Flight Joystick as Controller

Wintergreen · **Posted:** 04 May 2012 13:10

Hey, I just had what could be described by some as an unreasonably stupid idea, and what could be described by others as the coolest thing ever, and I just want to ask any of you if this would work.

I want to use my USB Joystick as a controller, it has about 13 buttons, and X/Y control for the stick itself. Would it be at all possible to map functions to these buttons? If so, how?

Just imagine how cool it would be to have the X and Y somehow modulate the sound, and have your trigger be linked to some sort of sound effect. Could be cool. I await your swift reply.

vladnuke · **Posted:** 04 May 2012 14:21

You can, in reality, map anything as anything. You'd just need the right interface

the4thImpulse · **Posted:** 04 May 2012 15:45

I don't know much about joysticks, if they send midi data straight to the computer then it should be very easy to midi map the buttons (the stick might take some time but it should work). If it does not send midi data their likely is an applictaion that could traslate the singal it does send into midi, I don't know of any apllications that do this but I have heard of people using joystaicks in such a way.

It would be a very fun experiment and if you figure something out I would love to know what you did with it and how practical you think it is.

Trillionage · **Joined:** 28 Apr 2012 22:07 **Posts:** 328

Something like xpadder or joy2key may (and that's an extremely big may) work, but you would essentially be using your keyboard through the joy. If you actually do it, you have to make a song that goes "pew Pew pew".

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 05 May 2012 07:21

Bwahahahahaha!

That would be cool, but not possible without some programs to 'translate' the signals to MIDI. On a related note, I found out that OSM can use input from Xbox360 or Wii controller O_o
If any of you guys have one of those, tell me and I'll try to make a VSTi for you! However, it's demo, so the plugin will generate noise bursts within regular intervals :/
Also I can't promise it will work as planned, but I'll do my best!

Trillionage · **Joined:** 28 Apr 2012 22:07 **Posts:** 328

I have an xbox controller, though what' OSM?

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 05 May 2012 09:56

Trillionage wrote:

I have an xbox controller, though what' OSM?

Awesum! I'll start right away and report here when I get it done. (May take a day or two)
And OSM = Outsim SynthMaker

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 05 May 2012 20:32

Bump! That was quicker than I expected... Now, if everything goes like in movies the left stick should control the mix between 4 oscillators, right stick controls cutoff and resonance of filter, left trigger applies distortion and right trigger chorus.

Of course the notes still come from MIDI. Treat it as any other synth, just you should be able to control it using XBox controller.

And I guarantee, this is the ugliest synth you'll ever see!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/68176296/XB360-S.dll

Wintergreen · **Posted:** 05 May 2012 21:06

Well then, I do believe I've figured out a way to do it, and apparently I'm not as clever as I thought I was.

Bear in mind, this solution only works for FL Studio, and may or may not work in similar ways to other DAW's. ahem.

Step 1: Plug in your joystick

Step 2: Select any modifiable parameter, and link it to a Fruity X-Y controller

Step 3: In your Fruity X-Y Controller Window, check the box that says "enable joystick controller" and select what joystick you're going to use

Step 4: Determine whether you want the absolute position or the movement of the joystick to be the determining factor of position on the X-Y plane

Step 5: ????

Step 6: PROFIT!

I haven't done anything with this yet, and have just discovered this trick myself. In fact, I've never used X-Y controller before, so I'm learning something new myself.

You can also set the "Z" axis control your joystick might have to replace an X or Y, or you can set up a second Controller specifically for the Z. More information to come as it reveals itself.

Expy · **Joined:** 08 Feb 2012 15:20 **Posts:** 93

This sounds like the coolest idea ever. You should put up a video so we can see it in action.

I want to get a joystick now so I can try this out...

Wintergreen · **Posted:** 05 May 2012 23:25

Expy wrote:

This sounds like the coolest idea ever. You should put up a video so we can see it in action.

As it stands, I don't really see it being all that useful in the realm of production, but yes, it is extremely cool. Possibly something to do with live perhaps, but idk.

As a side note, the z-axis knob works really well as some sort of intensity knob, that messes with like resonance, or something like pluck, or what have you. It's really quite fun.

