Case of Steel#
Deep 64 HP Eurorack case with integrated two-zone power and mults
Overview#
Case of Steel is a simple and powerful skiff designed to house all of your favorite modules in a compact and robust package. As the name implies, the steel enclosure has the weight to stay in place and enough depth for almost any module. Add in two sets of passive mults and a power switch, Case of Steel is a solid and versatile home for your modules.
Power and physical specifications#
The power supply provides a total of 1.7A +12V, 750mA -12V, and 1A +5v.
The power is split up into two zones, providing 850mA +12V each. -12V and +5V are shared.
The power bus has connectors for up to 10 modules.
The power inlet requires a center-positive 15V 4A power brick (included).
Modules can have a maximum depth of 2 ⅛”.
Screw holes are fixed rails threaded for M3 screws.
Module installation#
To install a module, power off the case.
Locate an empty power header on the bus board.
Plug the power cable in so that the -12V side aligns with the white stripe on the power header (toward the bottom of the case).
Check that the power cable is seated properly.
Note
For ease of installation, plug in all modules before screwing them in.
Screw the module in.
Note
If your case isn’t completely full, use blank panels to cover any openings. Conductive items, such as patch cables and screws, can short the power supply and cause damage if they come in contact with the bus board.
Turning on your case#
Connect the included power brick to the power inlet, and the plug to a wall outlet.
Flip the switch on the back of the case.
Jam!
Design notes#
We have wanted to make a case for a very long time. We had a very short-lived attempt when we hired Stephen’s uncle to bend and weld 10 cases for us. He quickly remembered why he had retired and we didn’t make any more.
Fast forward a few years and we got to talking to some really fabulous people at a fab in Pasadena about 20 min from our house. Pretty quickly we had a design and then a prototype. We had grand plans of selling small systems.
We ordered about 100 to start. They are heavy and large, and we were trying not to take over our distributor’s entire warehouse! And at the same time (now that we had the footprint of the case), we got to work on the power supply. Stephen had a grand idea for a supply but once we prototyped it, it wasn’t as great as we’d hoped. So we went back to the drawing board. Fast forward to two years later, and we had fully rethought the whole thing and finally had a design we were happy with.
Once we had the power supply boards themselves built, there was a whole series of assembly steps. Stephen and Kris took a day and hand prepped all the parts: we cut and stripped all the wires in the case, soldered all the bits that needed soldering, added the appropriate adhesive to the back of the power, and took a video of the whole process of assembly for our distributor who had the cases.
And FINALLY well over two years after we got the things built, we are ready to sell them. Unfortunately, a variety of things happening at the moment mean that we won’t be able to make more in the immediate future (if ever). We pulled a few out of the 100 so Patrick could have some for videos, we could have some for trade shows, and at least one went to a fire-impacted musician here in LA…which means there are only about 90 left. I guess that makes that limited edition?
Warranty#
We will repair or replace (at our discretion) any product that we manufactured as long as we are in business and are able to get the parts to do so. We aim to support modules that have been discontinued for as long as possible. This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, including art/panel wear, or any products that have been modified, abused, or misused. Our warranty is limited to manufacturing defects.
Warranty repairs/replacements are free. Repairs due to user modification or other damage are charged at an affordable rate. Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping to Noise Engineering for repair.
All returns must be coordinated through Noise Engineering; returns without a Return Authorization will be refused and returned to sender.
Please contact us if you think one of your modules needs a repair.
Special thanks#
- Everyone who asked us to make cases
- Our metal fab partners
- Skiffy B. McSkiffface, Attorney at Law