USB Game Pad Mod Question

DJ Gear & Hardware Hardware: Controllers, Mods and Gear
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USB Game Pad Mod Question

Hi my plan is to mod a couple of USB Game Pads.
Something like these.

£6:50 for the pair off Fleabay.

The plan is to build two cases for my decks with a row of arcade buttons in front for cue point selection in Traktor.
Something like this

Or this

I would be planning on using 1 game pad for each deck case.

My only concern is if the 2 game pads will conflict in Traktor?
Or if its even possible to use 2 identical game pads at the same time?
By the way i would be using these on a pc with windows xp pro.

Any advice is welcome

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Apparently you can use Glove Pie to do this with multiple controllers. I’ve yet to master it myself. I have had success with rejoice, but that only allows one controller at a time.

As far as Traktor goes, if you set your controller section to accept all Midi, then you should be fine.

Edit … Someone posted this, but I’ve not tried it, and it costs around 6 quid. http://www.xpadder.com/

3

I was hoping to use keyboard mappings in Traktor to avoid using a midi translating program.
Sorry i should have mentioned that before.

Thats why i was wondering if 2 identical controllers would conflict with each other?
And what are the possible solutions?

4

Thanks for the link.

It would be nice if i didnt have to use any middle software, but if its not possible then i think that program could be the answer

5

Glovepie will allow you to use different midi channels for each device.

If you want to use keyboard mapping then I’m guessing you’ll need some sort of program that will convert the gamepad presses into keyboard presses?

edit: nice renders btw - did you do that in google sketch up pro? did you model everything yourself? feel like sharing the project files? :stuck_out_tongue:

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Yes Milo i used Sketchup. Great program for jotting ideas down.

If your after the Technics model? you can get it from here.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=4e4f84f43143a4d613cd4ccc477de322&prevstart=0

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i have done this with 2 controllers myself use xpadder works a dream

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I thought about doing this - but I was gonna do 2 rows of 8 arcade buttons (using a single controller) and mount it behind my mixer.

I like your idea - but the housing for a turntable looks a bit bulky to me. It’ll be nice to have it flush with the turntable, though…

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For the little money it cost i decided to buy Xpadder last night and couldnt agree with you more CassoIVchoon.
Its a great program and has given me lots of ideas.

Heres the latest render. (thinner wood, thicker foam)

To be honest theres not that much difference compared to other deck cases.

Example:

Roadready RR1200BMKII
H = 244mm
W = 544mm
D = 437mm

My case
H = Not 100% sure yet
W = 514mm
D = 484mm (I can reduce the depth some more when i find out measurements of game pad board)

So my case would be 30mm less in width and 47mm more in depth.
Not much bigger to add the power of 8 arcade buttons

Also i plan to remove the ground wire from the decks and add a female usb, power socket and rca to the rear of the case = NO WIRES (yippeeee)

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Can anyone who bought the Xpadder software tell me if it converts analogue signals, or is it just keyboard/digital?

Ta.

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I think it converts analogue signals to mouse movements so not sure how much use that is in a midi world.

12

try Joy2Key

http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm

13

has anyone tried Hubi’s joypad to midi program?

14

Anyone know if it would be possible to power a couple of buttons with leds in from a game pad?

And maybe some info on how to do it.

Thanks

15

I don’t see a problem really. Most gamepads power two rumble pads which we don’t use. I imagine they will take a fair percentage of the available power. Don’t ask me how many LEDS you could power, I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you could power one for each button if you aren’t using all the buttons at the same time. There has to be a bit of diversity included in the power calculations.

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Thanks Archies’bald.

Would i need to use resistors for the leds?

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I would assume so. It won’t do any harm putting them in, but it might do if you leave them out. From memory it’s 330 ohm resistors I think, but double check that with someone else.

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Ok Thanks again. I’m just tring to get a parts list together.

19

I’m Just about to order all the parts for my case but still have a few more questions.

I’ve decided to add a couple of a couple of rotary potentiometers to each case so i am now going for game pads with thumbsticks on.

Would these potentiometers be ok to use? 16MM 10K LIN. COMMERCIAL POT?

16mm diameter carbon track single potentiometers suitable for PCB mounting offered in a range of popular values.

Dimensions 17 x 16.5mm
Pitch 5mm
Tolerance 20%
Power rating 0.2W linear, 0.1W log.
Maximum voltage 200V linear, 150V log.
Electrical rotation 300°C ±5°C
Rotation torque 30-350gm/cm
Temperature range –25°C to +70°C

Also im a bit confused on which type and thickness of wire/cable to get for connecting the potentiometers and arcade buttons?

Thx in advance

EDIT.

Would this be ok? is it thick enough?

20

Your pot should be solder lug type unless you are using a pcb (it will have a hole in it for the wire) and I would find what cap you want before you pick your pot. If you need some help let me know.

I use 22 awg wire that I pull from my spool of cat-5 network cable and solder with a water based flux core.