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How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:16 am
by smile_man
:omg:

I was thinking of building an expression controller thing for my dl4. It would just be a pot in a box that I could move with my fingers for expressiony needs.

HOW DO I DO THIS?! Do I just connect a pot to a jack? I've done that, and it hasn't worked so far, although I may have used the wrong type of jack/not wired it properly.

THANKS.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:21 pm
by veteransdaypoppy
buuuuuuuuuuuuump

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:37 pm
by smile_man
We should hit up Aen, the thing I have in mind is like the Massive Passive.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 2:48 pm
by heartben
you need something with 3 wires, one of each goes on the lugs. i think the ground is in the middle but i cant recall. i might be wrong there.

you need a stereo jack, and a cable with stereo tips.

as far as pot value, im not sure.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:25 pm
by htsamurai
hit up Drasp, see if he'll hook you up w/ Draspy knowledge

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:42 pm
by Gunner Recall
Kinda like drasp's knob thingy?

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:58 pm
by TweedBassman
things you'll need:

stereo TRS cable; the kind with a tip, ring and sleeve connection, not a standard guitar cable.

one 10K linear taper pot.

stereo 1/4" jack. again, tip, ring, sleeve.

solder the ring connection of the stereo jack to the center lug of the pot. solder the tip connection of the jack to either of the other lugs (doesn't matter, just makes the knob go left to right or right to left)

shove it in a box.

you now have an expression pedal that is just a knob; it provides resistance from 0 to 10,000 ohms between the tip and the ring of the jack. plug in your stereo cable and rock out.

if you'd like to see how it would go together, check out devi's PEEP controller and replace the two connections of the photo eye with the two lugs on the 10k pot.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:48 pm
by hazelwould
TweedBassman wrote:things you'll need:

stereo TRS cable; the kind with a tip, ring and sleeve connection, not a standard guitar cable.

one 10K linear taper pot.

stereo 1/4" jack. again, tip, ring, sleeve.

solder the ring connection of the stereo jack to the center lug of the pot. solder the tip connection of the jack to either of the other lugs (doesn't matter, just makes the knob go left to right or right to left)

shove it in a box.

you now have an expression pedal that is just a knob; it provides resistance from 0 to 10,000 ohms between the tip and the ring of the jack. plug in your stereo cable and rock out.

if you'd like to see how it would go together, check out devi's PEEP controller and replace the two connections of the photo eye with the two lugs on the 10k pot.

Man where ya been!? Everyones been asking about you at HC, HM and here!! Everything good? Still in biz?

Edit: Nevermind I saw your thread in the general fourm. Welcome back mang! :thumb:

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:23 am
by smile_man
TweedBassman wrote:things you'll need:

stereo TRS cable; the kind with a tip, ring and sleeve connection, not a standard guitar cable.

one 10K linear taper pot.

stereo 1/4" jack. again, tip, ring, sleeve.

solder the ring connection of the stereo jack to the center lug of the pot. solder the tip connection of the jack to either of the other lugs (doesn't matter, just makes the knob go left to right or right to left)

shove it in a box.

you now have an expression pedal that is just a knob; it provides resistance from 0 to 10,000 ohms between the tip and the ring of the jack. plug in your stereo cable and rock out.

if you'd like to see how it would go together, check out devi's PEEP controller and replace the two connections of the photo eye with the two lugs on the 10k pot.


Thanks! Now to locate a TRS cable and a taper pot. IS a TRS the type of cable you use to connect an amp to a cabinet?

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:26 pm
by TweedBassman
smile_man wrote:Thanks! Now to locate a TRS cable and a taper pot. IS a TRS the type of cable you use to connect an amp to a cabinet?


nope, a TRS cable is a stereo version of a regular guitar cable. like this:


Image


the top one is TRS (with the extra black band), the bottom is TS or regular guitar cable.

All pots have a taper, that's what they do, but there are several types of taper: Linear, Logarithmic or 'Audio," reverse log etc. Linear work best for expression pedals.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:29 pm
by TweedBassman
hazelwould wrote:Man where ya been!? Everyones been asking about you at HC, HM and here!! Everything good? Still in biz?

Edit: Nevermind I saw your thread in the general fourm. Welcome back mang! :thumb:


doin' ok thanks. i peeked around at HC, seems like a lot of new faces. i tried to go on HM but my PC died a while ago and lost the password; tried to have it sent to my new compy but i never got one. :idk:

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:47 pm
by elbandito
Where's a good place to get expression pedal boxes? I'd like to make a couple of these.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:39 pm
by smile_man
elbandito wrote:Where's a good place to get expression pedal boxes? I'd like to make a couple of these.


Do you mean a wah type enclosure?

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:54 pm
by TweedBassman
you can get wah/treadle style empty pedals at small bear for about $47... pretty expensive, you can buy a lot of regular expression pedals for that or just mod a wah or something.


for just a knob in a box, use whatever.... cigarette box, old shoe, matchbox car... if you're worried about noise use a metal box.

Re: How could I build an expression controller for my DL4?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:59 pm
by Gunner Recall
TweedBassman wrote:doin' ok thanks. i peeked around at HC, seems like a lot of new faces. i tried to go on HM but my PC died a while ago and lost the password; tried to have it sent to my new compy but i never got one. :idk:


E-mail wilbo26@gmail.com and he'll set things straight with your HM account.