cabinet volume control options

[mlcampbe]

I have been working on my cabinet and have accidentily pulled loose a wire from my volume control knob and instead if just re-wiring it I am thinking perhaps there is a better way to do it. I never really liked it too much to start with.

The current setup is that the soundcard from the computer goes to the volume control which then goes to the pcb I removed from the speaker case and then the speakers connect to the pcb as normal. The setup works but does not get as loud as just using the speakers without my volume control.

Given that the pcb from the speakers has a volume knob on it as well is there a way I can use it directly by wiring up an external control knob in place it the built-in one?

Would I be better off putting the volume control knob on the otherside of the pcb?

Any other ideas?

[Barry Barcrest]

The setup works but does not get as loud as just using the speakers without my volume control.

That is because you have the wrong volume knob, you need to look for one that goes up to 11. 

[mlcampbe]

Doing a couple of hours of research has turned up the following possibilities. Has anyone used any of these that can report the pros/cons?

Use a griffin powermate (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/)

Use a phidgets encoder (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/3235-Phidget-Encoder.aspx)

Potentially use a phidgets rotation sensor (http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/3250-Rotation-Sensor.aspx) but I am not sure how to connect that to the PC as it does not have a USB cable.

I also find several options for using a mouse to control the volume. Using the volmouse software (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/volumouse.html) or an autohotkey script or windows powerpro I can program the mouse but the problem is how to easily hack a mouse to get the knob on top of the control panel.

[Fordman]

Wow, looks like you need to use the search feature.

Click here for how to use and install a Griffin Powermate
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92052.0

The powermates are great now that they are 100%

 

Fordman

[sevenleaf]

I bought a soundblaster live 5.1 soundcard on ebay as they have vol up / down pins on the pcb to which you can wire any switch you like to fit in with the rest of your cab

I paid £5.01 for it, delivered, there are loads on ebay for under a tenner.

More info here.

[mlcampbe]

In the end I decided to just fix my existing volume knob that is between the PC and soundcard amp. I can't see spending ~$25+ for just volume control. Thanks for all the advice though.