Constructive Criticism Needed for Proposed Controller Layout

Here is a layout for a controller based on 1 UMC32:

The 3 vertical strips are 100mm resistive touch strips (Sparkfun.com)
The horizontal rectangle between the 2 left vertical strips is a resistive x/y touch screen (Sparkfun.com)
The double-lined circular thing beneath the touch screen is a resistive playstation joystick (Sparkfun.com)
There are 2 45mm crossfaders on the bottom
4x4 grid of arcade buttons
4 analog knobs above the touch screen.

This leaves me with 3 controls left to add... but what should they be??

I'm thinking if using it with Ableton Live I'll scene-up and scene down buttons... maybe a start/stop button?? You guys tell me... also, where would you mount them?

I also realize my knobs may need to be repositioned or staggered to get a descent space between them....

Oh yeah.... I forgot.... that little strip of 16 segments above the arcade buttons.... think MIDI sync'd Knight Rider.... but multi-color and better!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! Thats alot of versatility. I would add more potentiometers. Those are always great for live sets. I wouldn't bother putting start stop buttons since I am assuming this will be used for live sets. Smile

I would also ditch he playstation style joystick since you have that Kaoss style pad that pretty much does the same thing. You should also consider using some switches so that you can trigger on effects and leave them on. Lastly, be careful with pulling power off the UMC32 for the nightrider LEDs. Ken rates the max draw at about 40mA. Just my opinions. Smile

Good luck with the project!

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Scott:

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely take those points into consideration....

	Quote:
	I wouldn't bother putting start stop buttons since I am assuming this will be used for live sets.

Why not add a start/stop button in Live? Also, I was just playing with Live and realized I couldn't figure out how to assign a single control to choose and activate the next/previous scene... any clue?

	Quote:
	I would add more potentiometers.

I agree about adding pots/knobs... but I was maybe thinking of having a multi-controller setup (with a Behringer BCR2000 and either a Novation Launchpad or APC20)..... though I may try to be as minimal as possible and just roll with my DIY job... I have to do some soul searching.

	Quote:
	Lastly, be careful with pulling power off the UMC32 for the nightrider LEDs. Ken rates the max draw at about 40mA.

No worries here... I am planning to mount a powered USB hub in the box with an Arduino Nano and separate MIDI input circuit controlling the LEDs.

Do you know of anyone successfully doing a x/y pad on a DIY contoller (without actually just mounting a Kaoss Pad in their enclosure? I'd be interested to know what x/y touch pad they used.

Thanks again... your opinions are greatly appreciated.