The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ShadeValryn on May 12, 2012, 11:20:31 am

Title: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 12, 2012, 11:20:31 am
I've been looking all over trying to find either a premade arcade stick with analog control or someone who's manage to padhack one in, but I have yet to find anything of the sort.  The closest thing I could find to what I was looking for was the Quasicade line of arcades and arcade controls.  Here in a few weeks I'll be picking up a UAII cab kit and quad control panel.  I had originally intended on putting 4 ultrastik 360s in there, but it would be really intriguing if one of the available analog arcade sticks had the known capacity to be padhacked to the analog sticks on an xbox controller for console AND pc use.  I just really like the idea of being able to play castle crashers and scott pilgrim on my ultimate arcade  :laugh: does anyone know of how this can be done or of any arcade controls available for sale with this capability?
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: Mark Thomas on May 12, 2012, 04:31:16 pm
There is a guy on these forums called HaruMaN who does Xbox 360 hacked pads but I'm not sure he hacks the analogue part of the pad but rather the d pad. Will those 2 xbla games not work off the d pad? Iv never played them so not sure. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 12, 2012, 11:51:36 pm
They do work, I just really need to have analog control for when I'm playing smash brothers mostly.  ;)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 13, 2012, 12:24:30 am
Wasn't there someone who posted a project this year that actually had a hacked Xbox 360 pad mounted directly under their panel, with an oversized extension on the actual 360 thumbstick?  Might be worth searching around and asking him how sturdy it is.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 13, 2012, 12:40:23 pm
Hmm, now that sounds promising.  I'll look around for it, thanks.  :cheers:


EDIT: Found it.  Now hopefully I can pull something like this off with 4 wired 360 pads.  Still, I wish there were some easier way of going about it than jamming whatever fits into the analog stick:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118023.msg1252901#msg1252901 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=118023.msg1252901#msg1252901)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on May 13, 2012, 02:10:52 pm
Never understood why I haven't seen this done yet (and I haven't done it).
It should just be a matter of replacing the pots in an analogue arcade stick with 10k ones and wiring those to the place where the xbox pots are. 
Just make sure they read 5k when centered.

Not sure where to find an analogue arcade stick, but they do exist.
Definitely not paying happ prices:
http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/50287600.htm (http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/50287600.htm)

You might get away with using an old flight stick and having a joystick shaft custom made for it.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 13, 2012, 06:10:51 pm
A less perfect alternative is hacking a Madcatz Brawl Stick, it has a 3 position switch that allows the 8-way joy to be either the d-pad, left analog, or right analog stick. Obviously it is not true analog, but it can do in a pinch and saves space on the panel.


http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-WWE-Stars-Brawl-Stick/dp/B004M23RAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336941212&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-WWE-Stars-Brawl-Stick/dp/B004M23RAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336941212&sr=8-1)

Also, wasn't there a Nika fight stick for the original Xbox that had arcade button size pads for the left and right thumbsticks?  Those would look decent on a panel and also work in a pinch.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 13, 2012, 09:50:08 pm
You might get away with using an old flight stick and having a joystick shaft custom made for it.

I was thinking of maybe modifying an xbox 360 flight stick.  Thought it might prove to be an easier conversion into an arcade stick than going from a regular gamepad:
http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Aviator-Flightstick-Xbox-360/dp/B001EYU1W8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336960111&sr=8-3 (http://www.amazon.com/Saitek-Aviator-Flightstick-Xbox-360/dp/B001EYU1W8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336960111&sr=8-3)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AndyWarne on May 14, 2012, 10:22:39 am
We now have an Xbox 360 adaptor for I-PAC / J-PAC equipped control panels. I have not got around to putting it in the store yet. As all of our console adaptors, it does emulate the analog controls but it acivates them full-on when the joystick is moved in the direction. Most games except flight sims etc are fine with this.

drop me an email if interested: andy@ultimarc.com
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 14, 2012, 11:17:35 am
We now have an Xbox 360 adaptor for I-PAC / J-PAC equipped control panels. I have not got around to putting it in the store yet. As all of our console adaptors, it does emulate the analog controls but it acivates them full-on when the joystick is moved in the direction. Most games except flight sims etc are fine with this.

drop me an email if interested: andy@ultimarc.com


That's actually great news.  It is disappointing that I'll only be able to run in castle crashers and scott pilgrim, but that's a small price to pay to be able to have ultrastik 360s in my machine and to be able to play mortal kombat.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: brandon on May 15, 2012, 06:02:48 pm
Here is one I saw the other day.. I'd love to know if the analog stick are custom or some OEM part we could source.  I think I've seen those joysticks some place before..

