Arduino Rhythm Game Controller (for My Own Game)

In this instructable I will show you how I build this Rhythm Game Controller from scratch. It involves basic woodworking skills, basic 3d printing skills and basic soldering skills. You can probably build this project succesfully if you have zero experience in all of these. I personally did that, but I had some help for all of these skills.

Supplies

Arcade Buttons. Other than that, you need a potentiometer, a bunch of wires, a soldering iron & a glue gun, and a little industrial strength adhesive. Furthermore, you need a 12mm thick 50x50cm MDF board, a saw preferably in a wood workshop, a rotary cultivator and a 3d printer.

Step 1: Ordering Stuff

For this project, you need to order an Arduino Uno and some other stuff. We're using Udity to link Arduino and Unity, so we don't need a HID. I used the buttons available via this link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32950078521.html?spm=2114.search0302.3.22.2d21a33cOihMym&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_0,searchweb201603_0,ppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid=ef8d16d5-31a2-47f3-a398-86271412b37d&algo_expid=ef8d16d5-31a2-47f3-a398-86271412b37d-3 . These are probably the most important piece. Other than that, you need to look at the requirements.

Step 2: 3D Printing a Knob

This step is pretty simple; turn on a 3d printer and let it do it's work. If you want to put a different knob on a potentiometer, that is fine as well. This knob fits on a basic Arduino potentiometer (see image), and fits with the hole specified in the box.

F2-knob.gcode
Download

Step 3: Assembly of the Box

First off, making a wood box. Be careful of the image, these are the wrong numbers. You can make a custom size if you want to, though. I made a box with the measures of 374x166mm, and the height is dependant on the buttons you order. My buttons were 74mm high, so add 12mm (the wood at the bottom)= 86mm. You don't add the wood at the top because the button sticks out of the box there. The rest of the stuff should fit easily.

I recommend mitre-sawing the edges and glueing them together with wood glue. This makes for a strong box. You should look up what this means and follow a tutorial about it. Watch your hands though!

Step 4: Build the Circuit

Now we're going to build the circuit using schematics. Firstly, the button layout. We're using the NC (Normally Closed) so the metal under the NO (Normally Open). Next, you solder everything together. This seems like a short step, but it'll take a while. You can also a glue gun to cover open metal. I also recommend glue gunning the potentiometer on the inside of the case. This worked well for me.