#41

indeed-- it seems we’re inadvertently encouraging multi-case ownership.

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#42

exactly, i was really keen on disting when it first came out but it wont fit in either of my skiffs

somewhat unfortunate

i’d gladly have paid for a shallower unit that “cost” more hp

#43

ha true

but i think that’s inevitable with or without isms :joy:

#44

the newer editions rcd + scm are 35 mm and dixie II seems to be 37 mm…

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#45

i’m not as interest in a spring reverb, personally. can this be used simply as a send, return for the case?

#46

yes, but the gain is very extreme-- i’ll test to see if this is useful. though there is probably a super minor mod (change one resistor or two) to get a unity gain mix.

#47

agreed, it would be very useful if it could be used instead to interface with an external effect, with appropriate gain staging.

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#48

exciting. oh, and seems i missed this comment from @Galapagoose:

“The RCAs are specific to a spring tank (high power driver & make up stage). The output mixer has interesting stereo capability which would allow you to run one side as a line-level FX send, and return into the audio input section.”

thanks for looking into this.

#49

A definite +1 to this. My sense is that the output mixer is going to use technologies borrowed from Whimsical Rap’s RIP module, in which both jacks are bi-directional and packed with wonderfulness.

#50

think it differs from RIP

not certain what that means as far as bi-directionality though

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#51

there is an external input “block” on the top row, mono input 1/4" on the back, gain stage + audio output + envelope output + gate output

#52

looks great. i’ll probably use this as part of my ‘in-progress’ live rig…

#53

heads up for those not on our mailing list-- the isms page is updated with individual diagrams and information about the top module:

http://monome.org/isms

and if you’re not on the mailing list, get on it! at the bottom of monome.org pages. it’s once a month. and short and nice.

#54

looks amazing. the utility row is a brilliant idea. so much HP gets wasted on modules for basic functions. i wish this was around when i started my system,

#55

Ugh, I wish I was on the band wagon with all you guys. But this is a total miss for me.
Why are utility modules 1U but not interchangeable? I might want to mix and match a few tiles around or add other companies 1U tiles.
Skiff cases are great for sequencers and controllers. I use Expert Sleepers and a bunch of other modules that aren’t skiff friendly. I would never recommend a skiff case to a first time eurorack buyer. You WILL buy a module that’s too deep for this at some point unless you really want to restrict yourself because of a cases depth. which is a weird reason to restrict your module choices.

Looks well built. I think if you want to stick to Musical Raps and Monome this will be an awesome case for you. But I like to buy from all kinds of manufacturers in Euro…and build my own. Prototypes tend to be deeper for first few builds.

Demo seems to have that hiss from plugging the grid directly into the same power as your audio modules. If you’re telling me that high-pitch whine is your new noise source I will laugh.

Also that name…is it “ISms” or “IS-M-S” ? It really doesn’t invoke an image for me of an awesome case, the name makes me think this will lead to some philosophy topic. I mean calling it Monome Case would be way simpler and people would know what I was talking about if I brought it up in a conversation. If I say “have you seen the new Monome Isms”, I will get weird looks.

#56

this made me laugh only because i been getting weird looks for years whenever i mention monomes and other music tech

just yesterday i was talking to a guy programming something in python on the train from work. we touched on several topics including the role of programming in the musical realm…which led me to mention of teletype and when i said “modular synth” he looked at me like i’d spoken another language

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#57

the demo vid has power supply noise-- we’re corrected (finished) the design and it’s now insanely quiet and clean. tested better than several other supplies we have here. we’ll have new demo videos coming. there are new sound samples on the page towards the bottom (though they are drenched in the spring reverb, so the noise floor isn’t being demonstrated.)

i understand that this case isn’t for everyone. and that’s ok. we weren’t setting out to make a for-everyone object. and yes, we were pretty focussed on mainly supporting our modules and were ok with the fact that some percentage wouldn’t fit. modular people tend to have many cases. this case truly feels great. that’s all i can say.

we didn’t modularize the tiles on top because we’d automatically lose a huge amount of functional density. so much of modular is concerned with connectors, mounting, etc. we were able to present a vision of a foundational set of tools in a much smaller space. secondly, just making a “case” is a not particularly interesting prospect for both trent and myself. i think the offerings there are very well serviced by the industry.

“-isms” is the name. you know we love difficult names :wink: it’s unbranded-- no markings. and this is not a monome product. it’s a collaboration in every aspect. monome is simply hosting the ordering/media/etc given our existing infrastructure.

the best aspect of modular is the wide range of options at the moment and i hope this will remain the landscape. there’s no trouble encountering something that doesn’t fit your ideal process or needs. because others out there exist.

7 Likes
#58

Good to hear your power supply is not bleeding noise anymore!

Maybe at some point you’ll consider selling 1U tiles? Or open source the schematics for others to build into a 1U or 3U utility panels.

Keep on making cool stuff. This one wasn’t a fit for me and I wanted to explain some of the reasons. I’m sure it’ll be a sweet case for many.

#59

@tehn’s explanation makes sense (denser functionality) but one way to have flexibility as mentioned earlier would be to have 2-3 fixed selections for the utility row that one could choose from (i guess this would essentially mean different cases…). this way you could have one utility row that is more suitable for a performance oriented system, a studio system, a controller skiff, a processing skiff etc etc.

personally, i like that it’s shallow. every euro case is a compromise of what you can put into it. there is always going to be that one module that doesn’t fit… form factor is important in a case, especially for something that’ll be used mostly as a standalone instrument. i find PGH Cell case a bit too deep, for instance… but i totally get where people are coming from, just saying a compromise has to be made.

also, a couple of questions got lost in the thread:

  • sliding nuts? square or hex?
  • does the total power listed for +5V (1.5A) include what will be used for grid or is it available on top of that?
#60

Personally, I’m really happy to see more manufacturers go in the full-instrument/Buchla-easel-style direction, even if this one isn’t for me either.

As a side note, I agree, but wish there was more options for small cases. I would love something that’s say 60hp 6u with a small utility 1u in the middle… and a lid and a handle. One day I’ll have to get something like that made bespoke.

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