[sdiy] And Now for Something Completely Similar...

[James Husted]

On 10/20/02 4:55 PM, "Grant Richter" <grichter at asapnet.net> wrote:

> We can add a Gate button in the Synthi position (1 inch right of joystick
> center). Also there is an ambidexterous model.
> 
> For one hand operation, Synthi players use the bent little finger for the
> gate button, with thumb and index controlling the Joystick. We have found
> the thumb button position to be useful for novice players, with index and
> ring fingers controlling the Joystick. Drumming rhythms with the thumb comes
> naturally, unless your Synthi has trained you to play with your little
> finger ;^)

That's my problem +5 years with 2 AKSs and a VCS3 burned that into me. At
least you HAVE a gate button on yours! I had to make one for my system.
Neither the AS or the Doepfer module have gate buttons. And they don't make
a manual gate module either. I guess to them the joystick is just a pair of
pots, not a performance tool.
> 
> The problem is left or right handed operation. With a Synthi for two handed
> operation, the right hand controls the Gate button and the left the
> Joystick. This is reversed in the Wiard with the idea of right hand Joystick
> control. Neither idea is intrinsically correct.

I had never thought of this. I'm semi ambidextrous (I mainly write and paint
left handed, everything else right handed). I guess the only solution would
be a costly one of two buttons mentioned below. On the module I ended up
making for my system, I made two buttons, each a SPDT push button switch
with a N/O and N/C output, input normalized to +5V. This way I could switch
gates or other signals.
> 
> But we can add additional gate buttons in two different locations. A
> Joystick, even as simple as it is, can be quite a fun controller.
> 

This is the problem all manufacturers face. EVERYONE wants a custom system!

-James

-- 
James Husted
The ErsatZ Planet Graphics & Sound
james at ersatzplanet.com
www.ersatzplanet.com