I also don't have a video camera. Ok, I do, but that's a lot of effort to make a video, but if I find a decent use for this technique, I'll try and capture it. Now that I think about it, this could be a really cool way to use something like Fruity Scratcher or something. I'll definitely keep this in my arsenal of possibilities for the future.

I really hope I've started some sort of fad that explodes within the next week, and within a month everyone's sick of it. Then I could be like "Yeah, I started that" *Hipster Glasses*

Rainbowjack · **Posted:** 23 May 2012 06:14

I'm getting used to the Xbox controller one at the moment, as soon as I've perfected a song with it I'll post a video here.

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 05:10

Rainbowjack wrote:

I'm getting used to the Xbox controller one at the moment, as soon as I've perfected a song with it I'll post a video here.

Are thou saying that my synth works? :3

Lavender_Harmony · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 05:51

I've watched a live performance called Dual. The title alone has a triple connotation. It's a Duet, between a pianist and someone manipulating the audio live within Max MSP. It's pitched as a battle, where instead of collaborating, they're constantly fighting for dissonance within the piece while the other forces harmony back into the composition, and the electronic performer is dual wielding flight joysticks. It was amazing.

There are many different programs to let you do this, but I think the most versatile for this to allow you to do anything would be Max for LIVE, although there is a very steep learning curve there.

Modern game controllers are fantastic for giving extra expression to your pieces. I've got WiiMotes sitting around that I use sometimes, once I used them to conduct an orchestral piece (via tap tempo) which gave the performance a really natural feel, inspired by the WiiMusic game. I've also used them to modulate two synths to make some really interesting synth wobbles! (Shame I can't make dubstep haha!)

gnarbeard · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 11:18

This sounds pretty awesome.

I've found info on using a Guitar Hero/Rock Band guitar as a MIDI controller too. Actually got it to kinda work, but it was really awkward.

I've seen a band called I Fight Dragons use NES controllers, the Power Pad (ask your parents), and the Power Glove (ask your parents) to trigger chiptunes and samples live.

Now, if someone can use this as a controller...

Kyoga · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 11:26

if you pull the trigger it does high pitched wubs

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 11:36

Kyoga wrote:

if you pull the trigger it does high pitched wubs

You're talking about that xbox synth of mine?

Kyoga · **Posted:** 24 May 2012 16:48

MikeGallop wrote:

Kyoga wrote:

if you pull the trigger it does high pitched wubs

You're talking about that xbox synth of mine?

yessuh.

high pictched wubs.
and when you press the red button it does screeches.

IT HAS TO!!!

Trillionage · **Joined:** 28 Apr 2012 22:07 **Posts:** 328

Kyoga wrote:

MikeGallop wrote:

Kyoga wrote:

if you pull the trigger it does high pitched wubs

You're talking about that xbox synth of mine?

yessuh.

high pictched wubs.
and when you press the red button it does screeches.

IT HAS TO!!!

How did you get it to work? I tried and gave up pretty soon...Sorry Mike...

Sugarholik · **Posted:** 25 May 2012 02:33

Kyoga wrote:

high pictched wubs.

Which trigger? I'll take a look and see what's causing that...

Also I might implement the mixing better. If I'm remember right, when you push the joystick in to corner it becomes silent instead of having two oscs playing.

Kyoga wrote:

and when you press the red button it does screeches.
IT HAS TO!!!

ummmmm?

Trillionage wrote:

Sorry Mike...

Don't worry about it. I tried at friend's place but couldn't get it working either... The module had a description "Attempts to connect to XBox controller" so I assume it's not very reliable.

EDIT: Ah! Apparently the knob controlling feedback on chorus had minimum value of -1 istead of 0... This is why you can't trust readily made modules :S Fixed now, will look into mix issue and upload the new version.

EDIT2: This may take a while. The mixing thing is a b**ch to implement! So many conditional statements and maths :S Likely i'll get a random enlightenment in the evening and get it done.

EDIT3: Solved, but won't work as planned. Will take some time to 'debug'...

Applejinx · **Posted:** 25 May 2012 04:50

THIS IS SO COOL
I now legitimately envy Fruity Loops users for being able to select a joystick as an X/Y controller. Logic only talks to 'real' controllers, far as I know.

Flight Joystick as Controller

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