(http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/IMAGES/1/AGS/large-quasicon.jpg)

http://www.quasimoto.com/controllers-for-home (http://www.quasimoto.com/controllers-for-home)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 15, 2012, 07:12:14 pm
Here is one I saw the other day.. I'd love to know if the analog stick are custom or some OEM part we could source.  I think I've seen those joysticks some place before..

(http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/IMAGES/1/AGS/large-quasicon.jpg)

http://www.quasimoto.com/controllers-for-home (http://www.quasimoto.com/controllers-for-home)

Yeah, I'd really like to know the origin of those sticks.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 15, 2012, 11:35:31 pm
We now have an Xbox 360 adaptor for I-PAC / J-PAC equipped control panels. I have not got around to putting it in the store yet. As all of our console adaptors, it does emulate the analog controls but it acivates them full-on when the joystick is moved in the direction. Most games except flight sims etc are fine with this.

drop me an email if interested: andy@ultimarc.com

Andy, is there a way using this Xbox 360 ipac adapter to quickly switch a single joystick (i.e. 4 inputs) from digital to analog mode?  In other words, is there a way to have a single joystick serve as either the d-pad or the left thumb stick?
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AndyWarne on May 16, 2012, 04:38:11 am
We now have an Xbox 360 adaptor for I-PAC / J-PAC equipped control panels. I have not got around to putting it in the store yet. As all of our console adaptors, it does emulate the analog controls but it acivates them full-on when the joystick is moved in the direction. Most games except flight sims etc are fine with this.

drop me an email if interested: andy@ultimarc.com

Andy, is there a way using this Xbox 360 ipac adapter to quickly switch a single joystick (i.e. 4 inputs) from digital to analog mode?  In other words, is there a way to have a single joystick serve as either the d-pad or the left thumb stick?

Yes, the adaptor can be switched into 4 different modes using hotkeys. You can see the principle by looking at the page for the original Xbox control adaptor:  http://www.ultimarc.com/xba.html (http://www.ultimarc.com/xba.html)
I dont have a full list of keycodes vs Xbox 360 controls yet for the new adaptor but the result will be similar.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 16, 2012, 07:56:42 am
If the xbox 360 adapter is similar to the original xbox adapter, it also supports 2 xbox 360 players from a single ipac/adapter combo - very nice solution!
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 16, 2012, 09:45:01 am
I hack the MadCatz fightpad for 360 which has a switch that turns the D-Pad into the L-stick or R-stick.  No analog sensitivity, though, just 0% or 100%.  I can also hack the switch which than can be wired to a simple toggle for switching on the fly.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on May 16, 2012, 09:49:02 am
I still want to see someone hack into the pots for true analogue control.
Might have to do it myself after I finish my current project.

I have no use for it, but I want to see it done.  :D
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 23, 2012, 12:20:39 am
Has no one ever tried to just wire an analog joystick that uses 10k pots into a xbox 360 hack?  Haruman?

There are some pretty nice looking analog joysticks available on ebay and elsewhere on the net, how likely is wiring something like the following directly into a hack to work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPS-2D-10k-Potentiometer-with-handle-for-Joystick-or-Industrial-use-/330736092116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d016843d4 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPS-2D-10k-Potentiometer-with-handle-for-Joystick-or-Industrial-use-/330736092116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d016843d4)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 23, 2012, 09:33:22 am
Hmm.  That analog is interesting.  If the pot values do indeed match, I could de-solder the 360 analog, attach some longer wires, and use that analog in its place. 
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 23, 2012, 10:12:00 am
Has no one ever tried to just wire an analog joystick that uses 10k pots into a xbox 360 hack?  Haruman?

