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Some questions about control panels
ArcadeSeeker962:
I received the approval from my father, and we're going to build a control panel instead of buying a joystick controller for our MAME cabinet. Anyhow, I have a few questions to ask about building a control panel for a MAME cabinet.
1). Are there any starter kits available for a 2-player control panel with a Track-Ball for people that are newer to electric soldering(my father does have some skill in electric soldering, but I wanted to know if there was any kits available)?
2). We'll be using a PC Monitor and Hardrive, we'll be making a control panel that can connect to the PC via USB. So for kit that includes everything needed to make a 2-Player control panel with a USB cord, what's the best online store I can buy them from?
3). I'll be including a variety of arcade games from different genre's, that will require different Joystick types(such as Pac-Man, Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, etc). So if there are any starter kits available that include a joystick that can be converted from 4-way to 8-way control, where I can I buy it online from?
4). If there are no starter kits available, what brand of parts do you recommend for a 4-Way/8-Way Joystick, Buttons, Trackball?
5). If I choose to start from scratch instead, what's the best online store to buy everything I need to solder my own control panel?
6). Besides the 4-Way/8-Way Joystick, Buttons, and a Trackball, what other tools will I need?
If these questions have already been answered elsewhere, I apologize.
P-chan:
If you browse the forums, you will find lots of ideas.
1st off, you shouldn't really need to solder to build a control panel. All the microswitches for joysticks/buttons will accept a .187 female quick disconnect crimp connector which can be bought pretty cheaply. Buttons are a couple dollars each, and joysticks vary pretty widely, from $15 or less to over $60.
You will need some sort of keyboard encoder, that connects to the joystick and buttons, and converts their switch input into keyboard presses. Then you just tell MAME to recognize those keyboard presses as whatever you want. You might set Joystick UP to be the up arrow on the keyboard, and set MAME to recognize that.
Trackballs require a different encoder or you can hack together your own encoder by ripping apart a computer mouse with a ball in it....
Start here at the wiki : http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Main_Page
Good tips on control panel building and layout : www.slagcoin.com
As far as an online store, there is a Vendors link in the Wiki. Personally, I've seen a lot of people buy from Ultimarc.com and groovygamegear.com although there are many other quality vendors.
ArcadeSeeker962:
Thank you for helping me out. :) I forgot about those small details about assigning movement of the Joystick onto MAME. I'm also glad to hear that I don't need to do any soldering, and that it just requires a quick disconnect crimp connectors. I'll also check out those links for more information for making a control panel.
mavsprophecy:
I would recommend checking out ultimarc.com, they sell a minipac which is perfect for a 2 player CP. It can even have a harness with all the wires ready to go. Saves a lot of hassle.
Gatt:
Several sites have encoders already bundled with their trackballs, some even already attached and wired to the trackball. Just email whereever you're going to buy from and ask if it's already included, sites involved in this hobby are very friendly!
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