[Guide][Work In Progress]RDJ Arcade Mod

Hey DJTT,

I've been following these forums for quite some time now, and finally found an opportunity to contribute myself (hopefully). I've been looking for a guide on how to install an arcade button mod on a Reloop Digital Jockey (I have an RDJ1 Controller Edition, but this guide should be applicable to all versions), and couldn't find any. There are some people out there who have already succesfully converted their controller, but the results aren't always optimal, nor do most of them provide any clear instructions on how they did it (except for one, which I'll be refering to in a minute).

The purpose of this thread is at first to brainstorm with all RDJ owners here on what the ideal mod would look like, and how we can achieve it. When we have this good concept I will provide a noob-proof tutorial so everyone can do it themselves.
I know most people on DJTT use a VCI, but the RDJ is a very powerful controller too, with an adequate amount of users.



Let's get to it.


The big problem with modding an RDJ (versus the VCI) is the very limited space available: I have measured about 18mm between the PCB and the inside of the casing (Reloop officials say it's 21mm, my measurement may be a bit off). The regular SANWA OBSF-24 buttons (as found in Ean Golden's hack) have an installation depth of 32mm, so we can't just install those.

The way I see it: there are 4 possible options:
1. Smaller buttons, for example these: http://www.arcadeshop.de/Special-Min...black_856.html
They have an installation depth of only 22mm, which means we would just need to ply the connectors a bit (which is no problem at all) to make it fit. The downside is that the buttons are a lot smaller, with the pushable part having a diameter of only 14mm.
2. We could just use the regular OBSF-24 buttons, and don't do anything to adjust it. I've seen this in a video, it's liveable, but aesthetically not good, and I doubt its durability (dust and possibly wear)
3. Use the 'clicker part' to replace the crappy stock one, and still use the original button covers to cover these arcade clickers. This also means the leds still work as usual, I'm however not sure on the "feel" of this concept.
A German modder explained his method on his blog (in German, unfortunately): http://blog.mahe.at/reloop-digital-j...-button-mod-de
Just look at the pictures if you don't understand German, they're pretty clear.
4. Cut (small) holes in the PCB to make the OBSF-24 buttons fit. This would be the most intrusive concept, but also the one with the best result if we can figure something out. We would have to sacrifice the led buttons (as in permanently removing them - you probably don't care about them anyway if you're looking for an arcade mod), but as far as I can tell it's doable! I'm no electronics expert however, more professional opinions would be more than welcome.



Please, share your thoughts!

Hey.. Nice to see others interested in modding the RDJ with arcade buttons. I bought my arcade buttons from DJTT some months ago but I havent gotten to the modding yet seeing as I dont know how to solder. I saw the german guide and that was the way I was going to mod but if you can find a way to cut through the PCB that would be great seeing as the arcade buttons are a perfect fit in width! Let me know of any progress (or ill just mod it the "german" way I guess)

Glad you found my thread, at least I've put in the effort for something! =)
After some discussion on a more RDJ-minded forum, I have decided to drop all 4 of the different concepts I had thought out (#1: buttons are way too hard to push, #2: don't like the look of it, #3: don't wanna give up the arcade look&feel, #4: too much risk of breaking everything).
I have now ordered Seimitsu PS-15 buttons. They are 30mm in diameter, which means I'll have to widen the button holes, but they're very shallow. After plying the connectors a bit, they should fit without any problems. This way the mod will be both functional (big buttons) and aesthetical (everything fits the way it should), and the amount of case modding is limited too.

The soldering really isn't that hard, either call a friend/relative or find out yourself how to do it. I'll be creating a guide too, but as my buttons can't be shipped before january (damn X-Mas!) this is gonna have to wait a little. Exams are also coming up, so don't expect anything before february.