There are some pretty nice looking analog joysticks available on ebay and elsewhere on the net, how likely is wiring something like the following directly into a hack to work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPS-2D-10k-Potentiometer-with-handle-for-Joystick-or-Industrial-use-/330736092116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d016843d4 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPS-2D-10k-Potentiometer-with-handle-for-Joystick-or-Industrial-use-/330736092116?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d016843d4)


Now THAT looks promising.  I might go ahead and try this out, could be a big payoff if it works.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ark_ader on May 23, 2012, 10:15:01 am
Get an X-Arcade.



Not as easy as that unless you have the existing PS2 and Xbox 360 adapters.  But yes you do get analog function.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 23, 2012, 10:24:56 am
Get an X-Arcade.



Not as easy as that unless you have the existing PS2 and Xbox 360 adapters.  But yes you do get analog function.

As in true full-range analog function? I though x-arcades went 0 to 100 percent like most sticks.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 23, 2012, 10:28:09 am
Get an X-Arcade.



Not as easy as that unless you have the existing PS2 and Xbox 360 adapters.  But yes you do get analog function.

As in true full-range analog function? I though x-arcades went 0 to 100 percent like most sticks.

As far as I know, the X-arcade uses 8 way joysticks, so it would be impossible to get something other than 0 or 100%.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on May 23, 2012, 10:31:34 am
x-arcades sticks use microswitches.  No way to get analogue input from them, only ON or OFF.
The adapter may register the direction of the stick, but it isn't analogue.

Man I'm tempted to buy one of those 10k joysticks off fleabay to play around with.
Already have a big pile of things like that though  :angry:
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ark_ader on May 23, 2012, 01:10:32 pm
You can get both digital and analog functions to work on a X Arcade.

Works great but I do not use it often.  ;D

 Info here. (http://www.xgaming.com/support/questions/43/Xbox+360%E2%84%A2+Adapter+Button+Layout+and+Instructions)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 23, 2012, 01:25:31 pm
But it wouldn't be true analog still since it's just an 8 way joystick with microswitches.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 23, 2012, 01:30:25 pm
But it wouldn't be true analog still since it's just an 8 way joystick with microswitches.

Correct.  Its the same as the MadCatz fight pad or fight stick in that regard.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: AGarv on May 23, 2012, 07:46:28 pm
There seem to be a lot of potential analog joystick candidates here (link and other joysticks at bottom of the linked page):

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/529126099/2_axis_auto_spring_return_potentiometer.html (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/529126099/2_axis_auto_spring_return_potentiometer.html)

I would be happy to try the hack, or even hire Haruman to try it, if there was just a little more technical information about which potentiometers work with the stock xbox 360 controller boards.  Anyone seen something like this elsewhere?  I have done a lot of searching and am coming up empty.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on May 25, 2012, 11:20:52 pm
I also wonder how the ultrastik with buttons attatched would react to being plugged into one of these bad boys: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PS-3-Controller-XBOX-360-XCM-XFPS-Live-Mouse-Keyboard-Adapter-Brand-New-/260966194054?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D320909687415%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8679140334432005535#ht_1727wt_1164 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PS-3-Controller-XBOX-360-XCM-XFPS-Live-Mouse-Keyboard-Adapter-Brand-New-/260966194054?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D320909687415%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8679140334432005535#ht_1727wt_1164)

Just makes one wonder.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on November 07, 2012, 04:51:10 pm
I'm very interested in this topic because I'm quadriplegic and have no use of my fingers. A couple years ago I posted around a bit trying to find out if there was an analog stick that could be pad hacked, and the Seimitsu ls-64 was the only analog stick I could find. Of course nobody knew anything about it or if it was even possible, so at the time I settled for using a PiiWee board in an old MAS stick I had so I could at least play some Wii games. I still REALLY want to get a stick built with everything I'd need to play any game, 2 true analog sticks, digital stick, 12+ buttons. Has anyone looked into this more?
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 07, 2012, 05:33:18 pm
I'm very interested in this topic because I'm quadriplegic and have no use of my fingers. A couple years ago I posted around a bit trying to find out if there was an analog stick that could be pad hacked, and the Seimitsu ls-64 was the only analog stick I could find. Of course nobody knew anything about it or if it was even possible, so at the time I settled for using a PiiWee board in an old MAS stick I had so I could at least play some Wii games. I still REALLY want to get a stick built with everything I'd need to play any game, 2 true analog sticks, digital stick, 12+ buttons. Has anyone looked into this more?

