MOTM

I'll take two!!!!

Paul? Did you notice this?

>Two bicolor LEDs for X and Y.

I know Bradley did!

See Thomas (DJ), there are more ways to do a joystick, then people on this 
list -- and I only sent you two!
JB

In a message dated 4/12/2000 4:01:33 PM, jhaible@... writes:

>The Joystick module I've built some years ago for my JH-3 system
>has the following features:
>
>CV Output jacks for X and Y, bipolar +/-5V each.
>Two bicolor LEDs for X and Y.
>
>Four VCAs with inputs/outputs connected in "diamond shape"
>with a variety of functions:
>
>(1) Mixing of 4 inputs into one output with 2 modes (see below):
>   2-dimensional crossfading.
>   When only to of the 4 inputs are connected, the other ones are
>   automatically normalized to the negative (inverted) input signal
>   of the adjacent inputs. (Acting as a 2-dimensional reversible
>   attenuator)
>
>(2) Distributing one input to 4 outputs (2-dimensional or "quad"
>    panning)
>    Use this as "Azimuth coordinator" for a real Quad system, or
>    connect two of the outputs to the effect send of a true stereo
>    reverb in an ordinary stereo system.
>
>(3) "Mode" switch, applies to both (1) and (2):
>    a) normal panning / crossfade: When joystick is in center,
>       result is a mix of 50% X and 50% Y.
>    b)  center zero: When joystick is in center, there is no output
>       signal at all. This means independent selection of 4 different
>       sources, for instance.
>
>I don't remember circuit details, but I think I found a way to do it all
>with just a SSM2024 and 2p2t switches - kind of matrix connection.
>
>JH.
>

In a message dated 4/13/2000 7:45:45 AM, daveb@... writes:

>Jurgen,

>did you mount your joystick on a vertical panel in the main cabonet, or
>in
>an auxillary box?

I'd be interested as well. I'd think a panel mounted joystick wouldn't be as 
useful as one in a box. I know some on this list have panel mounted joysticks 
(from another company) and I wonder how they like them. 

Thanks Ivan for the pics of the Catstick (what? they couldn't find room for a 
drink holder on that one?) and EML joysticks -- both look very powerful. Any 
idea what these did/do cost?

Poor DJThomas!
JB

In a message dated 04/13/2000 9:07:39 PM, jwbarlow@... writes:

<< Thanks Ivan for the pics of the Catstick (what? they couldn't find room 
for a 
drink holder on that one?) and EML joysticks -- both look very powerful. Any 
idea what these did/do cost? >>

Neither are still available, but I've seen Catsticks on eBay for $250 on up.

Ivan

At 09:07 PM 04/13/2000 EDT, jwbarlow@... wrote:
>In a message dated 4/13/2000 7:45:45 AM, daveb@... writes:
>>Jurgen,
>
>>did you mount your joystick on a vertical panel in the main cabonet, or
>>in an auxillary box?
>
>I'd be interested as well. I'd think a panel mounted joystick wouldn't be as 
>useful as one in a box. I know some on this list have panel mounted
joysticks 
>(from another company) and I wonder how they like them. 

I'd be one of those people :^).  Yeah, I currently have the dual joystick
controller mounted immediately below the actual modules in a regular SKB
case (the modules are too deep for one of the mixer cases - it's more
convenient to use a modular in the SKB mixer case; obviously the inability
to do so didn't stop me from making this purchase, but I'm still very
grateful that Paul designed MOTM to fit the mixer case), and have used that
setup for both recording and performances.  It's actually less inconvenient
than I feared it might be, and is actually sometimes advantageous in that
the close proximity to the modules makes repatching the controller easy
(although I don't really find myself repatching the joystick in the middle
of a musical segment) and makes it convenient to move my hands between the
joystick and knobs (which is much likelier to happen during a single
piece).  Also, there's no reason it can't be mounted in a separate box
(although an extension cord for the power connector would be required), I'm
just too lazy to have done so yet.  Which would make sense to do, since I
don't generally use a keyboard with it, so there's room under my hands for it.

