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Post by zedkah on Jul 1, 2020 18:08:55 GMT
I am getting together some ae modular stuff to put in a diy converted wooden briefcase. I have worked out the base panel with the grid of holes for the m3 fixing screws and it seems to hold the modules i have fine. The case may eventually hold 2 rows each with a max of 12-14 modules (though I certainly haven't acquired this many modules yet.)
I did read somewhere on here that the master module was able to power around 3 rows- though i'm not sure what this might be in numbers.
Currently I am waiting for my bus cables to arrive- which i forgot to order first time around. I'm sort of confused how one would attach two cables to the master module.
thanks for any advice
richard
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Post by MikMo on Jul 1, 2020 19:25:49 GMT
The Grid system: grid.aemodular.com/ has just been updated to caclulate total power consumption. So if you build your intended system there, you can see the total power needed. I think you will find that you are home free with 2x12 (or even more) modules. |
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Post by NightMachines on Jul 2, 2020 5:45:56 GMT
I'm sort of confused how one would attach two cables to the master module. The regular cases have sockets on the outside to connect ribbon cables between them. This basically connects the bus cables, so you don’t need to connect several bus cables to the MASTER I/O module. You can just string bus cables together or fan them out from one power port. |
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Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556 
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Post by Lugia on Jul 2, 2020 21:50:13 GMT
I did read somewhere on here that the master module was able to power around 3 rows- though i'm not sure what this might be in numbers. Currently I am waiting for my bus cables to arrive- which i forgot to order first time around. I'm sort of confused how one would attach two cables to the master module. Actually, a single MASTER can power quite a bit more than that. My system has four 2 x 20 cabs...and only two MASTERs, meaning that each one is rockin' 80 spaces quite admirably. Some of the later modules do have a bit higher current draw...but we're not talking Metasonix-level stuff here. "High draw" for the AE is up around 75 mA, and a good chunk of the primary modules only pull 15-ish mA, if that. Hell, I have stompboxes that draw more current than several AE modules put together!
As for interconnecting things to the MASTER...for starters it has two bus ribbon connectors as it is, since it's usable in either one or two-row cabs. To connect a second cab, Robert came up with a neat system of ribbon links built into the top and bottom sides of the case, which allows for a single jumper ribbon to run power, busses, etc from the MASTER-equipped cab to a second one. Or if you're into the 2 x 12 cases, you could conceivably link three! But for a DIY setup, my suggestion would be to just connect another shorter bus cable (like the "narrow" ribbon) to a main ribbon, and add some connections with that. Pretty easy, really...you just need a male-male ribbon adapter and a few minutes with the right screwdriver.
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Post by zedkah on Jul 3, 2020 10:49:08 GMT
Hi all,
Thanks for all the replies.... sounds good news.
was wondering if id have to solder up some connections but it looks like, thankfully, there are easier ways.
Just to add I dont have a planned case...it will just fill up as I feel the need. Keen to get experimenting.
best all,
richard
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Post by zedkah on Jul 6, 2020 14:57:55 GMT
I have just received my bus cables plus a couple of short connecting cables. The connector sockets on all of these are female.
I could use some header pins to convert a female to male but wouldn't this flip the left and right connections?
Is this correct? - this second set of pins are labelled 'eurorack bus' and there isn't any mention of them in the module docs.
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Post by slowscape on Jul 6, 2020 20:25:58 GMT
I'm not fully following what you're trying to do with the ribbon cable, but they should be female if you are connecting modules to them.
Also, based on your profile picture, I can imagine you'll be making something very cool! Welcome to the forum.
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Post by zedkah on Jul 7, 2020 9:36:17 GMT
 Its going ok so far I can power what I have from one bus cable but do need to sort out how to get a second bus coming out from the master before I buy any more modules. I have ordered some male 10 pin heads to make a joiner.... thanks for your comments Slowscape.. |
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Post by zedkah on Jul 7, 2020 9:39:18 GMT
 sorry was trying to put up some pictures using the insert image button with links to imgbb but it doesn't seem to have worked. Do images need to be approved or something? I can see the code in the bbcode tab? |
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Post by rockysmalls on Jul 7, 2020 10:51:55 GMT
sorry was trying to put up some pictures using the insert image button with links to imgbb but it doesn't seem to have worked. Do images need to be approved or something? I can see the code in the bbcode tab? you can just add them as an attachment.. you’ll only see a small version in yr text but when the viewer clicks on it they will see it full size. |
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Post by zedkah on Jul 7, 2020 11:47:19 GMT
Yes thanks, but I tried that. There was quite a small file size limit for uploads so that didn't work either. I'm guessing new members get some screening on linked pics to stop spam and bots and I have to wait...
