Combining 5U MOTM and Synthesizers.com modules in the same cabinet: Difference between revisions

'''5U''' is a standard [[19 inch rack]] unit. The common 5U modules are exactly 8.75" (222.25mm), but non-American manufacturers may prefer 220mm or 230mm.<ref>Wikipedia:[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_synthesizer Modular synthesizer]</ref>

The height of 5U format synthesizer modules is 8.75", which is equal to five vertical units in a standard 19" equipment rack. (That's why the format is called "5U".) 5U modules typically use 1/4" connectors and plugs for patching.

The width of 5U modules varies. Some manufacturers use the width of the original Moog modules (1U = 2.125"), and as such, these fall into a sub-format called "MU" (for Moog Unit). MU module manufacturers include Synthesizers Dot Com, Club Of The Knobs, Krisp1, MOS-LAB, Moon Modular, STG Soundlabs, and Modusonics. Other 5U manufacturers, like MOTM Synthesis Technology, Oakley Sound Systems and Modcan(the B-series), use a slightly narrower width, (a 2U wide panel is 3.485 inches wide). This is an important factor in mounting the modules. Since the module widths are different, the mounting holes are also in different positions. Thus, MU and 5U modules can't be mounted in the same row in racks that use metal pre-tapped holes. Refer to the "Mounting Considerations" section below for more information.

==Power Requirements==

All modules from the 5U manufacturers need a +/- 15v power supply. [[Frac]] modules and [[Wiard Synthesizer Company|Wiard]] 300 series also use +/- 15v. Some 5U manufacturers also need a 5v source – specifically [[Synthesizers Dot Com]] and some of the newer [[MOTM Synthesis Technology]] modules (e.g the [[MOTM-650]] midi-CV interface.)

Most 5U manufacturers sell suitable power supplies:

:[[Synthesizers Dot Com]] sells +/-15v and 5v supplies

:[[MOTM Synthesis Technology]] sells 2 supplies, one with only +/-15v ([[MOTM 900]]) and one which also has 5v ([[MOTM 950]])

:[[Cyndustries]] sells +/- 15v supplies

:[[Modcan]] sells +/- 15v supplies

If using one manufacturer's format then the easiest thing to do is to stick with their power supply and distribution system. Here’s what each uses:

===Synthesizers Dot Com===

Synthesizers Dot Com use a 6 pin connector to get power from the power supply to modules.

[[File:74_connpfl_1.jpg]]

Power is distributed from the power supply via a power harness which contains a number of these connectors. They sell 2 models: the small power harness has 20, the large has 40.

[[File:74_qdh20s_1.jpg]]

===MOTM Synthesis Technology===

MOTM use a 4 pin connector on most modules – those that only need +/- 15v. These are the same power connectors that Frac and Wiard 300 series module use. Some of the newer modules, that also require 5v, use the same type of connector but with 6 pins (not the same one as Synthesizers.com use)

[[File:74_4AMP6404274_1.jpg]]

Power is distributed from the power supply via power distribution boards. There are two main versions – one with only 4 pin connections (i.e. +/- 15v only) and one with a mix of 4 and 6 pin connectors (providing +/-15v and 5v)

[[File:74_m960_1.jpg]]

[[File:74_m990image_1.jpg]]

===Modcan & Cyndustries===

Modcan and Cyndustries have the same type of connector as MOTM to distribute power to modules except they only use a 3 pin version which provides +/-15v only.

[[File:74_3AMP_6404283_1.jpg]]

Power is distributed from the power supply via a distribution board. The Modcan one (which is completely compatible with Cyndustries modules) looks like this:

[[File:74_distro_1.jpg]]

But wait – I’ve got more than one 5U format! Now it gets interesting. There is no one way to distribute power to a mix of 5U formats. Here are some off the shelf solutions:

===Synthesizers Dot Com & MOTM Synthesis Technology===

If only want to add one or two Synthesizers Dot Com or MOTM format modules to a system mainly of the other format then Synthesizers Dot Com sell their QMPSA adaptor which convert between the two formats. This adaptor also provides a 5v source so Synthesizers Dot Com modules can be run off a MOTM +/-15v power supply.

[[File:74_qmpsa_1.jpg]]

For more than a couple of modules this probably isn’t the most cost effective solution though. For more modules it’s easier to use one of MOTM’s convertor boards – MOTM 995. This gives a combination of 6 pin Synthesizers Dot Com, 4 pin and 6 pin MOTM connectors and can be connected to either a Synthesizers Dot Com or MOTM +/- 15v and 5v power source.

