Is Doepfer right for me?

edjwise · Joined: Dec 14, 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Memphis

I have always prefered the fracrack format and have built up a tiny little system with a few filters and some kit parts.

But now I have some money to put into my modular and a LOT of the good stuff looks like it is in the eurorack format.

Do eurorack modules fit into a frack rack?

Can I fit my fracrack modules into a eurorack?

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

Electronic battle · Joined: Feb 09, 2009 Posts: 11 Location: England

I think this article might answer your questions:

http://www.elby-designs.com/panther/euro-frac.pdf

EB

Beermaster · Joined: Oct 22, 2006 Posts: 42 Location: London

In short NO, Frac and Euro are very different in size.

The Best thing you can do is have a row of Frac and a row of Euro - both fid in 19inch racks so it will still look neat and you can cross patch as the jacks are the same size.

Loads of options in the Euro modular range too.

Beer.

doctorvague · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 6:22 am Post subject:

That's an excellent article. I own both systems and I agree with what it said: that you're better off with separate racks for each, built specifically for Frac or Euro. It's not a big a deal as it sounds and much easier than trying to futz them together, especially with power supply issues/connectors thrown in.

The beauty of it is once you have them racked up together they will generally all play well together. There's an occasional issue with envelope levels or similar issues (usually CV levels) but the vast majority of modules will play together very nicely. The very similar form factors and 1/8" (3.5mm) jacks make it easy.

The hassle comes when intermixing banana, 1/4" and 1/8" but even that can be overcome.

Most importantly:
HAVE FUN!
Phil