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Subject: FW: 1U tall *Modules*??!?

From: "Tkacs, Ken" <Ken.Tkacs@...
Date: 1999-11-23

>
----> How are all of you 5U purists mounting your Kenton or other
Midi/CV units?
>

(Looking back over this email, I sound crankier than I really am-apologies
up front!)

I've got a PAIA MIDI2CV that I am retrofitting into a 2ux3u panel. When I
upgrade to a Kenton or Encore unit, it will probably sit on top of the
cabinet. I'm not overjoyed about those units since all the jacks are in the
back-I would much prefer it as a module I could bolt into my synth cabinet
and access from the front-but they seem to be the only game in town when one
wants better accuracy than the PAIA unit.

I echo the sentiment that MIDI shouldn't be considered a prerequisite for a
modular CV synth. I was even toying with controlling mine solely from my
Mono/Poly until I found out that the 15v gate might fry the Egs (Paul
explained how I could put a zener diode in series with the Mono/Poly gate,
but it just seems like an accident waiting to happen, so I sadly gave up on
that idea).

My own preference is for 5u "major" modules and 3u high "minor" modules, but
I'm not pushing the 3u idea on anyone. I'm building a series of cabinets
that are 13u high to house two rows of 10u MOTM gear and then a 3u "utility"
section along the bottom for multiples, passive filters, a coupler panel,
adapters, CV mixers, etc. Pretty much the Moog IIIp look.

Any non-MOTM module I buy (PAIA, Blacet) I'm creating MOTM-sized panels for.
It's a major bitch! I don't recommend it. But I centered my system around
the MOTM standard and I have to admit to being just a tiny bit frightened of
another standard sneaking in-I'm doing enough harm on my own. So I am going
to be curmudgeonly :-) .

My life would be simpler if I just bought a 15u high off-the-shelf 19" rack,
left everything as is, mounted PAIA & Blacet stuff in a FracRack case... but
I just can't stand the look of those other modules nor the weenie little
jacks and crowded knobs.



"Just what the world needs-another 'standard'." ---Frank Zappa