Hi,
First I apologize if this information is easily available, I have done a little searching but not (easily) found what I was looking for.
It seems to me that the 51x DIY standard/specification has sat on the horizon for a while and is now starting to really take off. I am REALLY excited by the idea of 51x and look forward to seeing it grow (and building, perhaps designing, a few 51x things) it is an awesome platform for DIY development. Whether it be cloning cool vintage gear, designing radical new stuff or just tinkering or building handy studio gizmo's 51x gives an easy and standardized development platform.
As an aside, I have designed a few circuits here and there (very basic) and either dalo'd or PCB print and etched them, all a bit primitive (and have done a little playing with Eagle software, mostly schematics not PCB's). Is there a recommended PCB layout program that most people are using? (Preferably Mac Compatible)
Anyway the 51x questions I have:
1. Does there exhist some "Standards" documentation for the 51x platform (ie. a schematic of what a unit should look like, sizes, etc). I see the pinout and the front panel dimensions on the website, but that's all the detail I could find).
2. Does (anyone else thing it would be great if) there exhist a 51x design "Primer"?
For example, say there are a few standard programs that are popular for a few jobs (lets say there's 3 - Schematics, PCB's and Front Panels) would it be great to have a "Starting Point", like a .zip that contained a blank front pannel for [insert front pannel program here] and a PCB that contained a blank card with the backplane connector and was setup to be the correct size for [insert PCB program here] and say a schematic that contained the backplane connector (or an object to suit popular schematic program/s). Perhaps a PDF with some drawings and specifications of what a few standard (blank) module configurations would look like (Single, Double).
On top of this, if there always needs to be metalwork to fix the PCB and the front pannel together. Could this be a standard item available to purchase (say from the 51x site, or around the forums here).
I guess what I'm getting at is if someone here (let's say a newer member, like me) had an idea to build something, it would be great if they could download a .zip file from the 51x website to help get them on their way. (it all feels a little "Secret mens business" at the moment)
I realize this means work (and/or time) for someone, I'm willing to help out in any way I could.
What do we think? (Will I now wait around to get flamed?)
First I apologize if this information is easily available, I have done a little searching but not (easily) found what I was looking for.
It seems to me that the 51x DIY standard/specification has sat on the horizon for a while and is now starting to really take off. I am REALLY excited by the idea of 51x and look forward to seeing it grow (and building, perhaps designing, a few 51x things) it is an awesome platform for DIY development. Whether it be cloning cool vintage gear, designing radical new stuff or just tinkering or building handy studio gizmo's 51x gives an easy and standardized development platform.
As an aside, I have designed a few circuits here and there (very basic) and either dalo'd or PCB print and etched them, all a bit primitive (and have done a little playing with Eagle software, mostly schematics not PCB's). Is there a recommended PCB layout program that most people are using? (Preferably Mac Compatible)
Anyway the 51x questions I have:
1. Does there exhist some "Standards" documentation for the 51x platform (ie. a schematic of what a unit should look like, sizes, etc). I see the pinout and the front panel dimensions on the website, but that's all the detail I could find).
2. Does (anyone else thing it would be great if) there exhist a 51x design "Primer"?
For example, say there are a few standard programs that are popular for a few jobs (lets say there's 3 - Schematics, PCB's and Front Panels) would it be great to have a "Starting Point", like a .zip that contained a blank front pannel for [insert front pannel program here] and a PCB that contained a blank card with the backplane connector and was setup to be the correct size for [insert PCB program here] and say a schematic that contained the backplane connector (or an object to suit popular schematic program/s). Perhaps a PDF with some drawings and specifications of what a few standard (blank) module configurations would look like (Single, Double).
On top of this, if there always needs to be metalwork to fix the PCB and the front pannel together. Could this be a standard item available to purchase (say from the 51x site, or around the forums here).
I guess what I'm getting at is if someone here (let's say a newer member, like me) had an idea to build something, it would be great if they could download a .zip file from the 51x website to help get them on their way. (it all feels a little "Secret mens business" at the moment)
I realize this means work (and/or time) for someone, I'm willing to help out in any way I could.
What do we think? (Will I now wait around to get flamed?)