in over my head, have some questions

[craiganater03]

Hi there, I've ahd the dream to build my own arcade for a few years, and now that I have started it, I am feeling in over my head more and more.
I pretty much have hyperspin set up with my conols and games so to me, I am pretty sorted on the software side but I still have some questions I need help with.
I greatly appreciate any help and tips I can get with this, I've been at it for a while and feel deeper and deeper in over my head.

1. besides the 6 buttons and joystick for two players, what other controlls would i need besides; P1 and P2 start, Coin in, Volume controls, Save and load, Pause, exit and start?
Just going to use a volume control knob, no buttons needed
2. Knowing nothing about how to run a script to a button to change it, how easy or reccomended for me would i be to use the servostik from Ultimarc?

3. Is it possible to set up alight gun to use for an LCD screen with my build, and if so how easy, is it worth it?

4. For the final build and set up, is I-pac the best option for setting up the buttons, with that to set up the player controlls, how would I set up extra buttons such as volume and what not? I am using a pre build xox arcade ight stick using xpadder to control it on my pc while I set it up.

5. Untill I can pay for hypersync am I able to edit the game names so they don't show up in the list as "GAME (year, players, version, country)"?

6. in hyperlaunch HQ, does the autohotkey application help with setting a button to switch the servostik back and forth if  I can write an application for it?


I apologise if these are obvious answers to some, but even getting through hyperspin set up was a bit tricky, so I greatly aprreciate any help I can get with these matters, I'm sure there is more I will need alter but for now this will get me through.

[DaOld Man]

Welcome to the forum, and don't sweat it man, we have all been there.

I can give you my opinion for #1:

Save and load is probably not that great, I used it on 2 of my builds, but not the last. Pause is good.
I highly recommend a trackball. You will want to add it later, and it's a lot easier to do it from the start.
Volume controls can be set up through software to use a couple of your other buttons, but I like using a knob that is easily adjustable. You will need to either position the speakers to make use of the knob on them, or extend it by using a pot between the audio out on the motherboard and the speakers.

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Craiganater03.

1. besides the 6 buttons and joystick for two players, what other controlls would i need besides; P1 and P2 start, Coin in, Volume controls, Save and load, Pause, exit and start?

Ahh, the age old argument over admin buttons.

The good news is that you already have the software installed so you can evaluate which ones you really want and need before you start drilling holes on the CP.

Common functions:
P1 and P2 Start - Recommended
P1 and P2 Coin - Recommended
Esc - Recommended (some use P1 Start + P2 Start for shifted function)
Pause - Nice function to have
Volume controls - If desired, some people use a separate volume knob
Save and load - Do you use them?

There are two basic schools of thought on how to trigger those functions: dedicated buttons and shifted functions.

Shifted functions require less buttons and gives what some consider a "cleaner" appearance, but you'll want to have an instruction card on the bezel.

The downside is that there is a chance that while coining up or doing a start to continue during spirited 2-player action, you might accidently trigger an unwanted shifted function. (Not highly likely, but it is possible.)

Personally, I use translucent LED buttons with printed inserts for dedicated buttons.

3. Is it possible to set up alight gun to use for an LCD screen with my build, and if so how easy, is it worth it?

Look into Ultimarc's Aim-Trak.  Lots of reviews and info here -- search is your friend.

4. For the final build and set up, is I-pac the best option for setting up the buttons, with that to set up the player controlls, how would I set up extra buttons such as volume and what not? I am using a pre build xox arcade ight stick using xpadder to control it on my pc while I set it up.

IPac is going to be the easiest to set up and program.

Default keycodes are here.

Also for prefab wiring, look into Paradise Arcade Shop's rainbow packs of wires and daisy chains -- great products that make wiring much easier.


Scott

[paigeoliver]

Last time I adjusted the volume on my mame cabinet was almost 3 years ago.

[Slippyblade]

Install a voice recognition program on the cab and just scream at it.

(At top of lungs)
ARCADE!, menu!!
ARCADE!, pause!!
ARCADE!, exit!!

[craiganater03]

Thank you for your help so far, I have a little note book that I write all my problems, where i am up to, what I have done and everything to do with the arcade in, so I have noted down all your notes.

