Author Topic: My first cabinet - The MCP (Read 8994 times)

MydknyteStyrm · « **on:** April 16, 2015, 06:18:10 pm »

Hello all,

I have been scouring these forums for the past two years collecting as much information as I can get on building my first cabinet. My reason for doing so is I have practically every console from the Atari 2600 up to Xbox, and wanted to compile them all into one solid box, thus making room in my den for my future children's toys.

After wife approval and landing a good job that pays for my arcade addiction, I finally am ready to start sharing my progress with the brains of this forum, and possibly getting some sound advice from past experiences.

-------The MCP: Master Control Program-----

My cabinet is themed around Tron, but more so the big bad MCP from the first movie. It will stand about 7 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and house two LCD screens. First one is a 16:9 32" Samsung, and the marquee is a LG 21:9 32" LCD.

Controls have the following:
Four players with Ultrastik 360s, P1 and P2 have six Ultimarc Ultralux buttons, and P3 and P4 have four.
Six admin buttons, and each player has a start and coin button.
GGG TurboTwist Spinner
Ultimarc UTrak trackball with LEDs
Two Aimtrak light guns, red and blue
Ferrari G27 wheel and Pedals
two Xbox controllers (wired)
Keyboard and Mouse in drawer for admin and C64 games
Pinball buttons on side

I have ordered a ton of accoutrements including black lights, PacLEDs, ipac4, fans, and more, which I will divulge later.

The computer is an Asus motherboard with an Intel i5, nvidia 680ti graphics card, sound blaster card, and custom built with the help of the awesome people at MicroCenter.

The MCP will play the following emulators,

Mame
Atari 2600 (retro arch)
Commodore 64 (WinVice)
Nintendo (Fceux)
Super NES (snes9x)
Nintendo 64 (Project 64)
GameCube (Dolphin)
Sega Master and Genesis (Kega Fusion)
Sega Dreamcast (nullDC)
Sega Naomi (Demul 58)
Daphne
Singe
Sony Playstation 1&2 (Pcsx2)
PC Games

The front end is Hyperspin, using HyperLaunch and HyperMarquee, on a Windows 7 Ultimate OS.

I don't have to tell some that the Hyperspin setup took the most time so far.

Right now I am at the building stage of the cabinet. I'm writing this while at work so I will add more pics later. Right now here is where I'm at. I modeled it in sketchUp and will upload those soon. I am looking forward to hearing questions and advice on where to proceed.

Thanks!

MS

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2015, 06:18:23 pm »

4/18/15
Here are some images from Sketchup, I am still working on the artwork. Also, the joysticks will be pointed forward towards the screen, not rotated to the buttons. What are everyone's thoughts on the button placement? Is the arch better than the standard six SF layout? Also, the seventh button (NeoGeo style). Is it necessary?

I havent decided on the pinball flipper button placement yet since I am working on a rounded CP. But I have a few ideas.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawgz Rule · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2015, 08:23:50 pm »

Congratulations and enjoy your build.

tomstewdevine · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2015, 11:05:10 am »

That will be pretty cool with the marquee, I will be watching your progress.

lbug7575 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2015, 01:24:07 am »

Congratulations dear...!!!

05SRT4 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2015, 03:51:13 am »

I noticed that you had a steering wheel and pedals, How are those going to be mounted?

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2015, 05:06:33 am »

I'm still on the fence about the wheel. I might make it just an add on for games with a USB external plug, or somehow make it on a permanent base that can turn upward 90degrees from the front center of the CP.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2015, 10:31:48 am »

4/24/15
Right now I've decided to forgo the rounded CP in favor of a more angled build, to help placement for the pinball buttons and Xbox PC controllers. The wheel, I have two that I am playing with, and will figure out which works best for a permanent attachment. I dont want to have to pull the wheel out and install every time I want to play. More on the build once May 5th rolls around, and I am done with my current job.

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2015, 09:43:17 pm »

While prepping the wood for the final build I cleaned up my Hyperspin install. Here's the video of the progress so far.

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wp34 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2015, 11:15:59 pm »

I like your theme.

One thing I sometimes wish I would have done on my Tron build is to have incorporated the MCP into the design. Having a curved marquee like the old Data East cabinets with the MCP represented in the marquee would have been cool.

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2015, 10:42:48 pm »

5/14/15

Full update

Now that I have some free time, the build is going full steam ahead. In the last two days I have put together the four player control panel, as well as fitted the brace boards and mounts for the monitors. Here are some pics:

To explain, the 90 degree indents in the CP are for the pinball buttons. Anyone have any good suggestions on setting up "nudge"? Since I wont be able to move the cabinet due to the size, I was thinking about just adding a second button on each side, next to the flipper. One nudges left, the other right, and if both are pressed, the table nudges up. I am using landscape monitor view only, so the pinball I will be using is only FuturePinball.

I still have to sand and bevel some of the CP, and prep my templates from SlagCoin for the CP deck.

