(responding to 8182)I am only putting this out there to say yes, one of these mechanical controls would be a great idea. I recently used one in a project. The price of $120 is prohibitive for this project though. On the plus side, it obviates the need for a balance control.
Gears! I found a NOS Noble brand concentric ganged pot with knobs on eBay:
Good build quality, circa 1970.
I am only putting this out there to say yes, one of these mechanical controls would be a great idea. I recently used one in a project. The price of $120 is prohibitive for this project though. On the plus side, it obviates the need for a balance control.
🙂This got me thinking. On the subject of balance controls. Well, to be honest. No one actually really needs a ”balance control” knob. It is in real life only a very, very un-inportant piece of clutter in the signal chain. Unless something in the music playback chain is a seriously underperforming piece of shajze.
That should not be needing to be ”balance controlled”.
And actually just needs a system tuning dude/ repair dude - not a balance control?
Or am i missing something important??? 🙂🤚
JeyDee,
Before I put in the ganged concentric volume control, I was the System Tuning Dude. My crossovers are on the top shelf out of reach, so I can't adjust them easily. Our local FM classical station is a little low on the right, so I had to lean my head to the right when listening.
Before I put in the ganged concentric volume control, I was the System Tuning Dude. My crossovers are on the top shelf out of reach, so I can't adjust them easily. Our local FM classical station is a little low on the right, so I had to lean my head to the right when listening.
Sometimes i am missing balance control. If you are using different sources like vinyl, fm. tape recorder, streamer then balance control can be very usefull.🙂This got me thinking. On the subject of balance controls. Well, to be honest. No one actually really needs a ”balance control” knob. It is in real life only a very, very un-inportant piece of clutter in the signal chain. Unless something in the music playback chain is a seriously underperforming piece of shajze.
That should not be needing to be ”balance controlled”.
And actually just needs a system tuning dude/ repair dude - not a balance control?
Or am i missing something important??? 🙂🤚
I agree with Nelson here. In fact, a stereo volume control gives you less control than 2 separate mono volume controls. The idea of having a ganged set of controls made to mechanically track each other unless you set them differently, is an ingenious way to keep the balance between the two that you prefer/need.
Looking at the pictures, this looks to be the switch for both: Mouser - switch
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/e-switch/100DP1T1B1M2QEH/378869
It's this one. I just checked in my chaos bag and found it 😅 I haven't used them in my build, so i just checked the markings on it.

It's this one. I just checked in my chaos bag and found it 😅 I haven't used them in my build, so i just checked the markings on it.

HA! I do the same thing just looking around the shop. These switches have been easy to install and hook up. I keep a few around, but primarily use them for small power applications. When I don't pay good attention, I end up ordering the ON/OFF/ON and not the ON/OFF type.
I posted over on the F5 build guide thread that I found a set of boards that I’m giving away as I no longer need them. While I was rummaging around boxes after a recent house move I also came across my B1 with Korg board that I built. It was working fine when I last tested it but there is some minor damage to the upper solder pad for the supply connection. This is also up for grabs to anyone (continental US) who’s interested as I have way too much on my plate right now. See photos for details. PM me if interested. First come first served!
Gary
Gary
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