technobreath Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) Yo! I'd like to introduce this thing. If you are one of the many who have been following the GM5 bulk order thread, chances are u picked up this. Well, here's the compo thread! What is this? Some background info (qouting myself here): And -> I have ordered 6 chips and 4 nils-boards - If I keep em all to myself I have 6 boards and 8 chips in total. I really don't need that many I/Os . I signed up for those numbers becasue I wanted to make this happen, not just for me, but for everyone else. Let's just put it this way - I will never have the use for 30 midi I/Os myself. To make it interesting (if the admins will let me and don't think it's a stupid idea - please tell me so in that case): Background is that I got a very good deal on my first two gm5x5x5 boards myself back when I bought em. Since I have now signed up for more than I needed, I will be responsible and share around myself as I ones was "shared with". MIDIBox community is "gold" and a lot of people have fun here, and learn a lot of stuff - I have learnt a lot myself -> I would like to "invest" something back in the community. What I would like is to set up a competition of some kind where the prize is 2x GM5x5x5 PCB including the chip. Maybe one winner or two, don't know yet . Have no idea what kinda compo either yet. Let's be clear. My proposal aint to gain cred, fame, friends, nothing like that. It's just a funny way of "investing" in the people of this community - ultimately providing a platform for people to learn more about midibox and electronics. The only catch is that I need the winner(s) to pay for the shipping, but that should be affordable for about anyone I gather... I'm no richie rich, just a normal person with family and too many midi interfaces hehe, so I thought it would be funny to stir it up a little bit with this thing ;). So! Prize for the winner is 2x GM5x5x5 PCB including chips! Another quote from rosch: ok i'll deliver the rest of the board components then for the winner (not the panel mount stuff). Another from rosch maybe you could offer it as prize for the best Schaeffer/FPE 19" 1U panel layout for 2 instances of the GM5x5x5, all in/outs on the back, on the front the usb,leds and maybe 1 or 2 pairs of midi jacks on the froont too for easy access on the fly It actually looks like the prize now is the following: 2x GM5x5x5 PCB 2x GM5 Chips 2x Component kit for the PCB - excluding the MIDI connectors and everything that isn't to be mounted on the PCBs. This is a really nice prize for the winner! Design guidelines is discussed, and if u have input on this, please leave a comment. I will not post any official guidelines now, but update this thread when it's finalized. The way it looks now is that the whole community will decide the winner out of a few finalists by voting. My hope for this is that many people will learn a lot in the process, and that it will be fun! I also take it for granted that the design will be released for the community to use afterwards. Anyway! This was supposed to act as a teaser - I will come back later and tidy up this entry :P. Edited September 14, 2012 by technobreath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) . Edited September 14, 2012 by Arkay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technobreath Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Dude, I know - I wrote this in the middle of the night :) And I insured myself against nitpickers :P (that was a joke) Anyway! This was supposed to act as a teaser - I will come back later and tidy up this entry :P. Next u try to write this in Norwegian :P (that was another joke) Edited September 14, 2012 by technobreath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) . Edited September 14, 2012 by Arkay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeye Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 By the way: great initiative! Am looking forward to seeing some nice case designs :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosch Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 it would be great to have all 20 midi jacks on the back as well as the usb connectors. and on the ones on the front maybe with a switch each so you could easily switch over to front when you like to test new equipment and keep the standard wiring on the back. but sure that's probably not what everybody wants, and i can just drill those 2 extra holes on my panel (and more desired midi socket holes on the back) does the competition also include a design for the back side? or would a drilling guide to diy be enough? a thing to consider is that there are different cases, so it would be good if there could be some minimum distance from the borders to allow use of different case types. if there's a nice midibox glorifying design and some interest we could do a bulk order. i need 2 at least. we could ask julianF if/when there are some numbers. and if we can find easily available standard panel mount parts i'll include the panel stuff too in the priZe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nILS Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Small nitpick technobreath, and I feel bad for saying it as I'm not one of those spelling nazi's on forums. But I'm sure you mean "Prize", not price ;) Even if English isn't your primary language :) In this case it really stands out as one you have to pay for, the other is a reward... Small nitpick, Arkay, and I feel bad for saying it, as I'm not one of those spelling nazis on forums, but you're missing a comma, there shouldn't be a "." before "but" and it's "nazis" not "nazi's". Please stop doing that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technobreath Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Yo rosch, the switchable port front / back is a neat idea... How is it doable in real life is a bit more complicated. There are 5 wires that need to be switched, no? It would be a really cool feature. Could it be done electronically? It would be cool to have one pushbutton that says "switch" or similar. I haven't studied electonic switching techniques, so I have no idea myself how to solve it - yet :D. It could easily be achieved with some small signal relays. In either case I can smack up a Eagle PCB layout designed in a way that it can easily be etched at home, or ordered if that is an option. Or is there simply a switch (affordable and available) that can do the same thing mechanically? I'll do some research on this myself, but please comment if u have a bright idea! :). My suggestions on the other things are that design should be for both front and back. A drillguide would of course be useful, but it would be nice with some letters and numbers on the back too :). We just gotta watch out so that it doesn't get too expensive for people to buy afterwards -> that would kinda go against the whole idea about the compo! :). I'll be back later today and upgrade the first post, now that we seem to be close to an understanding about the guidelines :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosch Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) i'll have a look for switches too. i got 2 round six layer / 2 pole pushbutton toggle switches here with on/off indicator . these would be great but i believe they're far from 