Total Noob pots and switches question

numbernone · Joined: Aug 16, 2006 Posts: 477 Location: new york city

As a complete newbie I was overwhelmed with joy to find this forum which will undoubtedly be of immense value as I begin the journey towards soundlabness. Anyhow, my soundlab boards are on their way in the mail, as are the required parts for this and many other projects that interest me (WSG etc.). The only thing I backed out of buying immediately were the pots, jacks and switches. There seems to be a massive amount of available types of all of these, and I am wondering what everyone prefers?? I dont want to break the bank on Bourns and Switchcraft at the moment, and was hoping some kind soul could point me towards some good reasonably priced, good performing examples.

Thanks plenty and I am sure I will be pestering you all in the coming months.

Clack · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:14 am Post subject:

The soundlab isnt a high quality synth/noismaker , so I just use the cheapo alpha ones , i especially like the really small ones so i can cram it into a small space. Im not sure about crackling but i havnt experienced it yet. The best are those toggle switches as you just srill a hole, ive tried cutting holes for mounting those up down rectangular switches ( like on the pro one ) and fader style pots its a real bitch

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:42 am Post subject:

I've played around with three styles of pot recently. ( Shocked

)
The 9mm sealed type, PCB mount, metric shaft. Great if you want to fit a few controls into a small space. I find it difficult to get some values though. And when not on PCB, the tags lack mechanical strength, so I don't know how reliable they'd be over time. (I recommend centres down to 20mm)
The 16mm, metric/imperial shaft. This is what I used for my soundlab. I used metric ones. The size makes it possible to squeeze an impressive SoundLab into a small box. (Centres of 25+mm)
The 24mm, imperial shaft. Are probably the best quality of these three, but you need a bit more space for them, and they cost more. They have every value, be prepared for cutting the shafts down to size though. (Centres of 30+mm)

Mosc gave me a great bit of advice when he said it's alot easier if you design your front panel first and then make the other decisions based on that. I'd go for the largest ones you can fit/afford.

Switches, go for the minature toggles like Yupyupoh said. They're reliable and easy to install.

Wild Zebra · Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:37 am Post subject:

www.futurlec.com has 50 cent pots. thats what I always use. they have some cheap switches too. the pots are panel mount, but I just bend the tabs back. I hit up ebay for a bag of jacks.