# A silly question about knobs **URL:** \ **Category:** Parts Questions\ **Tags:** mb-6582, knobs, control-surface\ **Created:** [January 4, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191 "2013-01-04T15:12:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sim](https://forum.midibox.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Sim](https://forum.midibox.org/u/Sim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/1 "2013-01-04T15:12:56Z")
Hello everyone, I have a pretty dumb question.  I have ordered 15 encoders for my MB-6582 control surface, and the shaft size is 20mm, however I’m not sure what the size of the knobs I order for them should be.  I assume they shouldn’t be the same (as in 20mm) but I’m not sure.  I did a search around the forums to see if this had been asked before, and tried to compare other peoples builds to part sizes but couldn’t find any for-sure answer.    Thanks for any help! ---
**Author:** ![jojjelito](https://forum.midibox.org/user_avatar/forum.midibox.org/jojjelito/32/116_2.png) [@jojjelito](https://forum.midibox.org/u/jojjelito)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/2 "2013-01-04T16:25:58Z")
Most likely the encoders come with a 6mm D-shaft. The flat is 4.5mm so this is the standard shaft, unless you go for a splined, a.k.a T18 serrated shaft. There are also 4mm and 6mm plain shafts, and 1/4" (6.35mm). Anywho, enough with the shaft sizes, it is a 6mm D-shaft if you got the recommended part. The nut that you normally want covered is either a M7 or M9 so you want a knob with a base diameter 12-13mm minimum. Of course, you should go for the aesthetically correct choice and join the Albs “Waldorf” knob bulk order that was just announced 🙂 It is not easy to find “plain Jane” knobs without an indicator line for encoders. ---
**Author:** ![Sim](https://forum.midibox.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Sim](https://forum.midibox.org/u/Sim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/3 "2013-01-04T16:34:40Z")
Thanks Jojjelito!  I would do the bulk order but I’m impatient, haha.  ---
**Author:** ![ilmenator](https://forum.midibox.org/user_avatar/forum.midibox.org/ilmenator/32/10_2.png) [@ilmenator](https://forum.midibox.org/u/ilmenator)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/4 "2013-01-04T16:38:17Z")
> Of course, you should go for the aesthetically correct choice and join the Albs “Waldorf” knob bulk order that was just announced 😄   Aesthetics is one criteria, another one is ergonomics. In that respect I still find the Waldorf knobs suboptimal. For encoders I’d prefer knobs that measure less in diameter than the Waldorf ones. ---
**Author:** ![jojjelito](https://forum.midibox.org/user_avatar/forum.midibox.org/jojjelito/32/116_2.png) [@jojjelito](https://forum.midibox.org/u/jojjelito)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/5 "2013-01-04T16:53:49Z")
> Aesthetics is one criteria, another one is ergonomics. In that respect I still find the Waldorf knobs suboptimal. For encoders I’d prefer knobs that measure less in diameter than the Waldorf ones. Actually I agree with you. I wish it was easy to get hold of the good old Re’an P401 (the Sammich knob). I think that production is ongoing for their 16mm and 16mn soft-touch knobs, as well as the hard tri-color knobs. Rapid Electronics carry those at reasonable prices. All those knobs at Rapid are for T18 shafts, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![kristal](https://forum.midibox.org/user_avatar/forum.midibox.org/kristal/32/178_2.png) [@kristal](https://forum.midibox.org/u/kristal)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.midibox.org/t/a-silly-question-about-knobs/17191/6 "2013-01-04T17:30:07Z")
[http://discourse.midibox.org/t/topic/16991](http://discourse.midibox.org/t/topic/16991)