I'm inspired by you lot!
I'm inspired by you lot! Posted on: 17.05.2011 by Olene Minyard And decided to take the plunge and build my own controller even though I know absolutely nothing about electronics! I am in the UK, and have two Maplin stores nearby (which are pricey but I can pick things up as and when is required). Also got one or two othr electronics stores where I can pick things up cheaply. Basically, I'm looking at building a Midifighter-ish controller to supplement my setup. I don't really need it (though some argue that I do, FEP more than anyone else it seems!), but I just fancied giving it a go However, I have no idea where to start. Reading the software sticky and doing a search, it seems like most threads start off with the assumption that people doing this has some understanding already, which leaves me confused from the offset I've seen that gamepads PCBs can be used as the "brain" and I'm wondering which conrollers are best to use? I'm considering a 4x4 arcade button setup, and if tehre are spare analog connections, to maybe include some pots or faders (not sure on layout yet - want to get an idea of what's possible first). Do people have pointers to somewhere I can use as a starting point for building a gamepad Midifighter-esque controller? I have searched, but as I said, any threads I found seem to be assuming some kind of understanding/grasp of the concept of electronics before starting. Any help would be HUGELY appreciated. I'd like to show everyone that if I can do it, anyone can, which will hopefully inspire future midi controller builders as you have done for me! | |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by extraclassic
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Janyce Henningson 18.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by extraclassic
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster |
| Olene Minyard 17.05.2011 | And decided to take the plunge and build my own controller even though I know absolutely nothing about electronics! I am in the UK, and have two Maplin stores nearby (which are pricey but I can pick things up as and when is required). Also got one or two othr electronics stores where I can pick things up cheaply. Basically, I'm looking at building a Midifighter-ish controller to supplement my setup. I don't really need it (though some argue that I do, FEP more than anyone else it seems!), but I just fancied giving it a go However, I have no idea where to start. Reading the software sticky and doing a search, it seems like most threads start off with the assumption that people doing this has some understanding already, which leaves me confused from the offset I've seen that gamepads PCBs can be used as the "brain" and I'm wondering which conrollers are best to use? I'm considering a 4x4 arcade button setup, and if tehre are spare analog connections, to maybe include some pots or faders (not sure on layout yet - want to get an idea of what's possible first). Do people have pointers to somewhere I can use as a starting point for building a gamepad Midifighter-esque controller? I have searched, but as I said, any threads I found seem to be assuming some kind of understanding/grasp of the concept of electronics before starting. Any help would be HUGELY appreciated. I'd like to show everyone that if I can do it, anyone can, which will hopefully inspire future midi controller builders as you have done for me! |
| Karry Sappington 19.05.2011 | You dont specifically need a flexi, even a decade old one will also do. we want only that small board. BTW that DIY isnt mine, i found it about a month ago |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | Just in my local Asda superstore shopping and their own brand usb keyboards are |
| Karry Sappington 18.05.2011 | 1 2. 3. |
| Karry Sappington 18.05.2011 | Actually yes, you can attach 6 keyboards at a time with glovepie . Real monster Here a similar one. Another one, though i believe its pointless.In this case i believe we can use a flexi keyboard with a wood backing that will do the job of a regular keyboard, just going funky. |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 | So, for example, if I got a cheap USB keyboard, ripped it open, got a case to fit it into and then did all the wiring, I could use arcade buttons on the case to trigger each 'key'. Then, I'm assuming in software like Traktor, it'd pick it up as a keyboard and I could just map the keyboard keys, i.e. space bar, enter, a, b, c etc to things then when in reality it'd be the arcade buttons triggering them keys. Am I right in believeing that? Sounds very interesting if that's right. Could make a Monster Midifighter |
| Karry Sappington 18.05.2011 | more than buttons, i need pots to make a controller for Reason 5. The Boyinaband tutorials are quite pro, that dude looks like shrillex. |
| Joan Kollmorgen 19.05.2011 |
cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller
This unit's got 1 gamepad in it using 12 buttons and 3 pot's. I'm using glovepie to convert hid to midi.
in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain
I've left the analog sticks on the pcb for the moment and soldered to the existing connections (everything's working fine) although i would like to remove them eventually.
Damn that's looking sexy - nicer than your decks were even..
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster
This looks very neat! Very retro looking, but very cool too!
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Olene Minyard 19.05.2011 | Just found this tutorial. Looks not too difficult. However, would this kind of direction be able to hand a Midifighter-esque kind of mapping? Also, is it possible to build a home device that can be easily connected up, i.e. plug in the USB and it's recognised with needing to use third party software? Or would that be way too difficult and something you'd need a programmer to do? |
| Olene Minyard 18.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by extraclassic
What gamepad controllers did yo rip open for this project? Which are the best to use? Best to use a newer one or would older PS2 and original Xbox ones work? If I use a wired Xbox 360 controller, can I then utilise the already existing USB cable and connection on it, saving me from having to figure out the connection side of it? If you get, say, 16 digital buttons and 4 analogues off a game pad, is it possible to combine 2 and make a monster unit? Just getting ideas at the moment of where I can go. |
| Janyce Henningson 18.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by extraclassic
I'm sure you said you were a chippie right? Or did I imagine that? Nice wood skills - the last case I made from mdf was a disaster |
| Karry Sappington 18.05.2011 | cool extraclassic !! is that a sampler of its own with memory n stuff or is it like a sampler controller in a gamepad when you wire up the pots, they need some resistors for pull up or pull down but i don't know the actual thing behind it.please explain |
| Joan Kollmorgen 17.05.2011 | Got to love modding gamepad's Some people make it harder than it really is? Here's a few snaps of a fully working prototype sample player I'm working on right now. 12 buttons 3 pots feel free to ask any questions. Video coming soon. |
| Arcelia Siebeneck 17.05.2011 | sorry, too drunk to post anything useful toevening ... that video is definitely a good place to start though |
| Shay Wyche 17.05.2011 | Have you seen Ean's starter video? It has plenty of tips. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAosgd9Cy6U |
| Olene Minyard 17.05.2011 | That'd be awesome MiLD! Any pointers would be good as at the moment I'm pretty much at Year One and need to be brought up to 2011 |
| Arcelia Siebeneck 17.05.2011 | lol, I wish that were the case! I'm in the same boat as most people here... know a little bit but most of it is theory... still haven't completed a DIY midi project from start to finish yet. I'd suggest having a look through the recent numpad thread (about 5 posts down on this community at the moment). I'll post up a few pointers later on toevening , when I get home from work. |
| Tatum Ansaldo 17.05.2011 | Ask MiL0. He's the expert on these things. |
| Karry Sappington 17.05.2011 | me too on the same road, only i know that its an hid device that needs some software to convert the inputs to midi or keystrokes. to solder the pots they use some pull up or pull down resistor but DONT know why. |
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