Can one convert a USB arcade pad to MIDI controller?

[sine143]

I watched Ean's DIY video on the DJ 101, and I was very intrigued by the idea of creating my own arcade controller on the cheap. However, I was considering purchasing a USB Arcade controller, and I was wondering if I could use that as a MIDI controller with Traktor Pro?

http://sewelldirect.com/USB-Arcade-S...ad_reviews.asp'

As you can see, it has 8 arcade buttons, and a joystick (I was hoping to be able to use this as and expression controller, but I really have no idea how to do that, suggestions?) and its output is USB.

Any Suggestions?

[djlokifl]

Yes you can, just need an HID to Midi program. Plenty listed in a thread here:

http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2862

[sine143]

Hehe, was a noob question I know, but thats what I am. Well, thanks for the heads up. Now its time to go see if I can get this thing to work proper.

[djlokifl]

I might track down a couple of those myself. Not a bad price for the number of buttons.

[sine143]

Exactly what I was thinking. I was all for building my own, but when I looked at the price of this, and then the Price of the HID interfaces, I decided buying this would probably be a more economical choice. I'm also interested to see if it has any potential for modding.

I wish the buttons were not black on black though.

[Bodega Brad]

Here's another I saw for ya:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002B81RH4/...SIN=B002B81RH4
or
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.26910
or
http://www.futime.com/browse/c.joystick/

[Bodega Brad]

Wowwww!! Many, many buttons.
http://www.xgaming.com/tankstick-arcade-game.shtml

http://www.gamecabinetsinc.com/stinger.shtml

[sine143]

Haha, those last ones are pretty crazy, but for 400 bucks... meh, I think I'll buy me an audio 8 dj, and the korg nanopad, and the small arcade pad. but that would be nice for some UMK3...

[kaleaf]

Just so you know because you were talking about using the joystick on it.

Most real arcade joysticks are 4 way or 8 way, there is 4 or more buttons inside that it pushes when you move in directions (4) or corners (pushes 2 buttons for corner). The are actually the same microswitches as the arcade buttons.

If your looking for a true x/y joystick the only "arcade style" one I have found is the ultrastik 360 by ultimarc. I bought one but havnt hooked it up yet to audio software just to test it in windows. Some of those usb arcade pads might have a x/y stick but I doubt it.

I just thought I would add incase you didnt know how they worked.

edit...

after looking at your link some of the playstation compatible sticks might be analog because 1 of them said it had a switch between analog/digital mode.... I know how the real arcade parts work but I dont know these cheap ones might be analog. So keep that in mind when shopping.

and happ makes a analog also but its $130. I think the ultrastik is better.

http://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html shows up as hid joystick

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/50287600.htm -not usb? 5k pots?

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/pro...oducts_id=9032 - mini joysticks playstation style, 10k pots, $4



Not trying to stop you form using a pre-built just wanted to share some info, because joysticks might be different on those products and it might affect what you want to get out of it.

[sine143]

Oh, thanks for the info. I guess I've only tinkered with ps2 controllers, and I would generally just take the analog sticks and wire them to 2 separate pots. I guess that kind of limits the functionality of the stick... but I might be able to use it for something I guess.