more rack ideas

[Martin Czech]

Another idea :

Top view :
                        cabinet wall
                               V
                       //////////////
custom panel front side >|   _____|
                         |  |     | <- 19" standard panels on back side
       short cable conn. |  |     |
                       \ |==|     |
                        \|==|   <-+-- 19" standard rack, 3 or 6 units heigh
                         \  |     |
                         |==|_____|
                         |        |
                       //////////////
                             ^
                        cabinet wall

Electronic and panels are now totally separeted, no need to have the same
form or dimensions, stable inexpensive standard housing, easy to change panels.
Exchanging modules is simple, only calibrating is more complicated,
since the modules outside the 19" loose their control knobs.
But a simple pcb adapter will solve this problem.
Large gap between modules on the backside, so no heat problems.
First get simple, quick and ugly  plain steel,alu or plastic panels 
just to keep pots and jacks, later
change it to expensive printed coloured material, if everything
works as desired and ergonomy is prooven.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why ?

The electronic components of a synth tend to be quite compact
whereas the panel needs more and more area the more functionality
there is. Knobs and jacks and your fingers need simply more space then 
ics etc.

I think that this is the real problem that makes it so difficult
to find an economic and ergonomic solution.

I'm still thinking about my 20 Channel Vocoder. This design will
take some panel area, because I want jacks for each of the 10
bandpass sections (for a single channel) and free wiring of 
the analyser/detector and synthesizer part.
The electronic of one channel will fit into 2 euro pcbs,
so the whole electronic stuff will fit into 2 racks 84*5.08mm/3 heigh units,
very compact. The panel will be *much* larger and I also want a led
"meter" control for each of the 20 channels (20*10 leds) etc.

Designers of digital stuff have no problem, just take standard
19" hardware kits, euro pcbs, slim panels (4*5.08mm), no knobs, no jacks.

So I came to the above solution

Put the electronic into said standard hardware, mount it *backwards*
into the rack, that is front panels to the back side. 
Design front panels as desired and mount them at the front side with
extra mounting devices (alu profiles). Connect 19" and panels via
*good* connectors and short shielded cables.

comments invited, also flames

m.c.