Just made a new Mini Control Panel

[blownauratone]

I finally got a load of parts in, and jumped at the chance to make the thing I've been wanting to add to my tiny breadboard setup: A dedicated control panel.



In the setup are the following:

8 1m Pots
2 100k trimmers
3 assorted light-depended resistors
1 homebuilt vactrol
1 momentary switch

..All brought out to header sockets, which are unfortunately very shoddy, falling apart already. Anyone have a favorite make/model of socket strips that aren't too spendy?

Please excuse the shady build- this is my first design on anything but breadboard



Evidently took out some aggressions while cutting traces with the dremel.



Anyhow, it's working great, tons of fun. Today's 4-osc 40106 patch running through a 4077 for ring mod is super-fun with both pots and light sensors inline. Sweeping a signal through all kinds of FM-y madness by rolling back and forth in a chair is a pretty addictive thing. BWWWOAAAAAAAOOOHHHHHHHHHSSSHSSHHHHHHHHOOOOAAAHH

Thanks for all the great ideas, all. This machine is already making it into songs! I love it.

[JingleJoe]

That looks very useful indeed, I'd be tempted to make something similar if I wasn't so poor Send some of those pots my way

[-minus-]

Use a 3MM drill bit to 'cut' the tracks of the stripboard. I hold the drill bit in a pin vice and just spin it around a few times (uncle krunkus method). You just need to cut the track. One of these:

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[tjookum]

very nice build, it's just like any other hobby, good tools are so important.

You might want to check this thread I made when I started out:
http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-42357.html
I used it to document my all perfboard and header lunetta build and I think it would really compliment your control board.

The lunetta link-o-rama is also a good place for further inspiration. And please keep posting your work, it's always nice to see how someone else tackles the same problems/challenges.

p.s.: where did you get those breadboardwires?

[garcho]

Nice job! Inspiring tools everybody. Making prototyping as fast as possible makes inventing easier

[blownauratone]

Thanks much for the encouragement, folks (and the tool/technique recommendation!) This definitely ended up being a useful 'lil thing! I made some breadboard pin-1/8th" cables and have been having LDR/vactrol fun with my little eurorack modular. (not to mention creating chaotic cvs from lunetta output! Haha)

The breadboard wires were from an eBay seller- ill post a link once I get near an actual computer.

[MickeyDelp]

I had the same idea! Much easier than trying to stick pots into the breadboard or having a bunch of them hanging off on wires.

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[Inventor]

Cool idea, and handy too. Good to know that option is available. one could tidy it up into a nice box with a breadboard mounted in/on it as well to get even more solid construction for projects. Personally, however, I have found a selection of bourns thumbwheel pots to be an effective alternative ($1.24 each at digikey).

Les

[blownauratone]

@inventor

Crazily enough, the nice little Alpha pots I used are just over a buck at Mouser. They work really nicely.

They come in various values and tapers. Here's the 1m linears I used:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Alpha-Taiwan/RV09AF-40-20K-B1M/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuarXojuOTsczn5Fi%2fS8UIapgiGEJXBgd4%3d

[Inventor]

Here is a photo of the pots I use for breadboards. As you can see they are perfect for breadboard use unlike most (all?) others.

Les

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