11 Slot DIY API 500 series rack

[burdij]

There have been a couple of other threads about modular mixers using 500 modules. Here is one:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=29207.0

I think the general consensus is that one rack in a mixer has to have a specialized bus to connect the assignment modules together. Certainly this is the case with the Tonelux, the Purple, and the Tree mixers. I have defined my own bus system for the unit I am building (at a somewhat glacial pace):

The top two bins have more or less standard 500 backplanes although I have seperated the front from the back to allow for stereo ins and outs. The power pins are common front and back so "legacy" modules (which had the front and back pins tied together) won't blow up. They just can't take advantage of the extra inputs and outputs.

The third bin has a 30 pin .156 spacing connector at the normal module spacing and a 60 pin .100 connector in the "alternate" position. This allows for 8 main buses, stereo control room bus, stereo solo bus, pfl, and a 5.1 mix bus. In addition, it provides for a completely independent set of stereo inputs and outputs (per module position) that I am planning to use for loopbacks.

 

[[silent:arts]]

When you say hot swap, do you really mean you pull modules out without powering down? Is that OK to do?

I do. at least in Germany the initial idea behind the modular concept was for easy maintenance.
exchanging broken units in the middle of a production. in a Telefunken or Neumann desk I can't exchange modules like "I want another EQ" today, they all have different pinouts and often different connectors.
but I can exchange a broken module while broadcasting.
and I can't shut down the broadcast station to exchange a broken amplifier ...

 

[[silent:arts]]

burdij, now this is a really nice work.
and completely DIY

 

[jsteiger]

If I want a 560 on the snare top instead of a 550, quick hot swap the modules and your are done.

When you say hot swap, do you really mean you pull modules out without powering down? Is that OK to do?

Yes. No problems at all from what I can see. This has always been the common practice for API console users. I usually deselect my control monitors or turn them down.

 

[dandeurloo]

Funny(not really) how you don't hear much about Ford these days but GM is still on the verge of going under. We must let them go. They should not run that company like Government. I am tired of all this bailout BS. Nobody is bailing me out of anything.

[/quote]

i agree.  and I was always a Chevy person 

 

[DIYnoob!]

any updates??

 

[diyfanatic]

dude be patient...like everyone else here I just try to not asking and each time I see the threag going up, I almost pee myself. :
please be gentle with my underwear!!!!

 

[mikefatom]

lol, so true!

I would love me one of those. I've been eyeing the bigrackaudio one for a while and even thought about going API500V  :-[
This is definitely one of the coolest projects on here!

Peace,
mike

 

[DIYnoob!]

I think I pissed my pants already!

 

[jsteiger]

I think I pissed my pants already!

Adult diapers. Works for me.  ;D

 

[DIYnoob!]

hahaha well it looks like a lot of people are gonna be in on this one!

 

[jsteiger]

Hi Volker,

I mentioned an idea a while back about optional bus tracks on the unused pins of the 51X rack. Using your pin-out legend for the 18 pin card edge connectors, I came up with a quick pic to convey my idea to you. This is just an idea and since I don't know your actual physical board layout, I did not take into account any of your existing tracks.

With the 4 unused pins, 3, 7, 9 and 11, we have the opportunity to do some pretty flexible things. With all the jumpers installed, we could have 4 bus tracks for maybe L,R and 2 sends or whatever. Not a full fledged "console" module but way more than anything that can be done in a standard 500 series rack. Bus resistors would have to reside on the individual modules, like it is in my console.

With the optional Molex connectors installed, IE: JP1-JP2, this would give us 2 more balanced signals to and from each module. I only show one set but these would have to repeat for every slot.These would of course have to be on the back side of the board. I'm not sure how much room you have back there. We would also need some Dsub optional knock-outs in the metal work if the builder chose to make use of these tracks.

If one would make use of the bus track idea, you could daisy-chain link multiple rack enclosures to sum or combine many channels. I suppose they could also be used for 2 balanced buses if that's what someone would desire.

Anyhow, here's a rough pic of what I mean.

