How To Plug a Eurorack Module In, Correctly (Eurorack Power 101)

[@kttkttkt]

This is the most passive aggressive video I have ever seen. Louis Rossman would be proud.

[@iqnill]

Let's pray that nobody got triggered and needs therapy now.

[@fakshen1973]

Rossman is into studio recording gear as well (mentioned in one of his videos).

[@slowgaffle]

haha of course i found fellow Rossman viewers here...

[@samtrenter6438]

real talk, this is one of the scariest things about getting in to eurorack.

[@lassejensen1210]

I totally second this. Power and cables were easily the most intimidating parts of getting into it for me as well.

[@automaticbazooti]

i've built a few PC's in my short time here, but as i watch this waiting for my 6U case to show up; I'm terrified lol

[@jakebrown7395]

"This is Nam, there are no rules." Don't know if he meant Vietnam, or the National Association of Music Merchants, but it works both ways.

[@deejaydubla]

A spot of red nail polish on the -12v side of the pcb of any unshrouded header is a good idea if the orientation is in doubt.

[@FILML4D4N]

I have done that too :-)

[@mylarmelodies]

Good idea that, just permanently add in the missing info on the module!

[@driteronikqi]

oooh kinky

[@thomassynths]

To augment your Doepfer shaming, I will go on record and shame Cwejman for his idiosyncratic use of the stripe. It's completely unacceptable.

[@sampleexamplemusic]

yeah, seriously. that is a garbage design to pull on people who spend so much on such modules...

[@VictorSteiner]

11:00 ... let the anger flow through you!

[@VictorSteiner]

PS: love to hear „Schadenfreude“ from a non native speaker ;)

[@fakshen1973]

You spend a premium amount for a Cwejman and he dickishly decides to break convention. Fuck that guy and his modules, no matter how sweet they sound.

[@mylarmelodies]

Well I actually hung out with Maho Cwejman herself this weekend and to their credit - she explained the reason they put red as "+" is because in electronics, red always means positive!! In that respect it is more logical than Doepfer. But unfortunately it's the opposite of the more widely-owned-and-traded brand. Bottom line is there are no standards, no 'rules' - the ultimate lesson of the video is 'be aware, be informed, and just triple check everything'. With that said, I do think Doepfer need to put a note about power info in each and every one of their module manuals.

[@AFinalForm]

Thank you for this. I'm surprised at how rarely it seems to be covered in "getting started with eurorack" videos and guides.

[@blakasmurf]

What boggles my mind here is that 10 pin PCB headers for ribbon cables are EVERYWHERE. I've got a box full of them when building my DIY Midi2CV they're really hard to just buy one unit. So I don't get how every manufacturer doesn't just have a box of these in the corner of their factory. Finally it's quite easy to protect the circuit from reverse polarity. Again not doing both is a questionable choice especially for relatively expensive modules!!!

[@iqnill]

Funny that... The only module I ever fried was a Doepfer Wasp. It came from the shop with the cable wrong way around (the red...) Luckily the thing that blew was a dual OpAmp with I replaced quick smart. The lesson is: 1. Electrickery is made of smoke. 2. The smoke is kept in small back boxes with metal legs. 3. Once you release the smoke electrickery cannot work. End of class.

[@EricAdamsonMI]

Glad you opted for looking things over, rather than making a Yule Log video of your limping module! Too many people, faced with a module struggling, immediately give up and euthanize the poor thing.

[@richarquis]

Alex, thank you. I only received my first case (Rackbrute 6U) and my first 5 modules (Mutable Instruments Stages, Frames, Blinds, Marbles, and Links) just yesterday. The module ribbons were pre-plugged, but I checked the red stripe to -12V on the other end, even though the plugs could only go in one way. Everything is fine. But I am so happy I saw this - THANK YOU - It could be the difference between ecstasy and sorrow someday down the line. As always, we know who to turn to.

[@MichaelGilboe]

I am just diving into Eurorack with about $3000 of modules on the way, and I had never seen anyone discuss power. Whew! Thanks in advance!

[@milk_bath]

Lol good luck figuring all your modules out.

