#1830

I have never used one but maybe something like two of these should work?

https://www.lindy.co.uk/audio-video-c2/switches-c175/2-port-toslink-digital-optical-audio-switch-p4368

1 Like
#1831

What else except input device can it be?

#1832

there’s a contact mic (which i guess is input but in practice i consider that separate from the input jack), gate out and envelope follower. i was asking the Q of the OP bc if it’s just a line in w a preamp i’m pretty sure there’s another choice in a smaller format.

1 Like
#1833

I’ve attempted to search for the answer to this on existing posts/responses and I’m sure the answer is there somwhere, but I’ve been unable to find it as yet… which is to say: I apologise in advance if my question has been covered already!

OK, that said…

A very close friend of mind has a lazer etching/cutting business. He is currently looking at Eurorack cases and is in discussions with various manufacturing people he works with regarding the rails. All that stuff I’ll happily leave to him - I’ve passed on all the information I have regarding rail requirements and lengths, beyond that I’m pretty much completely clueless.

I’ve been avoiding going down the modular route for a couple of years now, despite the obvious appeal, but if he’s going to be making cases it seems absurd to imagine that I won’t get one.

The problem I have, though, is that I simply don’t grasp the PSU situation. How do I figure out what PSU I’m going to need for each size of case and how can I find one (in the UK) that would enable me to get started without dropping any more money than I need to.

I’ve seen the discussions about lunchboxes and they look great - something I could power with a USB cable is definitely appealing on numerous levels. Also, I have a Koma Elektronik Field Kit FX which I understand is 36HP, so something around that size (40, perhaps) seems like a logical place to start.

Any help or advice is greatly received!

#1834

Modulargrid does a decent job of including power specs for each module, so if you have a bit more of an idea of what kinds of things you would like to put in what size case, you can see what to shop for.

Intellijel, 4ms, Tiptop Audio and Make Noise produces power supplies, some of which can be “dropped in” to a DIY case, and some of which are even just a module with cables off the back.

USB power is almost certainly too much to hope for. Eurorack modules require +/- 12V power, while USB supplies +5V, so you’d need to do a nontrivial amount of conversion there. Additionally, Eurorack cases tend to want an amp or two of power, which is often a bit above a USB power supply’s pay grade. I won’t say it’s impossible, just because I don’t know that it is, but it seems unlikely.

2 Likes
#1835

I’d say your first step should be coming up with an idea of what kind of system appeals to you–how large it’ll be and what modules would be in it, and use Modular Grid to get an estimate of how much power you’ll need.

In general, digital modules will require more power than analog ones, and often need 5V power instead of the more typical 12V, so if you plan to get those you’ll want to make sure the PSU has a 5V output, or get a 12V to 5V converter (I have a Klavis NoDrain attached to my Doepfer PSU2 for this and it’s excellent). Most newer PSU’s provide 5V power as standard though.

In addition to the PSU’s mentioned by @alanza, Doepfer’s PSU’s are very well made and affordable. I can also personally vouch for Konstant Labs, they make very compact, good quality stuff at decent prices–great for a lunchbox system if that’s what you end up building.

2 Likes
#1836

Can’t say for small cases, but for 84hp or more i’d check what Intellijel, Make Noise or TipTop bundle with their cases. I think those PSUs should cover most demands. At least for entry point.
And if u want something really specific by that time you will know what PSU you need :smiley:

1 Like
#1837

My only advice would be to avoid the inexpensive TipTop uZeus power supplies, I had nothing but issues with mine (and lackluster customer support to boot).

2 Likes
#1838

There is a usb power supply that provides about 400mA of power!

It’s nice for lunch box cases.

https://modularaddict.com/mmi-usbpower-pcb

2 Likes
#1839

This is often put forth as a general rule, but in practice you really have to look at the specific module and PSU specs.

