Source for Synthi-style Joysticks

amos_joseph · Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Lincoln, NE

I'm getting ready to start construction on a suitcase modular based around an ASM-2 pcb. I thought a synthi-style joystick controller might be a nice addition since Synthi lust is what gave me this idea in the first place. I've seen lots of commercial and diy synths that use joysticks like this, but I can't seem to track down a source.

I've found a few "industrial" joysticks on mouser, but they don't really look similar to the Synthi joystick and they're a tad too expensive ($150 or more).

Anyone know a good supplier?

Pehr · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject:

Doepfer

Photon · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject:

I've gotten dual 150K pot joysticks from Alltronics.com in the past, but they seem to drift in and out of stock. They were less than $5 each if I remember.

Pete

amos_joseph · Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Lincoln, NE

toppobrillo · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

you could always look for an old analog joystick on ebay (tandy, etc.) and re-house it.

josh

Photon · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

The one on the Doeper site is the same one that Alltronics carries. I believe its made by Alps. Its simply two pots connected by a linkage. The pots are special because they move thru their whole range over about 90˚ of pot rotation.

I ordered 4 from them on 4/12/07. the part number was 93P005, Price: $3.95 -each.

You might contact them and see if they are getting more.

Peter

jksuperstar · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject:

I get joysticks from the likes of Goodwill, ARC, Salvation Army, etc. They usually have some great old Joystick game controllers, but typically also have the added switch to select auto-centering, or not. And, this switch is separate for each axis. And, they're usually less than $5US.

amos_joseph · Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Lincoln, NE

amos_joseph · Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Lincoln, NE

I found some cheap doepfer (alps) joysticks, but without the shafts.

https://www.electronicsurplus.com/commerce/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=71233

I think I'll order a few and either order shafts from Analogue Haven or try to machine them myself. I've got a set of taps, so I'd just need to get some aluminum rod.

toppobrillo · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:01 am Post subject:

you can just use a long 'standoff', i think the thread is 4-40.

josh

etaoin · Joined: Jun 30, 2005 Posts: 761 Location: Utrecht, NL

Out of curiosity, is the Synthi joystick self-centering or not?

Photon · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:48 am Post subject:

Rykhaard · Joined: Sep 02, 2007 Posts: 1290 Location: Canada

I bought 10 joysticks of the same body type that Photon has the brass paddle in. MY big question, is building a 'centring' device FOR the paddle. Sad

On my dual joystick that I invented (photo of it, below - details on it posted in the Design section of my web page) requires something for both of the joysticks, as the joystick body up in the air, on top of the other one in the base, causes a lot of weight. The wiring from the top joystick also, causes a leaning.

(Having each of the 4 axii switchable on/off can take care of this but .....)

Anyone have any ideas for keeping a shaft centred?

amos_joseph · Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 50 Location: Lincoln, NE

toppobrillo · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject:

toppobrillo · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

Photon · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

toppobrillo · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

nice

is that a 7/8" hole?

theMinister · Joined: Jun 09, 2007 Posts: 14 Location: North America

you could scrap a couple joysticks out of some playstation controllers. i know i've seen people using them but i can't find anything right now.

Peake · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

If you want to get really snazzy, I believe that there is an actual AKS suitcase (completely empty) currently on Vemia, but it's not cheap, beginning at 200 pounds.

etaoin · Joined: Jun 30, 2005 Posts: 761 Location: Utrecht, NL

Randaleem · Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 456 Location: Northern CA, USA

Hi,

Try hobby shops catering to R/C modelers. Both online and brick and mortar. Plenty of nice joysticks in R/C gear. the older types will be closer to what the synthi's have. In fact, in the synthi's Ive seen the joystick WAS an R/C joystick of that time.

Hobby lobby is one large R/C supplier that may be able to help. But I'd bet cruising a few of the online R/C modeler forums and posting a request would turn up LOTS of used but useful joysticks due to the fact that old radios are no longer legal under present frequency allocations.

Kind regards, Randal

Randaleem · Joined: May 17, 2007 Posts: 456 Location: Northern CA, USA

vtl5c3 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:57 am Post subject:

I know that this is kind of an old thread... but since I came across it looking for joystick sources, I thought I'd add what I found.

Digikey stocks 10K and 100K joysticks. More info on this catalog page:

http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T082/P1840.pdf

The only problem is that I can't seem to find matching knobs. If you come up with anything, please let me know.

Romeo

caress · Joined: Oct 08, 2007 Posts: 41 Location: brooklyn, ny