Serge-style DIY rack panel

[creatorlars]

Since I've had a little building time under my belt doing synth DIY the past year, I recently came to the decision to repanel/case all of my synth modules. I really want to come up with a standard for "finishing" my DIY projects at a quality level I can be satisfied with, that will stand the test of time, be cost-effective, and be flexible enough for me to incorporate into any future cases or systems.

The first thing I decided was to make _everything_ rackmounted. This way any number of cases can house my projects. Also, the gear I make is shared between 3+ performers in my current band, so we needed a better way to swap modules and units between our individual rigs. This meant that my current oversized wooden case and wood-mounted panels all needed to be redone.

At first I was considering MOTM rackmount mounting rails, and standard MOTM-sizing for everything -- but I realized that this was gong to cost a fortune in panels and individual silkscreen jobs (doing my own panel designs is very important to me, and I prefer small 1/2" knobs.)

I also had been growing more and more unsatisfied with bulky 1/4" jacks and cables... the cost was so much, and I used cheap jacks on most of my stuff out of neccesity, many of which have already needed to be replaced.

So I finally convinced myself to switch to a completely banana-plug system, and this led me to study the serge panels (which I would never be able to afford!)

Anyway, I am going to try assembling collections of modules onto Serge style 4U height x 19" blank Hammond rack panels. Really nice quality 4U rack panels, already painted and 0.125" thick cost me $25/each from Mouser... about the cost of a couple MOTM panels. Also, there's no need for the $50/pair mounting rails. The major drawback to this decision, and the only reason I'm still reconsidering it, is it does hurt the "modularity" of my system, and requires much more thought put into which modules to put on each panel. Since they may be swapped between rigs, I'm trying to group each panel in a way that could be used as a standalone synth, fx processor, sequencer, etc.

Attached is a rough design I made for the first panel. As you can see, because I have the full 19" to work with, and don't have to worry about vertical spacing on the top and bottoms of the panel, I've got 17 inches of columns instead of the 16 inches of columns on a serge panel, and I've also stretched it out vertically a bit to give me more comfortable spacing between some of the knobs.

The modules are:
MFOS VCO
Thomas Henry XRVCO
CGS Wave Multipliers
Warp633 Ringmod
2x MS20 VCF
2x CGS VCA
1x CGS Mixer
2x CGS Utility LFO
2x MFOS ADSR

I had to scale back some of the modules compared to how I would be doing them on MOTM panels... but for the dual modules, I tried to give each one slightly separate features to compensate. I plan to use push/pull pots in a couple of cases as well (such as to select AC or DC signals for the Warp633's X and Y inputs.)

I haven't decided on a color-scheme for the banana jacks (and knobs) yet, so for now they're all yellow and black.

Is this a really bad idea? Anything look weird on the panel to you? Did I miss anything obvious that's going to bug the crap out of me later? Most of you are much more experienced modular synth users, builders and patchers than I am, so please share your advice.

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[Peake]

A main loss in going from phone to banana format is normalizing/interrupting signals. Slightly less, is the capability to have increased signal bleed. Watch out for noise sources with 10V p/p ranges...

You gain:
-Stackability (excellent for clock and trigger source distribution)
-Speed in patching and unpatching
-Visibility (cords are usually thinner than 1/4" phone)
-Loss of expensive multiples
-Easier color-coding/visual troubleshooting of patches
-Inspiration from examining a new way of patching
-Increased interest in Modcan and Buchla gear, and their philosophy

and I'm sure there's more.

Creating a fixed panel will exercize your mind and your methods.

[creatorlars]

Thanks for the words!

I use a few normalled jacks in my current modules, but I think I can find ways around it, with toggles or pull pots... I really admire a lot of the amazing work with normalled jacks in Scott Stites system or the Wiard modules... but I find that as far as musical inspiration goes, the aesthetics and visual interface of a system really are what do it for me. Just being able to color-code jacks is a big deal.

Since I am almost entirely focused on performance pieces instead of studio sessions, the speedier patching is a big plus too. I'm much more at home with a drum sequencer than a keyboard, so I am really excited about taking advantage of all the CGS-related timing and sequencing modules, which I don't think would really "feel" the same, with 1/4" jacks and a differently styled layout.

[Peake]

I've seen the yellow in your setup (at least on the MIDIbox SEQ) but ASSume that you'll use the Buchla/Serge/Modcan color scheme for your jacks? Red for trigger/clock out, etc.?

[creatorlars]

Well I was thinking about using a similar signal differentiation, but using Black, White, Grey + One Color. And the color (which would also be the silkscreen color) would change on each panel... so then I've got a "yellow panel", an "orange panel", etc... I'm not sure which jacks would be colored -- maybe audio signals? Or all outputs?

[Peake]

Could be interesting.

I'd recommend, since you have space, using a large knob (than the rest of them) for your oscillator Coarse frequency control.

Don't forget to brace the panel in the middle to reduce wobble while patching.

I can't wait to see your results!

[neandrewthal]

Looks amazing. That little panel has nearly as much function as my 5U x 24U modular. Are the FM pots on the VCOs dual gang?

[creatorlars]

[neandrewthal]

[BananaPlug]

[creatorlars]

[prophei]

[creatorlars]

[Peake]

[neandrewthal]

[loss1234]

creatolars-now with a panel this size, would you mount the pcbs in a serge style or just through the regular method? this really looks amazing and is really making me want to have this very panel!!

do you have the circuits all laid out?

[creatorlars]

[telstarmagikistferrari]

I am about to get started on a banana-jack'd project and I was curious about the things mentioned on this thread about there being noise/compatability problems with bananas. what exactly is this about? forgive a noob!
mark

[creatorlars]