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This information is for doing DIY, or repairs on [[Eurorack]] front panels. It's not comprehensive, everyone has preferences, but attempts to cover the commonly used parts and what sort of things will work.
Avoid cheap parts, especially if mechanical. Invest in quality, you always get what you pay for. Otherwise your entire system might later develop intermittent faults.<ref>[https://www.
In order to construct low profile/[[skiff]] friendly Eurorack modules vertical mount components are required. These allow the [[PCB]] to be mounted parallel to the front panel, keeping module depth to a minimum.<ref name="erthenvar">[https://web.archive.org/web/20151207105044/http://erthenvar.com/store/accessories/3.5mm-vertical-mount-jacks 3.5mm Vertical Mount Jacks], Erthenvar</ref><ref name="stds">[https://www.
== Eurorack panel specifications ==
The Eurorack format was developed in parallel by [[Analogue Systems]] and [[Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH|Doepfer]], with different approaches to module power connectors and front panel mounting holes. These days the Doepfer standard predominates.<ref>[https://www.
Doepfer specifies the Eurorack front panel material as 2 mm anodized aluminium.<ref name="a100m">Doepfer [http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm A-100 Construction Details]</ref> In practice panels from other manufacturers may slightly differ, e.g. Synthwerks use the closest gauge that [http://metalphoto.com/ Metalphoto] offer which is 0.0625" (1.59 mm). Also check data sheets for front panel parts, e.g. the maximum recommended thickness for 3.5 mm Cliff 1384 jacks is 2.5 mm.<ref name="guage">[https://www.
Front panel dimensions in the the [[3U]] Eurorack format are specified in U and HP not in inches or millimeters. One U (unit) or in German HE (höhen einheit) is 1.75 inches equivalent to 44.45 mm. Thus the panels height is 5.25" (133.35 mm) less any allowance for mounting rail flange. Width is measured in HP (horizontal pitch) or in German TE (teilungs einheiten); 1 HP is 1/5" (0.2", 5.08 mm or 200 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousandth_of_an_inch mil]). The actual width of a front panel is a few tenth of a mm less than whatever multiple of 5.08 mm it is, to give some tolerance for final assembly. A [[19-inch rack]] has a usable width of 84 HP.<ref name="hinton" /><ref name="a100m" /><ref name="confused">[https://www.
The vertical distance between the mounting holes on Eurorack rails is 122.5mm apart (4.823"). Based on the manufacturer's drawings for the most common rails used in Euro cases, the clear space between pairs of rails is:
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* Gie-Tec, Proma (now defunct) and TipTop Z-Rails, 112.5mm (4.429 inches)
* Vector, 115.1mm (4.531 inches)
These don't include a tolerances for the screw hole in the panel or for the nut in the rail. These can cause the rails to be closer or further apart when any given module is tightened in. It's better to give a little more clearance than suggested by these figures.<ref name="six">[https://www.
=== Panel mounting holes ===
If the Doepfer specification is followed, or rails with sliding nuts are used, elongated holes are not required. These are useful for non-standard panel widths and to compensate for for manufacturing tolerances of the panel width or hole position. They help to fit the modules flush against one another.<ref name="oval">[https://www.
Oval holes were originally for mixed Analogue Systems (AS) and Doepfer systems. The AS holes are 0.2" from the panel edge and the Doepfer holes are 0.3" (7.62 mm) from the edge. The oval holes were originally used to allow these modules to be placed in the same threaded rows without having the 1/2 HP gap that would otherwise result. These days the oval holes are mostly just centered on the Doepfer spacing.<ref name="oval" />
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=== Stacked PCBs ===
Stacked PCBs can be connected with standard 0.1" single and double row male/female pin headers. These combine to a height of 7/16 inch or 11 mm and boards can be mounted to each other with spacers of this length.<ref name="hw">[https://www.
To cut the headers, don't use tools you value highly, these are made of brittle glass filled epoxy which will damage the edge of any blades used to cut it. To get the single row male headers to length, grip the last pin of the length you want firmly in pliers and snap the rest off. The female headers don't snap easily so first pull the pins out of the body at the point where you want it to snap, then file the ends smooth. Alternately combine smaller lengths to make up the length required. To get them to butt against each other at 0.1" if there is extra plastic on the ends file it down.<ref name="hw" />
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== Component layout ==
[[File:Black-1900h.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Davies 1900h knob.]]
