[sdiy] Panel survey -- Final Results

[Neil Johnson]

Ok, folks, I know I'm a week late, but here are the results of my panel
survey!!  Hope you find it useful.

<synthesized drum rolllllll....>

--------------------
      Panels
--------------------

The clear winner here is the large format with 70% of your votes.
Typically 9" or 5U (8.75") high, and somewhere between 2.25" and 3" wide
(or multiples thereof).  Clearly following in the footsteps of Uncle Bob!

Smaller panels (3U) have a loyal following, capturing a credible 22%, and
compatible with the smaller commercial synths from Dopefur, Paia, etc.

And a couple of mad panellers out there like 'em BIG!!!  You know who you
are, you weird sickos :-P

-------------------
    Connectors
-------------------

This issue is more widely spread than the panels, with arguments bouncing
around between them.

The winner is, unsurprisingly, the 1/4" jack.  Favoured by many
influential companies (Moog being a notable example) and compatible with
the majority of electronic and electric instruments (amps, guitars,
mixers, etc) the old standard grabbed 43% of votes.

But an usurper is in our midst.  And he's going bananas.  Yes, folks, the
colourful 4mm banana grabbed an amazing 32% of your precious votes, and
supported by the likes of Serge and Buchla.  Not shielded, true, but
stackable, colourful, and its huge contact surface area means less contact
noise.

Following up in third place, with a credible 14% of votes, is the smaller
3.5mm jack, popularised by Digisound, Aries, Paia, Dopefur, Analogue
Systems, Wiard, etc.

The remaining choices included BNC, RCA phono and patch panels.

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

So, there you have it.  The most popular format combination is large 6U
panels with 1/4" jacks, or maybe bananas.  Smaller 3U panels fair
reasonably well, but because of their small space restrict connector
choices to 3.5mm jacks or bananas (again).

So, it looks like the Moog/MOTM/Oakley format has staked its claim once
more, but with maybe the banana nudging in for second connector choice.

As for me?  I've settled on the banana for connector, as the combination
of colour-coding and the large wiping contact appeals to me.  But my
choice of panel size is likely to erupt cries of "Nooooo...":  I'm going
with the smaller 3U format.  I like small, compact designs (like my mini
synth modules) and am reminded of Tektronix scope plugins (ah, happy
days...).

Also, if I build big panels I just know I'll never get round to finishing
a module as I'll be trying to squeeze more and more into each one, and
never get there.  By keeping a tight reign on the size I stand a better
chance of actually getting it made and working!

Hope its of use, its been fun!  And many, many thanks to all those who
responded with your votes and comments---without you this would not have
been possible.

Cheers,
Neil

--
Neil Johnson :: Computer Laboratory :: University of Cambridge ::
http://www.njohnson.co.uk          http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~nej22
----  IEE Cambridge Branch: http://www.iee-cambridge.org.uk  ----