i’m looking for some tips on rackmounting my moogerfoogers and expanders. i have all 6 foogers, a cp-251, and a vx-351. i’ve read a bunch of threads and seen some really cool setups (https://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9653&p=74156#p74156), but i still have a lot of questions. so here goes:
i would like to incorporate a patchbay. this is the most confusing part for me. which brand/type should i be using? i would like to be able to plug in expression pedals to the patchbay. i would also like to connect my input and output from the setup to the patchbay. i’ve read that there’s a bit of soldering needed to set this up correctly (jumpers and all that). i’m cool with that, but is there a better way to do it?
what size rack will i need for the whole shebang including the patchbay? i’ve read that an 18-space would do the trick (if i use a patchbay, i will not need access to the rear panels of each pedal). any suggestions for a kick ass rack? it would be amazing if i could bring this setup to shows without having to use a forklift. something like a slim profile rack setup?
anyone make their own trs cables? i’ve been scouring redco.com all day and it seems to be the way to go especially since i need straight connectors on one side and 90 degree connectors on the other. also, instead of a custom power supply, i’m going with a rackmount power strip. 8 outlets in the back with a switch and surge protection.
as far as patchbays go, i think i’ve narrowed it down to two: the hosa PHB-350 and the neutrik NYS-SPP-L. anyone have experience with either of these or have a suggestion for a better one?
another change - going with a voodoo pedal power 2 plus. should save a ton of space and weight. the word on these boards is that they’re dead silent with foogers.
still need patchbay info from well informed dudes…
i’ve been digging through the forums for weeks and there’s a lot scattered around, but i just wanted to make sure about a few things. ok, so here goes:
i want to run every single input/output from all 6 foogers into the patchbay (minus the mono audio in/out that chains each pedal together). i would like to be able to plug my input cord into the patchbay, then run the output from the patchbay to my amp. i also need to use two expression pedals with the setup, eventually an mp-201.
do i need to use trs cables for everything including my guitar/synth input/output cables or can i use ts for those?
do i need trs cables for all of the input/output jacks that are chained together?
which inputs/outputs need to be normalled on the patchbay?
which inputs/outputs need a dummy plug?
does the 104z need resistors soldered in between tip and sleeve on certain connections?
i know some of those cv’s work a little differently on the midi murf, so is there a different way to get those working with the patchbay?
thank you in advance for any help you can give. the moogertron is insane!
That sounds fine, although changing the order of 'foogers is also a very cool thing
No, TRS cables are only needed for sockets which will accept expression pedals. They are represented by a white block with “black” text. TRS on the rest won’t hurt, but it’s overkill.
You shouldn’t need a dummy plug, although you could use one to keep the 104’s expression inputs happy. Solder a 100k resistor from tip to sleeve, no cable needs to be attached. Or else, use the normalling contact on the socket to add your pull down resistor.
They should work as-is i.e. straight-through TRS cables. The difference will be in the operation of expression pedals relative to the rest of your MFs.
My delay is a 104 SD, perhaps check out yours to see if you have a problem. Just plug in a TRS cable to, say, “rate” and leave the other end disconnected. See if there’s a difference when you unplug it.
If it behaves like mine, the simplest fix would be to make a dummy plug (I guess it’s a “dummy load” actually) and insert it into the front panel when no Exp. Pedal (or CV) was being used. I’m not sure on the patch bay you are using, but there may be a “normalled” or “half normalled” configuration that you can use. I believe this will force you to give up one socket on the front though.
tested my 104z and it reacts the same way as yours. i want to avoid using a dummy plug, so do you recommend a 100k resistor from tip to sleeve on the patchbay side?
also, i couldn’t find info on the 105m hack, do you know how this is done?
it’s a neutrik nys-spp-l1. i’d rather mod the cable than the patchbay. i don’t really mind losing one patchpoint if it has to be normalled, i should have a few extra, right?
It’s a bit tricky without the gear in front of me, but try this:
Use the half-normalled config with the grey socket in the front
Rear B should go to the correct CV input of the MF104 (TRS cable)
Rear A should go to the 100k dummy load (1/4" plug (MUST BE TRS, RING IS NOT CONNECTED), resistor tip to sleeve)
Plug your CV into Front B (grey)
Presumably this will disconnect the dummy load and “insert” your CV or Exp pedal.
oooooh. i get it now. thank you so much! that was a revelation.
so if i use a 90 degree trs plug with a 100k resistor from tip to sleeve, i don’t actually need a cable connected to that plug right? it’s just the plug? that makes sense to me.
willi, heh, yeah I was trying a few things. The input levels work a bit strangely IMO and I was seeing if I could make things a bit better. I couldn’t find a better solution for the moment so they’ll probably go back in unchanged.
seank, you’ve got it. I hope it works for you and you have enough patch points! POIDH
Now I’m paranoid that I won’t have enough patch points. There are 52 connections total, 10 are used to chain the pedals together leaving 42 going to the patchbay. If I did want to modify the patchbay with the resistor like you were saying (it was the patchbay and not the pedal itself, right?) to save a patch point how would I go about doing that?
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