Lets go shopping :) ... your input wanted

[thestruggler]

Hi,

I am building a midibox64 with sliders, knobs, buttons, and leds. It will be hopefully used for a few things ... control cubase, ableton, and so on. I am just trying to experiment and see how this first project comes out. So far have had a few problems but which have been solved and my core, ltc, dout, and so on seem to be working with the correct voltages.

Now is the time to build the case and put it all together. Can anyone have a look at my shopping list and let me know if I have gone wrong anywhere, and general thoughts. The case will be made of wood and plastic front panel.

Potshttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Resistors+%26+Potentiometer&tier3=Control+Potentiometers&tier4=24mm+Commercial+potentiometers&moduleno=65224&catref=65-0515

Knobshttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=Fasteners+%26+Fixings&tier3=Knobs&tier4=Matt+black+control+knobs&moduleno=64713&catref=32-0280

Buttonshttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Switches&tier3=Push-Button+Switches&tier4=Non-RoHS+SPST+panel+mounting+push+switch&moduleno=75593&catref=77-0404

Sliderhttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Resistors+%26+Potentiometer&tier3=Control+Potentiometers&tier4=Slide+potentiometers&moduleno=65234&catref=66-0105

SlideControlhttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%26+Production+Equipment&tier2=Fasteners+%26+Fixings&tier3=Knobs&tier4=Slider+control+knob&moduleno=64718&catref=32-1222

Ledhttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Optoelectronics&tier3=5mm+LEDs&tier4=5mm+Standard+LEDs&moduleno=77692&catref=55-0155

LedCliphttp://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?&tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Optoelectronics&tier3=LED+Optics+And+Mounts&tier4=5mm+Bezel+panel+clips&moduleno=29304&catref=55-0260

Let me know what you guys think....and trying to keep it simple and accomplishable .... :)

[Sasha]

Hi, Struggler. There is nothing critical in this list, but you must pay attention on pots... your link to Rapid Electronics for pots showing whole list, but you need to buy 10K linear, so part noumber is 65-0515. Same thing with sliders... you need 66-0105. Happy shopping

[stryd_one]

Most of those pages have a few items on them, as Sasha pointed out.

Those pots have a 5cm long shaft, thats LONG. I dunno if that's what you want.

The buttons are quite large (1.5cm hole, prolly 2cm all up.), I dunno if that's what you want.

You can read the datasheet to see if the fader knobs will fit.

As you can see, the answer of "yes this is OK" or "no this is not" depends on two things: Your design, which only you know, and reading the data sheets, which you can do.

Don't be afraid man, just take your time and plan carefully, and you won't have to live up to your nickname :)

[thestruggler]

Hi!

Thanks for the input people!

I completely see your point about the length ... found some shorter ones .. hopefully they will work So thanks for saving me a bit of headache on those.

Have been planning, contemplating, and procrastinating for ages ... so now i dive head first in the deep end! : ) Its always the best way to learn ...

sort of have to live up tho the nickname ... even if most of the time its my own doing  :P

[stryd_one]

hehehe yeh, I have another moniker I use elsewhere, which translates to something similar to the struggler, and yeh, we always create it for ourselves.

I think Wilba's box is a good example here. He spent a good amount of time planning that and laying stuff out, and yet he also pushed it out as fast as he could....and thank goodness is encouraging me not to over-plan, which is the flipside of the coin. I think that's my failing, I over-plan. Badly.

I thought I should encourage you to dive in, cause I could tell that you had apprehensions... But don't dive too hard in case the water is shallow/your pots are loo long ;)

[stefstabilizer]

The buttons are a latching type which may be what you are after but I think momentary give you more flexibilty as you can program the box to turn momentary into toggle type buttons so you can change your mind once you've built it!

I bought these illuminated buttons from rapid..

http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?tier1=Electronic+Components&tier2=Switches&tier3=Keyboard+Switches&tier4=Non-RoHS+Illuminated+PCB+keyboard+switches&moduleno=77016

They are pretty nice feeling as well, clicky though, and I have a photo of one lit up on my blog... http://www.stefangoodchild.com and they are only a few pence more than your current choice.

Order code 77-3130 with a blue LED...  They are PCB mount but that shouldn't be a problem..  I've got a preliminary layout for a block of 4 in a row if you are interested..  I'll be posting it soon anyway to get some of the bigger brains on here to give it the once over anyway to make sure I'm right before I get my friend to etch my boards for me :-)

They are square though so unless you are shit hot with cutting holes you would be stuck with getting a panel made but I priced one from Schaffer and for my layout which is pretty complicated it was only 30 euros which is amazing really for a custom panel.

[stryd_one]

The buttons are a latching type

Geez well spotted! Those are not useful for a midibox at all really.

[thestruggler]

well spotted you bright person!

I first noticed that on checkout when i decided to double check everything...phew : )

[URBatORB]

Hello,

I'm very satisfied with the Alpha Pots. I have these:

http://www.banzaieffects.com/Alpha-16mm-split-shaft-10k-lin-pr-17257.html

I think my pots are nearly the same as yours, but with a shorter metal-split-shaft

/Daniel

[cimo]

hey stef

have you been using those buttons for quite a while? i am looking for nice backlit buttons and yours look like being that but after i ve spent a fortune on rjs that after a few sessions stopped doing what they were supposed to... well those cost 10 time less but i wouldn t be surprised if they re better.. what do you have to say about them?

I ll be probably doing my own custom made buttons but if there a good chance to buy buttons that will survive my abuse ...

let me/us know

simone

[stefstabilizer]

Re the buttons...  I've not actually built the box so have no idea how well they will hold up.

They certainly have a tougher feel compared to the RJS buttons..  Bigger, chunkier you know but doesn't mean they'll survive extended use.

I've bought a lot more than I need though because of the failure issue.

Stef

[cimo]

I've bought a lot more than I need though because of the failure issue.

yes well done i did the same but then i moved into a wallet issue (3 pounds each) ;-)

let us know when you re finished

thanks

simone