Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556 
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Post by Lugia on Feb 23, 2019 6:39:23 GMT
OK...the power supply that AE has as an OEM is 9V, center-positive 2.1mm @ 1.3A. However, if I wished to use a compatible P/S that had a higher amperage rating, would this increase the amount of modules that could be powered via a single Master Module, or does the Master Module have some current limiting that causes a finite number of modules to be powered by a single Master? I'd optimally like to use a 2A medical-grade "brick" supply if this allows for a greater module count on a single Master.
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Post by robertlanger on Feb 23, 2019 9:12:48 GMT
Hi Lugia,
The "bottleneck" here is the MASTER module; it is designed for a current of max. 600-700 mA. But the current of each module is in a range that this supply current should be enough for two full 2-row racks. I have chosen a wall adapter with higher current to be able to use it via a DC splitter also for other devices).
Best, Robert
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Post by spacedog on Feb 23, 2019 9:35:36 GMT
Hi Lugia, The "bottleneck" here is the MASTER module; it is designed for a current of max. 600-700 mA. But the current of each module is in a range that this supply current should be enough for two full 2-row racks. I have chosen a wall adapter with higher current to be able to use it via a DC splitter also for other devices). Best, Robert Thanks, robertlanger, that's useful. Turning it on its head (and stating the obvious), this means that there is a limit of a four-row modular operating as a single unit (i.e. with only one MASTER) - based on the current MASTER design anyway.
I'm sure that this is likely to become an issue for a few of us in the not-too-distant future if you keep releasing interesting modules  . I had already started to think that I would build specific one-row systems to bolt onto a two-row base as needed, based on earlier discussions when I was thinking about my first extension. I try not to plan too much, but sometimes that drives case purchases, etc. This is my first play with my own real modular, despite playing for quite a while, so it is exciting and I stand on the shoulders of the giants around me here when I try things.
I do find the weekly challenges help me to investigate my modules in a way that wouldn't happen with my own narrow thinking. Even though I'm currently setting the challenges, I'm still forcing my thinking down a different route deliberately. What I do find is that what I've got is incredibly powerful already, so building in that bolt-on fashion may be quite a good way of thinking. It's interesting that I find mysef thinking that I need more of what I already have (VCAs, LFOs and ENVs, for example) rather than necessarily the new modules. That doesn't mean that I don't want those as well, of course . |
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Post by thetechnobear on Feb 23, 2019 12:26:44 GMT
I think for AE modules so far the current usage is pretty low, Ive got 3 rows of stuff and not noticed any voltage drop. BUT, I have noticed a voltage drop when using my Bela Mini module which is pulling a 250mA! but even then it seems to be fine.
however, when exploring this a couple of weeks ago, it did make me start to wonder about the new case design... does it allow multiple master modules? there is some limit to the number of modules you'll get to run off one master module - now with RACKLINK thats actually not an issue. since RACKLINK has a dip-switch for the 5v line, so you can run a setup with multiple master modules connected via multiple RACKLINK. robertlanger does the new case design, have a similar 5v dip switch? I will say it's also useful having multiple master modules, as it means you can set up independent cases, which you can connect in different configurations. Im still trying to decide on the best ways to use multiple cases etc - Ive tried combinations of Eurorack adapters, master modules, racklink. but interestingly, Im actually seem to keep coming back to the simplest form - multiple cases with a master unit, and then a 4IO to interface between them. the reason is.. this configuration gives you 8 cv/audio to go between the racks, that is compatible with Eurorack and AE. this is more attractive, now that robert has mentioned the splitter option. (I'll still have a racklink, to use for my DIY rack, as thats not used on its own... but perhaps I can do something with a new case to avoid that too?!) note: Im not saying i would design my system like this , rather as I have a couple of master modules anyway, Im thinking how best to arrange things) |
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Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556
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Post by Lugia on Feb 23, 2019 20:31:07 GMT
Aha...thanks Robert! What I'm planning at present is in two of the large two-row cabs, which sounds like it'll work fine. I was considering upping this to three of those cabs, but I wanted to check and see if this would be workable before gridding that up and trying some paper builds. Looks like I'll have to add a Master for that third one if I go that route.
BTW, you might have a look at that P/S I mentioned. All Electronics here in the USA has those: Cedrus EM1036C2, All Electronics' cat# PS-921, priced at $9.95. It's a medical-grade (ie: high stability and tolerance, low noise) 2A inline brick, 100-240V 50/60 Hz, with a detachable AC cord. The DC cable incorporates a ferrite to help knock out any crud in the DC, also, which should theoretically help kick down the noise floor in the synth itself. This might be an attractive offering to AE users who're considering "going big" with their builds, as that should deal with several 4-row loads across a splitter without any serious P/S stressing, unless there's some major draws in the build.
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Post by thehandoflenin on Mar 17, 2019 23:09:38 GMT
At the moment I’m running two rows of the larger new style case although I have a few spaces.
Currently I’m think I’m right that you can only power via the master module?
So if we were to expand to 3 or 4 racks (and maybe some of the newer unreleased modules took more power) there is a chance that it would be underpowered?
So solutions to this 2 x Master module - flexible for running cases, unsure about this as it could effect clocks, midi?
New higher amp master module.
New power module.
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Post by thetechnobear on Mar 18, 2019 11:23:00 GMT
So solutions to this 2 x Master module - flexible for running cases, unsure about this as it could effect clocks, midi? I think once you start getting big cases, having multi master modules becomes useful ... ok, its 2U, but you also then get another midi channel and 2 more CV IO, and more 2 more audio IO... and the ability to run it independently (so flexibility) you can also chain the DC input off one PSU .. (its the 5v regulator in the master module thats the limit, not the PSU) using a shared bus is a bit of an issue... you cannot just connect two master modules buses together. what Id like to see robertlanger do, is for the master module have a set of dipswitches on the back , to turn off its connect to the bus (bus cv, bus gate etc) , like racklink. so that it can be used just to provide power to the ribbon... but is bus cv/gate would still be available on its own header pins. imagine this in a two case scenario, you could then either have a) 2 separate system so case A and B are independent with different clock. midi etc. b) 2 isolated systems so you turn off the masters bus on case B, and then feed a patch cable from case A for bus clk too an bus clock input on B (this works as the master module is not using it) you can even mix n' match , e.g. share a clock from case A , but take the bus cv/gate from MM B, and feed that to the bus.
more fundamentally, (and an alternative) Im saying, is that the bus should be treated a bit more like the 'make noise shared bus', where you can just feed into it any signal you want... and then the master unit, just has to expose gate/cv/clk/ctrl though I do see it as useful for (esp for beginners) this to be normally to the midi input on the master module. if robertlanger create a new revision of master module with this, Id be very tempted to replace my master modules with them... as it be quite flexible. hmm, perhaps this isolation, would be more logical to integrate into the new case bus connectors rather than the master module? (the irony is, this isolation is a feature of rack link) |
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. I had already started to think that I would build specific one-row systems to bolt onto a two-row base as needed, based on earlier discussions when I was thinking about my first extension. I try not to plan too much, but sometimes that drives case purchases, etc. This is my first play with my own real modular, despite playing for quite a while, so it is exciting and I stand on the shoulders of the giants around me here when I try things.
