Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Jason's Joystick Project


 Bank of  8 X/Y Analog Joysticks controlling a Modcan

This is a copy of an article written by Jason <SRRecords@aol.com> about building joystick controllers as a DIY project.

The Analog Cottage "joystick project" is an incredibly good way for modular 
synthesists to "get their feet wet" in the world of do-it-yourself 
controllers.  All one really needs are some readily available hardware tools 
like drills and soldering irons, some electrical components easily available 
on the internet and local stores, and a very simple understanding of 
electricity (which was good for me because I am "clueless" when it comes to 
serious electronic/electric projects!)

I did have a great deal of help from André, but he left it to me 
to design the chassis and implement the electric components that fit into the 
chassis.  This was good because it turned out to be a learning experience 
about signal flow in electric equipment.  He provided detailed instructions 
with the project about the materials, the tools, and exactly what wires get 
soldered to what components etc.  I particularly liked this detailed approach 
because  I don't consider myself "electric friendly" - I'd rather sit down 
and start playing!  But while building the project, it was nice to be able to 
refer to the detailed instructions every so often.


Any problems I encountered during the building of this project were the 
result of my own lack of knowledge, not the design of the project - it is 
fantastic!  For instance - my soldering job is quite a bit messier than a 
professional's and my woodworking skills are not exactly the best.  But my 
choice of a wood cabinet was not what the project specified - it's something 
I decided to experiment with and it worked quite well.  If one were to follow 
the guidelines exactly as they are specified, no doubt the project would be 
even better than what I ended up with!  And the project does leave a lot of 
room for experimentation - I ended up putting banana jacks on mine to play a 
Modcan system, but those could be replaced with 1/4" jacks for use with 
another comparable system.


The bottom line is - for any modular synthesist out there with a curious mind 
and a willingness to experiment with electronics, this project is a fantastic 
way to open the door to completely original musical ideas.  It's almost like 
having 8 (or whatever many joysticks you have) "finger Theremins" controlling 
16 different parameters (more with stackable banana jacks) on a modular 
synthesizer!  With the joystick project, you'll be wanting to add more 
modules to your system just so you can control them with the joysticks - not 
mearly to have another oscillator to add to yet another lead synth patch.  
The modules themselves seem to be born again because the joysticks breathe 
new life into them.
  

I urge any synthesist out there who may be a little bit concerned about 
diving into a diy project to give the joystick project a look - it's a very 
good way to get started and it could very well open the door to other 
projects in the future.  It certainly opens the door to new layers of 
creativity!

  
Jason