Choose between having jack sockets easier to read placed near their associated controls, or at the bottom of the panel so that patch cables are more easily kept out of the way.<ref name="measures"/><ref name="shed">[https://shedsynth.wordpress.com/2021/01/02/knobs/ Knobs], ShedSynth, 1 Jan 2021</ref>
With 16mm pots at about 18mm between centres, 12mm diameter Davies 1900h knobs can be used comfortably. Theses are used on many Eurorack modules.<ref name="shed"/>
Design the panel so that behind the panel the component bodies have enough clearance from each other and in front both the controls and the users fingers have enough room to operate. Also check that any close to an edge won't interfere with mounting the panel into its enclosure. Check the angle of rotation of the pot will match the scale going to be marked on the panel.<ref name="mikmo">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mikmo.dk/synthpanels.html |title=How i make front panels. |accessdate=2016-04-22 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812144730/http://www.mikmo.dk/synthpanels.html |archivedate=2016-08-12 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref><!-- here -->▼
▲Design the panel so that behind the panel the component bodies have enough clearance from each other and in front both the controls and the users fingers have enough room to operate. Also check that any close to an edge won't interfere with mounting the panel into its enclosure. Check the angle of rotation of the pot will match the scale going to be marked on the panel.<ref name="mikmo">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mikmo.dk/synthpanels.html |title=How i make front panels. |accessdate=2016-04-22 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812144730/http://www.mikmo.dk/synthpanels.html |archivedate=2016-08-12 |
Doepfer and Analogue Solutions both use 20 mm (0.8") vertical spacing between pots.<ref>[https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5107 eurorack widths of panels?], Muff Wiggler forum, May 2009</ref>▼
▲Doepfer and Analogue Solutions both use 20 mm (0.8") vertical spacing between pots.<ref>[https://www.
Behind the panel leave 10 mm clear from top and bottom edges for panel mounted components to clear the rails.<ref name="stds" />
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== Jacks/sockets ==
=== 3.5mm jack sockets ===
3.5mm jack sockets are '''not''' 1/8 inch.<ref name="techqs">[https://www.
Suppliers:
=== Cliff horizontal PCB mount ===
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* Mouser:[http://uk.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kobiconn/16PJ138/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMv0W4pxf2HiV6YU8TCM0qP%252bVS23qqYdSEM%3d Kobiconn 16PJ138], mono 3.5mm, switched
=== Banana sockets ===
4 mm banana sockets and jacks aren't normally used on unmodified Eurorack,<ref group="note">[[Befaco]] synth modules have dual footprint for either 3.5 mm jack or banana.<!-- http://www.befaco.org/en/sinte-modular/--></ref> banana jack socket are unshielded but CVs don't need shielding and because audio levels are usually high, this won't be a problem. When patching into external synths or other devices use a shielded cable with both ends of the shield connected to ground. Banana sockets are cheaper because they are mechanically simpler. They are also much more durable since there is less to go wrong. They are widely available and come in a range of colours. Banana plugs are stackable i.e. one can plug into the end of another. Most banana synths are designed with stackable plugs in mind, whereas most 1/4" and 3.5mm jack systems include [[multiple]]s.<ref>[https://www.
* [http://www.mouser.co.uk/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=Banana+Jack Mouser]<!-- be more specific & dimensions -->
* Bushing used where the PCB is parallel to the panel and there isn't enough room behind for the length of the shaft of the banana jack. Obviously this arrangement will protrude further out from the front of panel. Approximate measurements: .32" id, .4" od, .3" high.<ref>[https://www.
== Potentiometers and sliders ==<!-- check this section for accuracy -->
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* Mouser 633-M201901-RO
** SP3T toggle switch 633-M202402-RO
** 633-FB15ANEP2<ref name="build">[https://www.
=== Vertical miniature toggle switches ===
With solder lugs but can be PCB mounted if the holes and pads are suitable. To fit a 6 mm panel hole.<br>
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* [https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_ssn=wonderco_buy&_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=Sub-Miniature+Toggle+Switch&LH_PrefLoc=2&_sop=15 wonderco_buy], eBay shop, Taiwan
=== Rotary switches <!--<ref name="rot">[https://www.
* Small rotary switches by Grayhill, e.g. [http://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Grayhill/50P36-01-1-08N/?qs=ls7QRyWmRk6XCPoyI81Wmg%3D%3D Grayhill miniature 8 position rotary 706-50P36-01-1-08N], Mouser
* [http://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Alpha-Taiwan/SR1712F-0108-20F0A-N9-N/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvNbjZ2WlReYqBsoziRjTWUH8saZNpNioA%3d Alpha 8 way vertical mount], Mouser
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== External links ==
* Clacktronics [https://github.com/clacktronics/Eurorack_KiCAD_templates Eurorack KiCAD templates]
* [http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/parts/3.5mm-sockets/ 3.5 mm mono sockets for vertical PCB mounting] by Robin Whittle, Real World Interfaces, 2014
* [https://www.
* [https://www.
* [https://www.
* [https://syntherjack.net/category/article/ SyntherJack articles]
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