Controller/joystick options for surround panning?

[willtompkins]

I originally posted this in the DP section, but thought some post guys might be more familiar with the topic.

Just wondering what some of you are using as surround panning controllers and your success with them.

Here's my issue:

I don't want to use a gaming-type USB joystick, since they're spring-loaded and self-centering (just sort of annoying). There's also no way I'm spending $900 on the JL Cooper MCS-Panner. I contacted CH Products about a custom OEM joystick (free-floating with 4 buttons), but they want $283 for something that probably cost ~$50 to make?! I've looked into touchscreens, but I'm already running dual displays and don't want to add a PCI graphics card (not smart when running a PCI audio card and UAD-1). The best option seems to utilize an X/Y MIDI controller/touchpad somehow, but DP doesn't seem to support this functionality. It's odd that you can attach a MIDI controller to mono/stereo panners and faders in the mixing board, but not to a surround panner (at least not in DP 4.12). Have these features changed in DP 4.5? I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

-Will

[AJAzure]

[quote="willtompkins"]I originally posted this in the DP section, but thought some post guys might be more familiar with the topic.

Just wondering what some of you are using as surround panning controllers and your success with them.

Here's my issue:

I don't want to use a gaming-type USB joystick, since they're spring-loaded and self-centering (just sort of annoying). There's also no way I'm spending $900 on the JL Cooper MCS-Panner. I contacted CH Products about a custom OEM joystick (free-floating with 4 buttons), but they want $283 for something that probably cost ~$50 to make?! I've looked into touchscreens, but I'm already running dual displays and don't want to add a PCI graphics card (not smart when running a PCI audio card and UAD-1). The best option seems to utilize an X/Y MIDI controller/touchpad somehow, but DP doesn't seem to support this functionality. It's odd that you can attach a MIDI controller to mono/stereo panners and faders in the mixing board, but not to a surround panner (at least not in DP 4.12). Have these features changed in DP 4.5? I would appreciate any input. Thanks.

-Will[/quote

well it's not a joystick but, what about a rollerball / trackball type of interface?

[kapman001]

I know that this is not a cheap solution, but the Tascam US-2400 has a surround panner built in and are going for around $600. However, I have read on other posts on this form that the panner does not work with DP? Is this correct??

[willtompkins]

Yep, it doesn't work.

[mixerrrr]

What about taking the springs out of the game type joystick so it stays where you leave it? It might be a cheap fix. No, I haven't tried it.
Good luck