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Optical hi hat

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 11:46 pm
by AKA Wayne
Hi everyone. I've been working on my diy optical controller and want to compare experiences. Primarily in your calibration settings. When I calibrate my sensor the red bar gives me a very small range and seems to be overly sensitive. Despite trying to change the gain and travel settings I don't get any changes. It's definitely workable but just wondering if there is something I'm missing to slow/tame down the sensor. What are others with optical controllers finding? What settings/set up works for you?

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 11:58 pm
by Rob
Sounds like your optical sensor might not be getting enough power. What sensor are you using and how is it being powered?

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 1:41 am
by AKA Wayne
It is a tcrt5000 sensor with a 5v power adapter.

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:32 am
by Rob
Did you attach any capacitors to it? Active components always need decoupling capacitors. A good rule of thumb is 0.1 uF as close as possible to power / GND pins of the component. And ig the wire from the power adaptor to the component is long (more than 10cm or so), then a 10uF capacitor would probably also help. No guarantee that that is your issue.

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:35 am
by Rob
You might want to post a diagram of how the sensor is connected to the TRS jack as well as a screenshot of your pedal editor settings.

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:19 am
by AKA Wayne
Well I thought it was powered with a 5v power supply but I just checked and it was a 12v :shock:
Now that I've switched it for a 5v it is much smoother and less jittery. I have a bit more wiggle room in the range of calibrating.
My ust also be why my sensor just stopped working and had to replace it.

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 3:24 am
by AKA Wayne
It is just connected tip to A0. Nothing other than what is onboard the tcrt5000 which is just some 10k resistors. Thanks for all the replies.

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 6:04 pm
by AKA Wayne
Could this have damaged my edrumin (12v)?

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:07 am
by Ronyd
@AKA Wayne

Hi Chris, did you setup as a 2 HiHAt on stand? Did you mount the optical box inside on top of bottom hihat cymbal with lid?
Any chance seeing any of your pics and settings?

my issue is here:
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1795&p=12477#p12477

Re: Optical hi hat

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:48 am
by AKA Wayne
It's inside the hats. I replied to your other post. Here are some pics of the set up.