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I bought some Ali-Express USB controllers and fixed them up a bit.

Rod

Rod

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Mar 24, 2018
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I use these controllers for volume control and FF/RW, moving text cursor, scrolling through streaming music list,etc. I removed the harsh encoders and replaced them with smoother ones. Then I removed the hollow 44mm knobs and replaced them with solid aluminum 48mm knobs and since the knobs were smooth metal and no texture I found some silicon rubber pipe end covers that fit great and covered the knobs with them. Then took some double sided sticky tape and stuck them together. For cheap Ali Express items they work well. I am not quite back to the pots and knobs that I remember from the 1970's and how smooth they were, but it's close. I tried to find Alps encoders for the controller instead of the ones off the Ali, but I could not find 30 position, 15 pulse Alps encoders. But the heavy solid core knobs helped with smoothing out the indents. There is a little wobble that the encoders shafts have, but for 50 cents a encoder they do well for the price.
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I like that silicon rubber. My fingertip feels solid on the knob and I don't feel like I would loose any control or slippage whether side or top turning. Also I can flick down the controller knob and I will get in between 4-5 revolutions before it comes to a stop. No bad for about 60 dollars. I seen a chip on the circuit board and the place to connect too so it can be programmed but that is out of my league.
 
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Here is a picture of the inside. I messaged the seller on Ali and asked what encoder it used and the reply was 30 position, 15 pulse,reversed, 25mm. Well I don't know how to remove that reverse command in the code so I flipped the circuit board over and soldered it in form the backside and that worked to "reverse the encoder".
 

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Black silicon rubber 46.5 mm for 48 mm knob--https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803143373054.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.24.6c141802kWkRMU&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

USB controller-https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803805914176.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.169.6c141802nM25Cv&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa


48x22 knob-https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805849737506.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.32.6c141802nM25Cv&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

30 position, 15 pulse, reversed, 25mm encoder-Whatever you want to use.
 
One of these days I will turn the bottom controller around to the same orientation as the top controler and run the usb cable through the top case and out next to the other usb cable.
 
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Finished. 4 modes on these controllers.

Mode 1- Volume plus mute switch
Mode 2- Volume without mute
Mode 3- 5 seconds Youtube video ff/rw, move cursor.
Mode 4- Skip forward or skip back on youtube segmented videos. Scroll Tidal music list. Scroll photos in file explorer.
4 second push on switch changes the four modes. 12 second push on switch changes the rgb color or rgb off.

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Rod said:
Finished. 4 modes on these controllers.

Mode 1- Volume plus mute switch
Mode 2- Volume without mute
Mode 3- 5 seconds Youtube video ff/rw, move cursor.
Mode 4- Skip forward or skip back on youtube segmented videos. Scroll Tidal music list.
4 second push on switch changes the four modes. 12 seconds push on switch changes rgb color or rgb off.

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I had to buy a male to female extension cable which is--(PH 2.0, 20cm)-- to reach that bottom usb port. 4 pin.
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Bye the way, I did not need this but it was something fun to do and works well. But I can see were it could be helpful for live shows.
 
What do you use the knob on your keyboard for? I have the knob on my Keychron V5 Max set to control volume & mute by default and backlight brightness and RGB mode with fn pressed.

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Berwhale said:
What do you use the knob on your keyboard for? I have the knob on my Keychron V5 Max set to control volume & mute by default and backlight brightness and RGB mode with fn pressed.

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I bought that red keyboard before I purchased the usb controller by over a year. I use the usb controller on the red keyboard to change brightness on RGB.
 
Berwhale said:
Also, I came across the Fiio KB1K recently...

FiiO Multimedia Keypad KB1K Is Officially Released!-FIIO---BORN FOR MUSIC

www.fiio.com www.fiio.com

Looks pretty neat for a tenner. I'm tempted to buy one to add some local controls to my little RaspberryPi based headless PlexAmp box.
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The heavy knobs and encoders on this one makes it smooth when turning, like a nice keyboard does over a 10 dollar keyboard. Both will get the job done though.
Edit: I think these large knobs are more ergonomic, I can turn it with a light pressure on the side of the knob. My hands are a concern now, getting pain in them.

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Finished the carpel tunnel reduction unscientific research project.
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Rod said:
Bye the way, I did not need this but it was something fun to do and works well. But I can see were it could be helpful for live shows.
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I take back this comment. I did need this. Wrist pain in mouse hand reduced to minimum.
 
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