PLAN B analog blog

OK, there are ways and ways and here's something I need feedback on:

One of the biggest problems with EUro are the many many module widths.
 Not a problem for the modules - the varied widths are a real plus in
that regard.  The problem are the rails.  If you don't use a pre-fab'd
IEEE standard railing system, such as Vector and a bunch of others
provide then you are forced to have some sort of mounting surface
manufactured that has that long row of 5.o8 mm spaced m4 holes.  

xtremely costly.

OK, let's make that easy and say we have to use one of these pre-made
systems.  One way we could really cut costs if instead of having to
buy a duplicate power system for each box, if a central power unit
could be used to power multiple racks. There's one way.  SO the first
rack with the central unit may cost a little more,  but the second or
third unit would be much less expensive.

But there's another idea which would make it make it very affordable -
having a open frame.  No box around, just rails with a single panel
that holds the power bus.  It's got it's problems, but it's got some
real benefits with it.  Assuming the rack will be mounted in a chassis
that is enclosed, could this be a viable alternative?

By looking as my component counts on my modules you know I'm not one
to cut back of circuitry unless it's functionally sound to do so.  But
we're talking about single row mounting systems that wouldn't breach
the $150 barrier.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

- P

My opinion:

I'd gladly pay a premium OVER the doepfer cases to get what you described when you initially announced the Plan B cases: cv/audio psus, curved front panel arrangement and a Plan B 
emblem ;)

As for the blacet-style no back frame, $150 is totally fair for something like that, provided that it doesn't interfere with the release of the big boy.

My $0.26 cents

~D

On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 07:58:02PM -0000, (i think you can figure that out) wrote:
> OK, there are ways and ways and here's something I need feedback on:
> 
> One of the biggest problems with EUro are the many many module widths.
>  Not a problem for the modules - the varied widths are a real plus in
> that regard.  The problem are the rails.  If you don't use a pre-fab'd
> IEEE standard railing system, such as Vector and a bunch of others
> provide then you are forced to have some sort of mounting surface
> manufactured that has that long row of 5.o8 mm spaced m4 holes.  
> 
> xtremely costly.
> 
> OK, let's make that easy and say we have to use one of these pre-made
> systems.  One way we could really cut costs if instead of having to
> buy a duplicate power system for each box, if a central power unit
> could be used to power multiple racks. There's one way.  SO the first
> rack with the central unit may cost a little more,  but the second or
> third unit would be much less expensive.
> 
> But there's another idea which would make it make it very affordable -
> having a open frame.  No box around, just rails with a single panel
> that holds the power bus.  It's got it's problems, but it's got some
> real benefits with it.  Assuming the rack will be mounted in a chassis
> that is enclosed, could this be a viable alternative?
> 
> By looking as my component counts on my modules you know I'm not one
> to cut back of circuitry unless it's functionally sound to do so.  But
> we're talking about single row mounting systems that wouldn't breach
> the $150 barrier.
> 
> Your thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> - P
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
>

I like the idea of the first rack costing more than the follow-ups. 
This would be solid for anyone looking to expand or stay Euro long-
term.

A $150 open rack would be insane and I would gladly sell my current 
Doepfer case and buy two. 

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure 
that out)" <peter@...> wrote:
>
> OK, there are ways and ways and here's something I need feedback 
on:
> 
> One of the biggest problems with EUro are the many many module 
widths.
>  Not a problem for the modules - the varied widths are a real plus 
in
> that regard.  The problem are the rails.  If you don't use a pre-
fab'd
> IEEE standard railing system, such as Vector and a bunch of others
> provide then you are forced to have some sort of mounting surface
> manufactured that has that long row of 5.o8 mm spaced m4 holes.  
> 
> xtremely costly.
> 
> OK, let's make that easy and say we have to use one of these pre-
made
> systems.  One way we could really cut costs if instead of having to
> buy a duplicate power system for each box, if a central power unit
> could be used to power multiple racks. There's one way.  SO the 
first
> rack with the central unit may cost a little more,  but the second 
or
> third unit would be much less expensive.
> 
> But there's another idea which would make it make it very 
affordable -
> having a open frame.  No box around, just rails with a single panel
> that holds the power bus.  It's got it's problems, but it's got 
some
> real benefits with it.  Assuming the rack will be mounted in a 
chassis
> that is enclosed, could this be a viable alternative?
> 
> By looking as my component counts on my modules you know I'm not 
one
> to cut back of circuitry unless it's functionally sound to do so.  
But
> we're talking about single row mounting systems that wouldn't 
breach

> the $150 barrier.
> 
> Your thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> - P
>

I would definitely buy the $150.00 rack you mentioned. I have been
wanting to get into euro rack gear for a while, but the price of the
euro cases is insane.

pete



-- 
http://www.myspace.com/23isgood

It is insane... I agree.  Now... i built a euro wooden
case with vector t rails as well as installed a
Doepfer PSU2 in the back with bus boards but... the
point is that I would not in anyway play live with
that. It's a piece of furniture. I need something that
I can take live and tour with... I have SKB cases with
19" rails but I refuse to pay doepfer's price for a
metal frame to hold the euro modules in. All i can do
is hope and pray someone puts something out some day.

[Luigi LaValle-/www.virb.com/EPINASTY/]


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I'm so all for that also... no case, just rail, not too pricy, can be racked in a roadcase or 
anything...

g.

