MOTM

Well, I want to qualify this as my OPINION so as not to tick anyone off. 
However, the ideas of just cutting a hole in a MOTM blank panel and
inserting the Blacet module and putting 1/4 jacks at the bottom is less
than satisfying to me.  It's kind of like an El Camino (you remember that
thing from the 60s/70s that was supposed to be the best of a car and truck)
 In reality it had all the worst characteristics of each.

I admit, I was tempted to do this very same thing when I first got my
Blacet mixer.  However, I finally faced the fact that those crummy 1/8"
jacks would be staring back at me laughing saying "You just didn't take the
time to do it right?  Did you boy?"  And the damn knobs are so close
together.  So, what you have accomplished with this conversion is to take a
BAD format (frac rack) and cause it to take up MORE space.  The only
advantage I can see over actually having a frac rack in your system for
such modules is that you can now distribute them to the location that fits
better fits your needs.

So, I finally decided (with the encouragement of another MOTMer) to pony up
and do it right by laying the panel out properly on a MOTM size 2U blank. 
I did that for both Blacet modules that I own (mixer and FD).  The
advantage is that it will encourage you to make the modifications you would
like to see.  If you stay with the "pretty Blacet panel" you will avoid
doing what you want for the sake of messing up the panel  Let's face it,
there ain't much room there.  I made several modifications to my Blacet
module FD and plan to do some more.

Now, this approach has some disadvantages.  You will toss out a lot of
stuff.  Out with the jacks and knobs, pots, and LEDs.  The pot shafts are
too short to reach through MOTM thickness panels.  The jacks.... you know
what I think of 1/8" (remember, no offense intended, this is opinion). The
knobs no longer fit proper pots and the knobs and LEDs just don't match. 
So, plan to pony up at least $40 for pots, knobs, and LEDs depending on the
kit.  That is the disadvantage of doing what I did.   And, it caused me NOT
to buy a second Blacet mixer  They might be worth $99 in kit form.  But
they are not worth $140 in my opinion.  I asked John if he would sell his
kits without a faceplate and pots and knobs.  He said it was not worth the
trouble.  MY second mixer is made on a MOTM proto board.

So, all that said, I am not being critical of the
stuff-Blacet-in-a-MOTM-hole-panel.  If you want fast and trouble free, that
is clearly an easy solution that gives you 1/4 jacks and room to do some
modifications.  I am just saying it was not for ME.  And, I am not being
critical of the Blacet modules.  They are what they are and I like my two a
lot.  E-mail me privately if you are considering a FD.  I have some issues
you may want to know.

Stooge (anal about 1/8 inch jacks and knobs too close together)  Larry


----------
> From: Steven McFarling <steve@...>
> To: motm@egroups.com
> Subject: Re: [motm] Blacet Chop-Up Question  
> Date: Thursday, April 06, 2000 3:07 AM
> 
> I saw something cool on the Blacet site (http://www.blacet.com/tech.html)

> today.  I say cool because it is a panel someone (a MOTM user) made.  It 
> looks like a MOTM 2u blank panel that he mounted the blacet module in the

> middle of.  Mr. Blacet is taking inputs on interest in manufacturing this

> panel, with holes for 1/4" jacks to interface well with MOTM.  It looks 
> like a good solution.
> 
> Steve (in Hawaii, still...)
> 
> At 10:42 PM 4/5/2000 -0700, you wrote:
> >I am looking to convert my new Blacet filter into MOTM format. Who has
done
> >this before and can help me with pc baord mounting tips and/or part
> >sourcing? Are you out there Larry Stooge and anyone else...
> >
> >Thomas White