Doepfer

since they don't require any power and to save space on my portable
case I am thinking of figuring out a way to attach a few multiples to
the top non rack area of the front, so that I don't have to move them,
anyone has done this/has ideas about best way to do it?

  
on my home system I have a big patchbay taht i configure as various
multiples, but looking for a good solution for the portable to save
cabinet space without havign to carry around another piece of
equipment(patch bay)...

Carlos

> since they don't require any power and to save space on my portable
> case I am thinking of figuring out a way to attach a few multiples to
> the top non rack area of the front, so that I don't have to move them,
> anyone has done this/has ideas about best way to do it?
>
> on my home system I have a big patchbay taht i configure as various
> multiples, but looking for a good solution for the portable to save
> cabinet space without havign to carry around another piece of
> equipment(patch bay)...
>
> Carlos

We are about to modify the A-100 suitcases so that the width of the wooden
bars at the top and bottom becomes exactly 4 HP. We plan to equip the
suitcases with one or two 4 HP blind panels on the bottom. These can be
replaced by 4 HP modules, e.g. A-180 Multiples. But even other 4 HP modules
will work if the bus cable is long enough. I have been asking our case
manufacturer to built a prototype of the case but they are very busy at the
moment and I'm not sure if we will obtain the sample case still this year.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer

--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, <hardware@...> wrote:
> We are about to modify the A-100 suitcases so that the width of the
wooden
> bars at the top and bottom becomes exactly 4 HP. We plan to equip the
> suitcases with one or two 4 HP blind panels on the bottom. These can be
> replaced by 4 HP modules, e.g. A-180 Multiples. But even other 4 HP
modules
> will work if the bus cable is long enough. I have been asking our case
> manufacturer to built a prototype of the case but they are very busy
at the
> moment and I'm not sure if we will obtain the sample case still this
year.
> 
> Best wishes
> Dieter Doepfer

That's a great idea ! 
I would really prefer to have the additional 4HP modules AT THE TOP
than at the bottom. I don't know what do you guys think about that but
as the portable suitcase is often on a table or so (live conditions)
access to the bottom of the case is harder than to the top. And if I
have too much stuff and I don't know where to put it, I'd better put
it over the suitcase than under. That's my opinion, maybe there are
good reasons to put it on the bottom...

(I'm not really concerned as I recieved my 2nd portable suitcase today
and I'll use DIY multiples that will be placed outside the case.)

Cheers,
Max.

if all you need is a lot of multiples, why not just drill a few holes
into the wooden panels and mount jack sockets straight into them ?
that would be not only cheaper, but also more flexible - i  use
one-to-two connections more often than not, which waste a socket of
the doepfer multiples. assuming the wood's not too thick, of course.

dieter, while you're looking at the design of the suitcases - the
extra module space is a nice idea, btw - what do you think about
putting the mains socket on the side ? i've got it on the front, but
having it on the side (with a 90 degree plug to keep the width down)
would still allow me to use the rack on its back - or propped up by a
few fx pedals - without sacrificing 8hp for a module to which i need
no access while playing (although it wouldn't surprise me to find out
there are freaks out there that turn the power on and off for that
extra-special-waveshaping :) ).

stu

HI Stu

> the doepfer multiples. assuming the wood's not too thick, of course.
The wood is nearly one inch thick.

> dieter, while you're looking at the design of the suitcases - the
> extra module space is a nice idea, btw - what do you think about
> putting the mains socket on the side ? i've got it on the front, but
> having it on the side (with a 90 degree plug to keep the width down)
> would still allow me to use the rack on its back - or propped up by a
> few fx pedals - without sacrificing 8hp for a module to which i need
> no access while playing (although it wouldn't surprise me to find out
> there are freaks out there that turn the power on and off for that
> extra-special-waveshaping :) ).
You have a old case, the new one has it on the rear. But this is not 
lucky, because you cannot lay the rack on the table. I'd prefer a socket 
on the side too.

Florian

I uploaded a couple of photos to this group last year that show just
these two simple modifications (link below).  I've mounted multiples
directly on top of the rails at the top and bottom of the suitcase; I
didn't even drill holes, just used a couple of wood screws and screwed
them on.  Super easy.  The mult module doesn't need any space behind
it, so it works fine.  

It's also very simple to cut a small hole in the side of the case, and
drill four holes for the screws, to mount the mains input inside the
side of the case.  (And Stu, I do sometimes use the on-off switch for
'waveshaping', so to speak...)

photos:

http://launch.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Doepfer_a100/photos/browse/c8bf

--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, "ErnstKarel" <ekarel@...> wrote:
>
> 
> I uploaded a couple of photos to this group last year that show just
> these two simple modifications (link below).  I've mounted multiples
> directly on top of the rails at the top and bottom of the suitcase; I
> didn't even drill holes, just used a couple of wood screws and screwed
> them on.  Super easy.  The mult module doesn't need any space behind
> it, so it works fine.  

i remember that post, but i didn't notice at the time that you hadn't
bothered making holes in the panels. nice piece of pragmatism!

> It's also very simple to cut a small hole in the side of the case, and
> drill four holes for the screws, to mount the mains input inside the
> side of the case.  (And Stu, I do sometimes use the on-off switch for
> 'waveshaping', so to speak...)

totally doo-lally, if you ask me :)

stu

> dieter, while you're looking at the design of the suitcases - the
> extra module space is a nice idea, btw - what do you think about
> putting the mains socket on the side ? i've got it on the front, but
> having it on the side (with a 90 degree plug to keep the width down)
> would still allow me to use the rack on its back - or propped up by a
> few fx pedals - without sacrificing 8hp for a module to which i need
> no access while playing (although it wouldn't surprise me to find out
> there are freaks out there that turn the power on and off for that
> extra-special-waveshaping :) ).
>
> stu

The main problem is the multitude of versions and stock availablity. Now we
have already 8 different suitcases in stock (version 1/2, black/grey,
230V/115V). Most customers prefer the mains inlet at the rear side though I
understand that there are situations where this version is not the best
solution. Each additional version (mains inlet left, right, top, bottom)
would multiply the required stock. We are able to offer such suitcases with
mains inlets at other positions as custom-made products.  The delivery time
will be a bit higher as they have to manufactured extry by our case
manufacturer. And they will be a bit more expensive as the standard mains
wire harness cannot be used but has to be confected manually. We
manufactured already a couple of such special cases for customers (even with
other width/height, e.g. 9U/84HP, 6U/168HP).

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer

P.S. The first picture of the planned low cost A-100 suitcase is online

www(dot)doepfer(dot)de > PRODUCTS > Portable suitcase versions