[BUILD LOG/HELP] FX CONTROLLER FOR TRAKTOR. Need few bro-tips.

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[BUILD LOG/HELP] FX CONTROLLER FOR TRAKTOR. Need few bro-tips.
Posted on: 02.05.2011 by Dacia Mccart
Hey yo i'm believeing about building a fx controller for traktor as i dj with my friend and if one is trying to do fx as the other is stomping on my numark omni it becomes a bit thight there. you get the point. So yeah i wanted to make a controller for Fx and have made an layout as you can see in the picture.

So yeah it consist of 8 push knobs and 8 arcade buttons and 16 leds. As the mapping i believe i will let the push active the effect which is kinda obvious? But when you press the D/W you will turn it into a super knob and create a massive mess, which can be cool. Arcade buttons would then be for like making build ups with beatmasher like in the instant gratification mapping for the MF, like one button creates 1 bar loop, next 1/2 and so on. But enough of that shi.
Things i need help with:
What is the best "brain" to build this from? I have seen someone use a gamepad, but i have also seen things like this but that costs much more. So what is the cheapest and easiest thing to use as a brain.

Also is it harder to map push knobs than just regular knobs? And can i use every knob or do i need some special type?

[ame="http://s528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/Kurbitur/mysetup/?action=view&current=MidiController1.jpg"]mysetup :: MidiController1.jpg picture by Kurbitur - Photobucket[/ame] here is a link to photo
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by steffanko
lpd8 is like born to be fx controller! I use it mainly as an fx controller, but there are 3 more banks for other stuff. Just genius.
Building a controller will cost about 25 euros, ldp8 costs 50 and ist much much better.
But hell yea, it's too much of temptation to build one! :d

and as i see, if you decide to build it from gamepads, you are going to need two of them. That way, you are going to use 16 of 24 buttons, so reconsider adding another row of arcade buttons.

25
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by Archies'bald
The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Shay Wyche
03.05.2011		The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by steffanko
lpd8 is like born to be fx controller! I use it mainly as an fx controller, but there are 3 more banks for other stuff. Just genius.
Building a controller will cost about 25 euros, ldp8 costs 50 and ist much much better.
But hell yea, it's too much of temptation to build one! :d

and as i see, if you decide to build it from gamepads, you are going to need two of them. That way, you are going to use 16 of 24 buttons, so reconsider adding another row of arcade buttons.

25
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by Archies'bald
The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Shay Wyche
03.05.2011		The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by steffanko
lpd8 is like born to be fx controller! I use it mainly as an fx controller, but there are 3 more banks for other stuff. Just genius.
Building a controller will cost about 25 euros, ldp8 costs 50 and ist much much better.
But hell yea, it's too much of temptation to build one! :d

and as i see, if you decide to build it from gamepads, you are going to need two of them. That way, you are going to use 16 of 24 buttons, so reconsider adding another row of arcade buttons.

25
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by Archies'bald
The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Shay Wyche
03.05.2011		The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Arcelia Siebeneck
03.05.2011
Originally Posted by Kurbitur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inAbbTSER1M here is a video of the omni that has these push knobs, believe i can't describe them better. These knobs are also not infinite.
must be custom numark pots? never seen those before, sorry
Dacia Mccart
06.05.2011		Well, If i can add few pots and push buttons to the LPD8 i believe i will do that.
So here is the newest idea.
[ame]http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/Kurbitur/mysetup/Lpd8-1.jpg[/ame]
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by steffanko
lpd8 is like born to be fx controller! I use it mainly as an fx controller, but there are 3 more banks for other stuff. Just genius.
Building a controller will cost about 25 euros, ldp8 costs 50 and ist much much better.
But hell yea, it's too much of temptation to build one! :d

and as i see, if you decide to build it from gamepads, you are going to need two of them. That way, you are going to use 16 of 24 buttons, so reconsider adding another row of arcade buttons.

25
Dacia Mccart
05.05.2011		Hey there,

I went to one of my musical shop today and saw that they sold korg nanoPAD and it costed about 2000ISK (my currency) less than the brain. for 2000ISK i can like buy almost all the pots or like 2kg of candy, its about 18$. So i got this idea if i could hack the Korg nanoPAD and solder stuff to it, like pots and buttons?

I could also call them and see they could order LPD8 if it's easier to hack.
Jacqualine Arroyos
05.05.2011
Originally Posted by Archies'bald
The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Dacia Mccart
04.05.2011		hello there,

So this is getting clearer. I will use the X brain to build from. I will not use push pots as i can't find them and it is just to much trouble. In stead i will use mini pushbuttons that i saw in my local electric store and they didn't cost much (1/4 of the price of one pot) they are similar to the miniature pushbuttons in the link in my previous comment.
So the thing will look something like this. [ame="http://s528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/Kurbitur/mysetup/?action=view&current=Midicontroller-1.jpg"]mysetup :: Midicontroller-1.jpg picture by Kurbitur - Photobucket[/ame]

