project for control surface step C

MIDIbox SID
1

i’m planning to upgrade my SID control surface, waiting for SID 2.0

now i have a minimal control surface

for the new design i will use part of the the original c64 buttons as osc, waveform, filter, etc selection. the C64 contrl buttons will select the SID (1,2)

i will also reuse my existing step A control surface with LCD and menu contrl, so that i will not have to resolder a lot of things…

the leds will be placed on the top, and there will be labels on every knobs/led/button (of course…)

to use the c64 buttons, i will mount very very small PCB buttons like the ones you find in the mouse buttons (VOTI sells them).

the encorders and led will be placed by holes on the c64 case, while the matrix led and buttons will be mounted on a pcb that we be place on the top of the case

this is the GIMP image of my new design:

what do you think?

the only “problem” i see is that the buttons are “far” from the encoder and the various “section” (ENV; OSC; FILTER…) are not isolated and standalone… maybe is not very user friendly, but anyway… :stuck_out_tongue:

SID_construction_(16).JPG
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SID_construction_(9).JPG
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SIC_Step_C_project.jpg
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2

It does seem rather un-intuitive :wink: I’d work a bit more on aligning the encoders and LEDs a bit more.

3

you should imagine that there will be labels under each encoder/led:

i divided the leds as suggested by the standard layout

for example (in the left section):

osc1,2,3        tri,saw,pulse,noise          sync,ring          env,misc,knob control

i’m still unsure to put the leds vertically (if there is space) or horizontally

i will also place some sticks on each button to identify its function

4

If you decide to place the LEDs horizontally, I’d suggest you to put them above the encoders, not below, otherwise your hands will cover them when you operate.

5

after some thought and after having assembled the matrix, i came to this new layout

the leds will be above the encoders, the LCD is the piece of paper

the c64 keys will reflect the actual functions, so for example:

W: waveform select

L: LFO

F: filter

etc…

the function keys will select the SID (only 2 for now!)

i still have to place the new sid 2.0 dedicate button.

6

Its better to mount all Encs below the LCD, so you can see all the time the values without having your hand over it :wink:

7

And the keypad on the right (unless you’re a southpaw)

8

the keypad on the right makes sense!  :stuck_out_tongue: thanks!

instead, i don’t think that the encoderss above the keys are a problem. i tried a “simulation” of the synth and it seems to be OK

9

Its better to mount all Encs below the LCD, so you can see all the time the values without having your hand over it :wink:

Whatever happened to using one’s ears?

10

Careful… old fashioned luddite “learn theory, and practice” speeches may cause others to confuse you with stryd_one…

Edit: still it’s best to leave the screen (and everything else) unobscured wherever possible