[@BosseCory]

Dear sweet lord, you've spent $3000 to start? Have you considered this might be a tad brash?

[@kaibarrera9911]

Dont worry about the haters Michael. Youre good just go for it

[@MichaelGilboe]

I’m not a newbie to synths or music production, just to Eurorack. But I like diving in whole hog, and I’ve been watching lots of videos and planning out the rack for a while. I’m excited.

[@BosseCory]

Well, alright. Good luck, then!

[@aren6]

eurorack fuses please

[@DKAS-g4h]

$100 each

[@pourtaghi]

They'd probably be bespoke and lovingly screen printed pieces of silly, silly art. I do love Eurorack.

[@fakshen1973]

Shrouded headers on BOTH the module and AND the power supply. Why is it the parts on my computer are idiot-proofed and standardized where you have to stupidly force a square connection into a round hole... however on my Eurorack modules they cheap-out and just give me bare pins? I spend hundreds of dollars on a box with power supply in it and they get all kinds of cheap on the most critical part? Oh, and you don't blow up a module the first time you connect it. You do it on the 5th time you rearrange your modules and you become overconfident. It's like surgery. No one ever cared that the surgeon finished in record time but the patient died. Do it slow, check your work... then check it again. If you have a deadline to get your rack back up and running, then you shouldn't be tinkering with it. Carefully plug it in, go have a coffee and a cigarette, then pull up each module and check again.

[@Lokua]

Some of these manufacturers aren't even consistent within their own collection!

[@skunksmisery]

Bad news: Dead Module Good news: Another Mylar episode.

[@Lightbath]

So well done. And the Monty Python (or presumably some other nuanced English humour that reads as Monty Python to ‘this here’ American) section heading treatments are ACE.

[@davidknight754]

Lightbath -- And now...... the larch. The...... Larch!

[@waltersmetak]

Man, don't even trust the mighty "The Definitive Connecting Power Thread" on Muff!!!! But must say, your advice on connecting Doepfers (and, yes, I have an a148 S&H!) is priceless! Their modules are a pain in the neck to connect and you always have to email Dieter about the right way on hooking them up - thanks a million for the video! One of your best! Essential!

[@paradiddle16]

I know it's an old vid but just bought my first modules and this is extremely helpful. Thanks a million!

[@Dan2Hibiki]

I wish this video existed when I started out. Stressed me the hell out putting the system together for the first time

[@lassejensen1210]

You and me both.

[@kaibarrera9911]

same

[@waltersmetak]

Nothing more tense than connecting a module - always sweat terribly when the time comes to turn the thing on - you never really know.....

[@Dan2Hibiki]

especially considering you're often looking at frying $300+ with the flick of a switch...

[@midierror]

This video is sponsored by Red Stripe. Providing alcoholic consolation to those who fry their modules since 1928

[@philmaguire_]

Doepfer outlines it all on their website. Annoying that it isn't on the PCBs, sure, but it's not exactly blind guessing.

[@TheAechBomb]

a product should be usable without using external resources, no exceptions.

[@CurrentFantasy]

This video is like when a celebrity gets busted for drunk driving and is ordered by the court to do a serious drunk driving PSA. Sobering. And appreciated. I've yet to kill a module, but have definitely rolled the dice a few times. 😬

[@Phlow]

Oh, you sound so angry and frustrated in this video. And your hand shakes all the time ;)

[@mylarmelodies]

Haha, the hands always shake! Sometimes the fists shake too, when manufacturers don't help educate their user base...

[@Phlow]

I know ;) It should have been an insight joke. A friend of mine named you the shaking hand of eurorack videos.

[@richarquis]

The funniest thing is, when I watch a MM video, I'm always looking for how his hands move. When he's happy, they move a certain way, always the same. Like "Oof!" or "Ace!"

[@asciisynth]

I mark +12V and -12V on my PCB silkscreens, -12V is always down, and they all include reverse protection diodes. So buy my modules, at least you (probably) won't destroy them :)

[@asciisynth]

Also I find that IDC connectors with wide top + bottom prevent plugging them in above or below where they're supposed to go, because the sides knock in to the pins which aren't connected.