Some analog modules consume far more than digital ones – and are more likely to have heavy needs from the -12V rail. QPAS is a good example: at 166mA of +12V and 190mA of -12V, it exceeds the total power consumption of even an ER-301 or a Rainmaker. (I still feel this is kind of surprising, since Make Noise’s analog modules are often the most power-efficient in their category. But there are a lot of filter cores and internal VCAs in there…)

None of my current digital modules need +5V from the PSU. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a digital module that didn’t at least have a jumper to use an onboard regulator. I know they exist (older Braids for instance) but they are now the exception, not the rule.

I’ve used three different PSUs, and all of them provided plenty of +5V but two were weak on the -12V rail.

So, yeah. Specifics. :+1:

2 Likes
#1840

Ah, fantastic information - thanks everyone! I wasn’t aware of the different voltages required and thought that calculating the different mA
values would be my only headache (aside from figuring out which modules I wanted!)

Basically, I’m thoroughly smitten with both my MS-20 Mini and Werkstatt, and would be most interested in something which would play nicely with those. I like the idea of creating a filter bank or maybe an effects rig. Something with a vactrol in it appeals. No fixed ideas, to be honest.

The lunchbox cases are really appealing - that was where I’d seen the USB PSUs - and they seem like a good size to start off with.

#1841

There’s also the 4MS pods, which are essentially lunch boxes with integrated PSUs.

2 Likes
#1842

I would discourage you from getting into a eurorack for effects. There are better and cheaper options in pedal world.

A filter bank would give you lots of options.

I would say, as is my persistent advice: Figure out what your goals are before taking the plunge. Not just immediate, but down the road. Where do you imagine it going? Don’t buy anything until you like your answer.

As far as cases go, buy what you can afford. Assume you’ll want to grow. Decide whether it needs to travel.

If you have your heart set on your friend’s case, he should be solving the power supply issue himself. It’s rare to provide an unpowered case. Get something with a bus board, which will have less noise than a flying bus cable based system. As people have noted, you’ll want a goodly amount of 12v+. Fortunately, there aren’t a million choices for power, unlike filters! :wink:

3 Likes
#1843

That’s fantastic advice - thank you. As I don’t really know where I want it to go immediately, I certainly do have any idea of where I’d like it end up further down the line. Much research needed!

1 Like
#1844

Hey y’all! :raising_hand_woman:t2:

I’m trying to figure a way to play 20 midi tracks from disting mk4 as a MIDI player, to FH-2 with expanders. Has anyone ever done it? or is an expert with midi creating multiple midi files in a 0midi sort of file and expert with expert sleepers?

Thanks SO MUCH for any help!!!
:candle::flower_playing_cards::rose:

#1845

Can I squeeze 1 extra hp out of a Doepfer beauty case? I need 33 for Cold Mac, Pam’s and Piston Honda…

2 Likes
#1846

Hey,

I was wondering if there’s a way to pair the disting with the FH-2, so that the CV to MIDI (and MIDI to CV) mode on the disting can output directly to the FH-2.

Anyone done this before?

#1847

Sounds like you should team up with @GELOSIA on solving this! I would assume you need to hook up the MIDI breakout to the disting then use a bus-powered MIDI DIN to USB adapter to the FH-2.

1 Like
#1848

Actually I just talked to Os, apparently you can just hook the two together via their MIDI breakouts!

Os said there’s no “special modes,” but this behavior is to me special in and of itself :slight_smile:

I gotta find the right cable to get this working, but I’ll let you know if it works.

UPDATE: It works.

1 Like
#1849

Quick power question:

I have a 6u 104hp system with a single Zeus Studio Bus bus board in it.

These are the specs from TipTop:

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Screenshot 2019-06-17 at 05.48.33.png1502×866 97.7 KB

My system is now pretty close to what I’m aiming for here:

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Screenshot 2019-06-17 at 05.48.53.jpg2360×1284 1.29 MB

That’s 1422mA +12v, 852mA -12v.

If I understand, I’ve got a bit of a shortfall in power there and the solution is another bus board. Is that correct?