This is a render of the faceplate of a oscillator I am designing and planning to build. It is going to be my first module after wanting to do this for 7 years now.
I’m pretty happy with it, and want to show off, but also, I would like some feedback. Nice words are always nice, but I would be very happy with some useful critique.
Did I forget something, Is something just a little off? I can’t find it anymore, after moving bits only tenths of millimeters
I will add some holes for srews for mounting PCBs on the back.
I’m also thinking on adding some LEDs, because I always liked modules with LEDs. At the same time I’m not sure if it is functional and also if it will be too much for this already very crowded design. Thoughts?
It looks a bit cramped, but I saw your introduction post so get that you’re going for a personal style (which is good!) (and I’m perhaps not the right person to complain about cramped designs in general )
But for another take on this, and some actual arguments for why extra space is good even if you’re up close, here’s a bit of a rant and some analysis from North Coast Synthesis’ Matthew Skala:
(with 19 jacks in what looks like ~16 HP you’d definitely stick out a bit in his “jacks per HP” graph, even if your extra inch admittedly gives you a bit more to play with…)
Yeah, I didn’t think about this until I looked at that article (“looked at”, not “read”, because, let’s face it, about 80% of that was dubious and not actually all that useful attempt at statistical analysis; the first several paragraphs were all that were needed) but think about plugging or more importantly unplugging output cables… If you’re using all 12 outputs, or even 5 of them in a cross pattern, how are you going to unplug one from the middle? You can yank on the wire but only if you can afford to replace your cables more often than usual.
I don’t know why Skala calls them “fantasy designers” when stuff like this exists in reality:
The mixer knobs are too close together to do a smooth cross fade, the S&H knobs are next to impossible to use without bumping the other one, and the 2HP attenuator speaks for itself. I don’t even play live, and this kind of thing, this cult of slenderness, is what drove me to Kosmo.
@fredrik@analogoutput
Thank you so much for this feedback.This is why I posted this. You are absolutely right. My module needs to be a lot wider if I’m going to be able to use it. I will completely redesign it, and will post again.
This is not fun after all the effort I put in. But there is a learning curve. I will not do this again
To get an idea about how things would work in practice, I suggest printing out the layout as close to 1:1 as you can get it, and play around with it a bit.
If you feel fancy, you can glue it onto some cardboard, make holes for the potentiometer shafts and plugs, and mount some pots/knobs on it. That’ll give you a much better idea about how much space you prefer (I mean, you are building for yourself after all).
I decided on splitting the oscillator. Making it wider to keep all the functions on is defeating the purpose of modular in my humble opinion. I will now go with a single master oscillator module, and a double synced oscillator module. (The difference between master and synced for me is the master has FM input, and synced have sync function.)
This evening I made a new design for the single master module.
I tried to keep it the same style. I think I managed that pretty well.
All together, the module is a little narrower (from 8 to 6 hp dropping 2 of 3 oscillators).
I spaced out the input a little more. I will use @fredrik’s tip and try out if this is enough for me.
I added a slot for a sliding pot. I don’t know exactly what it is for, but trying to wire up and simulate the PWM circuit I found out I was missing a potmeter. The text will probably updated once I found out how I’m going to use it. As a balance between potmeter and jack PWM in? As a variable offset to the jack? At least I got space for it reserved. It also makes it look a little bit like a robot face, but I just saw that right now writing this. Now it will definitively need leds.
The output jacks are still a little bit close together, but I don’t think I will use multiple outputs at the same time very much. At the same time, this is my first module, so every single person on this planet has at least the same amount of experience at playing a modular synth as me, so if you think this is a mistake, I’ll take it from the experts (or at least ones closer to expert than me).
Again, please brutally point me at my mistakes No, seriously, please do tell me. The better the module will be, the happier I will be when finished.
I didn’t know of Juneteenth, but I did think of the problematic terminology. It is the official terminology though. If you or anyone has a suggestion about how to change it into something more appropriate I will edit my post.
I updated the terminology to Master/synced. I think main/synced is a very good alternative, but I am too lazy to change the picture for now. I should have gone to bed a couple of hours ago
I hope this is enough. I’m not familiar with this issue and the emotions that come with it. If not, I will change terminology and the picture again.
Being completely honest it’s the first I’ve been made aware of this. I understand master/slave is not PC and shouldn’t be used. But there are a lot of cases where I figured master alone is perfectly appropriate (ie, MBA/masters in business degree, master bedroom, master carpenter, Jedi master, etc). Never really thought about it before!
That being said I don’t know squat and there’s perfectly good substitute words =]
This has gone terribly off topic. I’m looking for some feedback on my design. Not on suggested changes of terminology. Please open a separate topic to discuss that.
I’m going to call it what I’m going to call it. I’ll try to be considerate to people’s emotions towards the terminology, but I am closing this off topic discussion.
Wether you like it or not, your labeling is part of your design. I don’t think anyone was trying to offend you by pointing out that your label makes them think of slavery. And I don’t think anyone thought that was your intention. Digging in your heels, though, saying you’re gonna call it what you’re gonna call it doesn’t seem super cool or like you’re really interested in feedback.
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No, seriously, please do tell me. The better the module will be, the happier I will be when finished.