"The single most expensive component in a synthesizer is the aluminum faceplate. There is only one source for turnkey faceplates in the US and they are obscenely expensive. I pay $70 each for 1200 series faceplates. Your only other option involves using 4 different vendors. One to get the metal blanks, one to put the holes in them, another to anodize them and another yet to silkscreen them. Each step is a chance for errors to creep in. Also, there are 5 shipping charges to move everything from place to place or lose the whole batch. Or drop the box... "
i think that you can do modules in any format and they will be very well received by modular community --
but the idea of have a major dropping price in modules using fiberglass/plexiglass or something like bugbrand touchcontroller is really what i would like to see. i am not complaining about the price, just remembering a alternative that was suggested sometime ago, and if you are the one that gonna deal with 4 different vendors i think it';s better being developing new designs, don't you think?
and the new modules? walkabout, envelooper, or any touch controller / sequencer ? :)
igor
Josh and I discussed the idea of modifying the existing Frac-Rack faceplate designs to fit the Malekko Euro-rack PCBs.
This would allow continued support of the Frac-rac format.
The modules would have to change. The faceplates have to be much thinner, so the blue engraved style can not be done.
But the black style can still be supported. Josh would be happy if I took care of the Frac-racs and let him concentrate on the Euro-rack.
There are more designs in the 1200 series, that have never been released. They will be released in Euro-rack format. There are at least 4 more modules in the series.
If people can deal with the faceplate issues (less than perfect aesthetics, black only) the possibility exists to make things easy for Frac-rac people to get the existing and new designs with Frac-rac faceplates and +/- 15V power connectors.
Prices would be like before ($300) because of the small run size (expect 25 is limit of market size).
Any positive comments on the idea? Please, no snide remarks, this is something I would do as a favor to my existing Frac-rac customers because business wise, it makes no real sense.
But keeping the fun going and supporting my customers is worth it to me.