What do you have use of to manipulate the controls?

Ideally, how would the controls be arranged?

Are you looking for something to work with emulators or a modern console?
If a modern console, which ones?

I'm not sure if the PCBs that support multiple systems have analogue inputs.
Easy enough to find out though.
XBox360 pad hack would work on a PC or Xbox360.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on November 07, 2012, 06:22:01 pm
My hands are in a loose fist shape, I can get them over a standard stick with bat top and I can easily push regular arcade buttons with the sides of my hands / pinky knuckles. Ideally I would like to contoll Xbox 360, PC, PS3, and Wii Classic controllers with my stick. The plan was always to try and find somebody that could do the pad hacks with 12" leads for all the buttons then use screw terminals inside the housing to connect the different pcbs to the sticks/buttons. None of the multi-console pcbs support analog controll, just full on/off.

Here is a rough draft I made for the button layout. I never got around to making a full size print out to test the spacing though.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 07, 2012, 06:56:07 pm
I'm not real sure about the multiple pad hacks.  I guess it's dependent on if they all use 10k pots with 5k being centered.
I'm pretty sure the xbox 360 pad hack would work, but as you can tell from this thread, nobody has actually done it.
 :dunno

.....crap, there's only one of those ALPS 10k joystick still available on ebay  :banghead:

I'm looking elsewhere, but not finding anything.

I have enough amazon credit to get a wired xbox360 controller.
If I find a deal on useable joysticks, I may order everything and do some testing.
I'm not good enough to hack the whole pad, but I could probably get enough done to test the concept.
I'm a bit all over the place with my projects and have too many, so no guarantees.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on November 07, 2012, 07:23:28 pm
I'm not real sure about the multiple pad hacks.  I guess it's dependent on if they all use 10k pots with 5k being centered.
I'm pretty sure the xbox 360 pad hack would work, but as you can tell from this thread, nobody has actually done it.
 :dunno

I didn't really think about the possible resistance differences between consoles. Either way Xbox 360 would be my most desired option because I actually have a 360 here, and I could just get an adapter if I ever get a PS3.

If you actually do some testing I'd really appreciate knowing how it goes. This has been one of those things I've been waiting forever for somebody to figure out. There's so many games I haven't been able to play the past 8 years  :(
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 08, 2012, 07:42:49 am
I ordered a wired xbox controller and the one ALPs joystick that was left on fleabay.
The joystick is coming from China, so it will probably take a few weeks.

I couldn't find any other joysticks online that were a reasonable price.
I came accross these: http://www.p3america.com/industrial_joystick_full_size_selection_guide.htm (http://www.p3america.com/industrial_joystick_full_size_selection_guide.htm)
and found them on a few resellers sites, but all of them said "call for price".

I'm guessing they are as expensive as the happ one:
http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/50287600.htm (http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/50287600.htm)

We'll see if the concept works first.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on November 08, 2012, 08:41:05 am
Badmouth, if you run into issues hacking the controller, let me know. I'd be glad to help out.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on November 08, 2012, 12:11:18 pm
We'll see if the concept works first.  :cheers:

Awesome, thanks for taking the time to do that.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: CoryBee on November 08, 2012, 12:36:22 pm
Badmouth, if you run into issues hacking the controller, let me know. I'd be glad to help out.

I laughed when I read that and saw your gif display pic at the same time. Good guy Haruman.  :applaud:
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 15, 2012, 03:15:09 pm
The seller must put these ALPS joysticks on ebay in batches of five, with four (2 pairs) being sold quickly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330825366484 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330825366484)

There was just one left on ebay again so I went ahead and bought it because I've found nothing else for a reasonable price and who knows when these will be available again.  So I have two on the way now.  I have no use for them after testing and will pass them along if they'll work.
I'm hoping they aren't too small.  Also curious as to the size of the threads for the top.  I have a pair of JLF bat tops that I'm not using and it would be sweet if they fit.
The first one I ordered seems to be stalled in San Francisco.  Hopefully it will get here in a few more days and all questions will be answered.

