Ipac4 and MK64 at the same time?

[Nannuu]

I am working on a 4 player CP that will also have dual SNK Rotary Joysticks.  I'm sure I can share inputs to keep my count below what an Ipac4 can handle but I will need to either buy Druin's Rotary Interface or an MK64 to use my rotaries.

If I use the MK64 that means I could avoid sharing altogether and still have a plethora of extra inputs for whatever junk I feel like adding (and BYOAC gets $5).  And how complicated would it be to have both the Ipac and MK64 installed together?

If I use Druin's, the CP may be easier to program?  And I can also add a switch(s) to change to the Frontline circuit shown on Druin's webpage to add another capability to my panel (I think).
http://members.rogers.com/druins22/arcade/

Has anyone tried the MK with an Ipac?

I'm leaning toward Druin's due to price, ease and hoping that the Frontline circuit works.  

[Tiger-Heli]

I am working on a 4 player CP that will also have dual SNK Rotary Joysticks.  I'm sure I can share inputs to keep my count below what an Ipac4 can handle but I will need to either buy Druin's Rotary Interface or an MK64 to use my rotaries.

If I use the MK64 that means I could avoid sharing altogether and still have a plethora of extra inputs for whatever junk I feel like adding (and BYOAC gets $5).  And how complicated would it be to have both the Ipac and MK64 installed together?

If I use Druin's, the CP may be easier to program?  And I can also add a switch(s) to change to the Frontline circuit shown on Druin's webpage to add another capability to my panel (I think).
http://members.rogers.com/druins22/arcade/

Has anyone tried the MK with an Ipac?

I'm leaning toward Druin's due to price, ease and hoping that the Frontline circuit works.  

I never saw Druin's FrontLine circuit before.  Pretty impressive.

I don't understand what you are asking?  Why would you need an I-PAC/4 and an MK64 - That would be 108 inputs?  64-12 for the rotary inputs + 56).  I think it would work (if a keyboard had 108 key to define), using either the I-PAC/4 in USB or one controller daisy-chained to the Keyboard pass-thru.

Druin's interface will work with the I-PAC/4 without the MK64.

Did you mean to use Druin's interface with the MK64 (and no I-PAC?)  That should work, but I would use the MK64 normally (like an I-PAC) and then wire the SNK's to Druin's circuit.  This means you would only have 60 inputs b/c Druin's uses two inputs per joystick.

Only drawback is Druin's interface (I think) still requires +5V, but you could get this from the computer, or if you E-mail Ron, I think he will set up one of the MK64 input pins to supply a +5V output.

[Lilwolf]

Why are you looking for an ipac if you get a MK64?  The 64 inputs should be enought for you right?

The trouble with two will PROBABLY be not being able to configure one of the two (the one farther away from the computer).  But thats just a guess.  2 ipacs work together, but only one can be configured.

If you are going to go for some rotaries, you should either go with the Ipac / Druinds or the MK64.  

btw, I LOVE my mk64!  And with my next cabinet coming up, I'm considering testing 2 mk64s in line... (weird project...)

[Tiger-Heli]

If you are going to go for some rotaries, you should either go with the Ipac / Druinds or the MK64.  

I'm confused as well, but I think he wants to use the MK64 with Druin's interface (to take advantage of Druin's frontline interface) and I think this will work, as I said above.

[Nannuu]

Sorry, my babbling is not very coherent.

First of all I've already bought the Ipac4 so I would like to use it.  I didn't realize that the MK64 had
the rotary capability until after I'd already bought the Ipac and decided to get the rotary joysticks.
Deoh!

So my dilema is to either get Druin's to use with the Ipac or get the MK64 and use that with the Ipac.

I live close enough to Ron to pick up the MK64 so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping which makes it
only slightly more expensive.  Really the only point to getting the MK64 is to have way more inputs
than I'll need for future expansion.

Which, now that you mention 108 inputs, that seems kind of ridiculous so it probably isn't going to be
worth the hassle as I can most likely share in the future for any additions.  So the Ipac/Druin combo
will be the best.  And I can get the Frontline circuit to boot!

Thanks for the help!

[Lilwolf]

I would get a MK64 if it was close...  I've never played with the druin board, so I don't know how configurable it is... But the MK64 you can change the settings on how long it holds down the key per click.  This was nice since I could make it really fast, and speed up the analog settings in mame for it.  (since the keyboard controls for the 'l' and 'r' are reall converted to a mouse type control... then back to a digital... sucks really).

Then I would probably sell my ipac on ebay or here.

And say hi to him for me.  Great guy!

[Tiger-Heli]

I would get a MK64 if it was close...  I've never played with the druin board, so I don't know how configurable it is... But the MK64 you can change the settings on how long it holds down the key per click.  This was nice since I could make it really fast, and speed up the analog settings in mame for it.  (since the keyboard controls for the 'l' and 'r' are reall converted to a mouse type control... then back to a digital... sucks really).
Then I would probably sell my ipac on ebay or here.
And say hi to him for me.  Great guy!

On that note, you could ask Ron to see if the MK64 will work with Druin's Frontline circuit (I'd like to know as well).

[Lilwolf]

It should... but mainly because it would work with any keyboard...

But Ron... what do you think?  Want to add some more code to allow for an 8way conversion for FrontLine?