The Making of "The Boss Box"

[unclet]

OK, I got the files.  When I get some free time I will check em out.  Thanks

[mike boss]

cool, thats one skin............but if its good ill load up the rest.

[mike boss]

I'm now having issues, Uncle T corrected some things I had left out of the skin.
Now the default skin powers up & I cant access any pull out menu (namly the options)

[mike boss]

I've deleted and re-installed Uncle T's and now seem to be back to normal.
I had some issues getting the PC to boot right into Uncle T's ,but I fixed that.
Uncle T has done some great work helping me revise my skin, two heads are better then one ! There was one font issue, but I have passed the link onto Uncle T.
I think this skin should be up for DL soon.

I hope everyone enjoys it. I'd be honored if it ever graces Uncle T's kick ass jukebox !

[unclet]

Your skin has been uploaded on my site.

Click on the following link and then go to the "Skins" page:

http://unclet.arcadecontrols.com/Jukebox/

[mike boss]

Loving it, loving it !
I think together we created a kick ass skin !

[mike boss]

So now with the skin done and the majority of my music uploaded onto the PC I can focus on the build. It's forced me to come to a realization, and all be it my number one choice I don't think I will "mod" an old console stereo. Sadly a couple of things have been brought to my attention.

I don't really have a means to pick one up (meaning no truck).

Available space in the basement (future home of the Boss Boxx) is limited.

The tools I have available to me are also limited, and my father in law who would have been a big help is unable to help for health reasons.

All in all its forced me to go with my second idea. Simply put a pedestal made of MDF with 2.5" holes drilled in the two sides and back. On the inside the PC itself would be contained and 9 blue LED fans would be mounted. One fan would be placed on the inside of the unit right behind the existing holes. I now have to source out some fan covers, but don't feel that will be hard. In terms of color, a possible plexi top, etc I haven't really decided.

The one advantage to this unit is I can purchase the materials from Home Depot, have them cut them to size and transport in my car. The drilling of holes and assembly I can do at home. As the plans come together I will indeed update my blog.

[protokatie]

I've been following your thread a bit (party to satisfy my own imagination (or to supplement it)). But maybe you could get an old/used guitar Amp/speaker and use that as the base housing and build the CPU/display case on top of that? Make it look like an old Juke (it would have similar dimensions), and give some really good sound (albeit mono only out of the amp).

Just a thought, as used Guitar amps can go for cheap and put out some good floor thumping sound.

[mike boss]

I appreciate any and all input, as I feel that people from the outside looking in often have a totally different perspective and can offer great insight. As with many things in life this project i'm sure will take many forms as time goes along. However I feel I'm going to keep and stick to a few simple rules/ideas :

I'm still in love with my idea of using a console stereo. I often see ones online with nice simple clean lines. They very much appeal to my sense of style. Space wise as noted it won't be the direction I go in now. However in the future I think %100 I will indeed follow through with this build.

With that said the build that I now do has to be cost effective, perhaps if possible serve another need in the near future ?

Prior I wanted to build a pedestal stand to display my Japanese slot machine. I wanted something that would bring it upto a good playing level. The idea was build something that would mimic the Wii display (kiosk) that I had seen at EB Games. As of yet I have no built this unit, but the idea for the jukebox build is coming off my idea for the slot machine stand.

Simply put I need something that would contain the Dell PC and nothing more.
I would also consider building some form of casing for the monitor itself.
Ideally I'd like to build something on swivel type base. For the amplification I would just my existing home theater receiver and speakers. Using the headphone jack on the rear of the PC for audio out I would run a Y splitter and then connect the RCA's to the receiver.

My hope is I can use existing parts I have like my 9 PC fans with the blue led's, and left over paint from the house. The wood itself I would just purchase from Home Depot. The one good thing about that is they will cut the wood on site for me. All in all I would expect this type of build to be very cost effective and perhaps serve some other use in the future. Once I draw something up I will post it here.

I do like the idea of the guitar amp, and would consider looking around. One thing I do think will remain true and that my build wont resemble your traditional jukebox.  More so because I don't have skill set to pull it off.

[mike boss]

I still haven't began to build anything else for my jukebox. Other then gather a few parts I think I will wait until I pick up my touch screens. (That won't be til Sept)

Once I have them I will begin to bounce around more ideas, and decide on a direction.
In the meanwhile I fully intend on completing my MAME project which has stalled.
(www.mymissiontomame.blogspot.com)

I've promised myself that once the MAME project is done I can/will begin my Bar Top machines and jukebox............kinda of an intensive ! I have picked up the required nuts,bolts,and wood to complete MAME. I just need the help of another guy.

In the interim as I get bored I've decided to start a few more skins..............all my practice has made me a little faster. I hope some of you guys enjoyed the skin Uncle T & I did.