HaRuMaN, what can you tell me about the triggers?  Do you know the range of resistance for them?
I know I could just measure after I tear the controller down, but I like to plan ahead.
I'm thinking about trying to come up with some type of analog paddle in place of them (like a pedal for your hand).
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on November 15, 2012, 03:26:49 pm
I'd be more than happy to reimburse you for parts and labor if you end up sending them to me. And non-analog triggers are nowhere near as bad as non-analog sticks.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on November 15, 2012, 03:40:00 pm
I have no idea of the range of resistance on the triggers... 

I always hack them to digital.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 19, 2012, 09:48:15 pm
The alps joystick came in today.  The hack works as expected, but there are a couple issues that might prevent this particular joystick from being a good choice.

For Crossbred900 in particular, the small size might be an issue.
The joystick handle is about 14mm in diameter and 40mm from the top of the handle to the joystick base.
The handle does unscrew from the joystick shaft, but the threads that it goes onto are pretty small.
I guess the sanwa tops could be used if an adapter was machined for them.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=272116;image)

The other issue is that there is a fair amount of play with the joystick centered, to the point that the springs do not push it all the way back to center.  This is less of an issue on a PC with emulators because you can set a deadzone.  I don't know how much of a deadzone an Xbox360 allows for.  I will test this out on an Xbox 360, but I only know a couple people who own one and it will probably be after Thanksgiving before I can hit them up for assistance.  I tested the little original pots out of the controller to make sure that there was no built in dead zone, but there was not.  They are just plain pots.

The inside of the Alps joystick:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=272118;image)

For anyone else doing this hack, the joystick and button that is depressed when the joystick is pressed down are one unit and both need to be desoldered before trying to remove it.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=272114;image)

Here is some video of it working.  You can see where the X axis has issues returning all the way to center.
Toward the end, I show how much play there is in the stick when it's centered.
WP 20121120 011850Z (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zgQ9gUtSy0#ws)

So where we stand is that an analog joystick using 10k pots does work, but strong centering is probably going to be important.
I'm going to go ahead and hack the rest of the controller to barrier strips and hopefully not ruin it.  ;)
When I get access to an xbox 360, I'll turn the pots by hand and see how much of a deadzone the xbox is expecting.

Keep an eye out for other possible joysticks.  They don't have to be 10k.  We can swap 10k pots in.
It would be nice to find a used set of Happ analog sticks.  I don't know if I've ever seen a used one.
Does anyone know if the bat-top joystick shaft from the analog Happ will drop in a Happ flight stick?
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 20, 2012, 09:34:06 pm
This is probably equivalent to all the soldering I've done in my life up to this point. 
I read HaRuMaN's tuturial minutes before starting and when I read no common ground, I was like  :cry:
Absolutely every control is tapped.  All three wires are run for each trigger to give the option of analog or digital.

Only issue I had was those tiny friggin spots for the D-Pad.  The Up wire lifted somehow when I was dousing everything in hot glue and I never could find another piece of copper to solder to.  Luckily there was a solder point on the other side of the board that worked.

Experience Level +1
Solder Ability +5

Might even ask for a decent soldering iron for Christmas to replace my $5 harbor freight one.
I bought a $13 de-soldering iron from radioshack before starting on this and used it to remove the components.
I was amazed at how well it worked!

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=272157;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=272159;image)

Still looking analog arcade sticks if anyone has some gathering dust.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: rCadeGaming on November 20, 2012, 09:58:53 pm
Looks nice.  Hot glue is a nice touch, won't hurt to cover the rest of your solder points with it for strain relief.

Is that an official 360 controller?  It would be a lot easier if you go common ground.  WWE Brawl Pads are cheap, common ground and lag-free, but they're not analog.  Not sure if there's an easier option for this specific application.  For 360, I've only opened up Brawl Pads myself.

