Reply to A few quick questions/ DIY midi controller

Hi! I know many people have asked about gamepad to midi controller instructions and the sort and i have read through many of those threads. There are just a few things that i have read around that have gotten me a little confused that i hope someone can clear up for me. I have my school semester coming up and college is taking alot of my time so i wont be able to start my project soon. Just want to make sure i have a clear plan of action before i start my project. The controller will have a 4x4 arcade pushbutton grid along with a shift button, x-fader, 2 rotary pots, and a wet/dry fader. My questions are :

1) If i am using a gamepad like this one http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-TWELVE...ywords=gamepad, will i be able to use the directional pad buttons on the left? I thought i would but i have read some threads around saying that you either cant use them or they have issues. I just need a little clarification. If you can let me know the amount of usable le buttons for the controller above, that would be great!

2) The "mode" button can not be used as a button correct? Because it has to always be activated for my analogue buttons to work?

3) How would i go about connecting the arcade buttons to the board? some of the game controller i have taken apart have either maze-looking or zig-zags for the button connections. Im practicing on an old ps controller and i am having major problems soldering a lead to each side of them because the zig-zags are so close together. Is there an easier way?

4) i have seen a picture shared around this community on how to connect an led to a button. I am still a little confused because i have been told a different way to connect an led and i want to make sure i do it right.

5) Along the same lines above: If i want to attach an LED to a button, i must know which side of the zig-zag is positive and which is ground correct? How would i determine which part is which?


These are my questions for now and i will probably have some more down the line once i get started. Sorry for the beginner questions, its my first diy project. I just want to do everything right and i would be a fool not to ask all you intelligent people here at dj tech tools! Thank you in advance for your help!