thoughts on a compact set up?

[Friend of Dogs]

Hello, Im starting to tire from big box set ups and wires.

and I'm looking to design something that is permanently set up, travel-able (battery powered would be very cool, though I don't know how possible), has built in speakers, is very low profile. (My current box sits 5 inches off the ground - not comfortable.)

Thinking in modular grid of a 76hp, 4u (PulpLogic)

Please tell me what you think, criticism is welcome.
   

Modules are
Nerdseq
Video Expander (mounted in 1u sideways)
The long awaited USB-i2c Expander (mounted in 1u sideways)
ER-301
2HP Pluck
8hp version of Clouds
4hp stereo mixer
(2x) Syinsi 1u speakers

[mgd]

I don't know from first hand experience what the ER-301 can do but from what I've heard it seems to be capable of some interesting stuff.

[Liquidcolor]

I don’t know what case you’ll be using, but I would mount the HDMI and USB on the sides or back. And possibly mount the I2C internally. That would free up the 1U for some other stuff. I’d probably also ditch the speakers and use phones, but that’s me.

[Friend of Dogs]

I don't know from first hand experience what the ER-301 can do but from what I've heard it seems to be capable of some interesting stuff.

Yes its very cool, and I think Nseq-ER-301 is going to be the perfect marriage. 

I don’t know what case you’ll be using, but I would mount the HDMI and USB on the sides or back. And possibly mount the I2C internally. That would free up the 1U for some other stuff. I’d probably also ditch the speakers and use phones, but that’s me.

True, that might not be a bad idea.  I Did actually think about taking the faceplate off the video module and mounting the pcb inside. the usb is  already set up blue tooth for me. Why not the hdmi too.

if I were to ditch the speaker modules, I'd likely just ditch the 1u row entirely. Pulplogic 1u is so difficult to find cases for. Theres no specific case yet. I may be forced to custom build one.

[mvdirty]

Hello, Im starting to tire from big box set ups and wires.

I COMPLETELY understand this feeling.

(battery powered would be very cool, though I don't know how possible), has built in speakers, is very low profile.

I always hear good things about this brand, from people running music gear on batteries. And not just for USB power outputs, as they’re recommended for their models with DC outputs or 120V AC outputs, a range of (beefy!) battery sizes, etc. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=krisdonia

Thinking in modular grid of a 76hp, 4u (PulpLogic)

Have you considered a 104hp Palette? Great utilities built in, arguably better 1U, and should be deep enough for the things you are looking to mount, while being nice for the depth goal you mentioned. That and ~30 more hp for the 3U modules you’re still trying to figure out plus some space to spare.

criticism is welcome.

If you insist  , and solely to play Devil’s Advocate: A NerdSEQ and a 301 are a very expensive way to replicate a mere fraction of a decent laptop. Buy a nice MacBook Pro or something in the Surface line. Install Renoise, or Bitwig and Redux, or whatever. Then maybe add a powerful little controller like a Faderfox EC4, especially full of win since your MG image includes zero hands-on controls as it is.

I am kidding, of course. But I’m also not, if only in terms of comparing and contrasting what one might gain, lose, or might initially neglect to include with one but more easily think of for the other, where by way of example above: that little 72 hp case seems to be leaving you without any physical control surface.

I’m sure that by now you’ve thought about it [“it” being hybrid or ITB,] I know I for one have wrestled plenty with thoughts of various trade-offs along that spectrum, and just had to put it out there.

[Demure]

Hello, Im starting to tire from big box set ups and wires.

and I'm looking to design something that is permanently set up, travel-able (battery powered would be very cool, though I don't know how possible), has built in speakers, is very low profile. (My current box sits 5 inches off the ground - not comfortable.)

You sure you're not describing an M8? 

[mvdirty]

You sure you're not describing an M8? 

Quiet, you.

The 301 is definitely a special piece of kit (and the NerdSEQ the best tracker to pair with it) but, yeah, the M8 is a monster. A monster that seems to allow/cause M8 owners to sell lots of other gear. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve read about downsizings/purges.

[Friend of Dogs]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Yes I should make sure to clarify, I already have both the nerdseq and the er-301 and also most of the other modules in this design, and am happily just awaiting for the i2c connector until which I will continue to stare at the wall. As cool as the M8 tracker looks, I can’t go switching around or buying anymore gear at this point, unless the i2c adapter doesn’t happen for another few years. Incidentally I tried the polyend tracker out and didn’t like it ( no offense to them it was just not my thing ). Also I used to do the laptop thing, I was a PHeads reason guy, but it just doesn’t feel like an instrument for me. I want a micro composer and I feel comfortable with the two mighty modules working together.

MVdirty. Thank you btw for the battery you mentioned. This might do the trick.

The only reason for the pulplogic row is the syinsi speaker out modules. I wanted to make it as easy to start up and make music as possible. But I don’t know, modulargrid makes everything look so easy to do.

[mvdirty]

I want a micro composer and I feel comfortable with the two mighty modules working together.

For sure! I hope it was clear that it was just a thought exercise, to for example help uncover missing functions. eg some amount of physical control surface, even if just a handful of (latching) buttons, offset/attenuversion faders, etc.

MVdirty. Thank you btw for the battery you mentioned. This might do the trick.

h2h. Let us know how it works out. I’ve repeatedly heard good of them, but I’ve not tried one myself though may be in need of something similar in the future.

The only reason for the pulplogic row is the syinsi speaker out modules. I wanted to make it as easy to start up and make music as possible. But I don’t know, modulargrid makes everything look so easy to do.

I definitely get the appeal of having some speakers baked right into a single unit with everything else. Hmm. If you could go a bit wider as noted re: Palette, 3U speaker options might open up for you. I’ve not researched them extensively, but do see a few in the range of 6-10hp, including one added to MG a couple weeks back. Nothing I can vouch for personally, of course, just like the battery pack.

[Friend of Dogs]

I want a micro composer and I feel comfortable with the two mighty modules working together.

For sure! I hope it was clear that it was just a thought exercise, to for example help uncover missing functions. eg some amount of physical control surface, even if just a handful of (latching) buttons, offset/attenuversion faders, etc.

Of course! I appreciate it. This plan isn't final for sure, I've got time till the usb-i2c comes out anyways, time to mess around.   I've been thinking this week of trying to implement back a F8R i2c fader bank back into the mix.    I want to try and keep it tiny still though, expanding to 104 might make it too big for my liking but, idk, I might have to.