For soldering irons, as long as you can get enough controllable heat you should be alright.  Automatic temp irons can be easier for beginners but they're more expensive.  With a power control knob, you just have to get a feel for it, but the adjustability may come in handy.  The biggest upgrade you can get for your iron is a nice fine point conical tip, many come with screwdriver-like tips that aren't meant for this kind of work.  I'm using Weller ST7 tips atm.  Highly recommended, or similar if they won't fit your iron.  Small diameter rosin-core solder and the appropriate use of flux is helpful too.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 20, 2012, 10:24:48 pm
I wanted to take the pic before covering everything in glue.  :P

It's an official microsoft xbox controller.
I guess a 3rd party one might have better solder points, but I'd have to buy it to find out.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: rCadeGaming on November 20, 2012, 10:31:00 pm
The brawl pad has big solder points separate from the button contacts, almost like it's meant to be hacked.  The biggest help would be that it's common ground though.  I'd see if you could find something analog like that.  It's hard to use multiple PCB's if they're not common ground.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: NickG on November 21, 2012, 12:39:17 am
I read somewhere that the cg pads have analog axes ranges of 0-1.5v with .75v when centered (Following method is similar for other pads not exceeding 5v.)  Conditioning signals from joysticks with greater signal range should be as simple as an inline pot and pot across the signal to divide the voltage.   For example, a U360 gives 0-5v with 2.5v centered in output mode, (if I recall correctly); so you could condition the signal with inline pot set to 5ohm, and ref pot set to 2.14ohm.     
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on November 21, 2012, 09:08:27 am
I read somewhere that the cg pads have analog axes ranges of 0-1.5v with .75v when centered (Following method is similar for other pads not exceeding 5v.)  Conditioning signals from joysticks with greater signal range should be as simple as an inline pot and pot across the signal to divide the voltage.   For example, a U360 gives 0-5v with 2.5v centered in output mode, (if I recall correctly); so you could condition the signal with inline pot set to 5ohm, and ref pot set to 2.14ohm.     

I had to look up what a cg pad was.  Apparently some were common ground (cg), some weren't.  I didn't know that.
I did notice that the contacts on the D-Pad were different than what was in HaRuMaN's tutorial.
Found this guide to wireless controllers that may be helpful to others (mine doesn't resemble any of them).
http://www.se7ensins.com/forums/threads/how-to-tell-what-type-of-xbox-360-wireless-controller-board-you-have.407331/ (http://www.se7ensins.com/forums/threads/how-to-tell-what-type-of-xbox-360-wireless-controller-board-you-have.407331/)

All the dividing the voltage stuff is a bit over my head.
I'm going to hold out for pot based analog arcade sticks for a while.

Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: HaRuMaN on November 21, 2012, 09:11:52 am
When I wrote that thread, there weren't any common ground M$ controllers yet.  They came out later.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on June 17, 2015, 01:41:17 pm
Bumping this old thread to see if anyone has successfully wired in 2 analog joys to the Xbox 360 pad, I want to make a geometry wars cab, really need this
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on June 17, 2015, 01:43:41 pm
Well what I've done, and what you could do, is just wire Ultrastik 360s up and use them on a PC version of the game.  I'm making my quad arcade for games like smash bros, console games, and geometry wars.  Basically games that require analog movement to get the full experience.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on June 17, 2015, 01:54:05 pm
Geometry wars cannot read 2 u360s, and the u360 cannot be wired up to an xbox 360 pad
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: ShadeValryn on June 17, 2015, 01:56:31 pm
Geometry wars cannot read 2 u360s, and the u360 cannot be wired up to an xbox 360 pad

Using X360CE or Xpadder or some other program, I'm sure you can combine the axis of two gamepads for one virtual one.  But no the U360 isn't meant to be wired into a 360 pad.  I'm just saying I use 4 of them for things like Dolphin, PJ64, Castle Crashers, stuff like that.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on June 17, 2015, 02:19:07 pm
Bumping this old thread to see if anyone has successfully wired in 2 analog joys to the Xbox 360 pad, I want to make a geometry wars cab, really need this

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128941.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128941.0.html)

short version:
Use any analog joysticks with at least 10k pots.  5k arcade pots didn't work very well.
Happ sells a "PC" analog joystick with 100k pots.  It should work great, but is expensive.
You can't just swap in standard off-the-shelf pots.  The pots made for joysticks cover their full range over a shorter throw.

