> hi group,
>
> i've been trying stuff out with the a174 joystick, and i'm a wee bit
> disappointed with the thing.
>
> first problem is the variation in "rest position" (for want of a
> better word) - if i use it for controlling sensitive parameters, for
> example the clock speed of a bbd, the different voltage i get every
> time i let go of the stick makes some patches a little more
> adventurous than i would like :)
> secondly, are there no joysticks out there that would enable the user
> to select, say, maximum value of both x and y voltages at the same
> time the circular "field" of the joystick is presumably fine for
> gaming, but is not so hot in a synth. doesn't this bother everyone
>
> on the positive side, the offsets are a great feature, and make the
> module useful for other chores than joysticking.
>
> gruss,
>
> stu

For all mechancial systems like the joy stick it's a problem to obtain the
same center position under all conditions. The reason is the balance between
the frictions forces and the spring forces which are different accorcing to
the way how the lever is released.

In the A-100 the adjustment of the max value is not necessary as for
(nearly) all CV inputs one has an attenuator that can be used to adjust the
effect of the voltage swing coming from the A-174. If you want simultaneous
control for both directions the A-132-2 Quad VCA may be used.

There are two jumpers on the A-174 pc board that are not yet mentioned in
the user's manual so far. If these are removed one obtains kind of a plateau
around the center position (one is for X, the other one for Y) that
compensates these differences. Maybe this helps to solve your problems.

Best wishes
Dieter Doepfer
(back from NAMM)