Product Request: Volume Knob

[leapinlew]

I would pay decent money (is $19.99 decent?) for a quick/easy way to put a volume knob on my cabinet. Normally I plug my speakers directly into my computer and adjust them per game. I would like a device that instead of plugging my speakers directly into my computer, I plugged into the the device and the device plugs into my computer and I can install the new volume knob somewhere on the cabinet.

Did that make sense? Is there an easy way to do this and I just don't know it?

[modessitt]

Don't know of a quick-connect way (other than the MAME on screen volume control) but you could just buy a simple 1K pot (with a long barrel or knob attached - kind of like a dimmer switch or stereo knob) and run one of the two speaker wires that go to each speaker through the pot.  Adjusting the pot will adjust the amount of signal going to the speakers and you can mount the knob anywhere.

[quarterback]

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/volume/ has instructions, although right now there doesn't seem to be any website there....   so try the internet archive:

http://web.archive.org/web/20060508195633/http://www.oscarcontrols.com/volume/

[leapinlew]

I appreciate the links - I may have to do something like that.

[urbecrisch]

Try this device.  Griffin PowerMate USB Multimedia Controller Silver
 
Ebay has a cheaper price:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Griffin-PowerMate-USB-Multimedia-Controller-Silver-NEW_W0QQitemZ130101084199QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3759QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But you can get them here also:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/

I have not used one yet but I plan on getting one soon.  I know I've seen this device in a thread somewhere before but I couldn't find it.    There are some people in the forum that use them and love em!

Cheers!

[WLVRYN]

Lew, I'm sure this isnt exactly what you are looking for, but I mounted the PCB that I took out of my computer speakers in the speaker panel above my screen.  I drilled a hole in the panel, allowing the volume knob on the PCB to drop through.  I could then adjust the volume very easily since the knob was right above my head.  I read the Oscar Controls website awhile back and that's where I got the idea from.

[bfauska]

It doesn't really help you solve the problem, but an idea I had that you may want to incorporate if you build your own volume setup is to add a switched headphone jack in the line.  I am running powered PC speakers for my audio and I am considering adding an external volume control and headphone output that when in use cuts sound to the speakers.  I do la ot of my playing/tinkering late and my wife is a light sleeper.

[FrizzleFried]

I am looking for a volume knob solution for my 48-in-1.  I suppose I could use the mini-jack and powered speakers,  but I already have the JAMMA wire hooked to the single speaker in my Nintendo cabinet (I only need mono).  Anyone know what kind of wattage the 48-in-1 sends to the speaker?   I guess the solution would be to find an audio pot that would accept that volume,  max out the 48-in-1 and then use the pot to adjust volume...but I just need to know what kind of wattage it sends to the jamma speaker wire.

[Extreme8]

Grab a cheap set of 2.1 computer speakers that have the volume control on a cable instead of integrated into the satellites. There will be plenty of cable to let the volume control be mounted on the outside of the cab.

If you already have speakers in your cab just wire them into the sub instead of using the speakers supplied with the unit. Impedance might not be matched, but for this application who cares.
I've done this with 2 different sets of speakers and it works great - cheapo sub provides some bass and an amplified output for the cab speakers.
I think I paid $24.00 for the last set I bought - Logitech's from Walmart.

[mountain]

If you are somewhat handy with electronics you could build this:

http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/volume.asp

It is a digital solution and requires two switches, one for up and one for down.

The cheapest solution Lew would be to take your existing volume control that is on your speakers and remote mount it by extending the wires.

[FrizzleFried]

After taking a look at my parts in the garage I realized I have a 3 watt rheostat that should work fine with the 48-in-1... I doubt it's pumping more than 3 watts and even then I will just turn the sound to medium loud at the board.

Does anyone know how many watts the 48-in-1 pumps out?

[leapinlew]

After taking a look at my parts in the garage I realized I have a 3 watt rheostat that should work fine with the 48-in-1... I doubt it's pumping more than 3 watts and even then I will just turn the sound to medium loud at the board.

Does anyone know how many watts the 48-in-1 pumps out?

I think a better question would be "whats a better 4 way" - but I think we all know that if you asked that no one would respond. 

[FrizzleFried]

Lew,

After taking a closer look at the Wico I have,  it's either an 8-way or a 4-way worn down to where it makes contact with both leaf springs...so the whole question is moot anyway.  Plus I'd be afraid to post that question again being that the last post was sent to Post Hell...

