Circuitbenders Forum

Circuitbenders Forum => Parts, Components, Unbent machines & Junk => Topic started by: drissa on August 21, 2011, 08:18:14 PM

Title: Could these be used as control surfaces...?
Post by: drissa on August 21, 2011, 08:18:14 PM

I discovered a fantastic site, featuring loads of old control surfaces usually hired to the film industry. Do you think the controls/switches on this sort of thing could be incorporated into a DIY bending/MIDI control surface...?

http://www.bobsbits.tv/Component.aspx?catid=5&resid=891 (http://www.bobsbits.tv/Component.aspx?catid=5&resid=891)

Forgive me if I'm way off - I have minimal electrical knowledge. But if the pots still function mechanically, could they not be pressed into service for other signals...?

Title: Re: Could these be used as control surfaces...?
Post by: Circuitbenders on August 21, 2011, 11:33:33 PM

theres a few people that make working synths housed in old test equipment cases and vintage electronic enclosure. Tim kaisers stuff for a http://timkaiser.org/instruments (http://timkaiser.org/instruments) or check out this steampunk circuit bent/synth gallery http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/17-amazing-steampunk-synthesizer-mods-224905/1 (http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/17-amazing-steampunk-synthesizer-mods-224905/1)

Theres no reason why anything with knobs and switches on that Bobs Bits site couldn't be made to actually work as a synth or a control surface, as long as they were real pots and switches. Theres certainly some interesting parts for sale in the special offers section http://www.bobsbits.tv/SpecialOffers.aspx (http://www.bobsbits.tv/SpecialOffers.aspx)

Title: Re: Could these be used as control surfaces...?
Post by: drissa on August 22, 2011, 12:13:20 PM

Thanks for the reassurance. I can feel a new project coming on - one that leaves a stack of half-finished creations and no music to show for it... ; )