[@Peter_S_]

There's really zero excuse today for a manufacturer to not use keyed shrouds on headers and keyed IDC connectors. The additional cost is trivial in manufacture and the maker gets it all back in customer goodwill on the 1st board which escapes release of the magic blue smoke.

[@M_Campbell]

Problem is that keyed shrouds lead people to trust that the cable itself is correct, which is dangerous. There's zero excuse for not having reverse polarity protection on modules though.

[@MUNRO13]

Personally I hate shrouds on power supplies. Bloody nightmare getting connectors out.

[@Peter_S_]

M Campbellell... problem??? If you supply a correct cable with the product and everybody uses cables of the same standard then the only people with problems will be those who try to use wrongly wired cables and Darwin takes care of those people pretty quickly. The computer industry went through this way back in the 70s. Some people paid attention to it. Apple for instance has been using shrouds in everything since 1979 and as a result during the 80s and 90s, Apple equipment didn't constantly end up in the shop with blown boards because of misaligned connectors like PC hardware did. The same is true for peripherals on all platforms. This isn't rocket science. I completely agree with you about polarity protection. A 2.2 ohm resistor on the rail feeds with reverse biased 1N5408s behind them should be a minimum. There's no reason people can't use polyfuses either.

[@Peter_S_]

MUNRO MUSIC, that's poppycock. I've been using connectors like these www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=5103308-5 for 40 years. The shroud makes zero, repeat *_ZERO_* difference unless you try to plug into it backwards. There are plenty of deep shrouds with eject levers too if you want that. They used to be the absolute standard across the computer industry in the 70s.

[@joebogatko9058]

Came here to say the same thing. It's baffling why every eurorack producer doesn't do this by default.

[@ShivJG13]

Thanks for this. I've just take delivery of my first euro rack case, and two Doepfer modules. I've had slight anxiety about connecting them properly after reading people's horror stories. I'm still mildly anxious, but I have the tools now to hopefully not set fire to stuff! 🔥🔥🔥😂

[@stevebuchan6642]

I thought 30 minutes on plugging modules in? Who is this guy kidding? This is sage knowledge. Learn it!

[@RobertMaxwellMediaCorp]

Good timing releasing this video since I'm about to power up my new case for the first time tomorrow! Thanks for reminding me not to be too hasty in my excitement

[@derivativ3]

I had a similar story of totally annihilating a module... I'm actually going into the long and treacherous process of designing and making my own modules, and the first thing i'm doing is making sure as hell that every one of my modules has reverse power protection... phew!

[@LavendelBrei]

The absolute MOST FRUSTRATING POWER ARCANA is that if your case has a power supply with a converter manufactured by Meanwell it will break the Rene Module from Make Noise and void the warranty. And if you think, well I've never heard of Meanwell, it must be some obscure brand, it's the converter that Intellijel and MDLRcase, Error instruments, and others use so you might have one and not know it. This is why you read the manual.

[@jimboburgess42069]

Red stripe down is super handy for the 143-4 quad vco/vclfo where the power is horizontal.

[@mylarmelodies]

Hahaha...eeeeeeexactly. Wow

[@AshBashVids]

Surprised they didn't add a stripe on that one. My A-110-4 has a horizontal header, but has an indicator for -12v.

[@cnfuzz]

Use a multimeter in conductive mode to check your cable orientation

[@signal-sounds]

5:40 STRICTLY SPEAKING voltages don’t flow....but we’ll let you off cause we like you ;)

[@mylarmelodies]

See me after class

[@wellurban]

Never disconnecting the cable from the module is sound advice, but not always achievable. Sometimes it’s impossible to reach your hand into the back of the case with the cable attached to the module. And sometimes a cable won’t reach at all, so you have to swap it for a longer one. I’ve made a habit of always looking for markings on the PCB before disconnecting, though, and for those like Doepfer without markings, keep a Sharpie handy to make your own.

[@fonitronik]

BTW before you dump the s/h module mail it to me.

