Controlling MegaDrum with rotary encoders

[dmitri]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixia7RMlKBA

These are the encoders used:
dentless - http://uk.farnell.com/9354042/passives/ ... 5-001-016l
with dents - http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/produc ... KU=1520815

To my taste encoders with dents are better since you get tactile feedback.
I will post updated schematics and firmware later.
Just as LCD and and keys (buttons), rotary encoders are absolutely optional. Some might just like them more than buttons.

[Synthex]

Very nice feature !

I love the sound track on the video

[dmitri]

Very nice feature !

I love the sound track on the video

Actually, showing off the sound track was the main goal of the video:)

[spugnoid]

I very nearly went with this type of 'button' when I ordered my parts. The one I looked at could be pressed like a button as well as dialed left or right. But since this only gave me 3 inputs and I could not find a decent-looking button to use for the 4th, I just ordered a 4-key keypad instead. As soon as I get my jack interface and remote usb boards etched I will be ready to power up.

I have been taking photos and will post them when I'm done.

[elrules]

Which is the best way to use this endless rotation buttons?
I suppose the best configuration is:
- One rotation button for Left and Right actions
- Two normal buttons for Up and Down

Or:
- One rotation and pushable button for Left, Right and Enter
- One normal button for Back action

I can see one problem. What happens when you have to keep a button pressed, for example to turn on megadrum while pressing Left. Do you need extra buttons connected to the same pins?

[dmitri]

No problem here. As I said rotary encoders are optional. You can use only buttons or only encoders.
Or you can use both of them! In this case if you have encoders with a switch built-in (as the encoder with dents which I gave the link to in my first post) you can use them as two buttons. As result you may have two encoders (with button functionality) and two buttons.
It's a matter of taste.

[dmitri]

These are modified schematics.
Digital Board:

megadrum32_small.png

megadrum32.png.zip

LCD, Keyboard, Rotary Encoders and MIDI In/Out:

megadrumlcd_small.png

megadrumlcd.png.zip

[dmitri]

Btw, if you decide to use rotary encoders, than R36, R37, R38, R39 are optional and can be replaced by wires.
I'll post the schematics on the website once I finished PCB design for the updated Digital Board.

[dmitri]

I've now uploaded a new firmware with rotary encoders support.

[Beamtreetaker]

That's really a cool new feature (I hate navigating in the menu with my ultra low quality buttons which choke every ~3rd press). How about compatibility with Synthex' PCB version of the board?