PLAN B analog blog

We're going to try to get it in at about $1200 for the model with mult
panels on top and blank panels on bottom strips.  Don't hold me to
this, but this is what I'm shooting for.  For 5 1/2 EUro rows, this is
 not bad.

There are some improvements in power management in this case over
others in the Euro range: 

1) Crowbar suited for the job.  These power supplies, while fused,
will fold back before the fuse goes.  Feel free to connect your
modules incorrectly all day long and leave your fuse pack at home
while you do.  In most instances the power system will turn itself off
long before the slo-blow trips.


2) Totally isolated power systems for control and audio modules. Two
supplies:  one for audio modules, one for control voltage modules. To
integrate them the powerbuss has two offset rows. One marked for each
type.  If you keep to those rules and not connect audio modules to the
wrong buss, you'll be rewarded by a much cleaner audio output. 
Modules which generate electrically noisy signals such as trigger
generators, LFOs, EGs and anything with LEDs in it are the culprits. 
Keeping them to their own power supply it really helps. if you connect
modules to the wrong buss it won't blow anything up, but it will
degrade the audio.

3) All of the buss returns (grounds) go straight to the supply --> NO
DAISY-CHAINING.  Having four lines across the bussboard for +/-12, +5
and ground to each power connector, or daisy chaining the power via
wires as Serge does things is a temptation, but creates a ground mess.
 Basically any module generating grass will infiltrate it's way into
all the others.  Ground connections going directly to the supply cuts
down that interference. From a long view this may seem like smoke and
mirrors - I mean, if they all go to the return, then they are all
still shorted together, what's the difference in how that occurs?

BIG difference.

4)  Rear accessibility.  Each row of these cases will have access hole
off the back so one can feed lines into boats if they care to.  We
have a number of midi controllable modules on the horizon.  Midi
cables on faceplates are bulky.  mounting them on the back of the PCBs
and using the rear access holes to route in a midi cable makes much
more sense to me.