Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

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  • Maxxarcade
    Badcaps Veteran
    • Jul 2006
    • 973
    #1

    Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

    I want to install a motherboard into my organ console for use as the sound generation. The current setup uses two computers, 5 soundblaster cards, and other audio equipment, and is a pain to work with.

    I am currently converting over to a single computer using Ubuntu Linux 6.10 and Fluidsynth, so I can fit everything in the console. Also hoping to use a flash drive for the whole OS if I can.

    Any suggestions for mounting the motherboard to a flat piece of wood, and still provide support for the sound card? I thought about hacking up an old case, but I just don't feel like wasting any. Plus it would look really dumb

    FYI here is a web page about my organ project. A bit out of date, but I haven't done anything more to the console, because I ran out of time and money.

    http://www.theatreorgans.com/walnuth...aaronstayt.htm

    There is room on the left end of the console for mounting a motherboard, though it can't be seen in the pictures. I will also use the PC's power supply to run the console electronics, which will allow for the whole thing to power off and on with the PC.

    The worst part is, I don't know a thing about playing organs, I just like working on them
    Tags: None
    • Per Hansson
      Super Moderator
      • Jul 2005
      • 5895
      • Sweden
      #2
      Re: Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

      You should use a steel plate to mount the mainboard too

      All the through hole screws are supposed to be grounded...
      "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

        Comment

        • willawake
          Super Modulator
          • Nov 2003
          • 8457
          • Greece
          #3
          Re: Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

          thats a fine project amazing
          capacitor lab yachtmati techmati

            Comment

            • toastygoodness
              Badcaps Veteran
              • Jul 2005
              • 813
              • United States
              #4
              Re: Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

              Although most motherboards aren't mini-ITX, mini-itx.com has a lot of case mod and stuff. You can probably find some tips for how to carve or make an enclosure/fit it into your organ.

                Comment

                • Maxxarcade
                  Badcaps Veteran
                  • Jul 2006
                  • 973
                  #5
                  Re: Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

                  Thanks Guys! I have a very, very long way to go yet on the project, but at least now I can do something with it. I can't wait to clean up the messy wiring

                  By the way, I'm starting to really like Ubuntu Linux 6.10... I was even able to get Java and Flash working perfectly in Firefox without any command line crap. The repositories are really up to date. Still not going to replace WinXP with it, though

                  The organ is sounding far better with the Linux/Fluidsynth setup than it did with the 5 sound cards and mixing equipment. I'm looking forward to getting everything mounted in the console and adjusted.

                  Feels great to have another one of my biggest computing projects running on totally free software. I wish it could be that way with my desktop systems.

                    Comment

                    • Maxxarcade
                      Badcaps Veteran
                      • Jul 2006
                      • 973
                      #6
                      Re: Mounting a motherboard without a case for use as dedicated MIDI synth

                      Well, I got the system all mounted in a mid tower case that i had laying around, but it won't fit in the console. Looks like I gotta figure out how to make a mounting plate.

                      Not that it would be all that hard to put the board in, the trouble is how to support the sound card. I'll probably just have to make a bracket out of a strip of metal somehow.

                      I just spent a couple hours putting split loom on all the cabling, and I never realized how hard that stuff is to work with. I need to get one of those tools that keeps the loom open while wires are inserted. There is about 75-100 feet of wiring in the console, so my hands were killing me afterwards

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