MacBeth Mk1 5U Synthesizer Modules- first pics!

Ken MacBeth · Post by **Ken MacBeth** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:09 am

That's a damn nice case KRV!!

krv · Post by **krv** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 8:18 am

Ken MacBeth wrote:That's a damn nice case KRV!!

Yup!
at a good price (in Europe), with +-12V PSU, and you can put 8 MK1 modules in... nice case really

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:15 am

Ken MacBeth wrote:Personally- I don't see myself getting involved with wood- it's not really my department. I work with Aluminium and Steel. It had occurred to me to try to supply user with a simple DIY kit- metalwork bolts screws etc in an almost IKEA like way..........this I shall ponder upon more... 8_)

This might be a product with appeal to other 5U users as well. A kit to assemble an enclosed rack like the Moon racks minus the power stuff and without the stupid price would be awesome.

Do your modules require 5v? A really slender starter case in an original design would be cool. I seem to remember those +/-15v ELPAC supplies to be quite reasonable (like the QPS2, but minus 5v). That is probably the path I would personally lean if it were feasible. It would be fun to design something around your beautifully narrow modules.

Cheers,
Brian

krv · Post by **krv** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:05 am

bwhittington wrote:
Ken MacBeth wrote:Personally- I don't see myself getting involved with wood- it's not really my department. I work with Aluminium and Steel. It had occurred to me to try to supply user with a simple DIY kit- metalwork bolts screws etc in an almost IKEA like way..........this I shall ponder upon more... 8_)
This might be a product with appeal to other 5U users as well. A kit to assemble an enclosed rack like the Moon racks minus the power stuff and without the stupid price would be awesome.

Do your modules require 5v? A really slender starter case in an original design would be cool. I seem to remember those +/-15v ELPAC supplies to be quite reasonable (like the QPS2, but minus 5v). That is probably the path I would personally lean if it were feasible. It would be fun to design something around your beautifully narrow modules.

Cheers,
Brian

I agree. a slim enclosed rack with ears would be perfect.
Brian, are you talking about those notebook/psu like ELPAC supplies?

Morley · Post by **Morley** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:22 am

Ken...you have just ruined my plans.
"Kids..no holiday this year. Daddy needs some more tools for his office"
They look amazing. I have always kicked myself for never finding the money for an M5...must try harder now!

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:29 am

krv wrote:I agree. a slim enclosed rack with ears would be perfect.
Brian, are you talking about those notebook/psu like ELPAC supplies?

Not the notebook style exactly. I believe those are switching supplies. They make a somewhat more clunky +/- 15v linear wallmount power supply as well.

http://netsemi.com/p-147520-ext-plug-in ... 50-d5.aspx

If Ken's modules use 5v, the Dotcom QPS2 would be a good pick for a small system, but I'd want to modify it to leave cable harness inside the case.

The only catch is that Ken's stuff is looking so nice, you will probably end up wanting more than 8 modules.

Cheers,
Brian

krv · Post by **krv** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:08 am

bwhittington wrote:
krv wrote:I agree. a slim enclosed rack with ears would be perfect.
Brian, are you talking about those notebook/psu like ELPAC supplies?
Not the notebook style exactly. I believe those are switching supplies. They make a somewhat more clunky +/- 15v linear wallmount power supply as well.

http://netsemi.com/p-147520-ext-plug-in ... 50-d5.aspx

If Ken's modules use 5v, the Dotcom QPS2 would be a good pick for a small system, but I'd want to modify it to leave cable harness inside the case.

The only catch is that Ken's stuff is looking so nice, you will probably end up wanting more than 8 modules.

Cheers,
Brian

I see... well a bit bigger but not that bad...QPS2 would be perfect, but it's 110 V only... I just love this idea of a really shallow case with external psu, it could be a new era in 5U, with modules that shallow we could even think about an halliburton or buchla-like case...

and, YES(!) I'll definetly end up with more than 8 modules

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 12:02 pm

krv wrote:I just love this idea of a really shallow case with external psu, it could be a new era in 5U, with modules that shallow we could even think about an halliburton or buchla-like case...