but as for the pots. Is this 10k 20k thingy you talk about is that 20k ohm? if so how many ohms is recommended for this project? I've have seen mil0 advertise these 20k pots so i believe i will buy that kind but advices are appreciated.
Dacia Mccart
03.05.2011		Oh well then i have to redesign this a bit. I believe i will then just go with normal pots as it's simpler, but do i have space on the brain for 8 push buttons? then i would have 8 knobs, 8 small buttons, and 8 arcade buttons.
[ame="http://s528.photobucket.com/albums/dd321/Kurbitur/mysetup/?action=view&current=Midicontroller.jpg"]mysetup :: Midicontroller.jpg picture by Kurbitur - Photobucket[/ame] something like this.
That also give me the option to solder leds to the pots like to original plan.
For buttons could i use like http://futurlec.com/SwPush.shtml round pushbuttons as listed there?.
Could also be a cool idea to use a toggle switch but it might get uncomfortable after a while http://futurlec.com/SwToggle.shtml
Shay Wyche
03.05.2011		The pot/switch combination does exist, but they are expensive and are normally used in guitars. You could be looking at
Dacia Mccart
03.05.2011		Aarrrgh now i hate numark for showing these to me , i will try to mail them and see if i can get any info!
Arcelia Siebeneck
03.05.2011
Originally Posted by Kurbitur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inAbbTSER1M here is a video of the omni that has these push knobs, believe i can't describe them better. These knobs are also not infinite.
must be custom numark pots? never seen those before, sorry
Dacia Mccart
03.05.2011		http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inAbbTSER1M here is a video of the omni that has these push knobs, believe i can't describe them better. These knobs are also not infinite.
Arcelia Siebeneck
04.05.2011		Just got your pm

The Leo Bodnar boards will work with encoders (download this: http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU...6_encoders.exe) but it sounds like you want to use pots that have built in buttons? I've never seen something like that so I don't know if they exist?

The non-X version of the Leo Bodnar controller is cheaper and very straightforward to get working as long as you don't use more than 12 buttons (if you want more, you need to use diodes and a matrix). For 8 pots and 12 buttons, it's probably the easiest and cheapest option - as long as you don't mind using some HID-to-midi software to convert the joystick movements into midi data.

LED's aren't directly supported via midi/HID but you could implement them in the same way Ean Golden does in the video above.
Dacia Mccart
04.05.2011		I don't believe push pots exists so i believe i will have to go use these encoders, or use pots and mini pushbuttons, if i have enough slots for that. But yeah i believe i will go with the x model.
Shonda Soulier
04.05.2011
Originally Posted by Kurbitur
I believe i will build from http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/ as it looks quiet simple, but i could also save some money and build from this http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/.
What is this matrix thingy i need in the smaller one? and is it more complicated to use than the larger one?.
the X model is much easier to work with, but it will ultimately be up to you how much time you want to put into it and how much money you're willing to spend. there might be a steeper learning curve with the matrix too.

For knobs, would these work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180638088237
and can i solder leds to them like on normal potentiometer? As when i turn the knob the led will become brighter as in this video
Those are encoders not potentiometers. They rotate 360 degrees and lack a relative position. You sound like you want pots, not encoders. So to answer your question, no, those would not work and the LED would not work like that video either. I don't know where to find push pots, sorry.
Dacia Mccart
04.05.2011		Hey there Dj-ranking s.

A bit of update of what i'm believeing about. I believe i will build from http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836X/ as it looks quiet simple, but i could also save some money and build from this http://www.leobodnar.com/products/BU0836/.
What is this matrix thingy i need in the smaller one? and is it more complicated to use than the larger one?.

As for arcade buttons i believe i will just buy some fro the DJTT shop as they are cheap and work.

For knobs, would these work? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180638088237
and can i solder leds to them like on normal potentiometer? As when i turn the knob the led will become brighter as in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAosgd9Cy6U

As for case i will just make something up and paint it cool.
Clay Lorow
02.05.2011		LPD8 is like born to be fx controller! I use it mainly as an fx controller, but there are 3 more banks for other stuff. Just genius.
Building a controller will cost about 25 euros, ldp8 costs 50 and ist much much better.
But hell yea, it's too much of temptation to build one!

And as I see, if you decide to build it from gamepads, you are going to need two of them. That way, you are going to use 16 of 24 buttons, so reconsider adding another row of arcade buttons.
Shonda Soulier
02.05.2011		I'm going to jack this from MiL0...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a7NU98fSMI

he has shown us how easy it is to mod the PCB of the LPD8 simply by soldering onto the underside. if you want to solder arcade buttons onto it, i imagine you can do that as well, although that is slightly more difficult.

this of course is assuming you still want to customize the layout. i should also mention that you can't use push pots with this PCB...you would need 8 more digital solder points.

if those need to be push pots, you might want to look into another brain, like Arduino (advanced), Teensy (intermediate), or the Leo Bodnar BU0836X (novice).
Dacia Mccart
02.05.2011		You're right on that one, didn't realize until now.
Ciara Cuttill
02.05.2011		hmmm ... the concept is sorta similar to a LPD8 ... have fun building but if need be, look into an LPD8.

Dacia Mccart
02.05.2011		Well, i could just buy a bcr2000 but that thing is kinda of huge compare to my idea, and it doesn't have push knobs and arcade buttons. Also making stuff is fun!
Eli Hergonz
02.05.2011		my thoughts for FX:

sooner or later you will have FX premaped to single button like midifighter and you will need at least 360 knobs with incremental ability to modified that values wich will jump every time you hit some button(preset). and if you can buy with led rings so you dont need to watch at laptop.

at the end buy BCR2000, its easier and cheaper

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