# Available CS80 like ribbon...?

**URL:** <https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687>\
**Category:** Hardware\
**Created:** [June 25, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687 "2025-06-25T12:59:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/1 "2025-06-25T12:59:46Z")

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

Is there a sub sub culture out there?

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BWFCtfUEY8Q/maxresdefault.jpg "Vangelis using CS80 Ribbon Controller on China") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWFCtfUEY8Q)

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**Author:** ![riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/riban/32/2331_2.png) [@riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/riban)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/2 "2025-06-25T13:12:31Z")

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I have seen this kind of thing built as a DIY project using conductive plastic (velostat), like [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzylmjtmIkI). Maybe a subject for a hackathon?

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**Author:** ![stewart](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@stewart](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/stewart)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/3 "2025-06-25T14:45:32Z")

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If you’re just after the linear position sensor, I can recommend the [Spectra Symbol “ThinPot”](https://www.spectrasymbol.com/linear-position-sensors/thin-form-linear-pots-thinpot) devices. Use them as you would a potentiometer. They come in a range of lengths, I’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](https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/spectra-symbol/TSP-L-0500-203-3-ST/17051065) 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](https://www.digikey.com.au/en/products/detail/interlink-electronics/34-00162/16803574). 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](https://doepfer.de/R2M.htm) 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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**Author:** ![stewart](https://discourse.zynthian.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@stewart](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/stewart)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/4 "2025-06-25T14:57:16Z")

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For some inspiration, check out Martin Molin’s “Modulin” which uses the Doepfer ribbon module:

[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QaW5K85UDR0/maxresdefault.jpg "DR. WILYS CASTLE / MEGA MAN 2 played on MODULIN") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaW5K85UDR0)

He explains the workings here:  
https://www.youtube.com/embed/MUdWeBYe3GY?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/5 "2025-06-25T16:11:44Z")

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

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**Author:** ![tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/tunagenes/32/7279_2.png) [@tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/tunagenes)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/6 "2025-07-25T19:35:34Z")

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> [@2109 Sfizz vs LinuxSampler Audio](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/2109-sfizz-vs-linuxsampler-audio/6286/13):
>
> I’m now trying to make a ribbon controller. Not a ‘touch keyboard’ with fixed notes, but one that generates a sliding pitch relative to the last played note. Like on a CS80 🙂

I wanted to point to this topic, as well as [DIY ribboncontroller](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/diy-ribboncontroller/8709) in response.

In a lot of ways, I think Artiphon Chorda, [Chorda - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorda) , when used as a MIDI controller, is very much like the CS80 Ribbon, but on the other hand, I’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](https://www.google.com/search?q=chorda+artiphon) on chorda+artiphon , wikipedia is for the marine algae, which though interesting, doesn’t seem particularly relevant.

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**Author:** ![HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/hansr/32/15102_2.png) [@HansR](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/HansR)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 8:18am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/available-cs80-like-ribbon/11687/7 "2025-07-26T08:18:51Z")

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Thanks @tunagenes ,

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

Kind regards,

Hans.