The biggest obstacle is finding decent analog joysticks.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on June 17, 2015, 02:32:28 pm
After looking at the other Geometry Wars thread, I think your best bet is to pick up a pair of used trigger sticks from a cyber sled or some other dual analog arcade game and use an ultimarc UHID to interface them.  It will show up as a direct input controller, but then you can use X360CE to make it show up as an xbox360 controller.  (an APAC will show up as 2 separate controllers which would complicate things)

I actually have a cyber sled CP hacked to a cheap Logitech controller.
It works, but the analog motion on screen isn't as smooth as it should be.  It's like it moves in steps.
This is because I'm only using a small portion of the rotational range of the cheap $3 radio shack pots I swapped in.
(then relied on joystick calibration in the emulators to adjust the limits).

I'd consider parting with it, but it weighs a ton.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131906.msg1353960.html#msg1353960 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131906.msg1353960.html#msg1353960)


EDIT: On a side note, I'm impressed with my own soldering in the above x360 pad hack pics given that I said that I was using a cheap harbor freight soldering iron.  I've since moved on to a Hakko and I'm never going back.  :)
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: BadMouth on June 17, 2015, 04:54:55 pm
There are a bunch of joysticks on ebay listed under "joystick potentiometer" if anyone is interested.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xjoystick+potentiometer.TRS0&_nkw=joystick+potentiometer&_sacat=0 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xjoystick+potentiometer.TRS0&_nkw=joystick+potentiometer&_sacat=0)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFgxMDAw/z/DXkAAOSwpDdVaFiz/$_57.JPG)

The bat on top is probably about the same size as the ALP joysticks from earlier in this thread.
The base looks a bit nicer and has a physical adjustment for centering which would be helpful with xbox360. 
No idea if the pots from this could be transplanted.

Keep in mind this is still tiny in comparison to a real analog arcade stick, maybe even small enough to be used in RC controllers.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on June 17, 2015, 05:45:43 pm
Cool, I'm researching as much as I can, I really want my robotron to look stock, but function like an xbox360 controller
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: crossbred900 on June 17, 2015, 07:03:17 pm
There are a bunch of joysticks on ebay listed under "joystick potentiometer" if anyone is interested.

The bat on top is probably about the same size as the ALP joysticks from earlier in this thread.
The base looks a bit nicer and has a physical adjustment for centering which would be helpful with xbox360. 
No idea if the pots from this could be transplanted.

Keep in mind this is still tiny in comparison to a real analog arcade stick, maybe even small enough to be used in RC controllers.

I'd love to see how one of these work out if you try one. I would love to eventually replace my ALPs with something more centered and sturdy.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on April 11, 2020, 08:50:40 pm
5 years later!!!... 

I purchased 2 Naomi analog sticks from japan (I think they’re Naomi, because they came on a control panel that’s for a naomi baseball game). Tonight I am attempting to have these work with an Xbox 360 controller PCB, this PCB is not a common ground PCB, I am wiring directly to the potentiometer pads
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: pharmtech78 on May 03, 2020, 02:04:27 pm
5 years later!!!... 

I purchased 2 Naomi analog sticks from japan (I think they’re Naomi, because they came on a control panel that’s for a naomi baseball game). Tonight I am attempting to have these work with an Xbox 360 controller PCB, this PCB is not a common ground PCB, I am wiring directly to the potentiometer pads

How did this end up working? I'm curious because i want to do a geometry wars cabinet as well.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 05, 2020, 12:20:08 am
5 years later!!!... 

I purchased 2 Naomi analog sticks from japan (I think they’re Naomi, because they came on a control panel that’s for a naomi baseball game). Tonight I am attempting to have these work with an Xbox 360 controller PCB, this PCB is not a common ground PCB, I am wiring directly to the potentiometer pads

How did this end up working? I'm curious because i want to do a geometry wars cabinet as well.

You need a device called Cronus to go between the hacked 360 pad and the xbox360, the Cronus can be programmed to adjust sensitivity of the sticks that needs to be done to achieve stability with the analog joysticks
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: baritonomarchetto on May 06, 2020, 08:00:45 am
Just to dig this topic out of the grave even more :), I want to inform you that a smart guy calle Dave Madison has developed a library to turn a cheap arduino leonardo into a Xinput controller (with custom firmware ;) ).
I have used it to realize a racing cab interface (capable of trigger rumble motors too) and must say that it works great.