[@Futureveterans]

FYI, the PSU3 power supply from doepfer actually gives you +5v nowadays. The old ones indeed didn't gave +5v and you had to install a small converter.

[@sinemountain]

WMDEVICES new video about power should be required viewing for eurorack newbies! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHeXnYZml72Lq7c

[@MUNRO13]

I’ve done this loads of times but everything just flashes so I turn it off. I have the tip-top station 252 case and I think it might have its own protection built in?

[@thepeacetimebookclub3029]

I've just done this wrong for the first time :( what a ball ache.

[@donaldmartin3365]

Just seeing this, and even though I consider myself pretty vigilant in plugging in my modules, you have made me both paranoid and grateful. Checking all my connections this moment just to be sure. Thank you for the valuable tip and necessary lecture. Cheers

[@noisejockey]

Alex, this is God's work you're doing with this video, man. Also, additional note about unshrouded headers: I know all of this, and I STILL killed a module by not literally being able to see well enough by SKIPPING AN ENTIRE ROW OF PINS. Not offsetting, up or down, but side to side. BOOM, spark, smoke - luckily it was a single capacitor that blew (I found a chunk of it in the case later on). The Make Noise boards don't even have pins that go UPWARDS, like the Doepfers; they are parallel to the back of the case, making it even harder to align properly.

[@midigek]

Good advices, except one. If red stripe on the cable don't at the -12V, THRU IT AWAY ! If any indicator in your system is wrong, changed it or don't use it. If not, you are somebody else makes an "mistake" with it what you could have prevented :-( I'am an electrician and make my own cables that are a little bit longer because using deeper "Fischer Elektronik BGT" 19" eurorack cases. CORRECT indicators are importend but the most importend rule in my profession as an electrician is CHECK EVERYTHING BEFORE TURNING IT ON ! In my profession this means taking measurement. I have seen electrician (and apprentice I had trained that forget one of the most imported rule) connecting wrong colored cables in the powerfacility and switching it on without measurement and by that destruction of every device behind that. As result a huge damage claim and unfortunately lose there job :-( The color swap meaning here in Europe 400V on a group for 230V devices, one bright flash of light and than Pfff, smoke. I hoped for keyed connectors in eurorack on the module side so people can't make this mistake in there eurorack system. Users are not electricians ?!! Mylarmelodies, thanks for warning people ! CHECK, CHECK AND CHECK !

[@cellardoreproductions]

you just saved me from plugging in the cables wrong!! thanks : )

[@Basetonic]

I do not understand this silly arrangement of the Powerlines on a Pinheader. It would be possible to mirror the 4 Power lines on the connector, so that you could plug it both ways. +12 GND -12 +5 +5 -12 GND *12 Why, really, whynobody had this idea before? I am making my own modules and I use this system, so I mustn't think so much.

[@kevinlindley2642]

16 pin/wire and 10 pin/wire cables are NOT the same, the 16 pin/wire cables also carry 5+ volts, CV and Gate.

[@johnhorrobin8560]

Checking manuals is not foolproof, All the Make Noise ones are full of typing errors and poor English caused by people not checking their typing before publishing the document and copying and pasting what others have typed. I missed my true vocation. I should have been a court stenographer , as I get very annoyed when reading pdf manuals that are full of incorrect English, even grammatical errors drive me up the wall. Any pdf manual has at least 15 errors, which are easily spotted by a trained proof reader . No one double checks anything these days. John Horrobin

[@AshBashVids]

Says the guy who types with inconsistent spacing!

[@johnhorrobin8560]

The reason is that it is done deliberately because the keyboard on this laptop cannot cope with my typing speed and the space bar is a bit insensitive, so I do double spaces to separate the words to save me correcting

[@mylarmelodies]

I’m with you on this - poor documentation is unforgivable, and it’s my biggest gripe with Doepfer as it’s a missed opportunity to educate users!!

[@NickHchaos]

Read an MFB manual sometime.

[@johnhorrobin8560]

Which is preferrable inconsistent spacing or gobbledegook english????

