Potentiometer type and source suggestion for an audio rack device - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2023, 02:33:57 pm
content: Hello,could anybody please suggest any type (manufacturer, part no.,..) or even a market place, where one could buy decent quality potentiometers for vertical mounting into a PCB, behind a panel?Am planning to build a custom audio-related rack instrument. The simplest mechanical concept to be able to put on the front panel all the controls, is to have a PCB in parallel with the front panel, where one could place all pots, buttons and LEDs.As it is an audio application, it would be very nice to have a selection of pots available in all required tapers (lin., log. and exp. for analog gain controls) in the same mechanical packages and both in single and dualWhat manufacturer and series would you recommend to go with? I could imagine using parts like ALPS RK09, RK11 or RK97, but it does not have to be ALPS, it can be something cheaper. Price of the product is a concern too, so buying ALPS for overinflated Mouser prices 4-6€ a piece is not very appreciated option.Thought of giving a go at Aliexpress, however the search engine is lately being so dumb, it is almost useless. Not speaking of absolute mess in the description the sellers provide, so there is mostly not even a way to distinguish what is LIN or LOG taper, let alone trying to find something like a C5K (exp taper) pot for a gain control.LCSC did not offer much either, not much in the catalogue, even less in stock.It would also be an awesome option to find a type of latching button that would match the height of the pots, so they could be placed together on the panel. Similarly, like used in any common analog audio mixing desk. What do they even use there?Any recommendation is highly appreciated. I hope I am not the only one searching for stuff like this. Currently unfortunately I do not know the exact specifics what values I will need, I could update that later, once the specifics of the design will be decided. But for sure something like dual A10K for volume control, C5K for gain control and some more like single/dual B50K will be needed.Many thanks,Y

author: donlisms
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 02:51:02 am
content: I suspect the odds of getting an answer from anyone else are fairly low, since it's so much about your particular circumstances.One approach to figuring it out yourself would be to start with one component, pin down all the specs in the abstract, and then go hunting for real-world options. I would start with DigiKey or Mouser, because the have parametric searches that are non-existent on some other component sources. (They also sell real components intended to function rather than look like components for the lowest possible price -- but that's just me!)Then during the hunt for one, you come across the makers and series'es that seem like they're in your ballpark, and you look to see if they have other components to make you happy - same series and general specs.Then if you've been looking for the pots, you start looking for switches, with more parametric searching. And so on, and so forth, and so on!

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 03:37:05 am
content: My favorite volume controls or attenuators are kind of expensive:https://khozmo.com/product-category/attenuators/They are stepped, using very nice switches: the only switches I have seen with a setscrew to adjust the torque.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2023, 07:02:55 am
content: Bonjour, suggest to search a commercial mixer/console in your price range ($100? $1000? $10,000?) and get the serv manual and parts list.Berrhinger, may have it.Search replacement faders.The Japanese Alps and other brands were popular in 1990s.Jon