[sdiy] Question how to improve rotary encoder feel

[Roman Sowa]

EAW0J from Bourns are affordable, absolute (not incremental) encoders 
with 7-bit resolution.

Or use quadrature potentiometer, that's 2 endless pots on a single shaft 
with their dead spots offset by 90 or 180 degrees, so reading one or the 
other pot gives you valid result at every rotational position.
For years I couldn't find them ready made, or maybe I just suck in 
searching, but you can make your own. Some dual gang pots alow for 
reversing one plate by 180deg without much hassle.

Roman

W dniu 2017-06-09 o 12:30, Julian Schmidt pisze:
> Hello All,
>
> I have a current idea that could vastly benefit from using encoders
> instead of pots.
> My only gripe is that I never had an encoder where I liked the feel.
> With the standard 24PPR encoders you have to make way too many turns to
> get to a higher value.
> Rotationspeed based value speedups made the feeling even worse on the
> machines I tried. Also a lot of people complain about encoders on synths
> for the same reason.
> Best solution so far is something like on the midibox or AN1X where you
> push the encoder for fine resolution.
>
> The only one people seem to like are the Nord ones with the LED rings. I
> never had a nord machine in my hands, but Forum research suggests that
> they somehow managed to line up the LED movement on the ring with the
> encoder travel. So if you turn the encoder half a rotation, the value
> LED is at half, too.
>
> Any idea how they've done this? looking up the specs it seems like they
> are using Bourns ECW1D-C24-SE0049L encoders
> (http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-50251.html).
> 49L is not specified in the datasheet, but my guess would be 48L =>
> 48PPR which would still be too little resolution to even bring a 7 bit
> value up to full range in one revolution.
> Is the front panel resolution just reduced and interpolated on the nords?
>
> So if anybody has some hints how to give an encoder a more potentiometer
> like feeling I'm all ears. Especially if we talk 12 bit instead of 7 bit
> parameter resolution.
>
> For practical reasons encoders would be great for layered UIs to share a
> set of controls between multiple LFOs or preset saving. LED rings are
> sexy as hell, too. But whenever I use encoders for something other than
> menu diving and editing settings I wish for a pot in my hands ;)
>
> Cheers,
> Julian
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at synth-diy.org
> http://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>