[@TheNimasan]

i burned my 3340 cem vco by plugged in the wrong way... i wasn''t just smell bad the whole module was on fire.... horrible!!!

[@j.k.6861]

I plugged my joranalogue select 2 the wrong way and didn‘t even notice for a week. Until I plugged a cable in the module. The whole case got quiet. I was shocked. But everything seems to work as nothing has happened. Lesson learned!

[@forallxexistsepsilon]

My newer Doepfer A148 has "RED LINE" and white markings at the bottom pin.

[@sopasopasson5563]

Thx ! Basic info - feel better knowing this before installing $$$ modules. Most brands are fail proof, but some are not ! Cwejman for example !

[@unclemick-synths]

Luckily my modules so far are labelled and have the shrouded header but if I acquire any that don't, I shall be borrowing my wife's red nail polish and marking the module when I've confirmed the orientation.

[@swaggerbauer]

just killed a doepfer noise module.. - best part is.. there was a text saying "c 12 " next to it.. i didn't look closely enough, i gues... that was not - 12 . learned something.

[@modularmemories1840]

So i got the A-148 today (btw they added the word RED on the pcb so u know what way to plug the wire) i plugged it in correctly and it worked fine. But then i turned off my rackbrute and the power supply just didnt turn off. The modules plugged in past it did but I could definitely smell something heating up somewhere. So ive now added “make sure your case turns off normally” to my list of things to do when i get a new module.

[@eighth_wave]

BARE PINS, BRUV 😂

[@bigkingsha]

At first sight, I thought the flaming Doepfer was real and not a composite VFX shot, but I don't see any plastic melting nor pieces falling away. Goodness you have salvaged some of the electronics for a homemade mult?

[@mpingo91]

Am I wrong that it wouldn't be hard and expensive to build some little device with the protecting diodes and indicating LEDs just for dummies/lazy users? It shouldn't cost more than a ninja star multiplier...

[@frankie1833]

bless you, Mylar. your pain is our gain. would've KILLED for a video like this when i was getting into eurorack years ago!

[@kenschestok9515]

found myself back at this episode after I accidentally unplugged my ribbon cable from my a124 wasp filter and saw no marking on the pcb and nothing in the manual. thanks again for this!!!

[@kaykramer9045]

Haha 😂… just realized at the end, that the module is burning in the flames. I hope, it’s only a virtual fireplace…

[@Jkeane1337]

I literally just got into eurorack and assumed that it did not matter how you plugged in modules, plugged in everything wrong. Shout out to the make noise skiff for having a failsafe that it won't turn on if plugged in improperly. Would of been a 1800$ mistake, watched this right after and learned to not just do it with this stuff lol.

[@stevenmiller213]

wow what a video, just answered every question i had about eurorack! Thanks!

[@conatusprinciple4115]

I just bought a Doepfer module for my completely new rack! 😅

[@timepaintertunebird8160]

Analogue Systems tried to fix this. But we didn't listen...

[@Skiamakhos]

You'd think that the point of Eurorack is to standardise the way the components fit together, right? :-/

[@dimensionalineage]

This masterful presentation is doing the lord's work.

[@RoboticusMusic]

What about tragedies on the front of the panel? Connecting input to input, output to output, connecting Buchla to eurorack, banana into 1/8", Buchla output to eurorack output, adding splitters in the mix to the previously stated mistakes potentially compounding problems, etc. I think I fried a microphone once by plugging the mic into the input of a feedback loop guitar pedal called Eye of God (I'm pretty sure it was plugged in correctly) I think the power somehow went backwards and turned the mic into a speaker.

[@RoboticusMusic]

Also wondering what you think about preventing fire risks in the studio and what to do if one does occur, like what type of extinguisher won't ruin adjacent gear while still being effective. I've also heard that lead-free solder can lead to fires because it grows dendrites over time that can cause short circuits. You never really know if there was repair on used gear done with this kind of solder. There have been quite a few studios burn down but I'm not sure what the common element has been.