DaOld Man, I assume I can always add extra buttons I want later anyway and I thought aqbout it and While playing, I haven't used any of the same features yet anyway so you are right, they aren't really neded.
I priced a track ball to add, just something else I'mn not sure on how to program in but I can research it when I need to set it up. I also noticed for volume, I completely forgot that if i buy a set of speakers then they may have their own volume, like my PC speakers have their own external volume control knob so I can always resolder and extension cord to a pot and all that to the cabinet.

PL 1, yeah, I haven't used any save and load yet while testing it out, so I may just ignore them since they will just add more work.
I'll have to see if it is easier just to add an extra button or to set up the shift with the Ipac card.

Paige, I jump between different system emulators so the volume ius always jumpy, unless I can add an EQ to keep it all even.

Slippy, I quite like the idea, would be troublesome if a few drinking friends tried to have a crack at it though ahaha

[TopJimmyCooks]

always at loggerheads with Paige these days (Love ya man) but go with a farking rotary volume knob on your cab.  they're easy to implement and I fiddle with mine all the time.  If you're going mame only, you can fiddle with the slider controls in the tab menu and occasionally the dip switch menus and even everything out.  If you bring in other emulators they tend to be much louder. 

Fwiw I never use savestates and you wont either unless you're trying to become the king player of a long game ie DoDonPachi.

I will never build a cab for myself without a keyboard drawer so I don't do the admin buttons on top very often. 

[craiganater03]

I'll try to find speakers that have an external volume control I can use, or I'll just re solder a pot and button into the cabinet, but yes a knob or slider is much, much easier.
I'm going to take out save states, I don't use them in mame, games but I have usually in snes games, but I'll just take them out, if I find i really want them, I'll just find a way to put them in later.
I'm thinking of just giving the motherboard inside the cabinet a bluetooth adaptor so I can connect a wireless keyboard and mouse If I ever need to use one.

[paigeoliver]

always at loggerheads with Paige these days (Love ya man) but go with a farking rotary volume knob on your cab.  they're easy to implement and I fiddle with mine all the time.  If you're going mame only, you can fiddle with the slider controls in the tab menu and occasionally the dip switch menus and even everything out.  If you bring in other emulators they tend to be much louder. 

Fwiw I never use savestates and you wont either unless you're trying to become the king player of a long game ie DoDonPachi.

I will never build a cab for myself without a keyboard drawer so I don't do the admin buttons on top very often.

I have a farking rotary volume knob, last time I touched it was 3 years ago. However I never run anything other than mame and VVVVVVV.

[keilmillerjr]

Have a look in my sig for a script/app I made to help with controlling volume with keys/buttons. If you live in a tight space with kids or a girlfriend/wife, I can see being able to control volume or switch the sound source to headphones being useful. I started to update the app with a better ui and more features, but took a break for a bit to work on other web programming projects of mine. I'll get back to it sometime soon.

[craiganater03]

Awesome little app you have there, I'll certainly use it. it will come in great hand.

[TopJimmyCooks]

Paige and I agree, Rotary hardware is the way to go.  no offense to those who have written software. 

[craiganater03]

rotay volume control it is, it's the easier, I can just extend the pot to the cab wall.

[Bambam1963]

rotay volume control it is, it's the easier, I can just extend the pot to the cab wall.

I bought these speakers as the control mechanism at the bottom of the right speaker can be removed and mounted any where on your cab.  It also has a headphone jack if needed.  I mounted mine under the outside edge of my control panel and it works great.  Here is a link to the speakers http://www.klipsch.com/promedia-2-1-computer-speakers

BamBam

[zanna5910]

2. Knowing nothing about how to run a script to a button to change it, how easy or reccomended for me would i be to use the servostik from Ultimarc?

LEDBlinky has a way to automatically control the servostiks based on each game, or you can use an app I built to assign the toggle to a keyboard entry press, and either wire a button up to toggle, use a shifted button, or however you want: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134422.0.html

[lcmgadgets]

Welcome craiganator! I've been very slowly plugging away at my project for years now, & I still feel overwhelmed. Keep at it!