[sdiy] Question how to improve rotary encoder feel

[Tom Farrand]

At least some of the encoders on ham equipment are optical encoders.  I
repaired one within the last year.  (The knob has the requisite fingertip
indentation.)  Being optical in nature, control can be almost anything
you'd want.  I would guess that the resolution was maybe 120 PPR or
better.  The specific unit was a Yaesu FRG-100 general coverage receiver
and the optical encoder was the main tuning dial.  If these could be
obtained inexpensively, they would be wonderful for synth control.  It has
been a while since I looked but think that even these "cheapie" encoders
are still in the $30 - $40 range (or more).

Tom Farrand


On Fri, Jun 9, 2017 at 7:49 AM, Steve <sleepy_dog at gmx.de> wrote:

>
> Tom Wiltshire wrote:
> > I did many experiments trying proportional control of a parameter using
> the velocity of the encoder. It was a disaster, in short. Mostly much too
> sensitive, or much too slow. In the end, I finished up with a system like
> you suggest, > where you can push the encoder for fine control.
>
> That reminded me of something else with built-in "switching" between
> coarse and fine control:
> Those encoder knobs on many HAM radio transceivers to tune, with a dent
> near the outer radius, where you can rest your fingertip and use the thing
> as a crank with very quick rotations, or grab the whole thing for fine
> control.
> Needs more space of course, for those things are bigger than the average
> knob on a synth module. And the encoder has more wear if the solution is
> "turn it more!", if it's a mechanical one. And I'd guess things finger tip
> cranking doesn't feel nice with some encoders hard detent.
> Something like this:
> https://www.adafruit.com/product/2055https://www.adafruit.com/product/2055
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at synth-diy.org
> http://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/attachments/20170609/fbd91a84/attachment.htm>