[@RoboticusMusic]

Also wondering what happens when CV is plugged into audio, audio into CV. I've heard that the results differ between modules from nothing to destruction. There are so many modules that don't label in's and out's, some just print funny symbols on their panels and expect you to figure it out. Once you start messing with things like 5 way cable splitters partially connected to other 5 way cable splitters I can imagine it gets to be a lot to keep track of to make sure you don't destroy 10 modules with 1 dumb cable mistake.

[@mgscheue]

RoboticusMusic In Euro at least (and I think pretty much everything except Buchla), there’s really no distinction between audio and CV. The only real patching danger is an out to an out and even then most modules are protected against that.

[@mylarmelodies]

Yeah none of the front panel stuff should have much of an effect, you'd have to be _really_ trying, to break something that way (Using a multiple to sum 5 10V signals to a tender input somewhere else...etc)

[@mgscheue]

And even with that, I *think* you can never get above the 12 V rail voltage.

[@BRNTmodularmusic]

Well, actually, Doepfer invented Eurorack. So -12vDown rule is part of these modular, as important as 3U, the hp or where to set the holes (which manufacturers don’t obey as well). And it’s not on the modules’ manual because it’s on the System A-100. They made all the manuals like parts of a (very large nowadays) manual for the system. But... yeah, Eurorack is now bigger than his father and they should accept that they’re just another manufacturer for this system... AND JUST PUT A LITTLE RED LINE to indicate where -12 is. Thanks MM

[@AshBashVids]

I remember getting one of those massive manuals with my basic system years ago - explains all of this in detail. Doepfer has put markings on it's later modules since they're not always vertical due to having more condensed PCBs.

[@CoolspyGaming]

The quality of your videos are top-notch. Greeting from Sweden! :)

[@extralifedisco]

Have never understood why every manufacturer doesn't just put power diodes on the input. Practically every guitar pedal has it and 9v center positive plugs are about as common as hens' teeth. 1N4001s are like $0.02 each, and a pair would prevent this problem ever happening (you could still plug it in wrong, it would just not turn on). The "either way" connector is a brilliant idea as well - 4 diodes for a full bridge rectifier and you can forget labeling. Still possible to misalign the pins and short the rails to ground, but easily fixed by using shrouded connectors. I'm developing a new sequencer module now, will be sure to incorporate the full-bridge in my next revision.

[@AshBashVids]

Bridge rectification isn't ideal for analogue modules

[@johnhorrobin8560]

Mylarmelodies Cheers Alex . Would you have done this vid if you hadn't made the error. ?? There are thousands of tutorial videos but hardly any about the most important step which you have just highlighted . Thanks John Horrobin in Lincolnshire but originally from Leeds

[@mylarmelodies]

No, I believe this is called making lemonade...! May it perhaps save a few modules.

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

Man, sucks you had to find out the hard way. I searched for this topic as about to install my first system, to add for all your checks I will also add one of my own and use my voltmeter to double check, as like you say its a one time install so get it right and leave it alone.

[@Banksyyt]

Thank you for doing this. It really helped me.

[@attackman4458]

Here’s me and I’ve just bought a semi modular synth a few months ago... then buys a eurorack module without a eurorack and thinks hmm, it needs power let’s just plug it into whatever power source requires 16 pins (doesn’t know anything about electronics). Reasoning: [well my synth will automatically power no matter how I plug it in, so will this module]...... All of a sudden a voice in my head says.....‘let’s KZbin it’...... THANK GOD I KZbinD IT!!!

[@mylarmelodies]

Eek! Yeah buy a Tiptop Happy Ending kit - still the best way to go

[@romerouno17]

thank you for this wonderful explanation!

[@internetnoisesignal6251]

a 30:30 minute video whining and blaming other pepper for your own mistake CLASSIC!!!

[@mylarmelodies]

It's a grand tradition.

[@martinjaakola5634]

I only burned out one Maths do to watching this video, thanks!

[@corticallarvae]

your so angry... i hope this is cathartic brother. i love the humanity

[@nntblst]

By the way… if you get a Doepfer A 118-2 the “red stripe down” doesnt apply because the power header is horizontal.

