Eurorack Dimensions: Horizontal Pitch (HP) and Rack Units (U)
A Guide to Eurorack HP and U for Beginners
One of the most important terms to understand in Eurorack is HP, or Horizontal Pitch. HP is a unit of measurement that is used to describe the width of Eurorack modules. One HP is equal to 5.08mm, or 0.2 inches. Eurorack cases are sold in different widths, typical sizes are 60, 84, 104, 150 and 168 HP.
The height of eurorack modules are measured in "Rack Units" or 'U' for short. Both HP and U come from the standard for computer card racks. A standard eurorack module is 3U in height. This means that a 6U eurorack case has 2 rows of eurorack modules (6U case height / 3U per row = 2 rows of modules)
What Size Eurorack Case Should I Buy?
Most experienced eurorack musicians will recommend a 6Ux84HP or 6Ux104HP case to a beginner. When choosing a eurorack case, it is important to consider how many modules you want to include in your system. A small case will be filled quickly and limit functionality. A larger case can be overwhelming if you have never played the eurorack before. A 6Ux104 case will give you enough room for the essential modules, such as an oscillator, filter, envelope generator, and VCA while leaving enough room to add in effects and a sequencer.
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How To Pick the Right Sized Eurorack?
- Know how you plan to use your eurorack. Will it be a standalone instrument, a simple sound source or techno machine?
- If you are just starting out, most recommend a 6Ux84hp case.
- If you want to build a more complex system, choose a slightly larger 6Ux104hp case.
- Consider the types of modules you want to use. Some modules, such as sequencers and samplers, can take up a lot of HP.
- Think about your future plans. If you think you will want to add more modules to your system down the road, choose a larger case.
Questions & Answers
Q: How wide is 1hp in Eurorack?
A: 1hp (Horizontal Pitch) is equal to 0.2 inches, or 5.08mm.
Q: How do I convert HP to inches for Eurorack?
A: Multiply the HP value by 0.2 to get the width in inches. For example, 84hp × 0.2 = 16.8 inches.
Q: How do I convert HP to millimeters for Eurorack synthesizer cases?
A: Multiply the number of HP by 5.08 to get the size in millimeters. For example, 104hp × 5.08 = 528.32mm.
Q: What is the standard height of a Eurorack module?
A: The standard height is 3U (rack units), which is about 5.25 inches or 133.35mm.
Q: What size Eurorack case should a beginner buy?
A: Beginners often choose 6U x 84hp or 6U x 104hp cases because they offer enough space to get started without being overwhelming.
Q: Can I fit modules from different manufacturers in the same Eurorack case?
A: Yes, as long as the modules are Eurorack format (3U, multiples of 1hp wide), they will fit in any Eurorack case regardless of the manufacturer.
Q: How do I calculate the total HP needed for my Eurorack system?
A: Add up the widths (in HP) of all your modules to determine the required case size. Make sure to leave some extra space for future expansion.
Q: What are common Eurorack case sizes in HP?
A: Common widths are 60hp, 84hp, 104hp, 126hp, and 168hp. Choose based on your current modules and expansion plans.