[sdiy] Switches and LEDs (was Re: Designing control surface, potentiometer heights?)

[Jacob Watters]

Most synths that use LED's and pots have something to indicate when
the pots are changed from the patch preset. In the Juno it is a dot in
the dual 7 segment display. The Bass Station 2 takes it one step
further and gives an arrow indicator for which direct you need to turn
the last adjusted parameter in order to get back to the preset value.

These solutions aren't perfect, but I have never had a problem using
them with either of those two synths mentioned. Once I learned how
they function, I was able to work around it.


-Jacob Watters

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 10:35 AM, Tom Wiltshire <tom at electricdruid.net> wrote:
> I've always wondered about this. There's a good number of synths that use buttons and LEDs this way, and they often have pots too (Prophet 5, for example). When you change program, the LEDs (the button state) changes to reflect the new program. But the pots don't change. So some parts of the interface show the new state, and some parts don't. I always thought this was a weird inconsistency, although I understand why it was done like that. Finding a better way is difficult or expensive. I love the Nord encoder-plus-LED-ring virtual pots, but imagine the cost (and LED current consumption!) of doing the Prophet 5 interface like that.
>
> Tom
>
> On 19 Feb 2015, at 15:09, rburnett at richieburnett.co.uk wrote:
>
>> If it's just the multi-way rotary switches that are causing you the headaches, another option might be to redesign with a "select" push-switch and a bunch of status LEDs that are cycled through each time you press the switch.  Like the waveform selections on this Nord lead synth:
>>
>> http://www.nordkeyboards.com/sites/default/files/files/products/nord-lead-4/images/nl4-lfomod.jpg
>>
>> Even the old Juno 60 had it's oscillator waveform and octave settings done with tact switches and LEDs.  It has the added benefit that you can force a state change if you want it to update in response to incoming MIDI CCs too.
>>
>> -Richie,
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2015-02-19 14:01, Michael Zacherl wrote:
>>> On 19.Feb 2015, at 0:59 , Jack Jackson <jackdamery at hotmail.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> What about these ?
>>> "Gold anodised Aluminium"  @ £2.99/pc ??
>>>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6mm-Potentiometer-Shaft-Metal-Coupler-Extender-Joiner-extension-pot-shafts/111583497015?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20141212152715%26meid%3D0d2baae1e80e4e7099c049ae27ea493a%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D121549378502
>>>> ----------------------------------------
>>>>> Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 22:22:03 +0100
>>>>> From: spr at spridley.freeserve.co.uk
>>>>> To: jackdamery at hotmail.co.uk
>>>>> Subject: RE: [sdiy] Designing control surface, potentiometer heights?
>>>>>> The only solutions I can think of are to make 'scaffolding' PCBs
>>>>> Have you thought "outside the box"? Use a non-flat panel.
>>> --
>>> http://mz.klingt.org
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