Seventh Circle Audio

How about including a individual facepate with each kit?
A different color for each model, model # at the top, etc.
Could be produced with thin aluminum for example, and
would be held on with the switch and pot nuts.
It would look great and make identifying each module a snap.
The question is, would we all be willing to pay an extra few
bucks for this?
Any thought?

I'd like to see some type of face plate for each preamp. At most a full slot size with the gain values and module model. At least a small stick on with the module model number.

AGREED! I'd gladly retrofit my units with such a faceplate assuming they look descent. I'm sure they would look better than my label maker does!

It would require a different chassis. Currently, the modules are mechanically stabilized by the monolithic faceplate, which is tied to the chassis at the corners. If you have separate faceplates, there's nothing to tie them to the chassis, and so they're mechanically suspended off the front of each module, which means both that the modules are mechanically secured only by the XLR connectors on the back, and that the mass of the individual faceplate is adding additional stress.

Further, there would no longer be a reliable ground connection, and so you'd be in hum hell.

One could imagine a new chassis that is tapped on a per-module basis, and the individual faceplates would be tied to the chassis and support the modules, rather than the other way around, but I'll leave it to Tim to figure out the cost/benefit analysis.

[quote]If you have separate faceplates, there's nothing to tie them to the chassis, and so they're mechanically suspended off the front of each module

I believe you misunderstand. Nothing would be changed on the original chassis. These thin, laser etched or screen printed faceplates would mount on top of the existing chassis, under the knobs and held on by the switch and pot nuts. I wouldn't suspect any ground issues due to the chassis is painted already.
The good ground connection should be made behind the faceplate.
Hope that makes it a little clearer.

Ah, yes, that makes it quite a bit more clear. I thought the idea was to ditch the existing face plate. They'd have to be rather thin in order to accommodate the existing hardware (threaded shafts, and especially the polarity and phantom switches) but the thinness would cause them to tend to bow outward at the edges as the nuts were tightened down. It would be somewhat tricky to optimize.

The grounding may still be an issue; my understanding is that the lock nuts on the shaft help ground the current faceplate (or perhaps ground the switch and pot hardware) so it would still require some care.

I'd like to see a plastic stick and peel type label that could go on with only removing the knobs.

DPLight \$m[1]:I'd like to see a plastic stick and peel type label that could go on with only removing the knobs.

Make that "peel and stick"

If all you guys want to do is label your channels and have it look good, go to your local drafting/arts store and grab up some Letraset. It is a dry transfer system that comes in many fonts, sizes and colours and if you are patient when you apply it, will look as good as silkscreening.

Hello forum,

just finished my first A12 and I'm already interested in changing the looks of my SCA. Not that I don't like the stock design, but i'd like to make mine a bit special...

Does anyone have a CAD-drawing of the Faceplate?

Regards,
Christoph