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Tag: Roland rack-ears

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RE-MKS-80 replacement rack-ears for Roland DDR-30 at Plasma Music

I didn't originally intend to design a pair of rack ears for the Roland DDR-30. My idea was to make a pair of rack ears just for the MKS-80. Modelled on the rack ears of my own MKS-80, Lenton Engineering in Watford, delivered yet another superb job, based on my plans.

After a little digging around however, I subsequently discovered that as well as the DDR-30, these rack ears will also fit a whole bunch of other Roland 2U modules from the same era:

  • Roland MKS-7 Super Quartet (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-10 Planet-P piano module (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-20 Rack mount version of the RD-1000 digital piano (released 1986)
  • Roland MKS-30 Rack-mount of the JX-3P synthesiser (released 1984)
  • Roland MKS-80 Rack mount version of something in between the Jupiter 6 and Jupiter 8 keyboard synthesisers (released 1984)*
  • Roland MKS-100 Rack mount version of the S-10 sampler (released 1986)

* If you have a MKS-80 Rev 4, then you'll only use three screws each side. Yes, that's right; Roland didn't standardise the rack case 'till the Rev 5 was released!

Please note that these rack ears are only available in black and as a pair.

RE-MKS-80 Replacement Rack Ears Fitted to Roland MKS-80
Image shows RE-MKS-80 fitted to a Roland MKS-80 as I don't have a DDR-30.

When the prototypes were ready to collect, I got a real shock. They seemed to fit better than the originals and they looked just great!

Just like the originals, these rack ears are made of aluminium, with a lovely horizontally running mill finish. Supplied with eight black countersunk pozidrive machine screws, the only thing you need to fit these, is a screwdriver! 🙂

My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals
My rack-ears have a horizontally running mill-finish, just like the originals

Sadly, my own DDR-30 was sold many years ago and I can only model these rack ears on my own MKS-80 as pictured.

I'm now happy to announce that these rack ear kits are available to purchase.

IMPORTANT: Shipping price is for worldwide delivery. 🙂

Plasma Music Limited -

I'm deeply concerned about the environment and the exploitation of labour and so  I always use local manufacturers in preference to the Far East, with the following in mind:

  1. I can be confident that workers are treated fairly and earn a proper wage.
  2. I can be confident of the standard of quality of each item that is delivered to me.
  3. Communication is important and using local manufacturers, all correspondence is quick and understandable.
  4. I believe in supporting the local economy.
  5. I can be confident that the disposal of manufacturing waste is managed properly and in accordance with national and EU law.

Plasma Music uses local manufacturers

Using local manufacturers isn’t the cheapest option but the above points are important to me. I hope that they’re important to you too.