Wilba Posted July 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 No, silly... the MIDI sockets!Oh... ;)I don't think this MB-SEQ PCB/case should affect any other bulk orders that are happening now.I don't want people spending money on parts until I do a proper "fit test" of the PCB and all parts with the prototype case, just in case something changes.It's unlikely, but not impossible, that we don't get up to 50 orders for the case, for example... or I make some big mistake with clearance and have to redesign something.More on the bulk order proposals:It would be very handy if I was living in the U.S., cos I'd just get cases and all the parts shipped to me and pack them all up into kits. I wouldn't expect anyone else to volunteer for complete kits, but the next best thing is spreading the work across a few people each willing to run bulk orders. I at least can do the PCBs and SoundWell switched encoders... and then someone (in the U.S.A!) can just do the cases.After thinking about it for most of today... it makes sense for me to post as much of the parts with the PCBs, since even when factoring shipping of large quantities of parts (like switches or sockets) to me, that cost is spread over so many parts and they effectively travel "for free" along with PCBs and the encoders. This might work out cheaper in the long run to having a bulk order for every single component. eg. Consider the datawheel knob from ALBS.de, it makes no sense for someone to run a bulk order just for these knobs and ship just one knob to most people... much better if I just get 50 sent to me, spread the 20 EUR or whatever shipping across the total cost and pack them with PCBs and encoders.I guess I'm blogging now (aka. thinking out aloud)... but that's the point of this thread anyway... feedback is good, and it's already caught one design error (thanks bugfight). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ringmod45 Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 Hi Wilba,Great work for the pcb. I am interested 3 or 4 pcb's. I would like to put it behind a 17" by 7" panel.Would be possible to get front panel file so I adjust to my panel? I will be using schaeffer,many thanks.Regards,RM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moogah Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 Well, I'm not sure how much time I'll have, but put me on the list for a potential volunteer to pack and ship in the US. I'm in New Hampshire, which is (relatively) close to protocase (6 hours driving ;)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dioioib Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 I got you beat there I am about 15 minutes away. Only one problem, I'd have to bring them across the boarder. damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Great work for the pcb. I am interested 3 or 4 pcb's. I would like to put it behind a 17" by 7" panel.Would be possible to get front panel file so I adjust to my panel? I will be using schaeffer,many thanks.I will release the FPD file once the PCB design is finished, but I think people should wait until they have PCBs in hand before ordering panels.People making their own panels are not restricted to rectangular button caps, they could if they wanted to use illuminated MEC switches but they'll need to adjust the positions of labels, and the arrangement might not look that nice.I chose the e-switch 12x12mm tact and C&K button cap because they're cheap, readily available, look great, and leave room for discrete 3mm LEDs above them, allowing easy use of dual colour LEDs for steps and user choice of LEDs elsewhere... a bulk order price of about 58 x $0.51 for switches/caps = $30 total per MB-SEQ, plus $10 max for LEDs, now that's a lot more affordable (and reasonable) than spending $120 or more on $2 illuminated switches... you might as well save that cash for the Duo-LED button matrix, in which you really do need 64 illuminated switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dioioib Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 you might as well save that cash for the Duo-LED button matrix, in which you really do need 64 illuminated switches.I think I am interested in knowing more about this project, as I have an RGB LED array 8x8 = 64 waiting for something to interface with. What else can you tell me about this project, or where is the thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sebiiksbcs Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 I think I am interested in knowing more about this project, as I have an RGB LED array 8x8 = 64 waiting for something to interface with. What else can you tell me about this project, or where is the thread?You can find infos for the duo-LED button matrix at this thread: http://www.midibox.org/forum/index.php/topic,10476.msg79411.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enth Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 I'm in for an PCB, and possibly for the panel + parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xarolium Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 i'm in too for the PCB and i would like to wait to see the face!!Very great work Wilba i don't need to sleep because you still have f_cking project!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugfight Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 ...and i would like to wait to see the face!!...speaking of....where are the mounting holes/fittings?[whine]not jb-weld i hope...[/whine] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sineSurfer Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 I may be interested on 1 of all that will be available :Dmmm... that means to say goodbye to some of the mec switches eyecandy.[whine]not jb-weld i hope...[/whine]please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 well...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efkiD5YfEMQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugfight Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 i'm so seriously... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I don't know why a couple of people have trouble with "the JB-Weld trick"...I've used it on seven MB-6582 front panels (five from Front Panel Express, two from Altitude's bulk order) with 100% success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bugfight Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 if "100% success" means "i can snap them off with my fingers, but it takes a bit of effort"to test roadworthiness, hand them to the gorillas at your nearest zoo.they'll treat it better than your average roadie...