[mountain]

I think a better question would be "whats a better 4 way" - but I think we all know that if you asked that no one would respond. 

Leapinlew, why did that thread go to post hell.

[javeryh]

Grab a cheap set of 2.1 computer speakers that have the volume control on a cable instead of integrated into the satellites. There will be plenty of cable to let the volume control be mounted on the outside of the cab.

If you already have speakers in your cab just wire them into the sub instead of using the speakers supplied with the unit. Impedance might not be matched, but for this application who cares.
I've done this with 2 different sets of speakers and it works great - cheapo sub provides some bass and an amplified output for the cab speakers.
I think I paid $24.00 for the last set I bought - Logitech's from Walmart.

This is what I did for my cocktail cabinet.  I bought a pair of CompUSA brand 2.1 speakers for $10(!) and it came with a wired volume adjustor thingly (that's the technical term).  I just sprayed it black and mounted it underneath one of the control panels.

[ringram]

The solution is quite simple.

Install a 10k ohm (audio not linear) potentimeter in the signal cable between the audio jack from the PC and the input to the amp for the speakers. This is low power, so you don't need a high wattage pot.

You will need to cut the signal wire. There will be two conductors (three for stereo). One will be signal, the other signal ground.

There are three connection points on the pot. Connect the wire end that comes from the source (pc) to one side off the pot. Connect the other wire which goes to the amp, to the center conductor. The third connector on the pot is to be wired to signal ground.

The center conductor is the wiper of the pot.  As you adjust the pot, it moves between full signal and ground.

If you need stereo control buy a stereo pot. The wiring is similar.

[FrizzleFried]

That works fine and dandy for a PC speaker setup but what about a JAMMA speaker setup where my 48-in-1 pumps audio through the JAMMA harness.  I am almost sure this 3 watt rheostat will be sufficient but it would be nice to know what wattage the 48-in-1 pumps through the harness...

[ringram]

My arcade cabinet experience pre-dates JAMMA, so you'll have to help me out. Is the audio amp part of the game board, or is it a seperate item? If it's part of the board, then you'll have to use the rheostat. If it's seperate, then find the audio wires, and install the audio pot.

[FrizzleFried]

Yah...the amp is part of the board...with an on board pot for volume.

[Jake]

I bought a logitech 5.1 system and it came with a remote and usb sensor.  I'm sure it would be easy to hide the sensor and the remore it tiny too.  Maybe 2x4 and very thin.

[BobA]

I am looking for a volume knob solution for my 48-in-1.  I suppose I could use the mini-jack and powered speakers,  but I already have the JAMMA wire hooked to the single speaker in my Nintendo cabinet (I only need mono).  Anyone know what kind of wattage the 48-in-1 sends to the speaker?   I guess the solution would be to find an audio pot that would accept that volume,  max out the 48-in-1 and then use the pot to adjust volume...but I just need to know what kind of wattage it sends to the jamma speaker wire.

There should be a volume adjust page acessable thru your system setup by using the test switch.

[Cornchip]

  It might be a little rich for your blood, but I am using something called the Ampli-Rider. It combines up to 3 inputs and combines them into one output with volume (amplified). Did the trick for me.

 http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html

 Cornchip.

[leapinlew]

it MIGHT be too rich for my blood, I don't know though since I can't find a price. How much is it?

[Cornchip]

 Sorry, forgot to mention the price. It cost me $60 Canadian. Like I said, a little steep. On the up side, it was plug and play. On the down side, you need a 12 to 13.8 volt DC power source for the amp (not really a problem). Your call.

 Cornchip.

[modessitt]

Frizzlefried.... I do this all the time with 48-in-1 conversions.

That 3-watt pot you have will be fine.  your pot should have 3 leads.  Turn your onboard volume pot all the way up, and your onscreen volume adjust all the way up.  Then, cut the wires to your speaker.  Run one wire (brown/silver)to an outside lead on your pot, then on to the speaker.  Run your other wire (red/silver) to the other outside lead on your pot.  Now add another wire to the middle lead on your pot and run it to your other speaker terminal.  Now you can adjust the volume anytime by turning the pot.

If your leads aren't set up this way, put a meter on the leads.  Your outside leads should show the full resistance of the pot, while an outside-to-inside reading should change as the pot is turned.

This works every time.

[FrizzleFried]

Thanks for the confirmation Modessitt...it worked beautifully.