9090 Front Panel Proposal
My first layout idea for the front panel of a desktop 9090, scrawled on a piece of paper.
(Click for higher res image…)
So, that 9090 that I’ve been working on? I’m really needing a project to work on again, so I’m going to keep working on it. It needs two caps installed on the board, an enclosure built, and final assembly, wiring, and testing.
This afternoon while on a conference call I figured out the number of pots I’d need and scrawled an initial layout on a sheet of paper. That there is what I came up with.
I’m curious what those of you who have used similar drum synths (or have an opinion on physical UI design) might think.
I may switch the Rimshot Level and Handclap Level (lower right corner-ish bits) around, and the LEDs and Master Level knob (upper right corner) might need some adjusting. Maybe move the Ride Cymbal set above the Crash Cymbal set.
So uhm… yeah. Any ideas?
If it were mine, it would go bass, snare, toms, cymbals. With the snare next to the bass, the rim and clap controls would be where your logo is.
But this is coming from somebody who’s never played real drums (so I have no prejudice about proper placement of things). Also, every drum machine I’ve ever owned has had a completely different layout, so I’ve never gotten used to anything in particular. Mentally I’d probably just want bass and snare first because I’d use them the most.
I was thinking of moving the snare over too, as you describe. It’s a pretty worthwhile idea. Also, I was thinking that the Ride Cymbal could be moved to the right of the Crash Cymbal. Rimshot and Hand Clap would then be moved to where the Ride Cymbal currently is, and the Master Levels / LEDs moved to the lower right corner.
Note that the original 909 had them BD-SD-Toms-RS-CP-CH-OH-Crash-Ride.
Probably good to go with this order.
Ah, thank you. I think I will then… Or something similar which fits the panel.
Yeah, no reason to stick to it exactly, but it makes for a reasonable point of departure.
I was just about to suggest this.
Where’s the untz-untz-untz level? And the doof-doof one?
In the big cable-attached box to the right. It’s knobs (no, WHEELZ) will go to 11.
Have distortion for the snare if you can, that always beefs it up.
But if since you prob.have individual outs, it’s no biggie.
Maybe move the toms all the way to the left [9090 logo too] then have the bass drum. Those are the knobs most tweaked.