(not that i have roadies, well not paid ones)or try the mackie test, run over it with a truck!ok, ok, i'll stop. but anyway, once i drilled the corners on the 6582 i was satisfied with it's toughness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 if "100% success" means "i can snap them off with my fingers, but it takes a bit of effort""100% success" means I needed a pair of pliers and 300 Newtons of force to pull it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stryd_one Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Heh, you said "pull it off" ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peake Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 I would be so into this if I hadn't already dedicated myself to using the illuminated MEC switches (clicky version from goldmine-elec.com for hella cheap)...Good news for the community, though! Rock on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 You can still use the MEC switches with the PCB:People making their own panels are not restricted to rectangular button caps, they could if they wanted to use illuminated MEC switches but they'll need to adjust the positions of labels, and the arrangement might not look that nice.It's a personal preference I guess. I think the MB-SEQ suits switches with separate LEDs, or switches with an integrated LED that's a discrete illuminated point above the place you press... like those old-school switches on the TR-808 (and MB-808!). I also like those switches with an entirely illuminated cap, if they're big enough to see it lit while you're pressing it.There were many iterations of my layout, and in a few of them I used the MECs with the big round white cap (like what stryd_one is going to bulk order), but I just wasn't 100% happy with the arrangement... again I'm trying to squeeze as much as possible into a standard sized panel, and keep the costs down using relatively cheap parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilba Posted July 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 Update:The current plan is to not proceed with an all-in-one case made by Protocase.The overall design remains unchanged, the main change is, the frontpanel is a single flat piece that's screwed into a folded sheet steel case that's a sloping desktop case shape (same shape/dimensions/cutouts as previously discussed). I'm going to work with Doug Wellington to produce this case design. The advantages are:1. People can make their own MB-SEQ frontpanel using different artwork, different cutouts for switches, different PCB even! and screw it into a generic MB-SEQ desktop/rack mountable case. You won't be stuck with my particular preference for frontpanel colour and artwork, since you can always order your own frontpanel from FPE/Schaeffer.2. A bulk order for frontpanels to match this PCB/layout might be run by Doug, meaning he's a little more flexible than a bulk order done elsewhere. Doug might do a custom job for you, if he can use the same silkscreen as the rest of the bulk order, or pay extra for a custom silkscreen, I don't really know... it's just a theory, Doug might disagree ;)3. One of the concerns I had with the Protocase option was it's OK me to pay a huge price for a one-off prototype, but it leaves everyone else stuck until 50 people can get together with their cash and order 50, and then it's a shipping nightmare for somebody. This way, people can get a frontpanel (from FPE/Schaeffer) as soon as they have the PCB, knowing that they can get a case to fit sometime later.4. The case design could be reused for other projects. The design is a copy of the MB-808 case design anyway... but I'm sure other MIDIbox projects could squeeze into the same sized case, and it might be possible to order this case without cutouts so you could drill your own to suit another MIDIbox project, I don't really know... it's just a theory, Doug might disagree ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Wellington Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 1. People can make their own MB-SEQ frontpanel using different artwork, different cutouts for switches, different PCB even! and screw it into a generic MB-SEQ desktop/rack mountable case. You won't be stuck with my particular preference for frontpanel colour and artwork, since you can always order your own frontpanel from FPE/Schaeffer.I'll put a template FPD file on the web so that you can all start working on panel designs that will fit on this case.2. A bulk order for frontpanels to match this PCB/layout might be run by Doug, meaning he's a little more flexible than a bulk order done elsewhere. Doug might do a custom job for you, if he can use the same silkscreen as the rest of the bulk order, or pay extra for a custom silkscreen, I don't really know...Sure. Absolutely. No problem. ... Wait, what am I agreeing to? ;DIf you guys are patient while I finish the MB-808 and MB-6582 panels first, I'll be happy to do custom multicolor panels... :)4. The case design could be reused for other projects. The design is a copy of the MB-808 case design anyway... but I'm sure other MIDIbox projects could squeeze into the same sized case, and it might be possible to order this case without cutouts so you could drill your own to suit another MIDIbox project, I don't really know...Yes, I have the same basic design in different depths (or rack mount height if you prefer), at the moment, 3U, 4U and 7U. I can leave off the holes if you want to use different connectors. I'll post more info soon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnowGood Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 Is there a wiki somewhere for this? I couldn't find one on any of the pages within this thread. Please count me in for 1 PCB and 1 case/frontpanel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbv2 Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 hi allcount me in too..for 1xpcb + case + frontpanelthank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brother303 Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi everybody,I`m in for one pcb and a case with frontpanel. ;DTHX! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnowGood Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Hmmm, is this going to happen if there is enough interest? Or will it happen regardless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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