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

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Combining 5U MOTM and Synthesizers.com modules in the same cabinet (view source)

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==MOTM/Modcan B-series in a Synthesizers.com cabinet==
[[File:dotcomlip.jpg|thumb|right|350px250px|middle|The Synthesizers.com format module has a side lip.]]This section only discusses wooden cabinets, not racks. To fit MOTM-format modules, (including Modcan B-series), into a wooden Synthesizers.com cabinet, 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, the power considerations (see below).
 
===Height Issues===
[[File:motmnolip.jpg|thumb|right|350px250px|middle|The MOTM module edge is straight edge with no side lip.]]Synthesizers.com and MOTM-format modules are ''technically'' the same height. The real difference is the fact that Synthesizers.com-format modules have a lip on one side. This is to mount the PCB perpendicular to the front panel, simplifying construction and cutting down on hardware cost.<ref>Harmony Central:[http://www.harmonycentral.com/t5/keys-synths-amp-samplers/apparently-i-m-building-synth-modules-now/td-p/8209099 Apparently I'm building synth modules now.]</ref>
 
[[File:motmmindthegap.jpg|thumb|right|350px250px|middle|The red shade highlights the gap left in order to centre the module.]]The mounting holes of MOTM-format modules are also placed at a slightly different vertical height to those on Synthesizer Dot Com modules. This means that if placing a MOTM-format module on the floor of a Synthesizer Dot Com cabinet its mounting holes will not reach the top rail completely. To counter this, make sure that any MOTM-format modules are centered in the rails before drilling mounting holes for them.[[File:mountingholes.jpg|thumb|right|350px250px|middle|The MOTM holes are marked in green and Synthesizers.com in red.]] Mark the holes making sure the module is centered and 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.com ones.[[File:happytogether.jpg|thumb|right|350px250px|middle|The two formats mounted in the same case.]]
 
===Width issues===
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==Power considerations==
All modules from the 5U manufacturers need a +/- 15v power supply. [[Frac Rack]] modules and [[Wiard Synthesizer Company|Wiard]] 300 series also use +/- 15v. Some 5U manufacturers also need a 5v source, specifically Synthesizers.com and some of the newer MOTM modules from Synthesis Technology, e.g. the [[MOTM-650]]. Most 5U manufacturers sell suitable power supplies:
:[[Synthesizers.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]])▼
Most 5U manufacturers sell suitable power supplies:
▲:[[Synthesizers.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:
 
[[File:connpfl.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]]Synthesizers.com use a 6 pin connector to get power from the power supply to modules.[[File:qdh20s.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]] 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.▼
===Synthesizers.com===▼
Synthesizers.com use a 6 pin connector to get power from the power supply to modules.
 
[[File:4AMP6404274.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]]MOTM Synthesis Technology 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). Power is distributed from the power supply via power distribution boards.[[File:motm960.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]][[File:motm990image.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]] 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_connpfl_1.jpg]]
 
[[File:3AMP_6404283.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]]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:distro.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle|The Modcan distribution board.]]Power is distributed from the power supply via a distribution board. The Modcan one is completely compatible with Cyndustries modules.
▲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.
 
==Distributing power to a mix of 5U formats==
[[File:74_qdh20s_1.jpg]]
There is more than one way to distribute power to a mix of 5U formats.
 
▲===Synthesizers.com with MOTM format===
===MOTM Synthesis Technology===
[[File:qmpsa.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]]To only add one or two Synthesizers.com or MOTM format modules to a system mainly of the other format then use the Synthesizers.com QMPSA adaptor which convert between the two formats. This adaptor also provides a 5v source so Synthesizers.com modules can be run off a MOTM +/-15v power supply.[[File:motm995image.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle]] 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’sMOTM 995 convertor boards – MOTM 995. This gives a combination of 6 pin Synthesizers.com, with 4 pin and 6 pin MOTM connectors and can be connected to either a Synthesizers.com or MOTM +/- 15v and 5v power source.▼
▲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)
 
The other option is to use a Synthesizers.com power supply with a power harness to connect to the Synthesizers.com modules. Strip one of the 6 pin connectors off the power harness and, using the colour-coded wiring guide on the Synthesizers.com site, wire the harness directly to one of the two main MOTM power distribution boards. that are pictured above – theyThey 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.com harness and tape it up.▼
[[File:74_4AMP6404274_1.jpg]]
 
===Modcan &with Cyndustries===▼
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:combodistro_1.gif]]Adding Modcan and/or Cyndustries is a relatively straightforward task and in many ways similar to connecting Synthesizers.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 for the power cables to be terminated with MOTM style 4 pin connectors. Then use exactly the same type of distribution system used with a MOTM or MOTM/Synthesizers.com mix system. Modcan are +/-15v only, 5v can be disregarded. This would also work for Cyndustries modules. 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_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.com & MOTM Synthesis Technology===
If only want to add one or two Synthesizers.com or MOTM format modules to a system mainly of the other format then Synthesizers.com sell their QMPSA adaptor which convert between the two formats. This adaptor also provides a 5v source so Synthesizers.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.com, 4 pin and 6 pin MOTM connectors and can be connected to either a Synthesizers.com or MOTM +/- 15v and 5v power source.
 
[[File:74_m995image_1.jpg]]
 
▲The other option is to use a Synthesizers.com power supply with a power harness to connect to the Synthesizers.com modules. Strip one of the 6 pin connectors off the power harness and, using the colour-coded wiring guide on the Synthesizers.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.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.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.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 ===
[[File:STG_distro_board.jpg|thumb|right|250px|middle|STG cable suitable for powering Synthesizers.com modules from the STG distribution board.]]A further option is the [http://stgsoundlabs.com/products/distro.htm distribution board] made by Suit[[STG and Tie GuySoundlabs]]. These can be ordered with a combination of Synthesizers.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 [http://stgsoundlabs.com/products/power_cable_mu.htm suitable cables] for powering Synthesizers.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>
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*[http://www.synthesizers.com/q101.html Synthesizers.com power components]
*[http://www.synthesizers.com/technical.html Synthesizers.com power wiring information]
*[http://stgsoundlabs.com/products/distro.htm STG Soundlabs distribution board]
*[http://stgsoundlabs.com/products/power_cable_mu.htm STG Soundlabs power cable]
 
[[Category:5U]]
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