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mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:54 pm

In case I missed this being discussed already, would this be a viable solution to control Zebra's 4 X-Y pads?

http://www.virtuasonic.com/mijoypro.htm

And what would be the most ideal hardware to use?

Thanks,

MM

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psychematic · Post by **psychematic** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:45 pm

Joysticks aren't the best solution since they are spring-loaded and will reset to their center position.

Unless you think that's a good feature.

mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 11:56 pm

psychematic wrote:Joysticks aren't the best solution since they are spring-loaded and will reset to their center position.

Unless you think that's a good feature.

No, I don't think that's a good feature, but they also mentioned game pads, and the only game related contollers I'm familiar with are those of PS2 where I use them in GT3 and GT4, to the point where my adult sons refuse to race me anymore as they're tired of losing:)

Any other HW solutions that anyone has come up with to do what I want?

MM

psychematic · Post by **psychematic** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:07 am

I've done a lot of research on this and the only solution I could think of would be chaining USB laptop touchpads together. I'm working on my own prototype and I've found someone who made laptop touchpad MIDI controller software (for the built-in kind of touchpad, Synaptics brand).

http://www.livelab.dk/touchpad2midi.php

.

mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:16 am

Thanks for the input and the link.

I may try to modify some joysticks. There have to be a bunch around here somewhere from when my boys were younger.

If you construct and then market your prototype, keep me in mind.

MM

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Alex_K · Post by **Alex_K** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:17 am

Joysticks aren't the best solution since they are spring-loaded and will reset to their center position.

Not all joysticks are spring-loaded.

For instance, a joystick with force feedback will not reset to the center position, if you don't power its motors and only plug the USB.

I have tried that with a Microsoft force feedback and it works.
Also sliders remain in position.

Mijoy Pro has also an idle function that could be useful to prevent unwanted MIDI data in those situations.

mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:41 am

Cool! Thanks, Alex_K.

I'll check it out.

MM

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spritex · Post by **spritex** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:04 pm

I still wish there was a reasonably priced USB joystick controller with 1-4 original Korg Wavestation joysticks. That's the best controller joystick I have tried (and I much prefer it to touchpads).

psychematic · Post by **psychematic** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:23 pm

There are older joysticks, like for Apples and IBMs, that weren't spring-loaded.

I should do some more digging... it shouldn't be that hard to find those kinds of parts and do a DIY kinda hardware controller.

There's also USB trackball devices to consider.

viudu · Post by **viudu** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:29 pm

I've been using a Korg MicroKontrol that has 8 sliders, and this works pretty well to map to the X and Y coordinate pairs for the 4 pads.

not as nice as 4 pads, but you can work each pad with 2 fingers easily, and controllers like this are easily found...

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:36 pm

I wish someone would hack the NUKE joystick controller I have for my Hartmann Neuron VS so I could use it as a midi controller - someone made a Mac app to do that but it was never ported to PC

spritex · Post by **spritex** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:47 pm

Oh, I just remember that I used to have a Redsound Darkstar.
It was a mediocre quality VA hardware synth box with knobs - and a pretty good joystick. The controllers could be used as normal MIDI controllers.

I got rid of it because I didn't use it as a synth and all the knobs were distracting. I was sad to loose the joystick.

It wasn't as good as the Wavestation stick, but better than the small plastic mushroomlike sticks on some equipment.

In my opinion maybe Korg could bring out a simple joystick USB controller.

After all, they have the padkontrol, the kaosspads, Kontrol49, Microkontrol, and soon the three new nanokontrols. How is the stick in Kontrol49 anyway? It doesn't look very sturdy.

Dave Bourke · Post by **Dave Bourke** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:58 pm

An interesting thread. I've always wondered though if a laptop trackpad would make the perfect X/Y controller? And now that my old iBook's screen has died, this could be my golden opportunity to find out.

Wait a minute - who am I kidding? Put a soldering iron in my hand and I'll burn down the house...

mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:07 pm

Dave Bourke wrote:An interesting thread. I've always wondered though if a laptop trackpad would make the perfect X/Y controller? And now that my old iBook's screen has died, this could be my golden opportunity to find out.

Wait a minute - who am I kidding? Put a soldering iron in my hand and I'll burn down the house...

Or leave it plugged in and then your wife accidentally grabs it to put it away...wait a minute - that's exactly what happened when one of my adult sons left one plugged in after working on a R/C car for my grandson, and exactly what my wife did. It would be quite an understatement to say she was "pissed"!

MM

mungocherry33 · Post by **mungocherry33** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:08 pm

viudu wrote:I've been using a Korg MicroKontrol that has 8 sliders, and this works pretty well to map to the X and Y coordinate pairs for the 4 pads.

not as nice as 4 pads, but you can work each pad with 2 fingers easily, and controllers like this are easily found...

Thanks for that suggestion. Might be a solution for now.

MM

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u-he

KVR Audio

Mijoy pro?