Yes, Ken might have me dusting off my folding, crescent-shaped 5U case idea. You could do a lot with Dotcom modules, too--I suppose you could even shorten the stand-offs a bit--but the Macbeth oscillator is so lovely, it's hard not to want to do something fun with it.

Cheers,
Brian

krv · Post by **krv** » Fri Sep 03, 2010 2:08 pm

I hope that Ken will show us some of his metal-skills.... come on, Ken, give us a collapsible modular synth case...

rasseru · Post by **rasseru** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:05 am

oh yes, collapsible synth case would be stunning.

m5 style layout
collapsible case

= id send a deposit now

Babaluma · Post by **Babaluma** » Sat Sep 04, 2010 4:19 am

beautiful! looking forward to hearing how they sound!

krv · Post by **krv** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:16 am

Ken MacBeth · Post by **Ken MacBeth** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:24 am

Hi All- here's some pics of what I plan to record some demos with! I have 'strapped' together a few Mk1 modules that I intend to use. Because they are flat in design- they can be played horizontaly! Feels remarkably like a keyboard synth with the keyboard in front of the stuff!
....hoping to get vids out as soon as!

Ken M

analogsteve · Post by **analogsteve** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:59 am

Gorgeous. Can't wait to hear the demos. I'm already looking at my gear and trying to decide what I should sell so I can grab these as soon as they're available. Any idea yet what the prices will be?

kidtesla · Post by **kidtesla** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:22 am

Yes,beautiful!
great to see the pc200 in there

rasseru · Post by **rasseru** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:09 am

@ken

- please showcase some stabilty stuff on a nice pad sound, as well as the usual bass/lead stuff...

the m5 had a lovely pad demo that made me swoon

edit* please make a lush pad sound

OurDarkness · Post by **OurDarkness** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:48 am

Ken,

just put a nice 4-5 octave keyboard there and you are golden. HINT! HINT!

Ken MacBeth · Post by **Ken MacBeth** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:28 am

....ok! Here is a very short clip that was done after setting up the rig shown in the pictures above. It's moogy and proggy!
I'll try and get more stuff done today- but I and a crew are heading off to Berlin very early tommorow morning- it will still be dark! I'm away for the weekend but back on Monday- no doubts for a rest!
The vid was recorded with the sound going 'neat' into the camera mic- so there are artifacts to be heard also...
Hope you enjoy, Ken

[video][/video]

kkonkkrete · Post by **kkonkkrete** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:44 am

Rock N Roll

Long live MacBeth.

rasseru · Post by **rasseru** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:45 am

all thats needed is a couple of lightning strikes in the background and you'd be set

krv · Post by **krv** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:34 am

As I said before... I knew it...I want it

now, please, would you give us some price before leaving to Berlin?

krv · Post by **krv** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:04 pm

krv wrote:As I said before... I knew it...I want it
now, please, would you give us some price before leaving to Berlin?

mmmh....Berlin....you're not taking modules to "that" european distributor...are you???

Fidgit · Post by **Fidgit** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:47 am

somehow ken seems quite hesitant about the prices of his 5U modules. people in this forum asked him a few times already. well...

analogsteve · Post by **analogsteve** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:09 am

Fidgit wrote:somehow ken seems quite hesitant about the prices of his 5U modules. people in this forum asked him a few times already. well...

He's probably still working out manufacturing details and as such isn't sure what the modules will cost yet. Give the man a little time...

bwhittington · Post by **bwhittington** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:29 am

analogsteve wrote:
Fidgit wrote:somehow ken seems quite hesitant about the prices of his 5U modules. people in this forum asked him a few times already. well...
He's probably still working out manufacturing details and as such isn't sure what the modules will cost yet. Give the man a little time...

I would assume that is because his distributors are involved in the pricing decisions.

Cheers,
Brian

MOD WIGGLER

MOD WIGGLER

MacBeth Mk1 5U Synthesizer Modules- first pics!