Here is a tutorial he wrote:
https://www.partsnotincluded.com/arduino-xinput-library/

Only limit (which could be a show stopper for someone) is that this wont work on a regular xbox, but PC.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 07, 2020, 01:26:26 pm
Just to dig this topic out of the grave even more :), I want to inform you that a smart guy calle Dave Madison has developed a library to turn a cheap arduino leonardo into a Xinput controller (with custom firmware ;) ).
I have used it to realize a racing cab interface (capable of trigger rumble motors too) and must say that it works great.

Here is a tutorial he wrote:
https://www.partsnotincluded.com/arduino-xinput-library/

Only limit (which could be a show stopper for someone) is that this wont work on a regular xbox, but PC.
Thank you, I’ll be possibly using this
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 07, 2020, 01:26:43 pm
Here’s my robotron cab


https://youtu.be/Hba8isACjq4
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: pharmtech78 on May 07, 2020, 10:26:03 pm
5 years later!!!... 

I purchased 2 Naomi analog sticks from japan (I think they’re Naomi, because they came on a control panel that’s for a naomi baseball game). Tonight I am attempting to have these work with an Xbox 360 controller PCB, this PCB is not a common ground PCB, I am wiring directly to the potentiometer pads

How did this end up working? I'm curious because i want to do a geometry wars cabinet as well.

You need a device called Cronus to go between the hacked 360 pad and the xbox360, the Cronus can be programmed to adjust sensitivity of the sticks that needs to be done to achieve stability with the analog joysticks


Thanks for that info. Any chance you can post pics of your wiring from the joystick to the Xbox 360 pcb? I have a pair of these joystick and want to make sure I get the wiring correct.
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 07, 2020, 11:29:00 pm
5 years later!!!... 

I purchased 2 Naomi analog sticks from japan (I think they’re Naomi, because they came on a control panel that’s for a naomi baseball game). Tonight I am attempting to have these work with an Xbox 360 controller PCB, this PCB is not a common ground PCB, I am wiring directly to the potentiometer pads

How did this end up working? I'm curious because i want to do a geometry wars cabinet as well.

You need a device called Cronus to go between the hacked 360 pad and the xbox360, the Cronus can be programmed to adjust sensitivity of the sticks that needs to be done to achieve stability with the analog joysticks


Thanks for that info. Any chance you can post pics of your wiring from the joystick to the Xbox 360 pcb? I have a pair of these joystick and want to make sure I get the wiring correct.

I don’t have pics of the final wiring, but it’s simple, the pots have a ground , a positive and negative, the ground is in the center on the pots on the controller and the pots on the joy sticks
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: PL1 on May 08, 2020, 05:23:04 pm
I don’t have pics of the final wiring, but it’s simple, the pots have a ground , a positive and negative, the ground is in the center on the pots on the controller and the pots on the joy sticks
Umm . . . not quite.

There's a better description of how potentiometers work at http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Analog_Encoders#How_a_potentiometer_provides_the_voltage_for_an_analog_encoder_to_measure (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Analog_Encoders#How_a_potentiometer_provides_the_voltage_for_an_analog_encoder_to_measure).


Scott
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 08, 2020, 11:58:48 pm
I don’t have pics of the final wiring, but it’s simple, the pots have a ground , a positive and negative, the ground is in the center on the pots on the controller and the pots on the joy sticks
Umm . . . not quite.

There's a better description of how potentiometers work at http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Analog_Encoders#How_a_potentiometer_provides_the_voltage_for_an_analog_encoder_to_measure (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Analog_Encoders#How_a_potentiometer_provides_the_voltage_for_an_analog_encoder_to_measure).


Scott
Ok, that’s great info

But I did get it working
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: PL1 on May 09, 2020, 03:03:43 am
But I did get it working
Glad you did and I hope that others can do the same.   :cheers:

I just didn't want anyone to get confused when you said that the center tab of a potentiometer was "ground".


Scott
Title: Re: Analog arcade joystick to xbox 360, can it be done?
Post by: SORHP on May 09, 2020, 07:58:02 pm
Oh yes, much appreciated, I’m always learning as well