A good face panel design for Synth DIY Experimenter

[jukingeo]

Hello All,

Well, I finally took the plunge and ordered the Synth DIY Experimenter PCB combo from the MFOS website last night.

The combo pack includes the main PCB in addition to the power supply PCB and the Sample & Hold PCB.

Now the next thing that comes to mind is that since the Experimenter doesn't have a faceplate that I can order, I have to fend for myself. Naturally an obvious choice would be to go with the posted plan for the faceplate, but when I was looking at some sound demos of the Experimenter, I ended up not liking this layout for the simple reason that there are wires all over the place.

Example (the Experimenter is the far module that looks like a colorful bird's nest):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kxDSnKpTIw

See what I mean?

I am wondering of there might be a good way to go about a panel design that puts all the patch points on the BOTTOM of the panel, this way you don't have to grope and feel your way through a birds nest to get to the control you want to adjust.

Thank You,

Geo

[Wobuse]

There is an excellent tutorial on the MFOS site...http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/forums.html?CATPARTNO=NONE&PROJARG=HOT_TIPS%2Fmakingplates.php&MAINTAB=SYNTHDIY&SONGID=NONE&VPW=1024&VPH=542
I use a program called "Draw" by greenstreet; a deceptively simple program that is very versatile .There are also some front panel fabrication services that provide free panel software. One I believe called Shaffer..You produce a panel layout on their software ,email it to them,& pay for a panel to be made.
I prefer the DIY method as it gives me more artistict lisense .
An example....

My earlest panels, I simply painted them & used a label maker to apply the lettering ,then seal the whole thing with clear spray.
http://www.retrosonik.com/synths/Syndi/PSN-1A.jpg

[jukingeo]

Hello:

[Wobuse]

I don't know what they charge but I'm pretty sure the sofware gives you a quote.