(Pasting this here from other forum, might be more appropriate here)
I was looking at possibilities for building something that could be used as a self contained an effects unit/synth or something like that for shows.
Maybe start with a 1U or 2U chassis and some kind of motherboard/cpu combo mini itx/micro atx or whatever is compatible with the chassis. (why rackmount? I like this aesthetic on audio equipment but I am open to other ideas.)
What I'm curious about is if there are any ways to get:
1. any good pci-e sound cards? They seem to be few and far between, I suppose I could just get a motherboard with an embedded one. It would be cool to find one with midi and maybe a couple knobs.
2. Any kind of bank of knobs that could be crammed in there, put a usb midi thing in one of the drive bays?
3. Has anyone programmed any audio related software to talk to an lcd readout module? This would be cool too, for example to show what preset name is select or something. I'm looking at this oled module -- http://www.avadirect.com/product_detail ... ?PRID=2567 4
or this: http://www.crystalfontz.com/product/CFA533TMIKU
4. Any examples of people doing this kind of thing so I can steal ideas?
Thanks for your input.
rackmount synth/effects machine? (xpost from computer setup forum)
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- KVRist
- 312 posts since 23 Oct, 2007 from Somerset UK
Hi
I like your thinking, good to see inovation ideas, 1st, would this be for a guitar or live based instrument, the reson I say this is, most use a laptop foot controller and or copy of Ableton live or Guitar Rig.
The other option is an iPad with iRig or other effect application, which can be place in one of those stomp box docks, a few available.
Still if you have your sites set on a project, The best I could recomend is a SFF PC with a 7" or 10" touch screen, LED readouts are a bit restrictive regarding quick adjustment of VST touch screen seems to be the only compact way to interact with a pc on a budget at the moment, passed this you've got motion control like 'Kinect'
It's all about how much you want to spend and what project you have planned, as you can get rack mounted FX boxes quite cheap on e-bay.
I used e-buyer for my last studio build, good prices and delivery in the UK
Good luck though.
P.S maybe have a look through Cycling 74 MAX projects on their site, as custom building the hardware is really the easy part, custom built software is the difficult bit.
I like your thinking, good to see inovation ideas, 1st, would this be for a guitar or live based instrument, the reson I say this is, most use a laptop foot controller and or copy of Ableton live or Guitar Rig.
The other option is an iPad with iRig or other effect application, which can be place in one of those stomp box docks, a few available.
Still if you have your sites set on a project, The best I could recomend is a SFF PC with a 7" or 10" touch screen, LED readouts are a bit restrictive regarding quick adjustment of VST touch screen seems to be the only compact way to interact with a pc on a budget at the moment, passed this you've got motion control like 'Kinect'
It's all about how much you want to spend and what project you have planned, as you can get rack mounted FX boxes quite cheap on e-bay.
I used e-buyer for my last studio build, good prices and delivery in the UK
Good luck though.
P.S maybe have a look through Cycling 74 MAX projects on their site, as custom building the hardware is really the easy part, custom built software is the difficult bit.
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- KVRer
- 9 posts since 24 Apr, 2013
There are audio interfaces like the presonus audiobox usb fits in 1/3rd of a rackunit space and could be mounted along with your micro atx computer. Why are you only considering onboard or pci sound cards? Sorry if I misinterpreted your situation, but it sounds like something similar to the Audiobox would be perfect...
http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-USB
http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-USB