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[[File:Moog 921, 911, 902 modules.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Moog 921, 911 and 902 modules, with visible component mounting screws.]]The '''panel''', '''front panel''' or '''faceplate''' is where most or all of the controls and displays are mounted. Usually it is the primary user interface for [[patch]]ing, control and operating besides actually playing notes.<ref name="fpemw">[http://electronicmusic.wikia.com/wiki/Front_panel Front panel], Electronic Music Wiki</ref>
== Formats ==
''See [[Module formats]]''
== Aesthetics ==
Fabricating attractive front panels for a synthesizer can be a real challenge. Great care should go into creating an attractive synthesizer. The quality of work put into a guitar build, chrome fittings, pearl inlays, exotic woods all help inspire the musician and so it should be with the synthesizer. The design of a good-looking system requires much time spent mentally going over the various relationships of the modules and how the instrument will be used.<ref name="henry">''Build a Better Music Synthesizer'' by Thomas Henry, Tab Books, 1987, {{ISBN
It's usual for front panels to have the function or model name along the top edge and the designer's name or the brand name along the bottom edge.
=== Layout ===
Having elements too close together can introduce noise and [[crosstalk]], spaciousness helps towards reducing unwanted problems. Choose between having jacks easier to read placed near their associated controls,<ref name="measures">Electro-music.com forum:[http://www.electro-music.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18281&postorder=asc Standard measurements in front panels]</ref> or below where patch cables are then easier to keep out of the way.
Design the panel so that behind the panel the potentiometer and jack bodies have enough clearance from each other and that in front both the controls and the users fingers have enough room to operate. Also check that any parts 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">
== Modular synthesizer panels ==
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== Material ==
Usually aluminium; T3 or T6 6061 1.59 mm (0.0625") aluminium sheet. This is easy to machine and isn't too soft. Sometimes other materials are used such as some sheet metal, [[acrylic]] (aka Lucite or Perspex), [[FR4|glass-reinforced epoxy laminate]] (FR4 PCB), plywood or formica.<ref name="mfos">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160318105948/http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/HOT_TIPS/makingplates.php How To Make Synth Panels] by Ray Wilson, MFOS</ref><ref>[https://www.
== Drilling ==
[[File:Stufenbohrer PG7-PG21.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A unibit aka step drill bit.]]
Use a center punch to mark the panel for drilling. This will stop the drill bit from wandering. First drill a pilot hole, then use increasingly larger size drill bits until the correct hole diameter is reached.<ref name="mfos" /> However it's more efficient to use a unibit aka step drill bit.<ref name="mikmo"
== Labelling ==
Controls for particular functions can be grouped together by panel graphics. Individual controls labels can be with text and others with graphics. Scales can be indicated with tick marks. Signal routing can be indicated. Besides writing or painting directly on the panel by hand, there are a number of different methods to add labelling. Traffolyte laminate or Dymo embossed labels were once common. Adhesive labels tend to fall off after a while. Laser printed graphics are common now, as well as a variety of iron-on transfer methods.<ref name="fpemw" />
Note that for some of the methods listed here panels can be given a protective coating of matte or gloss clear lacquer after labeling. Some materials are attacked by acrylic or vinyl coatings. Vinyl resists flaking and chipping better than acrylic.<ref name="infill">[https://www.
=== Adhesive polyester ===
A4 polyester sheets that can be printed on a standard laser printer. Available in a range of different colours and also as sheets of peel-off labels. Very durable because the laser toner goes into the surface of the sheet.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161229082022/http://www.megauk.com/quicklaser.php Quick-Laser], Mega Electronics</ref>
=== CNC engraving ===
Requires a large investment to produce panel drilling approaching commercial quality.<ref>[https://www.
=== Dry transfer lettering ===
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With chemical etching using Press and Peel transfer film, [[toner transfer]] or lacquer, masking areas of the panel from the etchant.<ref>[http://diy-guitar-effects.tumblr.com/etching How I Do Etching], DIY Guitar Effects</ref> A variety of etchants can be used, taking into consideration what type of metals is used for the panel. This can be hazardous, so some care is needed in dealing with whatever chemicals are used as well as with the process itself. Safer methods are described at [http://www.nontoxicprint.com/etchcopperandbrass.htm Non-toxic method for etching copper and brass].<ref name="tips" />
After 1965 all Moog modules panels were etched using black anodized aluminum coated with a photosensitive resist, known as Fotofoil. Where the panel had been exposed through a photographic film the resist remained. Immersing the panel in lye (sodium hydroxide) then etched the parts not protected.<ref>[
=== Laminated ===
The panel overlay is laminated in a plastic pouch, which is attached to the panel with contact adhesive. Print two copies of the overlay and use one of them as a drilling guide. Laminate pouches are also available in different finishes which you might be preferable. A problem with this method is that with the edges catching on other panels the platic laminate might lift at the corners.<ref name="mikmo"
=== Laser etching ===
[[Anodizing aluminum|Anodized aluminum]] can be laser etched to create fine bright markings against a darker background. Plain aluminum can be etched through paper masking<!-- and the etching coloured with acrylic paint or lacquer stick -->.
