If you’ve ever used a Nest thermostat, you’ll be familiar with the excellent user interface qualities that make it aesthetically pleasing and simple to use.
Now DIY electronics experimenter Scott Bezek has published an open source prototype for a general purpose rotary controller with a similar look and feel. Being an advanced build and very much under development, it’s not for the faint of heart, but it does look like a great centrepiece for a hybrid modular synth.
Adafruit blog article:
I was actually just recently considering using a rotary encoder + 5-way joystick to control a module I’m working on. This is very relevant to my interests! Thanks!
My interest in this is tempered by the costs. Although it resembles the Nest, there are numerous innovations such as virtual detents implemented in an ingenious way that make me wary of feature creep.
I wonder if it would be possible to buy a second hand “in need of TLC” Nest thermostat and adapt it.
Second hand and you’re into space mouse expensive, i have been after one for years for cad and blender, but there are one or two printable versions that would give you all the control you you mention and more.