[mike boss]

I've spoken to a friend of a friend who is a carpenter by trade. He is more then willing to help me design and build my jukebox. My sense of style is very contemporary, so simply put it will be nothing more then a pedestil style  base with plexi pannels on either side. They will be frosted and my LED fans contained inside.
Anyway more on that as it develops.

I do have one question, I believe I know the answer but I'll ask anyway. I like the fact that you can activate the jukebox and it will play songs @ random. I think that will be a great setting while having a party. However when in use I like the albums screen. Is there anyway to cycle through the pages on album view while the jukebox plays songs at random ?

 

[mike boss]

I'll make sure this week I upgrade to the new version.
I also plan on doing a new skin in the coming weeks.
I've been talking with my carpenter acquaintance and we are now trying to figure out if the jukebox could be made into a ABM type build. You know the ABMachines you would see in stores etc, they are the 3rd party kind. Reason I suggest this build is it would incorporate the monitor into the case. I figure I have a carpenter, I'm paying him, why not get the best build I can (for the money).

Hey Uncle T, any idea if a feature allowing the jukebox to go into "random play" while cycling through the pages will ever get released ? Would anyone else like a feature like that ? (I'm not sure if thats killer hard to do)

[unclet]

Sorry, just got back in town yesterday.

On the Media page (in the bottom right side) there is an "Activate" button.   This button is to activate songs to play when nothing is in the song queue (ie: idle play).   You can play songs from the past Top10/25/50/100 songs play or from a specific genre.  You can also set it to choose the songs from the category your select randomly by pressing the "Random" button, which is located in the same area.  Once you activate this feature then songs will start playing .  You can then switch to the "Albums" menu and stay there forever if you want.  If a user comes along, flips through the album covers and selects a song, then that selected song will play next.  After that one selected song finishes and if the song queue is now empty, then another random song will play since the "Activate" idle play button is still activated on the Media page.

Hope this is what you wanted....

[mike boss]

I do use the "activate" button which I very much like. It's nice to listen to different tunes from the juke each and every time I put it on. I also very much like that "top 100" feature also. Very cool ! I just find for myself I like the overall look of the albums page, and find I don't often leave the jukebox on the "media" page.  Like you said when I activate the jukebox I do switch to the albums page. I just thought it would/could look cool if while playing songs at random the jukebox would cycle through the pages showing people whats available. I guess I also thought it would help from perhaps a burn in stand point also. I don't know if a feature like this is possible or easy to do. Or perhaps I'm the only person who thinks that could be a cool little addition ?

[mike boss]

PS - I have the itch to work on a skin or two in the coming weeks.
I love the skin both Uncle T and I and did............. but I think something new and fresh would be good. I'm thinking 3 or 4 skins I can flip between when I change my mood.
Anyway as always I will post the skins on this site and the blog.

[unclet]

Well currently it is not possible to automatically flip through the album pages while songs are playing.   When the last song has played it can be done, but not while songs are playing.  I did not want to do this since people might be looking through albums and then find one they like and call someone over to the jukebox to see it, but before they could see it, then the albums flipped automatically.   Not really a feature I think a bunch of people have been asking for ....   

[mike boss]

So this Saturday Sept 12th I'm going to the local coin-op auction.
I'll be picking up my monitors. Once I get them I hope to QUICKLY start the jukebox build. I've been bouncing around some ideas with my bud's bud (the carpenter) and he is excited to help me out. While we are at it  we are going to build a slot machine stand.

[mike boss]

So I picked up my monitors & they are great.
I've done some testing and all seems to work well.
I've also located an old console stereo for a great price.
I've contacted the seller & its still available.
Pending its still available this weekend I'm going to try and borrow a car to go get it.
Things are coming together.
For pics goto my blog :

www.thebossbox.blogspot.com

thanks for reading

[mike boss]

Uncle T help me out with this.
It could just be a brain fart.
I know if  the jukebox is idol for "X (SET)" period of time it will idol play if selected.
But how about if I want the jukebox to play @ random.
I goto the media page and hit RANDOM + ACTIVATE ?
Is it common that the you have to have selected the TOP 10,25,50 or 100 ?
I dont recall that as the case, but when I goto RANDOM + ACTIVATE i can un-select any TOP option.

[mike boss]

MY BAD !
you need to press random + genre !
I got it now, I thought I did that prior.
Now its all good, thanks !

[unclet]

Yep, you can select "Random" from the Media Page and then select either Genre, Top10, Top25, Top50 or Top100

 

[mike boss]

Ya I goofed on that.............
I figured it out right after I posted.
I know that I had set the software to go into IDOL PLAY after 10 minutes or so of inactivity. But I could have sworn that prior I was able to fire it up and just play tunes at random. But I could not figure it out. As I said minutes later I realized my mistake.

