Doepfer

I have a burning question for the more hands-on DIY types on the list.

I have a large-ish Doepfer system, and I fantasize about one day
mounting all the boards behind Shaeffer panels with 1/4" jacks.
 
As you know, Doepfer pots are mounted on the circuit board and the
minijacks are inside plastic housings.  Given those facts, on a scale of
1 to 10, how difficult do you think refitting a module would be?  (1 =
pretty damn straightforward, 10 = what are you, nuts? some kind of
brain-damaged masochist freak?  forget it!)
 
If you think it's do-able, what would you say the main issues would be
to worry about?
 
I'd be grateful for any reply.
 
Thanks!

Hi 

> Given those facts, on a scale of
> 1 to 10, how difficult do you think refitting a module would be?  (1 =
> pretty damn straightforward, 10 = what are you, nuts? some kind of
> brain-damaged masochist freak?  forget it!)
The user noisejazz (s.f.martin@ntlworld.com) did post in late september his
modifications. See the topic "[Doepfer_a100] Doepfer Mods". He did exactly
what you want to do.

> If you think it's do-able, what would you say the main issues would be
> to worry about?
You should worry, whether it is worth the money and the time!


Corresponding to the prices, noisejazz gives, a standard module like A120
would cost: 

Faceplate 20UKP
Five good(!) Jacks 8UKP
Five MOTM style knobs 4UKP
Two hours of work 40UKP (this is my special price I offer myself ;-) )


So you are around 80 UKP or 125 EUR. A 4 Row system with around 9 Modules
like a A120 would cost 4500 EUR !!!! Only for Faceplates and buttons !!!


BTW This are 80 hours of work (and I don't know whether the design of the
faceplates is included in noisejazz's calculation). This means: if you have
to do this in your sparetime after job, it will take you months to do this.

Florian
-- 
Florian Anwander                  |ConSol*  HP-Support
Tel.   +49.89.45841-133           |Consulting&Solutions Software GmbH
Fax    +49.89.45841-139           |Franziskanerstr. 38, D-81669 München
email: florian.anwander@consol.de |http://www.consol.de

James Husted wrote that many folks shy away from Doepfer due to the 
fact that they use 1/8" mini jacks. For me, this was a godsend, since 
it allowed me to connect everything quite easily to my (purchased
after 
the Doepfer) Analogue Solutions and Wiard modules. The only time I
use 
1/8" to 1/4" cords is when I 1, hook up to the mixer or 2, interface 
with my Big Briar lowpass filter. I realize it's all about personal 
preferences, but the small jacks make more sense FOR ME. Here are a 
couple sites that set up the jack wars, for those who are interested:

http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularit
y/Modularity_103.html

http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularit
y/Modularity_104.html

Take care,

-andrew bunny

On 10/21/02 2:44 PM, "unknown freak" <cgraef@nyc.rr.com> wrote:

> I have a burning question for the more hands-on DIY types on the list.
> 
> I have a large-ish Doepfer system, and I fantasize about one day
> mounting all the boards behind Shaeffer panels with 1/4" jacks.
> 
> As you know, Doepfer pots are mounted on the circuit board and the
> minijacks are inside plastic housings.  Given those facts, on a scale of
> 1 to 10, how difficult do you think refitting a module would be?  (1 =
> pretty damn straightforward, 10 = what are you, nuts? some kind of
> brain-damaged masochist freak?  forget it!)
> 
> If you think it's do-able, what would you say the main issues would be
> to worry about?
> 
> I'd be grateful for any reply.
> 
> Thanks!
It would be interesting to see if Doepfer has any "B stock" modules around,
that have been taken to trade shows an such and are beat up, that he would
sell at a reduced price. That may make the cost a little better to swallow.
The pots can be moved to the panels if they have bushings (my units are
downstairs so I can't look at it now) and could be wired to the PCB using
shielded leads (keep them short). The jacks could be removed and tossed. The
new ones could be normalized type and cut down in patch cords for common
connections (VCO-VCF-VCA etc). I have always used Switchcraft Hi Density
jacks and have NEVER has one go bad on me. A big project to say the least.

If Doepfer wanted to increase it's cash flow, he could offer his modules
already stuffed with all parts except jacks and pots for this purpose. Call
it the P series (for PCB) or C series (for custom [or would that be K in
Germany?]) and I'm sure he would sell a bunch of them. He could have a
sliding price range from the cheapest stuffed PCB with no pots or jacks, PCB
with panel mounted pots, PCB with panel mounted pots and knobs, etc. The
only snag I can see is they would probably have to be untested unless he has
fixtures for testing them without pots. Everyone who doesn't buy a Doepfer
because of the 1/8" jacks, and there are a lot of them, would think about
it. It also is a revenue flow when there is a shortage of metalwork etc.
-James
-- 
James Husted
The ErsatZ Planet Graphics & Sound
james@ersatzplanet.com
www.ersatzplanet.com

in fact, doepfer offers "b stock" modules at reduced
prices.you can find them in the SONDERLISTE-special
list page, of the doepfer website.
bakis.


