fussylizard

Here's a pic. As I suspected the exposure time completely changes how it looks. I wish it were half as bright as in the picture. Ah, well. It's good enough and is a nice display so I should probably stop whining about it and start using the sammichFM! Thx, C

Will do tomorrow. Glad to hear your pot does nothing either. I compared the brightness to my MB-6582 and to be honest it is about the same as the CrystalFontz display I used. However I have some very nice Optrex 2x40 displays (from the bulk order I ran a whIle back) for MB-SEQ and they are much brighter. It's probably fine but I'll post a pic that hopefully will help. Thx, C

Damn! So close, so close... BTW Did you get the blue Optrex recommended by Wilba (C-51505NFQJ-LB-AJN)? Mine is a little dimmer than I would like. The backlight pot has zero effect both with and without JR4A. Contrast is set to max (or is it min?). So does the backlight pot do anything on yours? Thx, C

FWIW I recently finished a sammichFM that followed Siempre's color scheme. I tried 3 different LEDs using the stock 220 resistor. One (Mouser 604-W934MBDK) had 25 mcd brightness and was perfect (I don't like super-bright LEDs). The other two were 700 mcd (Mouser 593-VAOL-3LSBY1) and 190 mcd (Mouser 859-LTL1CHCBK - end of life part so not recommended). The latter two were much too bright so I tried Siempre's painted-LED trick and it worked great. I just dipped each one right into the paint about 3-4 mm. The brightness was good with a single coat. In the end I went with the un-painted version since is was the most straightforward and I was worried the paint would make the LED too big for the hole. So now the important question: do I still get to call my color scheme (arctic white case + blue LCD/LED) the "Siempre de la Luna Edition" without painted LEDs? :-) Regards, C

Here's what I was thinking on a rear panel design (see image). It doesn't have an ETH port, but that could obviously be added. I don't like having the MIDI ports split into two groups as on the other case, hence the need for panel mount MIDI jacks. Panel mount for everything gives more flexibility for layout as well. I agree the other case requires some strange use of spacers and such, so again, panel mount to the rescue. I couldn't find a panel-mount SD card, but I think some small L-brackets would do the trick, along with some spacers on the rear (IIRC that was discussed in the thread for the other case). It has an IEC power plug + fuse so I could generate the +/- required for the AOUT_NG. I have samples of the parts that I measured for doing this layout and can supply part numbers if anyone is interested. I also have an SVG of the attached image if anyone wants it. My idea for the top flat part (see image) was to do 8 trigger and CV outs, and have stereo audio in/out through an SSM filter. The necessary filter CV signals (2 x cutoff and resonance) would be shared with 4 of the CV outs and controlled via the filter enable/bypass switch (would need relays or a many pole switch to make this work I think). I've not tried it, but it seems the MB-SEQ should be able to sequence the filter which might be fun. And besides, that space just *begs* for something! All your discussion on this case has gotten me back thinking about building my MB-SEQ... Thx, C

That's a great idea to have Hammond do it since they can do all the machining before the panel is folded. Another good thing is there is plenty of space for an on-board power supply (including center-tapped transformer for doing +/- supplies), 4xIIC MIDI modules, AOUT_NG, etc. What would you have Hammond do for the rear? The design I was working on a while back included a DB-25 "expansion port" like on the MB-6582 for future expansion. When I get home I'll see if I can dig out any of my drawings I started a while back on my plans for this case. To fit as much as possible on the rear panel I found some panel-mount USB extender cables, and I was going to use panel-mount MIDI jacks as well. I'm sort of torn on the LEDs. I want to solder it all up and try out the SEQ with the AOUT_NG and an SSM filter module to (1) see if I can get it all working and (2) see if I like it before doing custom machining / whatever with a front panel. Did you use standard 10mm spacers? The LEDs in your pic look a little low to me but it might just be the pic. I suppose I can probably just measure my MB-6582 LED height and shoot for the same height (plus/minus any delta for the difference in panel thickness) and then use spacers to get the LED height consistent. Also, can you post a pic of your MB-808? Curious how it came out re: your above comments. Sorry for all the questions! Thx, C

If I'm not mistaken I have that exact same case. I was planning on getting FPE to machine it when the other case option came up so I was planning on getting in on that instead since I like the form factor better. My plan on the flat part on top was to put gate and CV outs, and/or maybe an audio in/out to sequence an SSM filter module. Are you not a fan of engraving, or was it just too expensive? At any rate I'm interested (path of least resistance!). Keep us posted and let me know if you need help running anything. Oh, one more thing- how did you set the height of your LEDs consistently w/out a case? Thx, C

Crikey! I slack for a few months and come back and Wilba's gone and designed a whole new project. Beautiful job as always!

I still laugh every time I see theez lolcatz picturz...

Not 100% but a helpful list for the MB-6582 CS:

+1 for me. Thanks, C

TK, How did you solve the issue of spacers on the other boards that go to the rear panel? As you noted the CORE32 has the spacers moved back due to the USB jack, but the other boards do not have that. I have been considering how to do this on another case and was planning to use panel-mount MIDI jacks (those nice shiny ones that Bugfight likes) and a panel-mounted USB cable extender (http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1532&sku=28070). But I still have a problem with the SD card mounting holes (pity I have not been able to find a panel-mounted SD card jack). I was thinking I would use two small L brackets to connect the board to the rear panel, but I'm open to better ideas... BTW It looks like from this picture (http://midibox.org/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=viewimage&img=427) that the connectors on the corners can rotate to change the angle of the case depending on how tall the rear panel is. Very clever. In this same picture you can also see the 1mm extrusion on the back panel holding it in place. Thanks, C

My boards arrived today, thanks! No worries on delays. Having run a couple of bulk orders I know how much time it takes! Regards, C

Yes, but which side has the connector, where are the mounting holes, etc. :-) Whenever you get to it, thanks! C

Seppoman, Can you provide the dimensions on the SDCARD module in the current bulk order? I may want to use it in my MB-SEQ design so it would be helpful to see the board size, layout, etc. for planning purposes. Figured I'd post my question here instead of PM in case others are interested. Looking forward to the bulk order! Thanks, C

These look like nice enclosures. Has anyone ordered from them?

Don't give me that much credit. I just shipped a few packages so Wilba could focus on sammichSID. :-) I'm out of PCBs from the January order, so people wanting MB-SEQ boards should add their names to the bulk order page like you did. Regards, C

If you're into dance stuff get some of the Vengeance Sound sample CDs. Airwave Triloops is pretty good also. I'm getting better at programming dance drum loops. Still have a ways to go. The Jomox 888 helps a bit since you get a nice, full sound with little processing (though a little pumping compression helps). You need a little swing as well. And just start adding in quiet little accents here and there as well as some toms or little clicks or bleeps. I often will add in a loop for a shaker or extra hats or something which helps. I made a pretty good loop the other night using Tattoo and some other little bits and I'm still not 100% sure how I got there, but the main gist is practice, practice, practice... Hopefully I won't have to work this weekend and I can get in some music time!