Which "format" for synth modules

espressogeek · Joined: Nov 08, 2008 Posts: 13 Location: nashville

Hello,
I joined a few weeks ago and I am already putting together my first synth module, a TH-201. I also have a TH-101 PCB on order. As I assemble this and choose other modules it occurred to me I have no idea what to mount this in. What are the standard size front panels recommended for Thomas Henry designs and other modules such as the little-lfo and others?

too much coffee

Also, is there a general discussion DIY forum that would be more appropriate to post this in?
Thanks!

andrewF · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

Hi
it is worth putting a lot of thought into your panels, you will be looking at them a lot.

There is no set format for TH designs, you might find this thread useful
http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-18281.html

there is a general diy forum
http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-112.html
and scroll!
Very Happy

slo · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject:

Here's a photo of my Mankato filter. It's on a triple wide frac format panel. Go to Magic Smoke, who sell the PCB for another realization of this filter.

http://www.magsmoke.com/synthmodules.asp

Also here's a link to a table giving pretty well all known formats and sizes, adjust to suit. That's what nice about DIY, you can give it the features you want or just leave things out.

http://www.synthesizers.com/formfactors.html

George

Mankato_3.JPG

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Mankato /Frac double wide

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36.62 KB

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espressogeek · Joined: Nov 08, 2008 Posts: 13 Location: nashville

Thanks andrewF!

Sound · Joined: Jun 06, 2006 Posts: 842 Audio files: 1

Hello slo, i like very much your mankato frontpanel.

espressogeek, I think that the decision of the format is the first that we must to do and usually one doesn't have enough experience for do it.

In my opinion you must to take this decision according the size of knobs that you will choose. This is very important because the knob is the one which you will communicate with the machine, as well the whole frontpanel.

With a little knob 11mm to 15mm. you will save space of the frontpanel, and will be OK 3 or 4U(eurorack and frack rack or Serge). You can achieve comfortable frontpanels.

With a big knob, >15mm you will have more precision, because you will have more knob travel. You will need 5U frontpanel. Also will be more easy to achieve a comfortable front panel.

I choosen the eurorack But if i could start again I would like choose 4U frontpanel, with 13mm knobs.

Think that 3U sometimes, with big PCB will be more difficult to place the PCB in the frontpanel. Ej, the finest Magsmoke PCB, in perpendicular mode, only fit in one way in the eurorack and you will need to much depth in the case. Or design dual modules, and place the PCB parallel to the front panel.

Keep in mind also the power supply and the case, If you go for eurorack you can solve it buying a doeper case with the power supply included, www.doepfer.de, But is 12V. or you can buy the subracks in ebay and make a external powers supply. Or you can make your own size.

http://www.modular.fonik.de/Page24.html
http://www.synthesizers.com/diycabinet.html
http://www.electro-music.com/forum/topic-22903-50.html

Hope that it helps and that my english will be understandable Mr. Green