--- James Husted <james@ersatzplanet.com> wrote:
> On 10/21/02 2:44 PM, "unknown freak"
> <cgraef@nyc.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> > I have a burning question for the more hands-on
> DIY types on the list.
> > 
> > I have a large-ish Doepfer system, and I fantasize
> about one day
> > mounting all the boards behind Shaeffer panels
> with 1/4" jacks.
> > 
> > As you know, Doepfer pots are mounted on the
> circuit board and the
> > minijacks are inside plastic housings.  Given
> those facts, on a scale of
> > 1 to 10, how difficult do you think refitting a
> module would be?  (1 =
> > pretty damn straightforward, 10 = what are you,
> nuts? some kind of
> > brain-damaged masochist freak?  forget it!)
> > 
> > If you think it's do-able, what would you say the
> main issues would be
> > to worry about?
> > 
> > I'd be grateful for any reply.
> > 
> > Thanks!
> It would be interesting to see if Doepfer has any "B
> stock" modules around,
> that have been taken to trade shows an such and are
> beat up, that he would
> sell at a reduced price. That may make the cost a
> little better to swallow.
> The pots can be moved to the panels if they have
> bushings (my units are
> downstairs so I can't look at it now) and could be
> wired to the PCB using
> shielded leads (keep them short). The jacks could be
> removed and tossed. The
> new ones could be normalized type and cut down in
> patch cords for common
> connections (VCO-VCF-VCA etc). I have always used
> Switchcraft Hi Density
> jacks and have NEVER has one go bad on me. A big
> project to say the least.
> 
> If Doepfer wanted to increase it's cash flow, he
> could offer his modules
> already stuffed with all parts except jacks and pots
> for this purpose. Call
> it the P series (for PCB) or C series (for custom
> [or would that be K in
> Germany?]) and I'm sure he would sell a bunch of
> them. He could have a
> sliding price range from the cheapest stuffed PCB
> with no pots or jacks, PCB
> with panel mounted pots, PCB with panel mounted pots
> and knobs, etc. The
> only snag I can see is they would probably have to
> be untested unless he has
> fixtures for testing them without pots. Everyone who
> doesn't buy a Doepfer
> because of the 1/8" jacks, and there are a lot of
> them, would think about
> it. It also is a revenue flow when there is a
> shortage of metalwork etc.
> -James
> -- 
> James Husted
> The ErsatZ Planet Graphics & Sound
> james@ersatzplanet.com
> www.ersatzplanet.com
> 
> 


=====
synthfreak(parallel worlds)
athens-greece
[Doepfer_a100] group owner-moderator

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I agree, mini-jacks suit me alot better that large ones.
I made some convertor modules that convert mini-jack to large jack 
for when I'm patching to my Korg MS10 or SQ10 but generally I prefer 
mini ones. Alot of people used to complain about the connections on 
these doepfer jacks but the only problems I have is when I use them 
with doepfer supplied cables, EMIS cables or ones I've bought from 
music store work perfect.

Also, the discussion about re-mounting doepfer faceplates. I was 
going to suggest something like the technosaurus with jacks in there 
own faceplate, look nice I think but ALOT of work!


>John,




--- In Doepfer_a100@y..., "andrew dalio" <bunnyman@s...> wrote:
> James Husted wrote that many folks shy away from Doepfer due to 
the 
> fact that they use 1/8" mini jacks. For me, this was a godsend, 
since 
> it allowed me to connect everything quite easily to my (purchased
> after 
> the Doepfer) Analogue Solutions and Wiard modules. The only time I
> use 
> 1/8" to 1/4" cords is when I 1, hook up to the mixer or 2, 
interface 
> with my Big Briar lowpass filter. I realize it's all about 
personal 
> preferences, but the small jacks make more sense FOR ME. Here are 
a 
> couple sites that set up the jack wars, for those who are 
interested:

> 
> http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularit
> y/Modularity_103.html
> 
> http://www.creativesynth.com/columns/003_Modularit
> y/Modularity_104.html
> 
> Take care,
> 
> -andrew bunny

>  Alot of people used to complain about the connections on 
> these doepfer jacks but the only problems I have is when I use 
them 
> with doepfer supplied cables, EMIS cables or ones I've bought 
from 
> music store work perfect.
> 


thought i'd chime in on the subject of minijacks..

now that i've been working w them for a couple years w/o 
incident, i have to say i've been swayed.  seem as dependable 
as anything else.  if anything, i've had trouble w 1/4" jacks on 
other gear.  even my newish little mackie has a bad jack.  not a 
huge deal to fix though, just like if a doepfer jack failed, not a 
huge deal.  i wonder sometimes how all the hype about mini 
jack failure got started..

furthermore, i appreciate the compactness allowed by use of 
minis.

as for cables, i've also found that not all mini plugs work well w 
doepfer jacks.  i have a few that have a slightly longer tip than 
usual and they are fussy w the doepfer.  i've had excellent luck w 
the ASys multicolored cables from enport, none have failed, and 
the different colors are a great visual aid for retards like me.
-duff

--- In Doepfer_a100@y..., "duffnuff" <duffnuff@h...> wrote:
> huge deal.  i wonder sometimes how all the hype about mini 
> jack failure got started..

It probably goes all the way back to Arp 2600's.

Ethan