Modular Synth Panels

Hi,

I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.

Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix), whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.

What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting modules with precise holes?

I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm using 2.5mm screws...

Hi

I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the module to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
>
> Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix), whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
>
> What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting modules with precise holes?
>
> I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm using 2.5mm screws...
>

Thank you. I was not aware that the Analog Solutions holes differ from the standard. Why would they do that? Anyway, I think I'll go with the Doepfer specs. If I ever decided to buy any AS modules I reckon they could still be fitted by manually filing the holes a little wider...

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "chrisspotta" <chris@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the module to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.
>
> http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
> >
> > Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix), whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
> >
> > What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting modules with precise holes?
> >
> > I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm using 2.5mm screws...
> >
>

I think the AS spacing is the same between each hole, but the start position is slightly different so if you had a Doepfer and AS module next to each other there might be a 1 or 2mm gap. you can also remove the threaded inserts from your rack and cut them into smaller lengths to get around this issue without needing to enlarge the module holes.

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you. I was not aware that the Analog Solutions holes differ from the standard. Why would they do that? Anyway, I think I'll go with the Doepfer specs. If I ever decided to buy any AS modules I reckon they could still be fitted by manually filing the holes a little wider...
>
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "chrisspotta" <chris@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi
> >
> > I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the module to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.
> >
> > http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music-production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html
> >
> > --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
> > >
> > > Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix), whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
> > >
> > > What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting modules with precise holes?
> > >
> > > I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm using 2.5mm screws...
> > >
> >
>

The slots were originally designed to accept a plastic housing that acts as
a retaining cage for the fixing screw. This is also why 2.5mm is the more
recognised size on most eurorack systems.
3mm is the more common sized screw used in the euro-synth industry so first
decision is do you want to fit in to existing gear or not (I offer both
2.5mm and 3mm tapped strips in my Construct-A-Rack series). Choosing 2.5mm
maybe a problem.

Having the slots will give you more room for movement in the rack but will
mean that EVERY module you fit will need to be `positioned'. A 2.6mm hole
for 2.5mm or 3.1 for 3mm going up to 2.7mm and 3.2mm respectively should be
more than adequate for most.

Best Regards
Laurie Biddulph
Mobile: 0400 257 645
Web: www.elby-designs.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chrisspotta
Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:40 AM
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: Eurorack Mounting Hole Dimensions

Hi

I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the module
to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music
-production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
>
> Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix),
whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per
the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
>
> What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting
modules with precise holes?
>
> I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would
further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm
using 2.5mm screws...
>




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

Yahoo! Groups Links

@Laurie

Thanks for the excellent clarification on the issue.

Since I'm currently only planning DIY modules, I'll stick with the 2.5mm specs for now. The horizontal pitch of the strip is 0.2 inch for both 2.5 and 3mm, right?

@chris

Thanks for the tip about cutting the strip. I've done this in order to attach the Doepfer Bus Board to a rail. The spacing between the two holes near the center is 1.5 inch and thus wouldn't fit the rail without adjustment.

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Elby Designs" <elby_designs@...> wrote:
>
> The slots were originally designed to accept a plastic housing that acts as
> a retaining cage for the fixing screw. This is also why 2.5mm is the more
> recognised size on most eurorack systems.
> 3mm is the more common sized screw used in the euro-synth industry so first
> decision is do you want to fit in to existing gear or not (I offer both
> 2.5mm and 3mm tapped strips in my Construct-A-Rack series). Choosing 2.5mm
> maybe a problem.
>
> Having the slots will give you more room for movement in the rack but will
> mean that EVERY module you fit will need to be `positioned'. A 2.6mm hole
> for 2.5mm or 3.1 for 3mm going up to 2.7mm and 3.2mm respectively should be
> more than adequate for most.
>
> Best Regards
> Laurie Biddulph
> Mobile: 0400 257 645
> Web: www.elby-designs.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chrisspotta
> Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:40 AM
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: Eurorack Mounting Hole Dimensions
>
> Hi
>
> I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the module
> to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.
>
> http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music
> -production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
> >
> > Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman, Metasonix),
> whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as per
> the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
> >
> > What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting
> modules with precise holes?
> >
> > I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would
> further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm
> using 2.5mm screws...
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>

Hi,

That is correct, 0.2" (5.08mm) is the spacing for both strip types. Don't
forget that you can also use nuts instead of strips so that frees up the
`spacing' entirely. I have 3mm square nuts for the purpose and I am pretty
sure you can get 2.5mm that will also fit.

Best Regards
Laurie Biddulph
Mobile: 0400 257 645
Web: www.elby-designs.com


-----Original Message-----
From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of roglok
Sent: Wednesday, 1 February 2012 7:23 PM
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: Eurorack Mounting Hole Dimensions

@Laurie

Thanks for the excellent clarification on the issue.

Since I'm currently only planning DIY modules, I'll stick with the 2.5mm
specs for now. The horizontal pitch of the strip is 0.2 inch for both 2.5
and 3mm, right?

@chris

Thanks for the tip about cutting the strip. I've done this in order to
attach the Doepfer Bus Board to a rail. The spacing between the two holes
near the center is 1.5 inch and thus wouldn't fit the rail without
adjustment.

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "Elby Designs" <elby_designs@...>
wrote:

>
> The slots were originally designed to accept a plastic housing that acts

as

> a retaining cage for the fixing screw. This is also why 2.5mm is the more
> recognised size on most eurorack systems.
> 3mm is the more common sized screw used in the euro-synth industry so

first

> decision is do you want to fit in to existing gear or not (I offer both
> 2.5mm and 3mm tapped strips in my Construct-A-Rack series). Choosing 2.5mm
> maybe a problem.
>
> Having the slots will give you more room for movement in the rack but will
> mean that EVERY module you fit will need to be `positioned'. A 2.6mm hole
> for 2.5mm or 3.1 for 3mm going up to 2.7mm and 3.2mm respectively should

be

> more than adequate for most.
>
> Best Regards
> Laurie Biddulph
> Mobile: 0400 257 645
> Web: www.elby-designs.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chrisspotta
> Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:40 AM
> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: Eurorack Mounting Hole Dimensions
>
> Hi
>
> I believe that the slotted rack mounting holes are just to allow the

module

> to fit in either Doepfer or AS racks as they are not exactly the same.
>
>

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-electronic-music

> -production/450034-analogue-systems-rack-rs10-15-non-modules.html
>
> --- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "roglok" <roglok@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I need your advice on designing Eurorack front panels.
> >
> > Some manufacturers use slotted panel mounting holes (Cwejman,

Metasonix),

> whereas others use round ones (Doepfer, Analog Solutions, Harvestman) as

per

> the Doepfer specifications http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm.
> >
> > What are your experiences? Are you occasionally having troubles fitting
> modules with precise holes?
> >
> > I am planning some very narrow modules (4HP) and slotted holes would
> further reduce the limited amount of space available for labels. Also, I'm
> using 2.5mm screws...
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>

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

Yahoo! Groups Links