I'm still loving the software and would like to work on some additional skins. All be it time isn't in abundance these days.

I've located a great console stereo locally, but as of now don't have a means to pick it up. The seller has offered to hold it, but I told him if it sells..........it sells ! If it's available when I can pick it up then I want it. I'm trying to get my hands on a hatchback to get this done.

It's $25, and thats far cheaper then the materials I would need  to do this project.
I have some plexi from a broken Ikea frame that I would also like to add to the build.
I was thinking IF I do get this console stereo I would mount the touchscreen inside (obviously). So you open the lid to expose the controls. But I thought about perhaps adding a window of frosted plexi that would allow the blue LED fan lights to shine through. They would be contained withing the cabinet and used to cool the PC.
But I thought the window could make for a cool effect. I would also add new pegboard to the back of the jukebox  to let more light out. I think it would look so awesome when backed up against a wall to see the blue lights shine through.

I do have one question for any readers, and any advice/ideas are welcome.
My ideal build is to take a console stereo (like the one in the link) and convert it.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-Vintage-1960s-Viking-floor-model-tube-stereo-console-W0QQAdIdZ154461102
Adding some inexpensive chrome legs from Ikea and removing the ornamentation around the speakers. I would finish the unit in a dark stain to match the rest of my furniture. I would also use black speaker fabric to cover the speakers as I think it would blend nice with the dark stain. I would hope that no light from the LED fans bleed through the fabric. ANYWAY ........................
with this build the PC, cooling apparatus, and amplification would be contained inside. And all be it Uncle T's software does allow for volume control I find when I'm playing my albums that obviously some are louder then others. I would like to be able to control the volume of the amplifier. But with it contained inside the unit I don't know how I could do so. For example if the amplifier had a remote control is it possible to remove the sensor and perhaps mount it on the bottom of the unit ?

[mike boss]

I was showing a friend my work to date on the Jukebox. Despite all the good things I had told him about Uncle T's he was yet to install it. The second he saw it in use he loved it, all be it I dont think he installed it yet. But it really is an awesome program.
Again I thank Uncle T for making it available free to us !

[unclet]

 

[mike boss]

I'm planning to start work again on a pair of new skins. The basic concept is to have them inverted, yin and yang if you will. I'm crossing my fingers that I do get this console stereo, and even if I do I'm still going to keep a blue color scheme. The fan LED's are blue as is the neon tube I have. Where possible I am going to incorporate plexi windows (frosted) to let the blue LED light shine out.

[unclet]

Good luck   

[mike boss]

Thank you, and of course I will post them and the fonts when completed.

[mike boss]

I'm just about done my MAME project. I just need to do a little work on the monitor. I pick up the saw I need tonight from my brother. Once completed I plan on moving onto the jukebox. In the meantime Im still working on my music collection and doing some custom covers.

I did some covers for each letter of the alphabet, using Elvis for E, Madonna for M, etc.
They are posted on my blog if anyone wants to look or use them.

www.thebossbox.blogspot.com

[mike boss]

Browsing the local kijiji as I always do has proven yet again to be worth the 10 minutes at work it takes. (yes I do it while at work!)

Today I found this unit online that will be delivered tonight for $10 ! Heck, that is well worth my time & gas. It was free (as you can see from the add). Its not as nice as others I have seen, but again I run into a transportation issue. I think really with this unit the major eye sore is the black speaker grills. And when I'm done with the unit they wont exist anyhow.

So anyway with that said this unit should be in my possession for tonight.
I will begin to gut the unit right away. Followed by the refinishing of the unit.
The last step will be install the jukebox elements. Thats where my friends friend Mac (the carpenter) will come in!

I'm now going to source out an old audio receiver.  Hoping that perhaps some friend or family will have one for free. It does however leave me with one question. Really just comes down to an opinion thing.

I wanted to take a newer receiver and try to remove the infrared sensor. Trying to mount it in a place under the cabinet that would allow for remote control use. However I think I will go with an older amplification unit and set the volume to the max I would like it. Then within Uncle T's bring the volume to a lower more comfortable listening level. This would allow the volume to be raised and lowered from the touchscreen controls. In terms of simplicity I think this would work best with my skill set. It would also ensure the receiver could not be turned up high enough to damage any speakers.

Everyone think that would be a good idea ?

[mike boss]

I'm proud to report that the console stereo is now in my possession.
I have a few ideas in terms of what I would like to do/see.
Either replace the legs with new chrome legs from IKEA.
Or even paint the existing legs with Krylon chrome paint.
Anyone ever use that ? How is the finish ?

The black speaker grills will have to go ------ NO DOUBT !

Anyway cosmetic stuff wont start soon, however the process of gutting the console will begin Monday (if not sooner).

