* Build Log * DIY Controllers (gamepad PCB)
* Build Log * DIY Controllers (gamepad PCB) Posted on: 02.10.2010 by Wava Egizi Hi everyone!I have finally bought some material for my up and coming controller project! I already own a Kontrol X1 that I love, but I also love DIY controllers. So why not build two controllers that have the same dimensions as the X1 to have on each side of it? As a cheap solution I will use two USB gamepad PCBs! Each gamepad cost about $18 and will give me the following: 4 analog inputs for sliders/knobs 12 (maybe 14) digital inputs for buttons That is quite what I need for some fun play! The size of my controllers are the same as the X1: 120x29mm As a nice detail and addition I will add LEDs to all the buttons. When a button is pushed, the buttons LED will light up! Not as nice as MIDI controlled LEDs, but it will do As seen on the attached image I will be using two different designs. Functions as followed: LEFT CONTROLLER: 1 crossfader 2 volume faders (the far left, and far right faders) 1 fader with, until now, planned function 12 buttons for cue points, and other basic functions. Maybe some effects. I believe that I am satisfied with the left controllers layout. I believe it has the most basic functions I need: crossfader and volume faders. I like the 3x3 button layout more than 4x4. 3x3 takes less space, and somehow feels better to play with... For the right controller I'm not as sure... On the attached image there is 2 faders and 2 knobs on it. I added some knobs instead of faders, because the left controller doesn't have any. But I'm not sure... How do you believe I should layout my right controller? A jogwheel would be SO nice, but the budget does not accept it / Oskar | |
| Wava Egizi 09.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by michaeldunne109
Originally Posted by some_dj
Originally Posted by fbonito
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| Marylynn Oree 25.02.2013 | Everything looks great. I am starting my project too. But ... i dont know how to hack my usb gampepad. I tried solder only buttons but there is only few at a gamepad. I dont know how to hack analog to get more buttons. Give me some tips or links to your hacking tutorials. |
| Wallace Ferraro 19.05.2011 | Really nice project Oskar, I have a x1 aswell and Im maybe going to create a midi controller myself due to money problems.. |
| Dean Naumes 04.03.2011 | Awesome, I just read everything I could find on these diy projects. I'm starting my own, using 2 xbox controllers so about 28 digital and 10 analog. I just ordered 20+2 arcade buttons and I'm still trying to figure out what fader/pot ratio I should use, I was believeing all faders but it will depend on the pricing. This was my initial idea http://imgur.com/MgbWN , now I'm seriously considering splitting it in two. The top squares are toggle switches for modifiers. Since xbox controllers have a built-in usb hub I'll link them together so the whole controller only uses one port. |
| Wava Egizi 04.03.2011 | mmmmhmmmm.... Vinyl you say... I actually own a vinyl cutter =) ... I will believe about that! Thanks for the advice! |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 04.03.2011 | from my experience, instead of sanding or painting the acrylic you sould use a vinyl application. there are many different finishes, is easy to use and in the future iff you get bored, you can allways remove and glue a new one :-) |
| Wava Egizi 04.03.2011 | Okey guys... I have some plans... 1. The brain for this controller will be an Arduino instead of gamepad. 2. I need a good "casing" 3. When I'm done, I gonna record a couple of YouTube videos where I describe how to work with Arduino+JunXion and making this kind of midi controller. Including describing some basic electronics! BUT! I need your help! Is my case enough? I believe I should sand it so the painted surface gets smooth and nice... and then maybe spray paint it instead of with a brush... Or should I get a custom metal casing? The left unit is missing on the image. |
| Wava Egizi 09.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by michaeldunne109
Originally Posted by some_dj
Originally Posted by fbonito
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| Marnie Pomeranz 09.12.2010 | cant wait for a full reveiw/demo of your controller you got to give it a name |
| Maryanne Weatherill 08.12.2010 | Sweet controller dude but Just believeing out loud would you not postion the arcade buttons to suit the natural 'fall' position of your fingers like moldovers mojo?? I just believe his idea is genius at first i was like whats this man doing but my god i love it. Just a taught >>http://www.moldover.com/ |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 07.12.2010 | hi, started my project http://www.djranking s.com/community /sho...347#post190347 thanks oskars for you answers, it will be very usefull |
| Margo Gilb 02.12.2010 | press the button ANALOG/DIGITAL after plugging it into your PC. Then most of the gamepads out there change from digital to analog for the inputs left and right... then try again on this connection. Mine works like this: up and down: analog, left right: digital -> then button Analog/Digital and the left and right buttons change to analog. It works fine here. |
| Franklin Momany 02.12.2010 | oskars get to work! I wanna see this thing. . . explode : ]. Hurry up geez. . gosh. . XD |
| Margo Emperador 01.12.2010 | Is it just one LED or do you have several connected? Are they connected in series or parallel? |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 01.12.2010 | hi robin, thanks for your reply. the first problem is that i don't have a multimeter... the led is connected to a 220 resistor, and it works fine with the potenciometer (analog part of the controller) the other connections (left for example) are very faint the controller is directly connected to the laptop and has no other led connected i've also tryed to manually connect the different contacts, and it's the same thing what can i do? maybee get different LED? :-| |
