[sdiy] Module format

[Tim Parkhurst]

Hi All,

A couple of comments - 

Is a removable/pluggable module necessary? My main question centers around
how to create a user interface for something plugged into a SIMM socket. If
SMDIY modules are simply modern equivalents to CEM chips, then the end user
can either solder them to a simple PCB/user interface to create their own
synth modules, or plug them into a backplane along with a controller and
several other modules to create an SM&M (Synth Mix and Match) programmable
synth. For users who want to create their own synth modules, a pluggable
SMDIY probably isn't an advantage. For the SM&M, a pluggable module is nice,
but I have a feeling the 30 pins of the Dontronics SIMMSTICK won't be enough
I/O. 72 pin SIMM sockets are available at reasonable prices
(http://www.mouser.com/catalog/622/971.pdf)
and might provide enough I/O for a programmable monosynth, or a simple poly
if done correctly. However, at this point, I feel like we're reinventing the
wheel. VME rack systems with pluggable modules have been around for years,
and something like this seems to make a lot of sense to me. The cage with
support rails could be adapted to other panel sizes, and the user could opt
to use a simple backplane to create a modular synth (user interface would be
on the face panels, of course), or a more complex backplane and controller
to create a programmable synth (user interface on the controller module
and/or the individual module face panels). The backplane connectors could be
VME style (lots of I/O but expensive), or even a simple card edge connector.
The good old ISA bus has 98 contacts, is readily available, and prototyping
cards are also available. ISA bus "passive backplanes" can also be found. 

Basically, I like the idea of a small SIMM style backplane and modules, but
I wonder how the user interface would be implemented...



Tim (the devil is in the details) Servo

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein




> -----Original Message-----
> From: sasami at hotkey.net.au [mailto:sasami at hotkey.net.au]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 4:15 PM
> To: Roy J. Tellason
> Cc: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Module format
> 
> >Yeah,  but does Vector or somebody make prototyping boards in this
> >format?  :-)
> 
> Yeah, they do -
> http://www.dontronics.com/dt201.html
> http://www.dontronics.com/dt202.html
> http://www.dontronics.com/dt.html
> 
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Ken Stone   sasami at hotkey.net.au or sasami at cgs.synth.net
> Modular Synth PCBs for sale <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/synth/>
> Australian Miniature Horses & Ponies <http://www.blaze.net.au/~sasami/>
> 
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