Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

----- Original Message -----
From: Simon <simon@...>
I am a new MOTM user, putting together MOTM/Blacet/Oakley modules into a
large cabinet or two. I will want to use some 500 series modules in the same
cabinet as the older modules.

I don't want to use multiple power supplies in my cabinet. I don't want to
have a smaller number of modules in the cabinet because the modules draw too
much power for the existing power supply.

Please give us a nice clean/single power supply solution to power cabinets
containing both old and new modules. And, an upgrade solution for owners of
the older power supply to add 5V to their supply.

--LH--
Simon, from a large system cabinet design as you and I are both building, I
understand where you are coming from. But, even before the 500 series
discussion, this has been an issue. Paul has never officially been in the
"cabinet" power supply business. Heck, Paul is not in the cabinet business
yet. The 900 PS is primarily for rackmount or multiple small cabinet
systems.

--Simon--
You should take this opportunity to make a new more powerful power supply to
support similar cabinet sizes to the old power supply did, using a mix of
old and new modules or just all new modules.

--LH--
Basically, what has been done in the past is that Paul points those that
want to DIY a little (you are DIYing if you make a cabinet) to several
commercially available power supplies of larger capacity. The same is true
for power supplies with or without +5 volts. Many of us cabinet builders
have purchased our own supplies this way. No one size is right for anyone,
since no two cabinet designs are exactly the same. Some might choose one
supply per cabinet and some might choose one big honking supply like I did
(5000mA). Asking Paul to stock a supply for every cabinet situation seems
unreasonable to me whe we can simply order one up from any electronic
catalog. And, buying direct is cheaper.

--Simon--
Smaller power supply for only 500 series modules is a bad idea!

--LH--
Bad for me and you perhaps, but not for everyone. This may be just perfect
for the rack mount guys. The key here is that every system is different.
But, my 500 module compliment may be small enough that the 500 series
dedicates supply is OK. Especially if I can turn them on from the same
switch.

--Simon--
And, front panel power switching is important to me, it really makes the
system seem more 'professional', better quality, etc. This is speaking from
experience with a Roland System 700 which has front panel switching,

--LH--
I agree. Here is what I would like to see (in the perfect world):

1 - Paul makes a 1U AC power remote switch like you want that will hook to
any power supply. If Paul does not want to be in this business, AND there
is sufficient interest, Stooge Panels, Inc will make one. We already have a
1U panel in our DIY collection that has power switch, LEDs for power
indication and a headphone amp with inputs and outputs. If there is
interest, I will post this graphic and people can order that panel at our
next printing. I suppose we could even offer a panel with switch and wiring
harness. But, I'm not keen on taking on new projects right now.

2. A spreadsheet or other web based tool at Paul's site with all the modules
and their power supply data in one place so that a person could simply enter
the module quantities of their system, and get a total for power required.
Then, a list of currently available "cabinet" style power supplies with
source and part numbers that a person could order the supply just right for
them, hook it to the universal AC switch 1U front panel. Multiple supplies
could be switched from the same AC panel by placing switched AC outlets on
the back on the main cabinet in case later cabinets have separate supplies.
This is what I am doing.

Of course, it would not be reasonable to expect Paul to have such a tool
that included Oakley or Blacet modules. I would be happy to host such a
tool at wise guy synth. But, I have no time to develop one. Any volunteers
??

So, while I understand that Paul's off-the-shelf power supply solutions are
not right for you (like they were not for me), they are right for many
users. So, that does not make them bad. There simply is no one size fits
all solution.

Yes, I would like to see Paul in the cabinet power supply business. But, I
would also like to see Paul in the sequencer business and some other things
we are all looking forward to. But, there are only so many things one can
do at once. Us cabinet guys are left to a little DIY for power supplies.
But, we have lots of good ones to pick from. If you had a remote AC power
switch panel that would switch on all supplies, it sounds to me like you
would be happy.

Larry