# Ribbon controller DIY (VHS...) **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [April 15, 2021, 1:07pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372 "2021-04-15T13:07:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 1:07pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/1 "2021-04-15T13:07:17Z")
I want to try this and make a little drawing. ![vhs ribbon controler - sound bender](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/6/6169702ca52380e01185022a899b7fbe351ec030.jpeg) As everyone is starting to know, I am far from an expert in theory, and would prefer a little peek of a @analogoutput or @fredrik for example šŸ™‚ Does this seem logical, correct, safe, ā€¦ ? thank you in advance ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 1:43pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/2 "2021-04-15T13:43:35Z")
Looks okay to me. My understanding is that VHS tape varies, some kinds are useful for this and some are not (different resistivities) so you may have to try several. Another way to do it is to put the tape above a conductive surface with a small gap in between, then use your finger to touch the tape and press it against the conductor. In that case the conductor takes the place of the probe here. Note that this always puts out a voltage ā€” 0 V when youā€™re not touching the probe to the tape. Or when you are touching the probe to the tape right at the left end. That is, this produces only a CV, no gate. If you want a gate on when you touch the probe to the tape and off when you donā€™t, you need something more elaborate. [Here](https://analogoutputblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/22/building-a-ribbon-controller-part-1/) is the first of a series of blog posts I did about a ribbon controller I made, mostly the same as the one [here](http://synthhacker.blogspot.com/2016/04/diy-ribbon-controller-cv.html). (They also did a [MIDI version](http://synthhacker.blogspot.com/2016/03/diy-midi-ribbon-controller.html).) It used a rather expensive Softpot but you could do it with VHS tape. ![IMG_20190115_195017 (1)](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/0/06d5327e1e0690c310e6b56384dfb456cfd5d921.jpeg) An Arduino reads the ribbon and generates both CV and gate. It was the first electronics project Iā€™d done in a long time and a bit sloppy, and I think thereā€™s a thing or two that could be improved in the controller design; Iā€™ve considered rebuilding it using a downsized version of my dac/ino board but I havenā€™t gotten around to it. ---
**Author:** ![moscione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/41988e/32.png) [@moscione](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/moscione)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/3 "2021-04-15T13:44:35Z")
From what I understand is that you need to use SVHS tape (no idea where to get that), as VHS tape is not conductive. Also, you may need to use an amplifier for the signal to drive the LED or anything else and use the tape just as a voltage divider. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/4 "2021-04-15T13:48:34Z")
Thereā€™s also this for a considerably more complex, non Arduino approach: [https://paia.com/dual-ribbon-howto/](https://paia.com/dual-ribbon-howto/) ---
**Author:** ![Sonosus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/sonosus/32/13679_2.png) [@Sonosus](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Sonosus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/5 "2021-04-15T15:45:49Z")
Iā€™ve tried this with VHS tape, audio tape, antistatic bags, no luck ā˜¹ I havenā€™t heard of SVHS but I tried many, many (charity shop gave me them for free as they were overloaded with donations)standard VHS tapes. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/6 "2021-04-15T15:52:20Z")
The Softpot works great, but costs something like $25 for a 500 mm one. ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/7 "2021-04-15T16:05:01Z")
> [@analogoutput](#): > > Looks okay to me. Thx @analogoutput, i just want a simple pitch controler (i had seen your vidā€™ šŸ˜‰ ) > [@moscione](#): > > Also, you may need to use an amplifier for the signal to drive the LED itā€™s just for an on/off power led indicator Also for the tape after look your comments, i hope thatā€™s work, because i havnā€™t heard about SVHS too ā€¦ All the vid about that with VHS i have seen, donā€™t speak about that. to be continued ā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/8 "2021-04-15T16:08:19Z")
SVHS : itā€™s a mini format with better quality and with an adaptater VHS style box ![Super-VHS-Compact001-Mini-Version](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/2/24d6d384a5a554d69d4bf153e9119ed7c601567d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![JaggedNZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@JaggedNZ](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/JaggedNZ)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/9 "2021-04-16T01:21:37Z")
> [@Sonosus](#): > > antistatic bags You need a particular kind of black rubber? Anti static bags that iirc donā€™t make much sense to import from Japan. Iā€™ve had some limited success using diffuser film with a graphite pencil applied. The issue is getting consistent coverage at a suitable resistance. (My final resistance was a bit lower than I was comfortable with as I applied the pencil thinker than my initial test pieces. Carbon / graphite will get makes a very good heater if too much amperage is applied! ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 8:43am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/10 "2021-04-17T08:43:50Z")
