DIY Mic Pre Kits, Lunchbox Mic Preamp Kits, Power Supply Kits

I'll get the prototype racks first week of next month. So until then....

I'd have to give the Solidworks guy a finished preamp to work off his dimensioning.

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so currently im thinking i could get the rack case when it is designed, and pick up 2 more ch. of sc1, and stick those two (with transformers for yumminess) and my existing clean 2 into that case with my existing power supply. would this work? would the cases have pre drilled holes etc to allow i/o transformers?

also would they be fit so that the pcb would contain surface mount XLRs, or just wire up as usual?

this is a nice plan in my mind for 4 channels, 2 punchy as hell and 2 clear as glass

No, because people may have different ideas on what output trafo to use, how big they are, etc... At least that's what I'm thinking.

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While we're asking for the world...

It would be nice to have a convertible rack case, i.e. one that can either have feet on the bottom or attachable rail kit to mount it in a rack. Not absolutely necessary of course but would be nice!

ah thats perfectly understandable!

im thinking of investing in a jensen input and output transformers, just going all out. or maybe vary them up within the rack? all different flavours, a spice rack!

This is the road map I'm looking at. It's not set in stone, but given the limitations of budget, sales, this will be the plan.

The following will be the planned offering for rack cases.

FIRST: A 1u x 4channel rack - will fit 4 channels of the stock SC-1 preamp.

The lack of a case is preventing a lot of people from buying the kit. Hopefully, when this 1u rack goes on sale, that will give me an idea if people say they're truly going to buy my kit if I provide a case. If they did... then I'll do the second rack case. If not, then I'd have to do some thinking about this whole thing. I'm putting in a lot to make these cases happen.

By this time, the IO-module should have been finished. Depending on the number of IO-modules I sell, the following will be the second rack case offering.

SECOND: A 2u x 8channel rack - will fit 8 channels of the stock SC-1
OR
A 1u x 2 channel + 2 IO-module rack case

If I'm not selling enough IO-module kits, then a 2u x 8ch will be the next case... otherwise, it's a 1u x 2ch+2IO module case will be the 2nd case offering.


THIRD: A 2u x 4channel + 4 IO-module rack case
OR
2u x 8 channel rack

Again, depending on what people want...


All plans contingent on sales figure, and manufacturing cost of rack cases.

Wish I can provide different case options all at the same time but they're expensive to design, manufacture and keep.


So please spread the word, make recordings, and be "evangelists" of these kits. I don't have high prices but hope to make up for it in volume. If I can't make it up in volume, then I'll have to do some serious thinking.'

But if these kits and cases will gather traction, then you'd see more projects in the future... and maybe even be able to offer future kits cheaper than this! Lots of ideas I want to make happen.... but it all depends on how the market accepts these products.

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If you find a case that takes removable face plates then all you would need is a bunch of face plates and fewer cases. Then you can mix and match depending on orders. That might bring your costs down for all the different configurations, especially if you initially only offer a 2u case.

Scott, you're right. Forgot about that.

The back panel and front panel will be removable according to my designer. So for the additional cases, I'll just need the front panel manufactured if it's the same u size.

1/8" aluminum 5052 alloy for the front, and .060" galvanealed steel for the case, side, top, back. They will be stiff and be of solid feel according to my designer.

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Update! http://fivefishstudios.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=78

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Pwetty!!!

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Nice!!!!


Did you forget the 48v LED's?

That can be fixed....

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Much better.

I know you've got your plans as to how this should proceed, but I'd like to see a 2U 8-channel WITH IO Module and LED Meters.

Would it fit?

It would be to die for, I'm tellin' ya!

For me, 4 channels per RU is about the lowest density I'd want...at least right now.

Scott

8 channels WITH IO-Module AND LED meters... probably won't fit in a 2u. Not unless I redesign the SC-1 PCB, make it longer, put the transformers on the same board, and add a daughterboard for the switches and VU.

(4) channels will fit in a 2u with the IO-module and LED meters included for all 4 channels.

(8) channels will fit in a 2u but without IO module. LED meters may fit even at 8 channels.

But I don't think I'll be keeping a lot of these cases in stock... not unless demand is heavy.

Cases are very expensive to manufacture and keep in stock if it's not moving fast enough. It's just money sitting on the shelf... doing nothing.

When I get my CNC machine all dialed in with CAD/CAM files ready, I will be able to do limited run cases in different and custom configurations at SMALL quantities CHEAPLY!

I *may* even be able to do front panels a'la Focusrite or Grace... i.e. engraved, countoured, shaped.

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