I was thinking about making the bezel frames out of hard black cardstock, as opposed to cutting them out of thin MDF. Just too much of a pain in the

More pics to come. The wife is at work all day, which leaves me plenty of time to build away!

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2015, 11:52:50 pm »

5/15/15

Today I was able to get a lot of the woodwork done. I was able to test out the fit of the monitored using retractable TV mounts. I also added a keyboard drawer with a beveled face, as well as the speaker plate, roof, and vent in the back. Also I cut out holes for the intake and outtake fans. To end the day I bolted the CP to the frame with four bolts, that can be removed easily enough. Putty on the last of the joints for sanding tomorrow. All I have left are the final details of bezels and lexan, then I can same start painting

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deano71 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2015, 02:30:11 am »

That is looking a beast of a machine. How did you get in setting up Daphne as im really struggling to find stuff for that and really want Dragon Lair in my cab.

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2015, 08:05:25 am »

5/17/15
Finished cutting out the control panel and getting my ducks in a row to start making the bezel and plexi for the CP. I was thinking of putting the plexi in the CP face by insetting the wood down 1/8" leaving a 1/2" frame around the whole thing. In theory it should work. More pics to come today.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2015, 08:11:34 am »

Quote from: deano71 on May 16, 2015, 02:30:11 am

That is looking a beast of a machine. How did you get in setting up Daphne as im really struggling to find stuff for that and really want Dragon Lair in my cab.

Daphne is pretty straight forward to set up (a lot easier than Demul and PCSX2). For Dragon's Lair, you can purchase the DVD and such to get it to work with DaphneLoader. Depending on which FE you are using (im on Hyperspin), I found Daphne and Singe to be relatively easy to operate. To explain here how I did it would be best told in a new thread, so Google as much as you can.

reptileink · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2015, 10:37:36 am »

This thing is BEAST!

Love the bigness of it all, the dual monitors, the "every type of button/joystick" CP, and all of it.

Maybe I missed it, but what will you be doing with the top screen?

yamatetsu · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2015, 11:13:38 am »

Quote from: MydknyteStyrm on April 16, 2015, 06:18:10 pm

It will ... house two LCD screens. First one is a 16:9 32" Samsung, and the marquee is a LG 21:9 32" LCD.

Peabo · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2015, 11:17:03 am »

Nice work!

reptileink · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2015, 03:45:10 pm »

Quote from: yamatetsu on May 18, 2015, 11:13:38 am

Quote from: MydknyteStyrm on April 16, 2015, 06:18:10 pm
It will ... house two LCD screens. First one is a 16:9 32" Samsung, and the marquee is a LG 21:9 32" LCD.

THAT I read, but just wondering why such an expensive Marquee?? Going to be animated? Show videos? What?

Green Giant · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2015, 06:18:15 pm »

Quick question. How are you planning on moving this when it is done? The average door is 6'8" and the average door width maxes out at 36".

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #20 on:** May 18, 2015, 06:33:31 pm »

The marquee monitor will show each marquee dynamically for every game, including box art for the console games. I'm waiting for a stable version of HyperMarquee to begin programming it.

As far as moving it, it's not going anywhere. I don't plan on moving it out of my shop/house. If I ever had to break it down, I could keep the CP and make it a wall mount system. Right now it's on wheels just to navigate around the room

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #21 on:** May 18, 2015, 06:37:05 pm »

5/18/15
Bezel Fun

Cut lexan today for all of the screens and the CP. only cracked one piece and made a quick run to Home Depot. Tomorrow I cut out the button holes on the Lexan. Anyone have any recommendations on sanding Lexan? I was thinking of using a fine grit, like 120 and 220.

Also routed holes for the led glow system for the cabinet. More on that later.

Also fitted the LED bar for the Aimtrak and Wiimotes.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #22 on:** May 19, 2015, 09:29:56 pm »

5/19/15

Today was a lot of testing and fitting. I cut the lexan for the CP with not one crack. The trick I found is high speed no pressure on the drill. The forstner scrapes the lexan so slightly. With over 30 holes, it took about 90 minutes. I also tested out the LED ambient light system which came out great. On top of that, I spray painted the bezel for the marquee, and to be honest it came out so nice I'm debating on spraying the monitor bezel as well instead of the black cardboard route. Ideally I wanted to have operational instruction cards on the bottom of the bezel, so most likely I'll spray the bezel and mask off where the cards will go.

The big solution of the day was the driving wheel. I decided to try the Steelseries SRW-1 for its compact shape, and rigged it to an old camera tripod which I then embedded dead center of the front plate. The wheel is small enough to be able to stand at player 1 and 2 without touching it. It's still a bit rudimentary but it worked great for Daytona.

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rust2dust · « **Reply #23 on:** May 19, 2015, 09:48:17 pm »

Very cool intro...but a bit long for my taste..good job on the build so far...

two40 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 20, 2015, 03:19:08 am »

Quote from: lbug7575 on April 20, 2015, 01:24:07 am

Congratulations dear...!!!

Is this your wife? Awesome

MCP is looking great.