[[File:74_m995image_1.jpg]]

The other option is to use a Synthesizers Dot Com power supply with a power harness to connect to the Synthesizers Dot Com modules. Strip one of the 6 pin connectors off the power harness and, using the colour-coded wiring guide on the Synthesizers Dot Com site, wire the harness directly to one of the two main MOTM power distribution boards that are pictured above – they have binding posts that make this easy to do. If the 5v is not required for MOTM modules simply snip this wire short on the Synthesizers Dot Com harness and tape it up.

===Modcan & Cyndustries===

Adding Modcan and/or Cyndustries is a relatively straightforward task and in many ways similar to connecting Synthesizers Dot Com and MOTM together. The only difference is that Modcan/Cyndustries use 3 pin, rather than MOTM’s 4 pin connectors.

With Modcan probably the easiest option is to ask Bruce to terminate the power cables in MOTM style 4 pin connectors – he’s fine with doing this. Then use exactly the same type of distribution system used with a MOTM or MOTM/Synthesizers Dot Com mix system. Remember Modcan are +/-15v only – no need to worry about 5v for them. This would also work for Cyndustries modules although I have no idea if it’s something Cynthia will do or not – can’t hurt to ask I guess!

The other option would be to use a Cyndustries power distribution board, which provides connectors for 4 pin MOTM and 3 pin Modcan/Cyndustries. This could be wired to a suitable power supply using binding posts as with the MOTM distribution boards.

[[File:74 combodistro 1.gif]]

===STG Soundlabs Distro Board ===

A further option is the distribution board made by Suit and Tie Guy. These can be ordered with a combination of Synthesizers Dot Com, MOTM and Modcan/Cyndustries connectors. They have a set of screw terminals for attaching the power supply. Details can be found from the page in the links section below. STG can also provide suitable cables for powering Synthesizers Dot Com modules from this distribution board. Here's a picture of one (which is now residing in my cabinet )

[[File:74_s640x480_1.jpg]]

<ref>Muff's Modules & More:[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1739 Power distribution - updated]</ref>

Here's some information on mixing MOTM-format modules, (which includes Modcan b series), into a Synthesizers Dot Com cabinet. This section only discusses wooden cabinets - not racks. There are three main things to consider. First, how to physically mount the MOTM-format modules. Second, what number of each module-format can be fitted?. Third is power considerations, which is discussed above.

Synthesizers Dot Com and MOTM-format modules are ''technically'' the same height. The real difference is the fact that Synthesizers Dot Com-format modules have a lip at the top and bottom which MOTM doesn't. Here's a picture of the Synthesizers Dot Com lip:

Actually mounting MOTM modules is fairly straighforward. The rails of Synthesizers Dot Com cabinets are made of wood and can be easily drilled out for MOTM. The holes for MOTM do not interfere with the Synthesizers Dot Com holes that are already present. Mark the holes making sure the module is centered as mentioned above. Drill the hole with a 1mm or 2mm bit. Then screw in one of the mounting screws to "tap" the hole before mounting the module. The MOTM mounting holes will be closer to the edge of the rails than the Synthesizers Dot Com ones. The picture below has MOTM holes marked in green and Synthesizers Dot Com in red:

:1U Synthesizers Dot Com = 2.125 inches

22-space Synthesizers Dot Com cabinets have rails that are 46.75 inches wide.

The table below shows all the combinations of Synthesizers Dot Com format modules and MOTM-format modules you can have in a 22-space Synthesizers Dot Com row. Specifically, it shows:

:number of single space Synthesizers Dot Com format modules

!Synthesizers Dot Com Modules!! Remaining Space !! MOTM Spaces Available !! Gap w/Full Case

Some combinations work better than others. Eight Synthesizers Dot Com format and seventeen MOTM-format spaces is the magic combination where there are no gap at all. Note that this table will only work if all the MOTM-format modules are mounted in a block together and the Synthesizers Dot Com modules together. Putting them in-between each other would, if you used the pre-drilled Synthesizers Dot Com mounting holes, mean more gaps. Different Synthesizers Dot Com mounting holes can be drilled in the relevant place(s) to leave the smallest possible gap.

*[http://www.synthtech.com/testcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=67&products_id=183 MOTM Synthesis Technology to Synthesizers Dot Com adaptor board]

*[http://www.synthesizers.com/q101.html Synthesizers Dot Com power components]

*[http://www.synthesizers.com/technical.html Synthesizers Dot Com power wiring information]