[@mylarmelodies]

😮‍💨

[@simonsandleitner2341]

You are so pissed 😂 I totally get it. Thank you for the great guide!

[@Marshallangelo]

Rest in Piece Doepfer sample and hold 🙏🏻

[@PexiTheBuilder]

Since when RED been negative? Its always positive, never been negative. Whatever color it is, markers are good: mark cable from both ends with different color, and do same with every module power connector.

[@mylarmelodies]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@joemcm1]

hi ive got an oakley hvm module with a strange 5 pin power -any ideas on what to do with it-ive not got a manual

[@blitbleep]

Check Paul´s talk in Control. He talks about it and offers some guidance in module designs to avoid this exact problem

[@blitbleep]

Also, design flaws like NOT BEING ABLE TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE WITHOUT A FRICKIN OBSCURE OUT OF DATE PROGRAMMER. Im looking at you Qubit.

[@brianbrill]

Can you try replacing that TL064 chip?

[@mylarmelodies]

Yeah I swapped it out for a TL074. It lights up now but doesn’t operate correctly

[@brianbrill]

:(

[@petewallis3756]

@@mylarmelodies Replace all the ICs. They all have power pins so they are possibly all damaged even if they didn't crack, especially the switch chip. Don't think there's anything else in the A148 that is likely to be damaged.

[@mscman13]

@@petewallis3756 This was my thought too. The ICs seem pretty cheap on that module so it's worth a shot.

[@mej6519]

RIP S&H.

[@Kittyspit562]

95% of Doepfer modules are red line down, unless the power header is mounted horizontal, then read the manual. & is this what eurorack is becoming, we need tutorial videos on how to plug in a module?

[@mylarmelodies]

Yes, we do.

[@strongocho]

Why is doepfer the only modules people ever fry?

[@mixolydian2010]

Thanks a lot for the video. I have quite a lot of Doepfer modules and have learned the down is -12v / red stripe trick too. But i have also plugged them the wrong way round and i am lucky enough to have not blown any of the up. I have Doepfer psu3's in home made cases and all the lights on the modules flash on and off if the power connector is the wrong way round and no magic smoke so far i'm not sure if this is a reflection of some kind of protection the psu3's or not? Did you say you replaced the TLO74 and no luck? I have the A-148 as well and you could try replacing the other chips and the only other things i can see that might blow are the two capacitors near the power connector and there's a diode in the middle. Fairly cheap components mostly probably about 5 to 10 pounds? Anyway thanks again for the important video and the amusing intros. Take it easy.

[@AshBashVids]

The PSU3 has some form of basic reverse protection, PSU2 doesn't. Similar experience to you if I plugged something in wrong - lights flash, case goes off and no module is damaged.

[@mixolydian2010]

Cool we both made the right choice with the psu3! Heard off Muffwiggler they had a good reputation i'm really glad i went for it. Hope you never experience the magic smoke. Take it easy

[@ben-rosfeld]

It's always the doepfer...

[@ajpmobilemodularmusic]

Great video on a simple, stupid topic! Stupid because this would mostly be a non-issue if manufacturers used shrouded headers. Shrouded headers won’t stop an incorrectly wired cable, but I would guess 99% of issues are “user error” in plugging in the cables the wrong way or shifted over by a pin and shrouded headers would make that a non-issue. Also, all modules should have reverse polarity protection so a polarity issue just means the module doesn’t power on instead of blows up, but that is a bit more complicated and expensive and could impact performance of existing designs (there’s a tiny voltage drop). A shrouded header is literally just a few extra pennies to add on and has no impact on performance. While you cover all the issues, one thing that I think is worth emphasizing a bit more is that two cables can be wired correctly, but have a different “topology”, so basing the orientation of the cable on the overall feel, without checking where the key on the IDC connector is, or referencing where the red stripe is, can be a recipe for disaster. What do I mean? If you pause the video at 3:50 you have a 10 pin IDC connector at the top of the screen and a pair of 16 pin connectors at the bottom. With the 10 pin, the key on the IDC connector is facing LEFT and the ribbon cable is entering from the OPPOSITE side of the connector. Here the red stripe is DOWN. This is correct as the red stripe is connected to pin 1 on the connector. (If you look at at an IDC connector you’ll see a little V or arrow on one side of the key indicating where pin 1 is - this is the side the red stripe should be on) With the 16 pin connectors, the key on the IDC is facing to the RIGHT with the ribbon entering from the SAME side as the key. This results in the red stripe being UP. This is also a correctly built cable as the red stripe still corresponds to pin 1 on the IDC. Now imagine that these were both 10 pin connectors coming out of your case (the ends you plug into your modules) and you had the pair in your hands as shown. Unless you run your finger over the IDC connectors and realize that one has the key facing towards you and one has the key facing away, they would feel basically the same. However in one the -12V is down, while in the other the -12V is up. It would be so easy to mix up the two ribbons and fry a module because the cables felt the same in your hand and you were plugging into a module with a non-shrouded header. NOT THAT I’M SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE OR ANYTHING!

