Analogue systems

Very interesting.  One thing, though.  Why mount the Doepfer 
sockets upside-down (apropos to the Doepfer system).  I 
learned this at the weekend while repositioning my Doepfer 
modules.  I went on the D website and followed the instructions 
about not twisting the cables, and...BANG!  I burnt out 5 fuses 
and I blew up my VCA.  A cheap chip change later, and all is well, 
but it was an unneccessary occurence (from a design point of 
view).  The purpose of those sockets it to power Doepfer 
modules, so it would make sense to adhere to the Doepfer 
design brief in all respects.  By the way, mine is a month old 
RS15.

just my dá sgillean.

Stuadh

--- In analogue_systems@yahoogroups.com, Peter Grenader 
<peter@b...> wrote:
> Bob really raised the pole for everyone with the new PSU.  Its 
much better
> mechanically and electrically, but let me just comment briefly 
on the socket
> selection.
> 
> While some of this is my own conclusion, I think it's fair to say 
that
> Analogue Systems, by virtue of coming after Doepfer, was 
conforming to the
> Doepfer standards for power requirements, size, jack type, etc. 
This was a
> supremely intuitive decision on Bob's part as it created a cross 
platform
> which has unquestionably helped his sales.  A brilliant move.
> 
> But - for obvious reasons, he wanted to avoid using other 
companies PSUs if
> at all possible.  It only makes sense.  You can easily guarantee 
a product's
> performance if you can control it's operation.  Once a second 
party product
> is introduced, you then lose a certain amount of control and 
therefore, you
> can no longer unquestionably guarantee the operation.  I'm not 
speaking
> about the user side of the faceplate here, that's 200% 
compatible - I'm
> speaking about it's supply voltage source.  I am also not 
dissing the
> Doepfer PSU.  It's a fine unit, it's just not made by Analogue 
Systems and
> from a manufacturers standpoint, more of a risk.  The very 
same holds true
> with Doepfer modules powered by A. Sys supplies.  It will work 
fine - but
> it's not a controlled situation, that's all.
> 
> So how to you design in exclusivity?  You use another 
connector scheme and
> that's what Bob did.  Analogue Solutions was willing to take 
that risk and
> their modules have accommodations for both the Doepfer 
inline and the A.
> Sys's DIP connections.
> 
> Bob's decision to go with DIP connectors make sense as they 
are a cost
> effective functional alternative to the Doepfer scheme.  You just 
have to be
> careful when connecting them, that's all.  Listen, I've got hands 
as large
> as cricket mallets.  It takes a bit of getting used to, but you do 
and it
> gets easy at that point. One thing I've noticed that really makes
> connections easier is if you remove either the top or bottom 
panel from the
> rack when making multiple connections (like when setting up 
your system
> initially), because it allows you to view things from a shallower 
angle so
> you're not covering up the area you need to see with your hand.
> 
> With Bob's new power distribution panel things are much 
better off because
> he included Doepfer style terminations along with his DIP 
sockets on his new
> motherboard.   He also fused the secondary side of the syste 
(not just the
> AC mains, but the DC voltsges as well) so even if ther is a 
problem, the
> chance of it doing little more than blowing a fuse is distant.
> 
> just my conjecture here...
> 
> - P