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Post by rodney on Apr 26, 2020 23:10:15 GMT
aaaand ...
However, as you can see, the Novadrone board pokes out the 'bottom' end when I'm carrying it by the handle so I can't simply put it down like a suitcase. However, a more 'normal' AE setup with proper-sized DIY modules would not have this problem. Don't know if it's still relevant, but I would suggest to make a bit wider plywood, wider than Novadrone board, then You would be able (with wider plywood on both sides) to put it down. Love Your project! I may still do that. Although I no longer have the Novadrones in this rig, I think that some extra base-board for the Novadrones would protect the cables and offer tie-off points for strain-relief when moving around with cables trailing.
The next challenge, as a whole, will be to see if I can wear a second board with Novadrones and 0-coast synth - or maybe that will just be too heavy and awkward, like a 3-kneck guitar.  I really like performing like this so people can see what I'm doing. I think it makes them a little more invested in the sound than when I'm at a desk up on a stage. Being down among the audience is great too. Playing on the street, I have let a few little kids turn some knobs to hear how it makes a difference. That is a lot of fun (if a bit scary). |
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Post by arti on Apr 27, 2020 9:58:10 GMT
I really like performing like this so people can see what I'm doing. I think it makes them a little more invested in the sound than when I'm at a desk up on a stage. Being down among the audience is great too. Playing on the street, I have let a few little kids turn some knobs to hear how it makes a difference. That is a lot of fun (if a bit scary).
Beautiful! It must be a fascinating experience for the kids, and for the performer as well |
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Post by Daniel Linger on Apr 27, 2020 23:45:38 GMT
The only thing I would add to the issue of gravity and having extra stress placed on the case by the added weight of cables, etc is bracing from the bottom. What I mean is, where your handle mountings and hinges are, extend some sort of bracing all the way down to the bottom (as you're carrying it). It would look a bit less minimal, but it would mean the weight of the unit is supported properly. I'm not quite sure in my head HOW this would be achieved without looking like an ungodly travesty, but I'll give it some more thought. I was largely thinking about how keyboard stands have them on individual "hangers" if you get what I mean (damn I can't think how best to describe this, so I hope you get what I mean): www.thomann.de/gb/jaspers_3d120b.htm?sid=ddd70257f8c53614cadb98560ffcdd0e |
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olo
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Post by olo on Aug 28, 2020 16:22:40 GMT
 the 4 novadrone !!!! so you can connect this to your ae modular ?? can you synchronise them with ? novadrone is goorgeous heavy sound !
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Post by rodney on Sept 4, 2020 13:25:01 GMT
the 4 novadrone !!!! so you can connect this to your ae modular ?? can you synchronise them with ? novadrone is goorgeous heavy sound ! I have not explored AE + Novadrone so much yet. THe NOvadrone is capable of voltages well above 5v so it's best not to plug it straight in to the AE. However, AE to Novadrone is perfectly legal in most countries.
I have been a bit of a purist with the novadrones. When I hooked them to a sequencer, I just felt, I dunno ... 'dirty', I guess ...
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Post by rodney on Sept 12, 2020 1:19:02 GMT
Don't know if it's still relevant, but I would suggest to make a bit wider plywood, wider than Novadrone board, then You would be able (with wider plywood on both sides) to put it down. Love Your project! The Novadrone is no longer part of this rig. I will make a separate one for the Novadrone and the 0-Coast. I'll probably mount it all with cable-ties on a big piece of Corflute like I had before. They both run on 15v and I'll probably add a little mixer.
What I have learned, embarrassingly late in life, is the importance of making something quick and cheap that meets my basic requirements because, by the time I've made something high-quality and elegant, my requirements have shifted and I have an expensive white elephant that just gets holes drilled in it and parts chopped off anyway.
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Post by rodney on Nov 14, 2020 5:27:33 GMT
Sorry, I've been lazy hanging out on Discord and not giving the forum some love... A super-cheap case hax ... Just loosen a hex bolt and attach a wire tie. You're welcome. |
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Post by rodney on Nov 14, 2020 5:28:12 GMT
Yeah, I know, time I did some dusting ...
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Post by rodney on May 24, 2023 10:30:54 GMT
Time for a case update again ... So, I decided to, rather than make a whole new rugged case, I'd make a fairly sturdy aluminium frame and attach the AE cases in a way that doesn't destroy them too much (more than I already have). I made the join a bit more spaced-out so I can fit another single-row wide case. Below you can see that I've put the case-mounting bolts in backwards, screwing out through the recessed nuts that are built into the case sides. This takes some of the strain off the built-in nut by disributing the pressure a little more widely. It can get in the way of more tightly-packed modules, so I may alter this at some point, if/when the need arises. So the handle still acts as a stand, in fact, I managed to reuse most of the parts I made before. I hav enot yet got to that neat click-clack to lock and unlock the frame but this will do for now.
