I’ve been thinking about a modular case idea, and don’t know right now who’s building stuff like this.
Background: though my system has been largely ‘fixed’, I think sometimes that this ‘fixedness’ is a lie that we tell ourselves, that keeps us overly worried about getting the perfect final configuration, buying and selling the moment we feel we need or don’t need something.
Sometimes a big system is appropriate, sometimes a small system. Small is different than just using a portion of a big system because the constraints make other possibilities more apparent, and this matters when these possibilities arise spontaneously. Large case with empty/missing panels is still a big system for me. It all depends on the composition, the mood, the hour, the season etc. [For instance it’s very hot, no A/C, maybe I’d just rather work with something small as I have very little energy.] so why keep lying to myself about this, why not just embrace the impermanence and flux?
So I’d like to take some inspiration from traditional Japanese modular design (the reconfigurability of spaces via tatami, screens, etc.) that will let my system (at least at the panel level) be immediately in flux in this way with a minimum of effort.
For me this would entail wooden stackable boats, but heavy/sturdy enough to allow up to 12 panels (two columns of six), or more if possible. Each ‘boat’ would be a one-panel case, essentially, with feet and holes at the top where you would place the case above it, so they lock together and don’t fall over.
On the back would be a large hole for the power cables, and some recess or small enclosure to fit a power distribution board if needed, which is fine to be exposed to the back (this way one can support up to two 6-panel supplies, three 4-panel supplies, or whatever one has. due to modularity each panel needs this recess, since you have to be able to stick it anywhere. but one would only use it for one or two of the panels.)
This way, I can quickly set up and tear down an ‘X-panel instrument’ in under a minute, I would never need to unscrew panels/boats, because each would be permanently affixed to the stackable wooden boat. Just re-stack and re-wire the back.
So I wonder who makes this, who might be open for commission etc. I mean, I’m sort of OK with what I have but there’s something I like about not having to lie to myself about the ‘permanent impermanence’ of equipment needs, especially since I’m starting to use a lot of these modular construction principles compositionally and really having some breakthroughs because of it. I want to acknowledge in the system itself the flow of life, not think of the system as an escape or a bulwark against it. This conceptual aspect is more important even than the convenience.
Sorry no drawings! but i hope the main concept is clear. in 5U at a much larger scale, Marienberg has these stackable 22-space cabinets with the legs and holes: https://m.thomannmusic.com/marienberg_devices_cabinet_single_row_24.htm?o=7&search=1592624344, I’m basically trying to ‘borrow’ this concept but at a smaller scale (at the resolution of a single panel) for Serge.
