 |
| DFAM upgrade. Or rather, adding knobs where none existed. |
A few folks have contacted me on YouTube regarding the modified knobs on the DFAM.
i.e. as of the above image, and as of the video below:
I'll state later exactly where I sourced the knobs from, but it is worth understanding the why.
Why A Bunch Of Big Knobs on the DFAM?
Very simple, really. They give greater control of pitch.
The greater the diameter, the greater the distance/turn required between each degree on the circumference.
Therefore, pitching notes is easier.
Note that this has a downside: if you are looking to quickly change from low-high pitch, it'll require more effort. Whether having a larger diameter is a positive or negative depends more on what your intended use/outcome is.
There are far more unique options than the customisation I've chose for the DFAM (my primary motivator was practicality (i.e. ease of establishing pitch) - the look was secondary. Not an afterthought - but certainly a secondary thought).
What to Search For?
You've likely searched for knobs etc over the years for your synth/amps/instruments etc.
Search terms probably go along the lines of:
Moog Control Knobs
Synth Knobs
Knobs for Synth
Synth Dials
Guitar Tone Pots
Guitar Control Pots
Guitar Dials
Amp Dials
Amp Buttons
Volume knob for amp
etc etc you get the idea. And from music stores, cost can be relatively high.
You'll find an inexhaustible choice of knobs if you search for what the item (at a technical naming convention) actually is:
Potentiometer Knob.
The dials on the DFAM (on almost every synth) are potentiometer dials (potentiometer shafts, to be specific). Just do a search for potentiometer knobs, and you can narrow in from there.
Look up electronics/components websites and you'll be spoilt for choice.
I purchased the potentiometer knobs from what is probably the best site in the UK for this kind of thing: RS Components.
Here is a direct link to some of the potentiometer knobs you can see on my DFAM unit.
Have a look through the site - there are literally hundreds of knobs available. You could create a totally unique look. But be careful - it is a tech geek's dream!! You may vanish into a vortex for weeks, only to return with sour body odour and a mailbox filled with circuit boards.
DFAM Specifics
The diameter of the potentiometer shafts on the DFAM is 6mm.
6mm for potentiomter knobs would likely work fine (get 6mm if purchasing push-on), but I was looking for knobs with a grub screw as I don't want the knobs to slip position mid-use. The grub screw is tightened directly against the potentiometer.
The ones I've used (6.35mm shaft) are slightly too large in terms of the internal diameter, but the difference isn't too much of a problem.
 |
| Not just a plastic insert. And a grub screw for securing. And an indicator line. |
 |
| Hex-head grub screw. Ideal for securing |
On amazon you'll find the likes of 50 6mm potentiometer knobs for £5! Definitely worth a look. I ordered a bag, so I'll write up here how they are. They are push-on, hence I had some doubt & went for screw-on.
Note - be sure to get potentiometer knobs with Indicator Lines, otherwise you won't know what side of 12 o' clock the potentiometer is sitting at!!
Perhaps the best thing about RS components is they include spec sheets for every product (accessible on the product page). Click Here to access the spec sheet for the knobs I have on the DFAM.
Knob Diameter
The base diameter of my potentiometers is 16.2mm.
Here are some close-up photos to show you how this looks in-situ:
 |
| Slightly overhanging the pitch/velocity text |
 |
| Only ever so slightly over the sequence step numbering |
 |
| Again, only a slight overhang |
As of the captions, you can see the base is slightly covering the lettering. But I didn't consider this a problem/too much of an issue.
20mm would likely be bordering on knobs touching each other. Or you wouldn't fit your fingers between them. Probably the best would be a straight/continual 15mm shaft (rather than a taper).
Attaching the Potentiometer Knobs
If you put the potentiometer directly on the DFAM and lock it down, there's every chance when you turn it you'll scrape the surface of the DFAM.
I'd suggest using small shims when locking down.
A thin piece of card will do the job fine. I used piano shims - simply because I have them lying around from pianos I've
 |
| Small bag of piano shims: felt & paper/card, of varying thicknesses |
 |
| Note the shims. I used one at either side, and simply pulled them out once the knob was secured. The shims give the necessary clearance to avoid scraping against the Moog surface |
Word of Warning
The knobs I used have the grub screw relatively high. It only just bites the potentiometer:
 |
| Slight damage to the top of the potentiometer |
Be sure to measure up the grub screw height when purchasing.
One other thing worth mentioning is colour choice. When the cheap push-on knobs come through, I'll likely change the VCO & noise knobs (white for noise, and yellow or blue for VCO's). But consider intended use i.e. if playing live, account for stage lighting, as it can drastically alter colours. You may lose colour distinction.
For now I'm using the DFAM in the studio, hence I'm not too bothered RE colours.
Hopefully the above helps DFAM owners & the general synth community. Modification/personalisation certainly has its appeal!!
On RS Components you'll find everything from 5p knobs to silver £15 per unit knobs. If in the US, there are likely 10 times the availablilty/ordering options.
All best
Kris
No comments:
Post a Comment