Hey,
so i took some time and took the advice giving me in this post (My Bus/Buffered/Send Thingie where i need help) to think things over. Now i have split my idea into two seperate projects. This one dicusses the first one. I want to create a breakout module for my external gear. So there will be no logic within this module since it is just an extension for external connections.
The Idea is to have a breakout module which contains the main connections i want to have for my external gear. The devices are the following:
- Mackie Mix 8
- Prophet Rev 2
- Behringer RD8
- Octatrack
- Torso T-1
- Mod Dwarf
- McMillen QuNexus
You might ask now how do i get those connections into my eurorack?
So the Idea is to build a wooden box with an Eurorack 3u Frame, Power Supply and “external inputs”. You will see a schemativ below. I will need 3 pcbs, 1 for the Module itself and two which are used on the box for the external connections. All of the three modules will have a frontplate as well. The connections within the box, which connects the 2 PCBs with the breakout module are standard ribbon cables which you might know for the power supply for eurorack modules but as 4 x 40 and 2 x 10.
I thought it might be a good starting point to dive into the whole pcb, schematic, sourcing game when i start with something simple, like you guys mentioned it. So now i have created the first draft of my eurorack breakout module. Below you will find screenshots of the schematic, PCB and 3D Model.
So now i got several Question you guys might help, if neccassary i will post files regarding the schematics i created in EasyEDA. Now to the questions:
- Did i make the connections for balanced/unbalanced connections correct? Do i miss something?
- I also need one USB Connection to my Torso T-1. I hope i choosed the correct part for it? Is there anything to know? I find a lot of USB parts so i just choosed one.
- Regarding the PCB, which is my first ever created, i got scared because i need 63 Thonkicons (Mono/Stereo) + 1 USB connections within an 20HP Module. So the thonks are really close to each other. On the other side i got scared since i need 4 x 40 Pin Conncetors and 3 x 10 Connectors on the backside of the module. What do you think?
There is a lot of going on, see here:
- I also got scared of the thonks on the edges of the PCB.
- I also think that might be the worst placement of those connectors but i wanted to avoid a two PCB layered module. Therefore i placed those 40 pin connectors on the back i hope that it not come in conflict with the thonkicons.
- Because i am lazy as hell i used the autoroute function in EasyEDA i used 12 mil for lines and spacing, for vias i used 40 mil for pads an 18mil for holes. I optimized the placement of the thonkicons besides the 40 pin connectors good as possible, i was able to achive a 100% autoroute connection. Any experience on that?
- I also got scared regarding the USB Connection. Any Experience on that?
Any help would much appreaciated since i am a noob and just start loving creating PCB schematics and develop ideas. Thx