I hope I have explained myself clearly and this makes sense. I'm curious to see if anyone finds this potentially useful.

Oh, I know 16 is unused too but I am guessing that it would be more difficult to make other use of this on a module card due to location. I suppose it could be set up the same way. I guess the cost of the boards would not change with any of this.

Keep up the great work guys! 

Cheers, Jeff

 

[sunnen1]

i would not want to see any gear that might try to use pins 3, 7, 9 and 11, as they do have designated uses.
i would hate to see someone plug a unit into a API console a fry something?
why not just use a different card and module for bussing?
or am i missing something?

 

[jsteiger]

i would not want to see any gear that might try to use pins 3, 7, 9 and 11, as they do have designated uses.
i would hate to see someone plug a unit into a API console a fry something?
why not just use a different card and module for bussing?
or am i missing something?

Yes, you are missing the fact that in the 18 pin 51X rack, pins 3, 7, 9, 11 and 16 have no contact in Volkers current PCB layout. My idea, would force the user/builder to install these jumper pins and/or Molex connectors. So, I suppose if one populated their PCB with summing bus jumpers installed and then mistakenly plugged a stock 512c or whatever in there...well user beware I suppose. That would be a silly operator error IMHO. If the bus jumpers are not installed, any stock 500 module would work perfectly fine.

But, there are 2 more thoughts here. This idea is proposed only for the 18-pin PCB, not the standard 15-pin. This probably rules out two thirds of the PCB's that will be used. I assume most will go 15-pin, not 18-pin.

The other thought is to use the little plastic stops that are fitted inside the Cinch connectors. These are used in most all of my desk connectors for this very reason. The corresponding PCB's need to be notched to go around these stops. This would also eliminate the potential issue.

The additional different backplane for full fledged console modules is a necessity anyhow. This idea was just a thought to make the standard 18-pin board slightly more flexible. I'm sure these will be less money due to the volume being manufactured.

Cheers, Jeff

 

[[silent:arts]]

will think about it. only 11 minutes internet left for now, since I'm sitting in a hotel and have to use a very expensive T-Online hotspot ...

my thinking is most will build the 18 slot version, since the 15 pins fit.
doesn't matter, it is the same backplane.
involving pin 16 to any use Jeff is right - it wouldn't fit any 15 pin version.
at the moment I'm leaning more to a separate summing / console backplane.
we will never cover all needs for all applications, but I think there is no need for a case with micpres, eqs AND summing.

internet time over, will be back tomorrow evening at home

 

[DIYnoob!]

Wie geht's volker

not to be a stickler or anything, but is there an official release date for this build?
I'm so anxious...can't you tell. On the summing idea, people can build there own
if they like. hope all is going well with the build!

Wiedersehen!

 

[[silent:arts]]

Wie geht's volker

gut, danke - endich wieder in Berlin

... is there an official release date for this build? ...

no. we are not a company
we will release once metalwork is completely done, and a prototype is tested.
in the meantime we are sourcing some prices over world for parts in bigger quantities for kits, to keep costs down.

just be patient

 

[Brizco]

in the meantime we are sourcing some prices over world for parts in bigger quantities for kits, to keep costs down.

contact me by pm if you're still sourcing neutrik connectors...

 

[moamps]

Hi guys,
I'm contemplating building an API-like rack with 22pin Edacs left over from some old consoles
but I'm not sure if the API modules with full metal chassis (550,560?) would fit because
they have smaller holes on the rear panel. I've searched for the pictures and measures of the rear side of these
modules with no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Milan

EDIT:
I have managed to find some blurred images of the 550b's rear side which
show that the Edac connector likely goes into the metal housing, implying that
only the 15pin Edac can be used. 

 

[evm1024]

I'm more than happy to stay with 2x15 connectors and to put a header on the preamp PCB to supply any other voltages or signals needed. Heck, set the header such that it takes the standard lunchbox voltages this wan or takes other voltages that way.

Regards, Ethan

PS I'm just waiting for the kit to be available!