Available CS80 like ribbon...?

Hardware
1

Any one know if you can get beasts like the cs80 ribbons as components?

Is there a sub sub culture out there?

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I have seen this kind of thing built as a DIY project using conductive plastic (velostat), like this. Maybe a subject for a hackathon?

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If youā€™re just after the linear position sensor, I can recommend the Spectra Symbol ā€œThinPotā€ devices. Use them as you would a potentiometer. They come in a range of lengths, Iā€™ve used the 500mm parts ( TSP-L-0500-203-3%-ST) for ribbon controllers before. I usually get them from Digikey, though they are not cheap. You can save about 20% by opting for 3% linearity rather than the more accurate 1%; also the solder-tab option rather than pin connectors. Here is the part on my local Digikey site.

For added fun and enjoyment you can combine the position sensor with a 500mm FSR pressure sensor like this one. With this combination you can control two parameters at once, for example: pitch and volume.

For a more complete unit, Doepfer make a MIDI ribbon controller that includes both position and pressure. There is an option to buy just the sensor if you want to do your own electronics.

Hope this helps!

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For some inspiration, check out Martin Molinā€™s ā€œModulinā€ which uses the Doepfer ribbon module:

He explains the workings here:

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Why thank you @stewart.
You are off rook soup for a week!!

https://www.mouser.co.uk/ProductDetail/Spectra-Symbol/SP-L-0500-203-3-ST?qs=rVuZtzXoae5/ClXxQbhQtw%3D%3D

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I wanted to point to this topic, as well as DIY ribboncontroller in response.

In a lot of ways, I think Artiphon Chorda, Chorda - Wikipedia , when used as a MIDI controller, is very much like the CS80 Ribbon, but on the other hand, Iā€™ve never played an actual CS80.

And of course a lot would depend on what you want to DIY, and what you want to buy, and what you just want.

edit: oops - Google Search on chorda+artiphon , wikipedia is for the marine algae, which though interesting, doesnā€™t seem particularly relevant.

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Thanks @tunagenes ,

Iā€™ve seen the Chorda before and itā€™s certainly an interesting device, but for me the fun is more in making it than in owning it.

Kind regards,

Hans.

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