openlabs eKo released for sale!

mythalethe · Post by **mythalethe** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 10:39 pm

from: http://www.openlabs.com

this caught my eye on the site:

"Bring It!: equipped with PCI slots that can accept up to FULL SIZE cards, the eKo can accommodate your favorite Creamware and Digidesign cards, providing unsurpassed power with grace."

This sounds very cool indeed! (Not exactly cheap or as portable as a NOAH and an evolution controller though...)

-mythalethe

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 10:59 pm

I gotta get one of these.

I wonder though, whether it'll be cheap to buy the "barebone" system,and then fill it up with my own parts. (like I've got a harddisk lying around) Much cheaper than their shock proof HD, which I think is unessecary.

Also, I think we're all under the impression that the eko comes with faders and knobs, but I believe they're options. ($200 each!)

Man, it's cool.. but dead expensive also.

huffcw · Post by **huffcw** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:45 am

I asked them a while back if they would offer a barebones unit, and they said that they will not at this time. The cheapest is around $2000 (no screen, no knobs, no sliders, but a working computer inside).

Anyway, I have decided against this solution and instead sticking with a rackmount computer and keyboard controller. With a 2u rackmount, you can keep it pretty manageable and it costs a lot less.

I would like to see Creamware release the Noah keyboard and work with it on a laptop.

janow · Post by **janow** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:35 pm

Hi, could you please tell me where you have bought the 2U Case or who is the manufacturer.

Thanks a lot.

Jan

scary808 · Post by **scary808** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:28 pm

I wish this existed 3 years ago. I wonder if it will be user upgradable? If so, this will be my next PC!

huffcw · Post by **huffcw** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 6:31 pm

Here is the link to the 2u case:

http://rackdealer.com/catalog/product_i ... cts_id=141

It is one of the only cases that are shallow enough that it will fit in a mobile SKB-style case. Being only two spaces, it uses a riser card (it comes with one, but there are also different configurations available through the store that include other options, such as AGP).

The disadvantage of the 2u case is that you cannot put an internal CD-ROM in because of the size of the Creamware cards - and there is not a whole lot of room for expansion. If you want more ability to expand and plenty of space, go with the 4u case (which is also shallow enough to fit in a rack case - plus it is cheaper). Here is the link:

http://rackdealer.com/catalog/product_i ... cts_id=145

The other advantage of the 4u case is that you do not have to deal with riser cards and it fits a full size power supply.

Anyway, hope this helps.

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:07 pm

there are inexpensive rack cases for DJ use with 2 or 4 vertical units (for CD-Player/Amp) and about 8 units at a 15 degree angle on top (for mixer).
They have a cover and handles for easy carrying and would perfectly house a PC with a tft-screen.

cheers, tom

huffcw · Post by **huffcw** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:31 pm

A great case is a SKB mini-gig rig with a pop-up velcro shelf. The velcro shelf works great for the monitor. You can adjust it to whatever angle you want and the velcro makes it real solid. The bottom has six rack spaces - enough for a rackmount computer plust some other gear.

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Sat Mar 01, 2003 5:50 pm

How many PCI slots does it have?

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Sun Mar 02, 2003 2:32 am

It looks awesome if you want a portable computer/keyboard integrated device. Noah is more of a portable Scope card; so it isn't fair to try to compare the two. I think they're both cool products, and it's interesting to see the ways they've come up with to merge software and hardware synths together.

I do hope Noah has greater polyphony than Scope!!

Shayne