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Building a new CP, need your input!
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tjterrill:
Hey guys,

  So what are the MUST HAVES for a control panel?

Im doing a VERY basic custom, two player CP for a home arcade. I will prob be using the Ipac-2, and either Maximum or HyperSpin for the FE.

 Im in the process of laying out my CP before sending the layout to my woodworker, and I just want to make sure I get everything right the first time, as there are no second chances.

So far I have:
- a stick, and 7 buttons per player
- a coin and player indicator button for each player
- a Start button
- a Exit button
- a Trackball

  I have looked over and over again at all 15 pages of the "show your CP" thread, trying to look at everyone elses layouts. Alot of them just have way too many buttons for my taste, and others who have little amounts, its hard to tell what their buttons actually do.

 So do you think I need anything else? Can I control volume easily if I put in a Vol Up/Vol down set of buttons? Do I need a "select" or "Pause" button? Its just hard to tell what I can and cant do with these programs until I get them up and running.

 First cab, I wanna get it right. Thanks for your input!
DashRendar:
If this is for MAME, you'll want an "Admin" or "Menu" button.

Otherwise your list looks pretty good.
tjterrill:
I plan on playing Arcade games, as well as the nintendo, sega and atari consoles.
javeryh:
I'd lose the 7th button for each player.  How many Neo Geo games actually use all 4 buttons?  Plus, you can map that 4th button to the top row or something.

You don't need vol up/vol down buttons - you can shift those functions.

I'd add a dedicated pause button.

Also keep in mind you don't need the admin buttons directly on the CP - you could always place them below the monitor or something.

Post your final design here - it will be easier to critique.
Gatt:
I think that sounds just fine.  I wouldn't really do too much more,  because this is an addictive hobby,  and you're just going to expanding your project in a year.

Trust me,  it all starts with joysticks and some buttons...then a trackball...then a bunch of games make you want a spinner...and maybe a set of dual 8-ways for each player.  Then you start thinking about flight sticks...and Tron...then you see how cool the LED panels are...4-ways...q-bert...Star Wars...

Have fun with it!  This hobby's a blast :)  Plus,  it's a great way to make visitors jealous :)

Btw,  for serious bragging rights and if you decide to add C-64 to the mix...google Legacy Engineering and Atari,  they've some nice Atari joystick repros that hook up via USB and really are pretty inexpensive.
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