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Post by rockysmalls on Jul 7, 2020 18:04:10 GMT
Yes thanks, but I tried that. There was quite a small file size limit for uploads so that didn't work either. I'm guessing new members get some screening on linked pics to stop spam and bots and I have to wait... there is a 1mb limit to individual attachments and a limit of 3 attachments ( i’d forgotten that ) but it should be enough for 3 pics of decent size. the actual pic insert thing never works for me either.. but i am on an ipad so guess its an ios incompatibility. |
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Post by admin on Jul 7, 2020 19:41:05 GMT
Yes thanks, but I tried that. There was quite a small file size limit for uploads so that didn't work either. I'm guessing new members get some screening on linked pics to stop spam and bots and I have to wait... Hi, there is no screening of uploaded images but there is a size limit. If you can reduce the size of your images before uploading them that would work fine. I’m on windows and use the fantastic irfanview program to first resize the image to something like 1024x728 and then also save as jpg instead of png which reduces the size even more. |
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Post by zedkah on Jul 7, 2020 22:18:34 GMT
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Post by admin on Jul 7, 2020 23:06:04 GMT
Hi zedkah, this looks awesome! Great idea with the acrylic plate! I've just got into work now, but tonight I will check my various versions of Master Modules for the second row connection. I have a feeling that the newer versions may have dropped this second connector as Robert had introduced the new cases with the vertical power strip. |
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Post by slowscape on Jul 8, 2020 1:12:35 GMT
Wow so cool! Yes excellent idea using the acrylic. I may have to use this in the future!
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Post by zedkah on Jul 8, 2020 12:04:26 GMT
Thanks. Yes, acrylic worked well - 2mm is a little bendy but that's ok, easier to drill. I would rather not have used plastic but as a prototype it was really handy being able to see through the perspex. the modules are perhaps a little too sunk into the case making the connecting even more fiddly but i can spacer them up a bit more if i decide to- im just using little plastic domed sticker feet at the moment. It is good to have the option to close up the case patched. Really enjoying playing around with it- it sounds wonderful. Only annoyance so far headphone amp is a little crackly if the jack is touched. I need a few more utility modules ( more lfos and vcas) and would love a nice 4 channel mixer. and then more voices and effect and....(insert usual GAS wish list)
best all
richard
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Post by admin on Jul 8, 2020 22:42:11 GMT
Hello zedkah, I have 3 different versions of the Master module at home: rev1, rev2 and rev4. I checked them all and found that even the latest rev4 has two bus connectors at the back. I've marked them for you on the picture below. Unfortunately the connectors aren't keyed, so you need to be careful with the orientation of the bus cable. I'm really not sure which way the red wire should go on the pins.  |
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Post by NightMachines on Jul 12, 2020 15:16:50 GMT
Unfortunately the connectors aren't keyed, so you need to be careful with the orientation of the bus cable. I'm really not sure which way the red wire should go on the pins. The red stripe on the ribbon cable is always on top, so on the vertical connector the stripe needs to be on top as well. Looking at the traces on the PCB then (and the little white angle marking), the red stripe on the horizontal pins should be on the right. I’ve circled the red stripe pins in your picture:  |
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Post by zedkah on Jul 13, 2020 18:53:33 GMT
Thanks. My master module has the horizontal holes along the bottom of the pcb for pins. I will have to solder some in place.
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Post by rodney on Jul 20, 2020 7:56:22 GMT
The case looks great! Are you able to slide the hinges off when performing so you don't have the lid between you and your adoring multitudes? I've been meaning to try to convert the hinges on an old briefcase to do this for some other gear but might have to replace them with sturdier ones that will cope with having the pin knocked out. 
As for power draw, my 2 x 20unit setup draws a maximum of about 600mA, and the biggest culprits are my DIY modules that include a little oscilloscope.
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