Hello all
The Short Version:
Aside from the need for a custom ribbon cable, is there any technical reason why one wouldn't connect a Boredbrain IO (which is passive and has no circuitry) to line level transmitter/reciever modules by other brands (e.g. ALA's Bal Outs or WMD's PM DB25 mkII)? Has anyone already tried this?
The Long Version:
I've decided I'd like to try and remove as many connections to and from "the outside world" on my Eurorack case off the front panel onto a notional custom side or back face plate. Why? Becuase, reasons :-D
Seriously, I'm a budding case builder and would ultimately like to develop an ecosystem of modules and parts for doing the above for multichannel analog audio, midi and USB. Obviously that'd be no small task. In the meantime then, I thought I could experiment with already-existing-modules to see how far I can get. Hence the question (see The Short Version above).
I've scoured the interwebz and concluded that a truly open ended, compact, professional grade, pick-ya-own-ins-&-outs-with-no-unnecessary-bollocks-and-bolt-them-anywhere system of modules doesn't (yet) exist. If someone knows of such a system, please do let me know.
The nearest thing (as of writing this in Dec 2025 and for audio only) I can find is Boredbrain's IO and DB25 modules. However the DB25 is line out only - no inputs. I've asked Boredbrain if they have any plans to release an equivalent line level input module but they didn't respond. If they did so, my prayors would be answered.
The only other manufacture using high grade ICs with a product along the right lines is NW2S. However they don't seem to be trading at the moment (correct me if I'm wrong). Their web page just says "coming soon" and there's no response to messages. Even if they were, the cost of import into the UK would be beyond ludicrous.
Indeed, it'd be 'plaid?' ....Anyway...
Currently, I have an NW2SIO and a Borebrain Xport. Both have balanced sockets. I use all the their ins and outs with an external mixer. For my purposes, they're perfect.... almost. Accept for the fact of there being no less than 8 ugly bulky cables ( especially the two DB25s on the IO) pertruding like growths from the front panel. And, they eat up a lot of hp. Yes, the IO can optionally be fitted with secondary DB25 ports that one can bolt anywhere. But that'd leave the two empty sockets on the front taking up a whole 3hp of space. Oh no! :-P. Also, that doesn't solve the 'problem' with the Xport.
Having investigated the design and build of the IO and Xport, I believe both could be easily (famous last words) modified because the Eurorack-side minijack sockets sit on their own PCB - connected to main one via Dupont header strips. They're not structurally interdependent or hardwired. Based on my very limited understanding of electronics, I don't see why those header strips couldn't become ribbon cables and the upper and lower PCB's separated. One could then either make their own face plate or just lop down the existing one and Bob's-ya-uncle: a gerry-rigged but functional IO interface with the Eurorack-world sockets on the front and the bulky outside-world sockets on the side/back.
Aside from the obvious void warranties and potential bricking of expensive modules, please tell me why the above is a bad idea or wouldn't work at all.
Thanks for reading this far.