MOTM

Hello gang,

I have completed my 2 new joystick modules for my MOTM system. They are 
still prototyped silver and I plan to eventually paint them black and 
properly label them with nice black Brother label tape. Sorry if the below 
image is too much for your box, but I only want to share my experience and 
offer help to anyone who wants to build one of these on their own. The 
design is rediculously simple and please understand that I am not an 
engineer and I do not endorse the safety of these designs. I found them on 
the internet and modified them to my liking, specifically with my MOTM 
system in mind. I will share any of my part sources and building tips from 
my own experience with anyone who wants them. Maybe I can put it together as 
a packet of information on a webpage if the response deems it.

Both joysticks were built for $10-$15 dollars each including the front 
panel. Basically sawed a cheap 19" 1u into 2 MOTM 1u's and drilled the 
appropriate holes. Very easy and with paint will look decent enough. The 
silver natural look is great but very easy to scratch as you can sort of see 
in the picture. I have had the IBM model planned forever and actually only 
built it after finding that the Joystick project of Larry's is still on the 
bench for a while. There are 2 in the picture and lets call them A & B. 
Joystick A is on the left with the IBM joystick and Joystick B is the right 
with the panel mounted one. Lets start with A:

Scale Pot for (+/-) 0-15v scale depending on the position of the Joystick. 
This IBM stick has switches on the bottom to make it free-moving or return 
to the center types. I plan to use this mainly as return to center. Each 
axis has a fine pot fed by the dual ganged scale pot. I used dual ganged for 
panel space (I wanted LEDS).
The LED's are Bi-polar per axis and each axis has a Jack for out. The 
Joystick connector is a standard MIDI connector and the cable to the 
joystick a (surprise) MIDI cable with one end cut off and re-wired to the 
pots inside the stick. If you wanted a 7 conductor wire you could easily add 
the 2 trigger switches and jacks in place of panel LEDS or use a larger 
panel for more evrything. Scale pot is like global range and fine per axis 
allows for smaller bend ranges. Very simple, Very Cool! The IBM joysticks 
used to be available at goldmine electronics but they are now sold out. 
Shame, I have one I would be willing to selll to the first person with $5. 
and shipping. Let me know.

Joystick B: This one is much more simple and has the following features. 
Range pot per axis (no fine here but works fine) Switch for polarity, and 
jacks out per axis. Much simpler and can only offer (+) or (-) voltages at 
any given time. Better for me this way since it does not offer a return to 
center feature. I plan to add LED's per axis somewhere above or below the 
panel mounted joystick later. The joystick and metal bat handle is available 
from MECI.com for less than $2.00 .This module was more like $10 and the IBM 
$15.

If I can help in anyway with the construction tips of one of these for you 
guys please let me know and I will respond accordingly. I am not offering to 
build only tell or show you everything I did in detail. Myabe build, how 
much is it worth to you? Take it or leave it.

I am extremely happy with the outcome of my venture and I plan to make more 
of a super joystick in the future with aspects similar to the Panel 
controller available form Wiard for (gasp) $300. For $30 or so in parts that 
seems a little much but then again there is that anodizing that goes on 
there and I have no idea what that costs. It would be nice to cut out the 
voltage and feed any signal through the joystick like a dual attenuator. 
Split a signal and feed it through for joystick controlled pan, CV router 
etc. MOTM benefits greatly from controllers like this due to its ENORMOUS  
array of inputs and outputs for control and especially all the reversing 
attenuators. Maybe someday Paul and Larry will offer the official version 
but for now I am glad I spent the $25 on these 2 projects.

Again I am sorry if the attached image is too much, but most people will 
understand more if they see it. I have images of the back of the panels and 
more panel close up if you want to see, email privately. Would it be 
possible to make a small run of panels for these or a similar group "picked 
over" version? Or is the Larry design going to come out as an official MOTM 
controller? Lets find out, I know some of you must be curious about the old 
wammy potential. Enjoy and regards from a MOTM inspired DIY enthusiast!

Thomas White

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