Custom Volume Knob?

[Xtrykr]

Heya, just wondering if anyone knew how to make a custom volume knob/dial. Trying to put together an HTPC style case concept. Thanks.

[xRyokenx]

You could take an existing knob, pull off the knob part and sculpt something out of Bondo or whatever, just so long as it's something that won't shrink too much to where you can't put it on the metal part... pull a knob/dial apart and get a little creative, this shouldn't take too much thought to figure out what to do, good luck!

[Bucko]

Or you could just buy one of these (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/) and be done with it.

[Xtrykr]

Thats cool, I might consider that now, lolz.

Anywho, I was thinking of getting a knob for my case, and I were to do it myself, I was wondering how I would go abouts hooking up the knob to the computer and have it change the volume (i don't know what i need to make the connections happen). Thanks!

[Luke122]

Use a holesaw to cut a round piece of plexi, bondo the hole in the center to make it fit onto the control pot shaft, paint it a solid color on the front and leave the back clear, and use a dremel to cut a notch in the front to show position.

Then, backlight that mofo. The notch will light up, and you can even sand a ring around it to make that light up too, but the rest would be a solid color.

THAT would look sweet. Hmm.. makes me want to try that myself now... :D

[Bucko]

It really shouldn't be too hard to make a volume knob. I think the easiest way (and the way I've been thinking of doing it on my own PC) is to use the existing volume knob for your speakers and moving it to the case and just extending the wires to the speakers.

I use the Logitech X540 speakers on my PCs (I have two of these sets) and they have a hard wired remote for the power/volume/bass controls.

The X540 speaker system:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8050/musublogx540205f2b90ug5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


My plan was to cut off the controller and mod it into the case, then use a parallel port style connector in the back of case so that effectively all I have done is extend the existing connectors and the parallel port is just used as a simple plug to hook it all up.

[jdbnsn]

Some keyboards have volume knobs also, that should work too.

[Bucko]

Some keyboards have volume knobs also, that should work too.

I tried that too. I use a USB interface for my cordless keyboard, so I tried modding a ps2 keyboard for just the media buttons. Unfortunately when I cut off the rest of the keyboard circuit boards and just left the media stuff, it no longer worked.

As it was an old keyboard, it was no loss to try it out.

[Xtrykr]

Hey guys, sorry, maybe I led you all in the wrong direction, but its not the actual "volume knob" im having troubles with, its the connections to make it turn and actually make it adjust the PC's volume (the wiring and stuff) xD Thanks for the input though! 8D

[ghoul]

ok sorry about this but... is any one lol'ing with all these talk about knobs hahaha

yea i know im imature

[OvRiDe]

I dunno if this will help or not but here is a homebrew version done over at Bit-Tech...

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=86820

[Bucko]

Hey guys, sorry, maybe I led you all in the wrong direction, but its not the actual "volume knob" im having troubles with, its the connections to make it turn and actually make it adjust the PC's volume (the wiring and stuff) xD Thanks for the input though! 8D


I guess the question is then, are you looking for a knob that adjusts the hardware volume (like a knob on the speakers) or one that adjust software volume (Like a volume on a keyboard that adjusts the system volume)?

[Xtrykr]

I dunno if this will help or not but here is a homebrew version done over at Bit-Tech...

http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=86820

Wow! That is an awesome guide! Thanks a bunch 8D:santa:

[Xtrykr]

I guess the question is then, are you looking for a knob that adjusts the hardware volume (like a knob on the speakers) or one that adjust software volume (Like a volume on a keyboard that adjusts the system volume)?

Software volume plz 8)

The link above is great, unfortunately, I take it is only for acting like a scroll wheel, is there a way to program it to be a software volume controller similar to the ones on keyboards? Thanks!

[dgrmkrp]

Hmm... why don't you buy a USB keyboard with a volume knob or preferably a dial (recommend a logitech with a side scroll wheel, they have modules inside, or any other keyboard that has modular parts inside), disconnect/cut the parts with the keys you aren't using and make a custom mount and knob for the electronics that remain :) I have one of these parts, but no the chip that controlled the keyboard.. There has to be a way to use it tho ;)

[OvRiDe]

To help out with the link I posted, this software might be useful.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/volumouse.html

Hope this helps, and definitely let us know how it all works out.

[jdbnsn]

Hmmm...On a similar note, does anyone know how to connect analog gauges to a comp to display things like temp, water flow meter, sound changes? I thought of those cold cathodes that sense music and flash but have no idea how to make the connection.

[Xtrykr]

Thats a real helpful program, now all I need is a way to make it so that i can choose which mouse to to control volume xD Thanks for all the feedback on this so far! Very helpful!

[OvRiDe]

Hmmm...On a similar note, does anyone know how to connect analog gauges to a comp to display things like temp, water flow meter, sound changes? I thought of those cold cathodes that sense music and flash but have no idea how to make the connection.

Well I think there are a bunch of different ways honestly. Most of the Temp gauges have their own temp probes. The last water flow meter I read up on actually plugged into one of the fan headers and used the RPM function to convert it into GPH via the software. As well as most of the CCFLs either have a built in microphone into the inverter or have had something that plugs into the output of the sound card. The only good example I have seen using an analogue gauge that really is controlled by the PC is the now discontinued PC Tachometer.
http://www.xoxide.com/pctachometer1.html
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/xoxide_1959_131915670
As you can see in the picture it connects to the RS-232 (serial/com) port, and uses software to send the proper signal to the tach. If it can be done with RS-232 then it can most likely be done with USB as well. So basically someone with a good working knowledge of electronics could build some sort of digital to analogue circuit to drive a gauge. If Crazy Billybob was around I bet he could elaborate on this more. I believe he has done some of this with R2, but don't quote me on it.. I may have just dreamed it.. :D


Thats a real helpful program, now all I need is a way to make it so that i can choose which mouse to to control volume xD Thanks for all the feedback on this so far! Very helpful!

Glad to hear! The software has some setting so that it will only use the scroll when certain apps are focused, which may come in handy for that. There are a couple of projects working on multiple mice in Windows, one is http://cpnmouse.sourceforge.net/ and the other is http://jstookey.com/arcade/rawmouse/, they are centered around MAME so I am not sure if they are specific to MAME. Either way they may be worth a look.
Good luck and really looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!

[jdbnsn]

Nice information! I have seen those PC tach's and knew that they were discontinued (don't know why, I bet they'd sell lots). Maybe an ace PIC programmer like DaveW could figure out a way to convert the dig to analog.

[OvRiDe]

I bet your right .. in the few projects I have seen along these lines, I believe PICs were used. I wish I knew more about PICs, but its my own fault, just never took the time to dig and learn them.

[Mach]

Phidgets can be used for what you describe:

I've got two of these in Retromod. They're basically usb knobs with unlimited rotation.
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1052

And here's a post with code that can be adapted for the inputs. This uses HID interface (same as other peripherals like a mouse or keyboard).

http://www.phidgets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=710&highlight=vol+volume

[Imper]

Actually i like to make one but for working,i usually work in final cut and premiere pro and i will really like to have one for shuttle weel,but i dont know how to make a link between the wheel and the left or right command,if anyone can give me a hint?