Dotcomformat

Just throwing out a wild idea here, don't read too much into it yet...

Suppose that the stooges found a way to eliminate many of the barriers
to getting custom panels fast. The catch would be, that the finish
would not match the current MOTM standard, and might not be able to
match dotcom exactly either.

I know that this group is primarily concerned with dot com format
panels, but the larger questions are worth asking to everyone.

Instead of hassling with unreliable paint shops, expensive screen
printers and too-busy metal vendors, suppose all of that was brought
in-house. We're talking anodized panels in a choice of colors, and
laser engraved graphics. Right now we provide exact match panels, but
at the expense of being slow, slow, slow (and a great hassle to us).

Since everything would be in house, truly custom panels could be done
much quicker. For the sake of argument, let's say that they would cost
$25 or so for a 2U panel.

If we were to offer replacement custom panels for existing factory
MOTM and/or dotcom designs as well as the popular third party
conversions, how many people would be geeked enough to have that
custom blue MOTM or dotcom synth, that they would go to the expense of
replacing all their panels?

As a bonus, there could be several graphics treatments to choose from:
- MOTM standard layout but enhanced with panel edge stripes
- MOTM format but with jack fields broken up, flow diagram graphics,
multiple knobs sizes, etc. (think CMS)
- E-MU modular style format, signal inputs to the left, control inputs
to the bottom, outputs to the right

Is this a crazy idea, or what?

Moe

The thought is to use a laser engraver. You anodize (or paint, I
suppose) the panel, then the laser burns the graphics. It will engrave
wherever there is color, but once it gets down to the reflective metal
it stops working. At least that's how it was explained to me. I think
that anodized panels with clear aluminum graphics showing through are
very classy looking (look at the ModCan panels, for instance).

Paul H has showed me a laser model that handles panels up to 20" x
12", and looks to a computer just like a printer. So I could use the
design tool I'm familiar with (CorelDraw), and people who like to
design their own could potentially just send files.

I for one am one of those fanatics who would completely redo my entire
synth. I don't think the MOTM format is especially attractive, but the
dotcom is much better. I would probably come up with some scheme that
mixes the flow diagram graphics of the Arp 2500/CMS with E-MU's jack
flow, or something like that.

There's lots of research to do, but no point if people don't want it. 

Moe
--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, "~Morbius~" <morbius@b...> wrote:
>
> Out of curiosity... what format and software is being used for the
engraving? I have sign-making and engraving software.... Casemate
6.52, and Flexisign... and both will do engraving, and will also
inport and export several different formats used by engravers,
plotters, and routing tables.
>

I love the "crazy" idea of quick, custom panels at fixed prices. No price
penalty for "one offs"? Fantastic!

I would not, however, be inclined to re-skin my whole synth -- and I have
fewer than 20 modules. As long as it physically fits in with dotcom or MOTM,
I'm happy.
--
john

this sounds like a great idea to me. i for one don't care at all if
things match, as long as it all fits physically in the synth without
fuss. as soon as the next panel run comes around, i've been planning
for a while on picking up 2-3 MOTM modules for my dot-com, so i'd
definitely take advantage of easily available, affordable panels.

That would be a dream come true. I have some module designs that 
I'd love to sell in small batches. The only barrier has been getting 
panels done. $20 - $25 is a do-able price for me. There is someone 
over seas who engraves for a reasonable price, but it would be great 
(not to mention more economical) to have a source close to home. I'd 
imagine you would receive a huge quantity of orders for a service 
like this (especally from me). I really hope you take this up. 
Soooooooooo much better than being stuck with MOTM or Syn.com formats 
only (well...Syn.com isn't too bad). Very exciting news.

peng





--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, "mate_stubb" <mate_stubb@y...> 
wrote:
>
> Just throwing out a wild idea here, don't read too much into it 
yet...
> 
> Suppose that the stooges found a way to eliminate many of the 
barriers
> to getting custom panels fast. The catch would be, that the finish
> would not match the current MOTM standard, and might not be able to
> match dotcom exactly either.
> 
> I know that this group is primarily concerned with dot com format
> panels, but the larger questions are worth asking to everyone.
> 
> Instead of hassling with unreliable paint shops, expensive screen
> printers and too-busy metal vendors, suppose all of that was brought
> in-house. We're talking anodized panels in a choice of colors, and
> laser engraved graphics. Right now we provide exact match panels, 
but
> at the expense of being slow, slow, slow (and a great hassle to us).
> 
> Since everything would be in house, truly custom panels could be 
done
> much quicker. For the sake of argument, let's say that they would 
cost
> $25 or so for a 2U panel.
> 
> If we were to offer replacement custom panels for existing factory
> MOTM and/or dotcom designs as well as the popular third party
> conversions, how many people would be geeked enough to have that
> custom blue MOTM or dotcom synth, that they would go to the expense 
of
> replacing all their panels?
> 
> As a bonus, there could be several graphics treatments to choose 
from:
> - MOTM standard layout but enhanced with panel edge stripes
> - MOTM format but with jack fields broken up, flow diagram graphics,
> multiple knobs sizes, etc. (think CMS)
> - E-MU modular style format, signal inputs to the left, control 
inputs

> to the bottom, outputs to the right
> 
> Is this a crazy idea, or what?
> 
> Moe
>

You might want to change the groups name. 

"Moe Better Panels" ?

peng

That's true. You have the additional problem of panel mounted pots
eith MOTM. I don't know about dotcom - aren't all pots offboard on
plugin headers?

I think I could maybe pull off something CMS like, but you might have
to go taller.

E-MU is the largest format I've ever personally seen. Their panel
sizes are 6" tall, and multiples of 3" wide.

Moe

--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Sanchez
<synthasaurus@g...> wrote:
>
>  Sounds like an interesting idea, Moe. I like the idea you have for new
> panel layouts, but I wonder how much more real estate would that
take up?

--- In dotcomformat@yahoogroups.com, "mate_stubb" <mate_stubb@y...> wrote:
>
> That's true. You have the additional problem of panel mounted pots
> eith MOTM. I don't know about dotcom - aren't all pots offboard on
> plugin headers?
> 

Yes, the DotCom system uses 100% off board mount controls.  The PCBs
are typically mounted with 4 standoffs and are parallel to the from
panel.  The standard is MTA-100 connectors, generally 2-pin for LEDs,
jumpers, and some switches, 3-pin for pots and some switches, 6-pin
for power, however there are some other variations in number of pins.
 It allows for controls to be mounted under the PCB and is part of why
the system fits in virtually any kind of mounting, the depth of the
moules is only about 2".  Even the Q960 sequencer follows this format.

Larry T.