[protokatie]

I say, keep the grills! But paint them in chrome or a high gloss black. If you are gonna get a good retro styled box like that, then you should refrain from altering it as much as possible. Ya know, preserve the classics et al. If anything, replace the grills as a last step, you may find they grow on you, or even find that they "fit" the box's look... just MHOP

[drventure]

I'm with protokatie.

That particular style isn't my thing, but, personally, I think you should keep the grills. If they're metal, maybe have em plated. If not, gloss black lacquer there could look really good. I'm guessing you're planning on refinishing the whole thing anyway right?

Another idea. Remove those hinges on the lid, and pick up a couple of lifting columns or Linear actuators and make the lid rise, along with the touchscreen monitor, something like that.

Or, go ahead and leave it hinged back like that and build an angled panel that the monitor mounts to, such that when you open it, the monitor is angled up for easier viewing.

Cool project in any case!

[mike boss]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input.

I've begun gutting the unit and would expect to have it done today.
Sadly I dont think everything is going to fit into the console, so I might have jumped the gun a tad.
But Im going to work with it none the less.
Cost wise I am leaning towards keeping the grills. I try to keep the wife happy with these projects, mind you she would complain one way or the other......................... BUT ANYWAY ............she hats the grills.
I just think its faster and easier to use them then say cloth grills.

As I make some progress Ill post the pics.

[mike boss]

Been killer busy as of late, so I haven't done much work.
As is (i'll try to post pics tonight) I've got the console stereo fully gutted.
All that remains is to move the shelf. It's glued in so I'd like to ask my father in law what would work best. Its hard to describe, but it seems that I will need to remove a portion of the stereos bottom as its 18" to the very top. The monitor itself is 18" inches, and with the connections/plug sticking out perhaps 20" inches. The idea is to create a new shelf that would be custom fitted to the stereos interior. The monitor would be flush mount and perhaps two windows with frosted plexi to let light shine through.
With that said I can do a lil damage to the console, but id like to avoid it if i could.
Anyway pics to come, and ill try to do some mock up in photoshop

[mike boss]

Uncle T,

I know if you click on an album cover you can see a large version of the front.
Does anything exist that will let you do the same for the back image ?

[unclet]

I know if you click on an album cover you can see a large version of the front.
Does anything exist that will let you do the same for the back image ?

Nope.  Not much demand for having two separate album images to represent an album.  It might be a cool effect to show the back image, but not really worth supporting the functionality in my opinion.  I would imagine most people would consider the front of the album cover to be enough.

[mike boss]

I like that when the jukebox is in use  you see the front cover, I also agree that showing the back inst really a big deal. But I thought it could be cool if when you select the larger view you could see the back cover also. Perhaps stacked, or be able to cycle the images.

I only say it for the simple reason that perhaps more information is available on the back CD cover then the jukebox would show. For example if I have a song and it features multiple guest artists I might not be able to see that where the song name is listed.
But if I were able to see the back of the album I could tell, "oh track 14 is that song with so N so, and blah blah blah."

None the less I love the software, my collection of albums has grown to 1000 plus.
As of late I have been busy (again) but I have gutted the jukebox cabinet.
I need to spend a little time and mark out with tape where/how everything will fit inside.
I also think I will need to remove a portion of the bottom in order to get the touchscreen monitor inside. The only other issue I have is the shelf in the console was screwed and glued, and even though I'm going to remove it and install one at a different height I want to minimize any damage when removing it. I can afford SOME DAMAGE, as by raising the shelf you wont see where the old shelf was, but just my anal ways I guess.

I need to find the time to do some more work and post the pics so people can have an idea of what I'm talking about.

[mike boss]

I'm @ work right now, but I did manage to take some pics of the juke lastnight.
I'll get em up today. (Lucky me I'm done in 3 hours!)

I went out to the garage to do my measurements lastnight.
Did notice something good, I was in a rush, but I do think that the shelf I'll need to remove is screwed and then glued. But it seems very little glue was used. I think once I remove the screws I can easily remove the shelf. This is great as I'll need one cut to the exact same size.

Now here is the problem, the shelf as is is located 5" form the top of the jukebox.
From the bottom board in the jukebox to the top is 17".
The monitor is 18" I believe, and with the cords coming out of the back say 20".
I need to remove the existing shelf and mount a new shelf right @ the very top of the cabinet. I want to locate the monitor directly in the middle, and want it to be flush with the top of the wood. I think I'll need to cut out a portion from the bottom of the console.

It's going to be a tight squeeze to get everything inside but I think it's doable.
I'll post the pics shortly, and do plan on logging some more time working on this project today.

[mike boss]

I posted all the pics over @ my blog

http://thebossbox.blogspot.com/

[mike boss]

Posted a bunch of images and a two postings about the progress I've made.
I also worked on a background for a new skin.
It's all on the blog.
Any feedback would be great.

http://thebossbox.blogspot.com/