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "joshualiburdi" <liburdi.joshua@...> 
wrote:

>
> I like the idea of the first rack costing more than the follow-ups. 
> This would be solid for anyone looking to expand or stay Euro long-
> term.
> 
> A $150 open rack would be insane and I would gladly sell my current 
> Doepfer case and buy two. 
> 
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure 
> that out)" <peter@> wrote:
> >
> > OK, there are ways and ways and here's something I need feedback 
> on:
> > 
> > One of the biggest problems with EUro are the many many module 
> widths.
> >  Not a problem for the modules - the varied widths are a real plus 
> in
> > that regard.  The problem are the rails.  If you don't use a pre-
> fab'd
> > IEEE standard railing system, such as Vector and a bunch of others
> > provide then you are forced to have some sort of mounting surface
> > manufactured that has that long row of 5.o8 mm spaced m4 holes.  
> > 
> > xtremely costly.
> > 
> > OK, let's make that easy and say we have to use one of these pre-
> made
> > systems.  One way we could really cut costs if instead of having to
> > buy a duplicate power system for each box, if a central power unit
> > could be used to power multiple racks. There's one way.  SO the 
> first
> > rack with the central unit may cost a little more,  but the second 
> or
> > third unit would be much less expensive.
> > 
> > But there's another idea which would make it make it very 
> affordable -
> > having a open frame.  No box around, just rails with a single panel
> > that holds the power bus.  It's got it's problems, but it's got 
> some
> > real benefits with it.  Assuming the rack will be mounted in a 
> chassis
> > that is enclosed, could this be a viable alternative?
> > 
> > By looking as my component counts on my modules you know I'm not 
> one
> > to cut back of circuitry unless it's functionally sound to do so.  
> But
> > we're talking about single row mounting systems that wouldn't 
> breach
> > the $150 barrier.
> > 
> > Your thoughts are appreciated.
> > 
> > - P
> >
>

I would def be interested in something like this. Sounds like a better
 option than the doepfer DIY thing. $150 and then you can stick it in
an enclosed rack or build a wooden box around it - sounds like a good
deal to me. 

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure
that out)" <peter@...> wrote:

>
> OK, there are ways and ways and here's something I need feedback on:
> 
> One of the biggest problems with EUro are the many many module widths.
>  Not a problem for the modules - the varied widths are a real plus in
> that regard.  The problem are the rails.  If you don't use a pre-fab'd
> IEEE standard railing system, such as Vector and a bunch of others
> provide then you are forced to have some sort of mounting surface
> manufactured that has that long row of 5.o8 mm spaced m4 holes.  
> 
> xtremely costly.
> 
> OK, let's make that easy and say we have to use one of these pre-made
> systems.  One way we could really cut costs if instead of having to
> buy a duplicate power system for each box, if a central power unit
> could be used to power multiple racks. There's one way.  SO the first
> rack with the central unit may cost a little more,  but the second or
> third unit would be much less expensive.
> 
> But there's another idea which would make it make it very affordable -
> having a open frame.  No box around, just rails with a single panel
> that holds the power bus.  It's got it's problems, but it's got some
> real benefits with it.  Assuming the rack will be mounted in a chassis
> that is enclosed, could this be a viable alternative?
> 
> By looking as my component counts on my modules you know I'm not one
> to cut back of circuitry unless it's functionally sound to do so.  But
> we're talking about single row mounting systems that wouldn't breach
> the $150 barrier.
> 
> Your thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> - P
>

Amazing Idea and you guys would be the sole company
doing this for euro. US euro fans would FLIP OUT AND
GO EURO NUTS! ;)

Thanks Peter in advance for recognizing this bitch! 

[Luigi LaValle-/www.virb.com/EPINASTY/]


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know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

A Euro version of the frac rack is a groovy way to go.
basic cage, power supply purchased as need. 

If you build it they will come.

TD

I like the sound of it.  I would be interested for sure.  Like I said in a previous post.  case 
price is the reason I waited so long to get into a eurorack system.  If I could get cases for 
that price I would be more likely to expand my system.  I didn't see any timing, but I will 
be due for a new case by the end of summer.  If you choose to do this, I will be holding 
out for this rack as long  I possibly can.  



--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, Luigi <l_weegi@...> wrote:
>
> Amazing Idea and you guys would be the sole company
> doing this for euro. US euro fans would FLIP OUT AND
> GO EURO NUTS! ;)
> 
> Thanks Peter in advance for recognizing this bitch! 
> 
> [Luigi LaValle-/www.virb.com/EPINASTY/]
> 
> 
>       
____________________________________________________________________________________
> Be a better friend, newshound, and 
> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
>

--- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "Tommy DOG" <mrsvomit@...>
wrote:
>
> A Euro version of the frac rack is a groovy way to go.
> basic cage, power supply purchased as need. 
> 
> If you build it they will come.
> 
> TD
>

Do for eurorack what John Blacet has done for frac rack and you'll
sell a lot of them.

On Apr 29, 2008, at 11:48 AM, evetsterueb wrote:
> Do for eurorack what John Blacet has done for frac rack and you'll
> sell a lot of them.


If only there weren't so many tapped holes in a Eurorack rail compared  
to a FracRack system. That's always going to make Euro more expensive  
than Frac.

Chris Muir
cbm@well.com	
http://www.xfade.com