Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: antnida on January 14, 2008, 08:18:52 pm

Title: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: antnida on January 14, 2008, 08:18:52 pm

Got a new empty cab, some wiring and stuffs are intact, not sure if all can be used.  I am slowly putting the control panel together.

First question, I am planning for 2 players, 7 buttons each and 1/2 player buttons.  Do I need any other one than this?

Parts I currently have and needed, if anything is missing please suggest.

MB+CPU still need to order, likely a core 2 duo
Memory, HD, PS and CDROM = already have
IPAC, still need to order
Joystick + buttons = still need to order
ArcadeVGA = still need to order
25" arcade monitor = on its way
I think I need an interface to connect the arcade monitor to the arcadeVGA card, please suggest.

Some pics.
(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8511/dsc0280zb5.jpg)
(http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3416/dsc0282im8.jpg)
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9739/dsc0386wx6.jpg)
(http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1089/7buttonscpwt8.jpg)

Tony

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Daniel B. on January 15, 2008, 07:48:36 am

Wow! That cab sure looks minty! I don't think, in the history of mame cab building, has there ever been such a new cab "put through the motions". Great find. It should turn out nice.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: waveryder on January 15, 2008, 07:50:49 am

Wow that is looking hot! Love the green T mold.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: brock.sampson on January 15, 2008, 08:33:45 am

I'm probably in the minority around here but I like a few additional admin buttons exit, pause, coin.  I have a couple extra on mine for mouse buttons etc.  It really depends on who will be playing this the most.  I have young kids so I wanted to make it easy for them.  There is no way a 5 year old is going to remember some complicated shift sequence.  You might want to mock your controls on a piece of cardboard when you get your buttons.  They seem kind of close together and a little too far forward.  Sorry no help on the arcade vga stuff.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Daniel B. on January 15, 2008, 10:40:21 am

Now that I'm at work and have had my mountain dew, I have something constructive to say!

I would spread the controls out further between the two. In it's current state, it looks like you would be pretty "hugged up" with p2. If you are only playing with hot chicks, that would be fine - but we all know "fatty mcgee" wants to come over and drink a case while playing third strike.

Something to think about.


<-- similar to fatty mcgee.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: antnida on January 16, 2008, 03:16:01 am

Looks like I have to cut out part of the opening on this cab to be able to spaced out all the joysticks and buttons plus the trackball.  I love to go with the smallest trackball but that Happ 1.5" is $$$$  :).  I am likely to go with GP-Wiz since it have more inputs than the IPAC2

There will be 4 more buttons, 2 on the left and 2 on the right of the control panel for pinball games.  I guess that should cover everything, unless you guys got any other suggestions for me.

Maybe, down the road I will hack it to add a flight stick and racing wheel but for now I think will be bz enough  :)

(http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4672/dsc0381lm4.jpg)

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Daniel B. on January 16, 2008, 07:23:30 am

Looks much better.

The extra work will pay off in the end.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Dexter on January 16, 2008, 07:39:22 am

Stick a couple of buttons on for volume up/down for mame, or wire in a potentiometer between your audio out on PC and your amp if you're going to be using multiple emulators. Useful if you play while others are in bed. Also, sould levels can vary wildly between different games and it's a pain not having it easily controllable.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Turnarcades on January 16, 2008, 11:41:02 am

Try not to over-complicate things and get as many pre-built items as you can (mini-pac interface, J-pac etc, deending on your requirements. Admin buttons can be useful, but keep it to a minimum.

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: divemaster127 on January 16, 2008, 11:44:08 am

I have the aradevga, ipac etc here in the states in stock if you need
dm

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: fjl on January 16, 2008, 03:31:14 pm

Quote from: Dexter on January 16, 2008, 07:39:22 am

Stick a couple of buttons on for volume up/down for mame, or wire in a potentiometer between your audio out on PC and your amp if you're going to be using multiple emulators. Useful if you play while others are in bed. Also, sould levels can vary wildly between different games and it's a pain not having it easily controllable.

Isn't Mortal Kombat the only game that uses the MAME volume controls?

Title: Re: My new cab, first time building Mame
Post by: Dexter on January 18, 2008, 09:39:11 am

Quote from: efjayel on January 16, 2008, 03:31:14 pm

Isn't Mortal Kombat the only game that uses the MAME volume controls?

You remap the key for "On Screen Display" in the mame UI to a button, and then use the joystick to control volume, brightness, contrast and gamma.