What is it?

McAudioPiFace is a front panel for use with a Raspberry Pi audio system (i.e. Just BOOM Amp Hat), it has space for 2 XLR style audio connectors (XLR, SpeakOn, PowerCon etc.) and is intended for used with a 19" rack system, allowing you to neatly organise your Raspberry Pi audio systems into a 2U rack space with neat cabling and a professional finish.

This is part of the McPiFace series of front panels, see my Tindie store for more McPiFace panels, including a status board and a basic panel just a Raspberry pi - as shown in the rack photos).

Options:

Sled:

This is needed to hold the Raspberry Pi. It can be added to the order or easily 3D printed (thing:3488157) if you have a 3D printer.

This is available in two options: PLA: This is more resilient to attaching options (M2.5 screw or M3 self tapper) but may warp in hot racks. PET: Less likely to warp but may crack if the front panel screws are over tightened.

Screw Kit:

• 4x M2.5 countersunk machine screws + nuts to mount the Pi (The ones with the Just Boom HAT are to short).
• 2x M2.5 machine screws to mount the sled to the McAudioPiface front panel.
• 4x M3 machine screws and nuts for the audio connectors.

LEDs + Button Kit:

Reverse mount LEDs, button, connector and connecting cable can also be added and connected to the Pi's GPIO pins. This is available in 3 options:

• Not soldered for those that enjoy fiddly soldering.
• Soldered (Not Button) - everything soldered except the button
• Soldered (Inc Button) - everything is soldered, including the button on the front.

Note: Audio connectors are not supplied and should be purchased separately depending on your use case.

Why did you make it?

I needed a way to neatly mount my Raspberry Pi with a Just BOOM Audio HAT and audio connections (for my ceiling speakers), as well as a power input option. I was also planning on having a few of these so regular enclosures would get messy very quickly, additional nothing was really available in way of existing enclosures that allowed space for the HAT and connectors.

This was inspired by the 3D printable front panels thing:1793758 and thing:2759317.

I took those ideas, made a PCB version, then added space for 2 XLR style connectors.

What makes it special?

• There are no existing Raspberry Pi enclosures have that have space for XLR / SpeakOn connectors as well as the HAT, let alone a rack mountable one. This allows 5 audio systems to be mounted in a 2U 19" rack space.
• Silk screen areas on the panel allows for writing (or a label) details of the raspberry pi (i.e. host name or IP address).
• Two XLR style holes allow for audio, power or other connectors (In the photos I'm using the black SpeakOn connector for my speakers, and the red connector for power - against specification for the connector though! - so don't do that!).
• Optional: 2 reverse mount LEDs and a push button that can be connected to the Pi to show status (red/green) and be used to shutdown / reboot the pi.
• The 3D Printed sled holds the Raspberry Pi securely with 4 countersunk screws (M2.5).
• The sled is secured to the panel by means of M2.5 screws or M3 self tappers (don't use M3s on PET 3D print as it cracks).
• Open Source! Eagle PCB files can be downloaded from the github repository and the sled can be 3D printed.

The rack mound modular system (DAP Audio 2 HE Rackblende f. Modulsystem 10 Segmente MP-1 ) can be purchased directly from MusicStore.de

Their is also a a range of accessories, such as standalone XLR connector and power panels from the same people.

Note: An acrylic laser cuttable version of the rack modular system and 3D printable tower enclosure will be available soon - Keep an eye on the McPiFace GitHub project and Thingiverse if you wish.

For a full system you'll need:

• 1x McAudioPiFace front panel
• 1x Screw kit (4x M2.5 countersunk machine screws + nuts, 2x M2.5 machine screws)
• 1x Sled (buy or print your own)
• Speaker/Audio connectors (SpeakOn) or XLR or PowerCon (or 3D Printed blanks / power input)
• Optional: 1x LED + Button kit
• The 19" DAP Audio frame
• A 19" rack case
• Probably a Raspberry Pi, audio HAT (i.e. Just Boom AMP Hat) and speakers as well :-)

Note: McAudioPiFace does NOT include the Raspberry Pi, JustBoom HAT, audio connectors/cables or the modulsystem. The basic option is the PCB front panel only, please add additional items as you need to make the system.

You can pick up audio connectors (of varying quality to match the price) from eBay, Amazon etc. SpeakOn connectors work well for speakers.