=== Laser engraving ===
How to make a custom laser Engraved front panel : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mp-XpJBdJg Laser engraved front panel]
=== Lazertran ===
Water-slide decal paper from [http://lazertran.com/ Lazertran] is a flexible method for producing a hard wearing transparent finish, approaching silk screen for quality. The image for transferring is printed mirrored with a toner based laser printer. The sheet is then soaked in water to detach the decal which is then placed on the panel toner side down. Heating the panel later in an oven bonds the toner to the surface. Otherwise use an aerosol lacquer to protect it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170424043832/http://www.strings.ph.qmul.ac.uk/~thomas/synthdiy/frontpanel.htm Waterslide Decal (Lazertran Paper)], Front Panel Construction in Synthesizer Projects, Steven Thomas</ref><ref>[http://clacktronics.co.uk/research/lazertran/ Using Lazertran on Metal], Clacktronics, Ben Barwise</ref><ref>In the comments to [http://www.matrixsynth.com/2007/03/grant-richter-on-cutting-down-modular.html Grant Richter on Cutting Down Modular Costs], Matrixsynth, March 2007</ref>
=== Paint infilling ===
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=== Paint stick ===
Similar to paint infilling but easier and inexpensive. Using a Markal [https://web.archive.org/web/20160809104302/http://www.markal.com/solid-paint-markers/lacquer-stik/ Lacquer-Stik]. Dificult to apply to large etched areas where the appearance will be dull. Remove dried paint film from tip before use. Rub into the engraving and wipe off the excess around engraving with a soft cloth. On rough surfaces excess wet paint can be removed by lightly rubbing with a cloth dipped in mineral oil. When dry use mineral spirits or alcohol. Tack free after 12 hours, completely dry after 24 hours.<ref name="infill" /><ref name="tips" /><ref>
=== Painted ===
MOTM panels finish is baked-on two part Polane paint,<ref>[https://www.
=== Acrylic pouring ===
By selecting color palettes, controlling the viscosity of the paint, and experimenting with different pouring methods, one can produce one-of-a-kind modular synth panels through [[acrylic pouring]].
=== Paperface ===
The paperface [[Serge Modular Music System|Serge]] panel was aluminum with panel art on paper glued on and covered with protective [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoPET mylar film].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140318163136/http://www.coa-modular.com/2012/06/03/what-and-why-paperface/ What and Why Paperface?], coa-modular, 3 Jun 2012</ref>
=== PCB ===
{{Main|PCB front panels}}You can also draw your front panels very easily with this addons of the free software Inkscape
[https://synthpanels.design/ synthpanels design]
A git from another source to design your knobs: [https://github.com/leechwort/knob-scale-generator knob scale generator]
Then you export it as an .svg file and import it into kicad [https://www.kicad.org/], which can take it away as a gerber [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerber_format] to be printed as a pcb by any service provider.
=== Printed paper ===
A laser print is made, of the same size as the panel and then glued onto it.
Like this youtube videos : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf9Hoy9eDIY Low budget front panel]
and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8sNB2UjLAo Cheap and easy DIY Front panels]
=== Quick-Mark Digital ===
QMD is a clear self-adhesive film on which the panel markings are laser printed in mirrored image, up to A3 size. This is then wet laminated to double sided adhesive white, silver, yellow, transparent or 0.2 mm aluminium base sheet. Low cost high quality panels with full colour labeling are easily produced.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161229080457/http://www.megauk.com/quickmark-digital.php Quick-Mark Digital], Mega Electronics</ref>
=== Screen printed aka silkscreen ===
{{Main|Screen printing panels}}
Screen printing uses a stencil supported by fine polyester mesh about 1 mm above the panel. First a blade or squeegee moves ink into the exposed mesh, then a reverse stroke causes the inked areas to momentarily make contact with the panel. It can take many attempts to perfect the process.<ref>[https://www.
=== Toner transfer ===
Similar to the [[toner transfer]] method of printing PCB etch resist. Printing the mirrored image with a laser printer onto glossy paper then using an iron to heat the reverse of the print bonding the toner onto the panel.<ref>[http://syinsi.com/finishing-aluminum-panels/ Toner], Syinsi</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151008092458/http://www.stereoping.com/eurorack-frontplatten-erstellen-mit-der-toner-transfer-methode/?lang=en Eurorack DIY Front panels with toner transfer method], Stereoping Music Devices, Gregor Zoll</ref>
== See also ==
* [[
* [[MOTM
* [[MU
* [[Eurorack
* [[Frac
* [[Serge
* [[Anodizing aluminum]]
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== External links ==
* [https://www.synthpanels.design/ Synth Panels Designer], Inkscape extension
* [https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/downloads/front_panel_designer/?no_cache=1 Front Panel Designer]
* [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ModularSynthPanels/info Modular Synth Panels], Yahoo group
* [http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/frontdesigner.html Abacom FrontDesigner] software.
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* [http://www.nontoxicprint.com/etchcopperandbrass.htm Non-toxic method for etching copper and brass]
* [http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-aluminum-sheets/=xe70s0 About Aluminum], McMaster-Carr
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20190613221410/https://sdiy.info/wiki/File%3AThe_Reprint_Collection_by_Thomas_Henry_CC_BY_NC.pdf Making Rack Panels]'' by Thomas Henry, Electronotes, Volurne 13, Number !22, February 1981, pp. 5-9.
* [http://electronicmusic.wikia.com/wiki/Front_panel Front panel], Electronic Music Wiki
* [https://bricosoluce.com/comment-transferer-une-image-sur-du-metal/ Transférer une image sur du métal : Technique 2 sur 2 – La méthode inédite Bricosoluce], using OHP film, inkjet printer and a thin film of epoxy resin.
=== Designs ===
* [http://modularsynthesis.com/modules/parts/parts.htm Front Panel Express Templates] by David Brown, ModularSynthesis.com
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=== Etching ===
* [http://www.nontoxicprint.com/etchinginnovationcontent.htm Etching Innovation], nontoxicprint
* [https://www.
[[Category:Front panels]]
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