It can be folded up neatly for transport and I am still figuring out how to add the little speaker box in the photo. It's an old Logitech iPod speaker that runs on 12 volts. I want it to attach and detach easily so I can keep it on there for trips to the park etc. but still remove it for gigs where it's not needed. |
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Post by rodney on May 24, 2023 21:35:13 GMT
I also made a more chonky version of the 3D printed plastic thumb-screw housings as the smaller ones proved too fiddly when tested at a gig.   |
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Post by rodney on May 24, 2023 21:49:25 GMT
It also has little rubber feet!  |
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Post by rodney on May 24, 2023 22:23:15 GMT
Sooooo ... I'm pretty happy with it in practical terms now. It works well enough for gigs and is practical to set up at home. The transition from desktop to take-to-gig or to anywhere is very quick and easy now. My to-do list:- Shine up all the aluminium to put less emphasis on its dumpster origins!
- Make something for mounting battery pack(s) (using gaffa tape at present)
- Something for mounting and easily removing my Zoom H2n recorder (again, gaffa tape is not a great look and leaves goop everywhere)
- Find a more elegant solution than zip ties for securing the AE modular case into the frame. Preferably, it should be quick and easy to install and remove so as to not discourage swapping and moving modules about (since that is what a modular is for, right?)
- Make a nice, easily-removable mounting for the Logitech speaker thingy for true portable noodling
- Add mounting points near the handle for using the guitar strap as a shoulder strap for transport
- Sew up a nice padded and waterproof gig bag for the whole thing - hmmm ... maybe that makes the shoulder strap redundant
- Come up with a nifty 'click-clack' solution to locking the frame in various positions - I'll probably never get around to that though, and the new chunky three-point thumb-screws hold things in place nicely.
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Post by rodney on May 24, 2023 22:43:05 GMT
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Post by rodney on May 25, 2023 2:18:57 GMT
and ... in situ high-rise studio ... (Note the antique Boss BX-60 mixer - prized in some circles as a 6-channel fuzz unit!)  |
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pol
Wiki Editors
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Post by pol on Jun 8, 2023 15:00:36 GMT
and ... in situ high-rise studio ... (Note the antique Boss BX-60 mixer - prized in some circles as a 6-channel fuzz unit!) View AttachmentNor sure how I managed to miss this thread first time around, but thanks for updating so I caught it this time! Really interesting and appreciate the file sharing even if I'd never do this myself - bit too cack handed when it comes to DIY & my AE Modular will never been taken out live I suspect  Pol.
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Post by tarcreeper on Jun 17, 2023 19:56:36 GMT
Note in the photo that both the AE and the Novadrones are running off 10 rechargable 1.2v AA batteries. I have not tested how long that actually lasts but I'm sure that lithium batteries would give me more stamina per weight. The AE wil run on 12v instead of 9v as long as there is not too much current being drawn at once. The Korg effects thingy has its own set of 4 AA batteries and the TE PO-32 drum synth has its own pair of AAA batteries that seem to last for ages.
Was powering it as simple as wiring the AA batteries in series and then to a barrel jack plugged into the master module? I was looking to power a small system of my own. |
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Post by rodney on Jul 13, 2023 11:35:00 GMT
Was powering it as simple as wiring the AA batteries in series and then to a barrel jack plugged into the master module? I was looking to power a small system of my own. Yes! sorry for the delay. I chatter away on the discord and forget to drop in to the forum lately.  These battery holders have eight x AA-size Nickel Metal Hydride batteries (1.2v each) and they seem to last for hours. I have an identical spare set in my coat pocket at gigs just in case, but have not had to swap them out mid-set (yet). The AE will run off 12v but the converter IC will get very warm as it has to get rid of all those extra volts as heat. |
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Post by rodney on Mar 29, 2024 2:33:52 GMT
slight update .... I did a gig last year and ended up dropping the whole thing on the ground (well, concrete). The lovingly-laquered-dumpster-plywood parts all splintered so I replaced them with icky cream-coloured 3D-printed PETG versions. I could've re-designed it all a bit but was in a hurry. So far, the plastic seems very strong. It's slightly bendy so I made it thicker. the infill is a triangular honecomb style construction so it's very strong and light. the purple nut housing helps to lock the inward-facing nuts so the outer purple thumbscrews can be used to adjust tension for travel or playing modes.   I'm fairly happy with it - will focus on making some music for a bit now ... |
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the 4 novadrone !!!! so you can connect this to your ae modular ?? can you synchronise them with ?