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #25 on:** May 20, 2015, 07:04:12 am »

Lol no I have no idea who that is. My wife tends to leave me alone with the obsession. All she wants is Police Trainer to work.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #26 on:** May 21, 2015, 11:28:00 am »

5/21/15

Sanded, primed and painted. Giving it a few hours to dry before installing components. I still have to put the hinge and bracket legs for the CP, and I can tinker around with the FE a little more.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #27 on:** May 21, 2015, 10:24:50 pm »

Finished the coats of paint, added T molding and realized I undershot the amount needed. Placed an order and should have the CP deck T-molded by next week.

Fitted the speakers temporarily to see cable length, any tips on mounting speakers? I used plumbers metal tape to hold them directly to the speaker board, but I'm concerned about reverberation.

Accidentally scratched the Marquee bezel, which sent me into a pissed tirade, so tomorrow I'm going to attempt to repair it. Very light scratch. I read toothpaste works. If not, then it's off to get another piece from Depot. ---smurfin--- waste.

Also set up the coin door and intake fans with screens and bezels.

Also finally started thinking about CP artwork. I like the sides black, so I'll leave it alone.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2015, 09:16:17 pm »

6/3/15
Got a lot of the artsy stuff done. CPO came in from GameonGrafux and I'm more than pleased. Also got speaker grills, got the ambient lighting up and running, and split my first molex cable. Installed the CP controls, made holsters for the aimtraks and things are moving along well. Went with a piece of glass for the monitor bezel and trashed the plexi. It was a PITA to keep clean. Might get a piece of glass for the marquee bezel now since it looks so good. Tonight after the wife goes to bed I'm going to wire the CP controls.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2015, 12:00:58 am »

6/12/15
Have a lot to update here.
I installed the buttons, Ultrastik 360s, Aimtraks, UTrak, and TurboTwist. Wired the fans to the PSU, had one short when the Phantek fan hub I bought blew out CHA_Fan1 on the mobo. Did a few beta tests with my brother, had to do some quick AHK to get some of the emus to close in HS, and so far so good. Added the Encom label next to the new speaker grilles, and now working on HyperEDS, LEDBlinky and HyperMarquee.
Aside from some minor issues with the U360s which Andy from Ultimarc is taking care of, everything seems to be moving along well. Only snag I hit now is that RocketLauncher and LEDBlinky don't play nice yet, so I'm waiting on a fix.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #30 on:** November 10, 2015, 10:54:51 am »

11/10/15
New update
I know it's been a while since I've updated this thread, but a lot has been done and real life always gets in the way.

I added lights to the wells of my joysticks, as well as a light under my spinner. I got custom dust washers from TekInnovations in the image of the Tron Legacy disc. I also put LEDBlinky together and currently am programming each games lights. Still have a lot of artwork bezels and marquees to do, but overall it's getting done. Still trying to figure out where I'm going to put the steering wheel. I might forsake the keyboard drawer for a more permanent solution.

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MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #31 on:** November 10, 2015, 11:14:15 am »

Added pics

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Aceldamor · « **Reply #32 on:** November 10, 2015, 11:34:36 am »

That's pretty sweet! Nice work on that beast!

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #33 on:** November 10, 2015, 11:54:51 am »

Also forgot to mention other things like the Tron Legacy discs on the side ports. I bought two discs from eBay, the toys, and fitted them with LEDs per online instructions. I Velcro mounted them to a sheet of plexi so they hover in the larger circle, and connected the less to a 12v supply. The cup holders are from a boat supply house, also powered by 12v.

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tigernut · « **Reply #34 on:** November 10, 2015, 02:16:08 pm »

Looks really nice!

wp34 · « **Reply #35 on:** November 10, 2015, 05:06:59 pm »

I like the lights under your joysticks and spinner. Those turned out nice.

Did you buy upgraded outer rings for your discs? Those don't look stock.

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #36 on:** November 10, 2015, 06:05:30 pm »

I bought two discs that light up and used the Inertia Kits online to modify them for LEDS. The kits ran about 100 per disc, and instead of battery power I hard wired them into the PC so they turn on when the power goes on. I bought Clu and Rinzler discs, and they have other colors too.
I just saw your Tron Legacy can and have to say it's awesome. I had no idea you did the discs in the circles, don't know how I missed that when I was researching my cabinet.

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stigzler · « **Reply #37 on:** November 10, 2015, 06:35:39 pm »

Another dynamic marquee. Few things that may help with that:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148204.0.html

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148203.0.html

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,144734.0.html

MydknyteStyrm · « **Reply #38 on:** November 10, 2015, 06:40:28 pm »

Thanks for the links stigzler. You know i love your controllerremapGUI app. I will check it out. Right now I'm using Hypermarquee and HyperEds which seems to work well although it has a learning curve and the programmer had to TeamView my rig so he could make it work. Does your marquee app work with all emulators?

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stigzler · « **Reply #39 on:** November 11, 2015, 02:29:07 am »

Yes. Command line driven, so as long as your front end can send a gamename and system name, itll work.


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