Incidentally, I'm pretty certain that manufacturer's dual-joystick
controllers *are* now available separately (previously you could only get
one with a full-system order), although they don't have many of the
features that some people have been asking for (they're not spring-loaded,
which I don't miss; there's no attenuation, but the outputs are usually
plugged into module inputs with associated attenuator knobs; the outputs
are only positive voltages and non-reversible, but there are external ways
around those shortcomings, too - it *does* come with two gate buttons,
which are very useful).  As long as you don't mind the crypto-celtic bright
blue graphics :^).  I *do* find the *dual* joystick to be a key feature - I
got two hands, so why not (since both the designer and I are very much into
Spacerock, there was a bit of discussion over whether he should make a
model to accommodate users that have, say, four tentacles or five
pseudopods or ...)?  If you *are* using a keyboard, I can see that it would
make more sense to have two separate joysticks, one at each end of the
keyboard.

>Thanks Ivan for the pics of the Catstick (what? they couldn't find room
for a 
>drink holder on that one?) and EML joysticks -- both look very powerful. Any 
>idea what these did/do cost?

I'll add my thanks, also.  They looked very cool, and I'll agree that an
"official" MOTM joystick controller should include a drink holder (just the
right size for a bottle of Three Stooges beer, of course, which I've seen
here in California but haven't yet tried) ...

	-Doug
	 ceres@...

In a message dated 4/13/2000 6:38:17 PM, ceres@... writes:

> I *do* find the *dual* joystick to be a key feature - I
>got two hands, so why not (since both the designer and I are very much
>into
>Spacerock, there was a bit of discussion over whether he should make a
>model to accommodate users that have, say, four tentacles or five
>pseudopods or ...)?  If you *are* using a keyboard, I can see that it would
>make more sense to have two separate joysticks, one at each end of the
>keyboard.

Hi Doug,

Actually, I was thinking of yet another company! I have to admit the panel 
mounted joysitck on the old Synthi looks quite nice, but it's right there 
above the keys as well. It's not that I think a panel mounted one is useless 
(if only for the reasons you described), just that it might be more useful in 
a mobile box.

>>Thanks Ivan for the pics of the Catstick (what? they couldn't find room
>for a 
>>drink holder on that one?) and EML joysticks -- both look very powerful.
>Any 
>>idea what these did/do cost?


At $250, it doesn't seem that expensive, though I wouldn't pay that much for 
one. I like the idea of controlling VCAs with the stick so you could patch in 
other modules. I just thought they could have put a drink holder on it since 
they put everything else on it -- I was wondering why they didn't put a 
second joystick on it and leave off a few other things.

>I'll add my thanks, also.  They looked very cool, and I'll agree that an
>"official" MOTM joystick controller should include a drink holder (just
>the
>right size for a bottle of Three Stooges beer, of course, which I've seen
>here in California but haven't yet tried) ...


And where in CA does one go to find such an enlightened beverage may I ask?


In a message dated 4/13/2000 7:01:58 PM, alt_mode@... writes:

>There is allegedly a stack of Catsticks as New Old Stock someplace
>that the owner hasn't gotten around to digging out to sell.  Maybe this
>is turning
>into an Analog Legend...


I can see these turning up in the All Electronics catalog for $15 each to be 
used for parts scavenging.

>Regarding joystick placement, I'm strongly in favor of horizontally
>mounting/placement near the synth and/or controller.  The horizontal angle
>of
>orientation does not seem to be a problem.  I have used one that has the
>axis at a
>45 degree angle to the keyboard and I've had no problems feeling which
>way to push
>or pull to get the desired X/Y coordinate.  I think this would be much
>harder on a
>vertically mounted panel.


Yep! These might be nice as sort of a fine tune set and forget control.

JB