MOTM

> From: JWBarlow@...
> 
> Interesting physical layout! I've mentioned the old scrap
> computer joysticks  (which would allow them to be moved
> to left-hand keyboard uses for standard pitch bend and 
> modulation uses) but actually mounting them on a module
> is a good idea as well.

Well, I am not sure it is such a good idea, and it certainly is not
original.  But, I have seen something similar on some other modular photos
and thought it would be fun.  Plus, I have been looking for some simple DIY
stuff I could do to help me with the learning of basic op-amp circuits. 
This one looks like it would be hard to screw up even for a stooge like me.
 And, I have these two perfectly good and quite nice looking joysticks I
bought surplus (one for the project, and one for a spare part).  They are
slightly larger that the typical keyboard joystick (maybe twice as big). 
But, based on the button on top, I would say they were "game" oriented.  I
thought about all the cool things I could do with the joystick button, and
finally decided on a rather mundane task.  If I can figure it out, when
depressed, the button would take all 4 output voltages to zero.  This would
make it easy to "trim" the offset to zero by ear, and it might make a cool
effect button to toggle back and forth between the stick position output
voltage an zero rapidly.

My challenge is that my joystick pot is not as large as I would have
preferred.  Therefore, to keep the current at a minimum in the voltage
divider, I will need to have some gain in one of my op amp stages to get
the kind of output range I was looking for.  Oh well, looks like my
learning opportunities just increased.
 
> Sounds like a great plan! Let us know how this goes, maybe
> I'll get my ass in gear to do something similar.

Well, I have to FIND time to do it first.  It crossed my mind again
yesterday whilst drilling that multiple panel.  cutting the joystick hole
with hand tools will be a challenge.  I have some MOTM blank panels.  And,
I even have a proto-board kit.  However, I think I will save the proto
board kit for something a little more elaborate.  This one should have only
one or two chips and a handful of resistors.  I'll probably get a smaller
project board.
 
> Glad you liked the VC EG idea!

Yep, really cool.  More than anything, your description helped "turn the
light on" for me upstairs to understand how I might use a VC EG.  Being the
"modular-stupid" stooge of the group, sometimes I have to ask "WHY?" when
others in the group ask Paul for this and that.  So, every new
understanding of HOW I would use a certain feature musically is a great
benefit.

Larry Hendry