follow-up to this post. More detail via Peter Grenader, the man behind Plan B, on the Plan B mailing list."Both Plan B and Buchla will be at the Noisebug booth 6108 which is on the main hall this year in the vicinity of Moog and Motu.
Sometime this week I will be posting further details on what we'll be showing on the Plan B Analog Blog (go to www.ear-group.net to sign up. On the module end will be the models 21C Mini Milton VC Sequencer, the Model 32 Vector Plotter and the M30 and 30A - two components of the mighty Triple Digital VCO Subsystem. There are four other products being introduced which are part of the big move into cases and systems.: The he Ringer, a single row rack frame offering a low-cost solution to a previously expensive expansion requirement, and the Model Zero, which is the same three row Zero Halibuton case used by NIN with some significant improvements, including power saving modes, top/bottom strip modules and the option of expanding to six rows. A photo has been posted in the PB Analog Blog.
The Performance System, which has it's own case not unlike the Doepfer portable although two rows of 102 HP and eight inches deep is our fist venture into the systems arena and will also be on display and operational.
To support the Ringer, the Zero and the PS we're introducing an external power system which utilizes two high-grade second party switching supplies as it's engine. The supplies are audio grade and protected to the point that key'd power connectors on the bus will not be required...the PSU will shut itself off instantly if a module is installed incorrectly.
Along with Noisebug's, Plan B goods will be on display at a couple of other booths as well - keep a sharp eye out!
Again, when my schedule allows I will be posting more details on all this, including photos to the PBAB. Please grant me patience with this and in getting back with anyone who may need to contact me as I'm deep into Namm hell at present and time away to post is minimal.
Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all at the show!
- Peter Grenader"
Update: see the comments of this post for some notes from Peter.
awesome.
ReplyDeletec u there :)
Can you actually close the halliburton case, or is it just for show?
ReplyDeleteThat photo looks like two cases, just arranged nicely.
ReplyDeleteStephen - Very good observation and yeah, you can close it. There's a ring, what Haliburton refers to as a 'donut' between the two shells when closed up that keeps them spread aport so that knobs don't collide. It slips out of two sets of removable hinges and out of the picture when the case is in use. At that point the two outer shells are connected together, just no spacer (donut) in between.
ReplyDeleteHere how it goes: The Model Zero comes with only one shell - the deeper of the two - fitted with rails and power. It's three rows of 128 HP and conforms to the Doepfer 4.25" depth clearance spec. The lid has nothing in it, although it's already pre-drilled for the lower expansion with cap nuts in the holes.
If and when you wish to expand you purchase an upgrade kit which consists of three power buss boards, the mounting rails, the square Vector nuts, upper and lower covers for the area above and below the top and bottom rows, a second power supply and...the donut.
You'll have to assemble it yourself, but with it pre-drilled it should be a snap. Think Ikea. Note however: this second lid does NOT confrm to the Doepfer 4.25" depth spec, but this should not be a problem given the number of products available from all Euro manufacturers which fall way short of the depth maximum and for the ones that do, you have the upper shell.
This addition not only doubles the mounting space for a total of 768 HP , it does it with a significant cost savings over buying two complete cases
So you will have options.
The stand shown in this photo is a modified guitar stand which can be closed down so snug around the back of the unit it remains in place and holds firm even the the rear case is picked up and moved around and it's height of the stands base creates a nice ergonomic arc of the two halves together. When you're sitting infront of it it really works.
btw - it's sort of f'ed up that I still refer to Zero as Halliburton, as they've had no association since 1952, but until recently kept the name in their title in reference to Erle Halliburton, who commissioned the case be built in 1938. When the Iraqi War broke out, this old association became problematic (read: Zero's sales tanked) and they dropped it completely. It's now Zero alone.
ReplyDelete