So, iā€™ve tested with my mutimeter, many many style VHS, big, little, DAT, ā€¦ no conductivity at all ā˜¹ on the vid itā€™s seems so simple (and not a special VHS) [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/4/4afe416b5a955b3a0161688037ef4aa8a4c847d4.jpeg "Makeshift VHS Tape Ribbon Controller In 3-Minutes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LxJBWro7f8) [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/4/44fcc46b10d229565415c78ee53ab7447d50fdc8.jpeg "DIY VHS Ribbon Controller - Midiverse - TV") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ovpx1MfQHI) The best will be a Softspot but ā€¦ 28ā‚¬ !!! ---
**Author:** ![Farabide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@Farabide](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Farabide)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/11 "2021-04-17T09:22:32Z")
Hi. SVHS is coated / sealed. I have had no problem with older VHS tapes and audio tape. Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Sonosus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/sonosus/32/13679_2.png) [@Sonosus](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Sonosus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 9:29am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/12 "2021-04-17T09:29:08Z")
I might try again with audio tape(I only tried 2ā€¦) if I can find any. ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 10:01am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/13 "2021-04-17T10:01:30Z")
> [@Farabide](#): > > I have had no problem with older VHS tapes and audio tape. Iā€™m not so lucky, or maybe the french one are different ? ---
**Author:** ![eric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@eric](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/eric)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 10:05am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/14 "2021-04-17T10:05:11Z")
You may look here : > [@Building a Ribbon Controller](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/building-a-ribbon-controller/2884): > > Hi guys, Iā€™ve been working on a personal design project for my Bachelor Degree; the drum machine that Iā€™m designing is a hybrid between hardware and software and Iā€™d like to have ribbon bars as sample playback triggers and as pitch controls. I would read the output of each ribbon bar with an Arduino and process the rest in Max/Msp. The ribbon bar looks like this: 1 = input signal 2 = ground pin 3 = output To build the ribbon bar I carefully followed [this](https://www.instructables.com/Make-a-Ribbon-Controller/) tutorial, ā€¦ follow the link to the instructable : > **[Make a Ribbon Controller](https://www.instructables.com/Make-a-Ribbon-Controller/)** > > Make a Ribbon Controller: Ribbon controllers are a great way to control a synth. They consist of a touch-sensitive strip that lets you control pitch continuously. The electrically conductive strip called 'velostat' that responds to changes in... But that velostat isnā€™t cheap (well, youā€™ll get enough to make many ribbon ctrlsā€¦ but for a single one you may as well get a soft-pot, at least youā€™ll be sure it worksā€¦) [https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Velostat-Carbostat-Tapis-Tactile-Sensible-Detecteur-Position-Capteur-Pression-Ro/393213850586](https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Velostat-Carbostat-Tapis-Tactile-Sensible-Detecteur-Position-Capteur-Pression-Ro/393213850586) ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 10:12am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/15 "2021-04-17T10:12:01Z")
Yes thank you I had seen that tuto with Velostat, but I wanted to test with a VHS it looked easy and really cheap. But I will surely turn and test to this now ---
**Author:** ![BratAttack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/bratattack/32/14401_2.png) [@BratAttack](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/BratAttack)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/16 "2021-04-17T15:21:58Z")
Heavy pencil marks on paper seem simpler. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwK76F5o53I) ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 9:11am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/17 "2021-04-19T09:11:58Z")
After some others test, iā€™ve order a piece of Velostat and go for a more complet controler with gate. So @analogoutput please have you your schem and code with your mod of your build ? ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 11:21am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/18 "2021-04-19T11:21:35Z")
I didnā€™t change anything in Audetteā€™s hardware except for using a different analog pin, I think. As for changes to Audetteā€™s software, theyā€™re described [here](https://wordpress.com/post/analogoutputblog.wordpress.com/11788). A few of them were tweaks to numerical constants to reflect slight differences between voltages. Others were just personal preferences. All are very minor. ---
**Author:** ![Dud](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/dud/32/610_2.png) [@Dud](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Dud)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 12:43pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/19 "2021-04-19T12:43:15Z")
Thx, the link donā€™t work for me but i found it on your blog. ![Ribbon CV Schem](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/0/0001cc1fb4bb3dddab7f351312d5362ddb38a5d2.png) i donā€™t understand why CV out and Gate out are on the same jack.(tip/sleeve and ring) and can i just used some jack directely, whatā€™ā€œAudio Jack breakoutā€ is ? ---
**Author:** ![eric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@eric](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/eric)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372/20 "2021-04-19T13:24:10Z")
Audio Jack Breakout is a small PCB with a jack on it and, usually, pins for breadboarding (although some are made to solder wires to it)ā€¦ It uses the tip and ring of a stereo jack, I guess this was for another use than modular. You can use two jacks. [Next page](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/ribbon-controller-diy-vhs/3372.md?page=2)