[@LillySchwartz]

I'm happy to say that all the modules I just bought have keyed sockets or "either way" power. Seems like things are getting a tad better on this front? Maybe not with Doepfer modules though 🙃

[@drphiI]

what if a module is +12 volts?

[@AndyVonal]

Bei mir, Alex, gibt es absolut gar keine Schadenfreude..! The only "Schade" is that you have written off a module. I've not yet taken the Eurorack plunge... It'll happen soon enough as and when funds allow but you have just scared the willies out of me with this! Wie gesagt...keine Schadenfreude, bloß "Pech gehabt".

[@iaint999]

You sir, are a bloody life saver. Just watched this, watched it again, went online to read the MN Morphagene manual (I know right?), ignored the forums, and I'm now the proud owner of a fully functioning module I have no clue how to use....it doesn't say in the manual you have to have balls of steel to operate this stuff...I owe you a pint, cheers bro.

[@moonoovie]

if we cant trust the red stripe, how are we supposed to know which rail is which on a module if a given manufacturer only labels it as "red stripe" on the board?

[@mylarmelodies]

Follow the flying busboard to the source, where the red stripe should be marked/indicated. Same on PCB boards, -12V should be marked.

[@NickHchaos]

Every time I ever plug any module in I double check the position of the red stripe, turn everything off, put it in, turn it on again, one module at a time. Never had a problem. I bought a module recently from a seller on Reverb. It made my first case smoke when I put it in, 2nd case power flickered on and off. I told him there seems to be a voltage error within the circuit as far as I can tell (back of module was also insanely hot), and first thing he asked me is if I plugged it in the wrong way. Ha ha. If only..it took about a week to convince him that, yes, I do know how to plug a module in, and it clearly seems there is a power issue with this module..still waiting for my refund due to Russian customs hell. DON'T EVER BUY ANYTHING FROM RUSSIA! End of PSA.

[@thehorriblebright]

Shrouded headers should be standard by now.

[@anoopsahal1202]

I want to assemble my system but I am too afraid😥

[@corradomorgana]

Did it with my slew limiter from Doepfer...fixed it easily. Keyed sockets FTW! Especially when a tad pissed. Red stripe up. Oopps...;-)

[@matthsmatthsmatths]

First module I ever plugged in was the wrong orientation. It went 💥. Cwejman modules can be any orientation without blowing them - which is great!

[@RichardLacyMusic]

Excellent Public Service Video. They should show this on day one of Modular School. I don't think I've ever bought a Doepfer module that wasn't shipped with the cable already attached. Second hand has been a different matter of course. I use Doepfer cases and the buss boards are a nightmare, exactly as you proved. Even when the connector is the right way up, you can go a pin too high. You just can't see what you're doing. Just wait until you're an old fart like me and your eyesight gets crappy. It's terrible. This is the actual reason old guys go 5u... Another Doepfer thing: Older cases with the PSU 2 Linear supply, have no 5v. The newer cases with the PSU 3 do have 5v on the buss boards. Ta!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

What do you do for modules that do not show how to connect them in the manual like Malekko modules?

[@mylarmelodies]

Contact them via email, tell them to tell you and to update their manuals