Post by thetechnobear on Nov 2, 2018 14:33:50 GMT
Ive ordered a new single row rack from Robert a couple of weeks back, but I got a bit impatient, (not uncommon 
) as I wanted to get stuck into some more development, so decided to build my own rack 
here it is, newly installed, in my "sea of AE module "
I also did it as much as anything to see it if I could do it, and as a bit of a prototype to see if a custom case build is viable option, and I also had the materials to hand
I thought Id probably bin it once the AE one turns up, but actually I think for the DIY modules its quite a nice, in keeping with their 'roughness',
so perhaps I'll use the AE one as an overflow rack now...
a coupe of observations:
- I decided to be make it a bit deeper, (so not flush like the AEM) , this is just in case I decided to make some deeper modules later.
(Im finding depth a limiting factor for the AEM cases, even an extra 1cm will make a lot of differences, all i need to do this, is get longer stand-offs)
- Ive added holes at the front, these are for the usb entry points for Bela and ArdMod when programming them (they are not needed in 'normal' use)
- you'll need a bus ribbon cable - Id 'mistakenly' bought a type 1, when I bought the Eurorack adapter, as I didn't realise it came with one (my mistake for not reading carefully)
of course, its not a difficult thing to do, just measure an existing case, then build a box
the most awkward part, are the holes on the back, I used a blank faceplate as a template, but they still are not perfect.
you can give yourself a bit of leeway, with slightly bigger holes, and make them a bit elongated.
I think what Id do next time is used an AEM case as a template for the holes.
gives it was not that hard, now wondering about doing it a bit more 'properly', and perhaps building a 'custom case', perhaps and angled low level skiff.
(might make some sense to do when I get the new AE case, as it'll be empty so easy to use as a template)
anyway, more DIY fun ... now I can get down to some coding for the ArdMod and BelaMini
Mark
anyway this all raised a couple of questions / thoughts?
a) can you dismantle an AE case, or is it glue together?
( it looks like its pushed together, but perhaps a bit of glue in their to kit it together)
b) mounting options?
I have to admit , I find the rear mounting of AEM a bit fiddly (*) (compared to Euroracks front mounting/ rails system)
esp, if you want to switch out a single module (ribbon is not really long enough to make this easy, without pull out a few modules)
also the fixed holes does complicate the case building, since it needs to be precise.
anyone any thoughts on how do to this different, but still be 'compatible' with AE for a custom case?
one approach Im considering would be a 'drop in' solution,
so you mount the modules on a pair of rails - then drop the, whole thing into a case - rails are then connect on the sides of the case (?!)
the advantage of this is you can then lift them all out 'as one' , and get to the back of the modules and the ribbon, and so quickly swap a single module.
( to allow for this, the rail has to be pretty rigid, so the whole thing does flop about when removed)
other thoughts?
(*) no criticism, its a great way to keep cost down, and cases cheap... which is an important goal of AE!
) as I wanted to get stuck into some more development, so decided to build my own rack 
here it is, newly installed, in my "sea of AE module "
I also did it as much as anything to see it if I could do it, and as a bit of a prototype to see if a custom case build is viable option, and I also had the materials to hand
I thought Id probably bin it once the AE one turns up, but actually I think for the DIY modules its quite a nice, in keeping with their 'roughness',
so perhaps I'll use the AE one as an overflow rack now...
a coupe of observations:
- I decided to be make it a bit deeper, (so not flush like the AEM) , this is just in case I decided to make some deeper modules later.
(Im finding depth a limiting factor for the AEM cases, even an extra 1cm will make a lot of differences, all i need to do this, is get longer stand-offs)
- Ive added holes at the front, these are for the usb entry points for Bela and ArdMod when programming them (they are not needed in 'normal' use)
- you'll need a bus ribbon cable - Id 'mistakenly' bought a type 1, when I bought the Eurorack adapter, as I didn't realise it came with one (my mistake for not reading carefully)
of course, its not a difficult thing to do, just measure an existing case, then build a box
the most awkward part, are the holes on the back, I used a blank faceplate as a template, but they still are not perfect.
you can give yourself a bit of leeway, with slightly bigger holes, and make them a bit elongated.
I think what Id do next time is used an AEM case as a template for the holes.
gives it was not that hard, now wondering about doing it a bit more 'properly', and perhaps building a 'custom case', perhaps and angled low level skiff.
(might make some sense to do when I get the new AE case, as it'll be empty so easy to use as a template)
anyway, more DIY fun ... now I can get down to some coding for the ArdMod and BelaMini
Mark
anyway this all raised a couple of questions / thoughts?
a) can you dismantle an AE case, or is it glue together?
( it looks like its pushed together, but perhaps a bit of glue in their to kit it together)
b) mounting options?
I have to admit , I find the rear mounting of AEM a bit fiddly (*) (compared to Euroracks front mounting/ rails system)
esp, if you want to switch out a single module (ribbon is not really long enough to make this easy, without pull out a few modules)
also the fixed holes does complicate the case building, since it needs to be precise.
anyone any thoughts on how do to this different, but still be 'compatible' with AE for a custom case?
one approach Im considering would be a 'drop in' solution,
so you mount the modules on a pair of rails - then drop the, whole thing into a case - rails are then connect on the sides of the case (?!)
the advantage of this is you can then lift them all out 'as one' , and get to the back of the modules and the ribbon, and so quickly swap a single module.
( to allow for this, the rail has to be pretty rigid, so the whole thing does flop about when removed)
other thoughts?
(*) no criticism, its a great way to keep cost down, and cases cheap... which is an important goal of AE!