| Margo Gilb 01.12.2010 | Take your multimeter and measure the voltage. If it is about 5V that should be fine for the LED with a resistor of about 100-200 (depends on the colour) the . You can only connect the LEDs in parallel circuits. If the LEDs is still not working correctly, try to use an active USB-Hub to avoid problems with the electric current. If the LED is still not working correctly, desolder it and hold it manually to a battery or the usb voltage then there should be a nice light. Did you notice that you have multiple voltages inside the gamepad? Mine has 5 Volts at nearly all buttons, but there are some (eg the SELECT Button) which has 2-3 Volts. maybe you only tried to solder it to the little voltage pins? |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 30.11.2010 | hello, i have another LED question... i'm working on my gamepad midi controller (will post some working process pictures soon) i'm looking at the connections, potenciometers, switch, etc... i've manage to connect the potenciometers with LED and it works fine, but when i connect the LED to the switches the light is not bright, actually is very faint... am i doing something wrong???? thanks |
| Shay Wyche 19.11.2010 | I've posted this a few times, but here it is again. If you have an old PS2 you can use the old controllers (or buy them from Ebay) and use one of these little gizmos. It connects the two controllers to one usb, therefore doubling the amount of buttons/analogues you can use. I've got one similar and I'm sure you would be able to find something to your locale. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-2x-PS2-PS-...item5adaaf5b51 |
| Wava Egizi 19.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by DigitalManipulation
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Originally Posted by Robin Raydon
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| Margo Gilb 19.11.2010 | you could also connect multiple joysticks to have more axis My next thing will be build with 4... for a 4 channel layout with High/Mid/Low EQ for each channel |
| Janell Selser 18.11.2010 | Thanks. Now if I can only find a game pad with like 10 joysticks I'd be set . |
| Dillon Paganini 18.11.2010 | dope so only 14 digital inputs? i keep hearing 16, 14, 12 |
| Wava Egizi 18.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Tha Gooch
Originally Posted by DigitalManipulation
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| Janell Selser 18.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by oskars
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| Dillon Paganini 19.11.2010 | for the 10K linear slide pots is it center detent? or does it not matter? |
| Melinda Shick 17.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by DigitalManipulation
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| Dillon Paganini 17.11.2010 | The case is the only thing killing me right now. How did you mount your gamepad to the case? how was wiring the slide pots to the gamepad? |
| Tatum Ansaldo 16.11.2010 | I believe that was a fair question. Not really worthy of an RTFM. |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 16.11.2010 | I always thought that community
s were used to specifically ask questions, have discussions, learn if I am wrong please correct me ... and yes, I could do simple or detailed research on LEDs and resistors, read books, etc.. but will not be easy to ask someone who knows? and yes, I choose what is easy, difficult or what needs more study for me, the kind of knowledge that interest me so you would not have been a nicer guy if you had given the link, or given a simple explanation instead of criticism? well, thanks for the link, It will be very useful |
| Margo Gilb 16.11.2010 | But if you want to learn what is going on with the parts you solder you should read texts about it or simlply learn something by doing it. If you want to make a copy of his controller you may ask him... Connect LED |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 16.11.2010 | the search criteria I chose was to ask who knows based on his experience ... what is wrong with that? as far as I understand, ask someone who knows, is to search for information by myself... |
| Margo Gilb 16.11.2010 | Look up Ohm's law and how to connect LE DIODES... What is the problem to search for Info on your own? |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 16.11.2010 | thanks, that will help and about the resistors for the leds? ;-) |
| Wava Egizi 16.11.2010 | It is 10k faders |
| Dillon Paganini 15.11.2010 | i have been told that 10k linear slide pots are the perfect thing especially for the midi fighter |
| Jacqualine Arroyos 15.11.2010 | hi, just a quick question, what are the especifications of the faders? i saw somewhere that the analog gamepad are potentiometer 100k do you have any idea? thanks |
| Graham Frazier 15.11.2010 | Hurry up, i want to see this thing in action. |
| Enrique Silversmith 15.11.2010 | that video better come soon with some action!! |
| Wava Egizi 15.11.2010 | Eehh... everyone seems to answer the questions so I don't know if I have anything more to come up with Thanks for all your kind words! I'm really happy that you like my controller! Videos will come soon! |
| Enrique Silversmith 15.11.2010 |
Originally Posted by Ashigari
ebay has them for like 99cents from china..... ummm for electronic parts http://www.allelectronics.com/ is a good place ya reading and researching is half the fun man take a little time to read before u just start posting redundant questions..... ....... ...... ..... ... .. . |
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