I bet that there are people in this community that are ready to volunteer.

https://www.proofhub.com/articles/stakeholder-communication-plan

I want you to know, that im not trying to bust your balls, i just hope that my honesty can inspire you to do it better. I’m looking forward to all the updates, good, bad and ugly.

I hope you will soon be in calmer waters.
If you need me, reach out! <3

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I love the update, hate the circumstances you find yourself in, and am gutted by the thought of you pushing through burnout day after day to inch Caladan closer to the finish line.

If making continual progress is energizing you and keeping momentum going, that’s great! But if it’s a drain that’s hollowing you out, I personally hope you have the option to say, “I know it’s been a long haul, but I need a six month hiatus where I reorganize, learn what I need to learn now, and just chill. I feel I can then come back to Caladan with the passion it deserves.” Then post a paragraph update the end of each month just saying what’s up, no Caladan advances expected, so we know you’re alive.

I signed up for the synth you always wanted to make, not one made with your blood, you know? I hope enough of the rest of us feel the same and you can consider this option.

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Thank you for the update and your transparency. It really dose make a difference to just hear that you are still there even though there are a lot of challenges. Thanks for carrying on and all the best to you and your family.

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Yeah man. Burnout is real. Hold tight, you’re creating amazing instruments and bringing people together. Much love.

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Take your time. I waited for my S2400 and it took over as my main rig as soon as it hit my desk - don’t really mind waiting for my Caladan.

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