'available'. but since with 5 layers (or what it's called) we'd need just 2 switches total for both channels it wouldn't be that much a financial issue if they cost a few bux (sorry, i mean bucks) and yes a labeled back side would be great, it's important to see what you're doing without touching it with the nose in dim light behind the racks Edited September 14, 2012 by rosch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artyman Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Here's a couple more ideas to add to the pot... There's no real need to switch a port from front to back.. just have 1 port (in and out) on the front and all the rest on the back. that's how it's done on my MOTU Midi express XT. Another way could be to have the front sockets wired in parallel with the rear ones, and just use it as an 'either one, but not both' option, or fit a midi merger on the 2 I/P sockets so both could be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Small nitpick, Arkay, and I feel bad for saying it, as I'm not one of those spelling nazis on forums, but you're missing a comma, there shouldn't be a "." before "but" and it's "nazis" not "nazi's". Please stop doing that. Wow. Edited September 14, 2012 by Arkay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosch Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 There's no real need to switch a port from front to back.. just have 1 port (in and out) on the front and all the rest on the back. that's how it's done on my MOTU Midi express XT. you're right, one should be enough and 9 on the back is more than enough actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technobreath Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) Hey again. I'm just putting out the fire here - nobody meant to be a prick - including you :). I'm sure Nils made this comment with a friendly smile around his face, not keyboard commando mode :). We are all really friendly here 99% of the time, and believe me, this situation is not one of those who qualify for angry thoughts and comments :). I did never take this personal, and it is not neccesary to appologize to me, I'm sorry if the comments came across as hostile - they were meant more as a ironic / self-ironic friendly funny thing. Nothing more :). Let us all just interpret this thing as the ting it actually was - a funny comment. And I'm sure this is just Nils' way of welcoming you :D hehe. One gotta pass the sarcastic-nils-test hehe. Most of us is nice friendly guys :). You are welcome to compete, and it will be fun having you around! :) Edited September 14, 2012 by technobreath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nILS Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I just like answering "you made a typo there" with "you made a typo there". :whistle: :flowers: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkay Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 All good. I have no idea what even made me send the first post. I always think people correcting other people's grammar/spelling on forums is a sure sign of them having no life... But then I guess in many many years of posting I haven't really put my foot in my mouth often. It does happen from time to time though... Anyhow. On with the fantastic idea for a competition. I'm absolutely useless at anything with the word "design" in it, but I'll grab some popcorn, sit back, and watch with amazement as the entries roll in. Whilst secretly downloading all the design files in the background for if/when I manage to get a GM5x5x5 pcb/chip :) Cheers, Arkay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK. Posted September 16, 2012 Report Share Posted September 16, 2012 I like the idea as well! :) Best Regards, Thorsten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuriken Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) I made a 1U frontpanel and back panel design in FPD a while back. However i made it as cheap as possible (I figured i could do an inlay myself). If possible i want to see if i can get 2 GM5x5x5 shoved in there. Which might be possible if you mount one upside down. I will have to see, if it will actually fit if i receive my case from modushop (NorthernLightx and me bought some cases together) So i don't have a propper layedout backpanel design yet. There is enough room on the front for 1 midi in/out. The mounting holes are specific for this case. Personally i am not a fan of the USB on the front. But i can imagine that for you laptop users, it might be convenient. Edited September 17, 2012 by Shuriken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosch Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) Yay!! Thank you! First entry! looks great. and the case looks like very good quality too. Awesome design :thumbsup: Edited September 17, 2012 by rosch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtxdude Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Here is what I am doing with mine. Just ordered the metal yesterday from FPD. Should have it in 10 to 12 days. I'll post another pic when I have it assembled. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuriken Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 Here is what I am doing with mine. Just ordered the metal yesterday from FPD. Should have it in 10 to 12 days. I'll post another pic when I have it assembled. Cheers! I assume the smaller panels are top and bottom panels? so no back panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosch Posted September 18, 2012 Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 looks like the back will be the front side of the pcb. what size is this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technobreath Posted September 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2012 OK. I have an idea about the guidelines. Lets scrap em. Post whatever 19" case u are doing (very cool with two GM5x5x5 inside - but single ones are also welcome of COURSE :D) And let us just see what people can come up with :D Shuriken, that case looks like it is good quality - is it as sturdy as it looks too? If so, I'm getting a couple myself for this, and some other gear! HAPPY DESIGNING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtxdude Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 (edited) Yes, the long piece bends 90 deg at the small tick marks along the bottom edge. this piece wraps around the PCB. The top and bottom (the two smaller pieces) go above and below. The whole thing assembles with some M3 x 35mm cap screws and a few spacers like a sandwich. The side with all of the i/o connectors is left open. Should make a small, smart looking package that will fit in the palm of your hand. Cheers, gtxdude Edited September 19, 2012 by gtxdude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sineSurfer Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 hey tb, here are my diy rack cases: and: what do I win again? did I just hear "one gm5 chip"? cool :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilmenator Posted September 19, 2012 Report Share Posted September 19, 2012 I have an idea about the guidelines. Lets scrap em. Post whatever 19" case... But it still has to be 19", i.e. go into a rack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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