Cool DPDT switch

[phector2004]

Any thoughts on if this is doable in a pedal?

http://futurlec.com/TouchSwitch.shtml

Might not be the most useful thing for gigs, but it would be cool for home use

[earthtonesaudio]

The best features of proximity-type switching are also their worst features, in different contexts.  No hardware to break also means no hardware "click" to let you know you've switched it, and no physical button on which to rest your hand/foot in preparation for the switching action.

Something like this could be done in an effect pedal, with limitations.  You could not put the sensor inside a sealed metal enclosure, for instance.

[phector2004]

The best features of proximity-type switching are also their worst features, in different contexts.  No hardware to break also means no hardware "click" to let you know you've switched it, and no physical button on which to rest your hand/foot in preparation for the switching action.

Something like this could be done in an effect pedal, with limitations.  You could not put the sensor inside a sealed metal enclosure, for instance.

whoops, forgot about that!

And you're absolutely right about resting the foot on the pedal. I'm always accidentally turning on boss pedals cause they don't have enough resistance.

[JKowalski]

I'm always accidentally turning on boss pedals cause they don't have enough resistance.

Try putting them in series 

[earthtonesaudio]

I'm always accidentally turning on boss pedals cause they don't have enough resistance.

Try putting them in series 

We need a facepalm icon.

[The Tone God]

These sensors are meant for line AC power and not small signal. Alot of hacking would be required to make it work for small signal but I would tell you in the end it wouldn't work. I have a good idea how this sensor works and there would be noise issues.

I have done foot touch sensors. It has the ability to set how much force it takes to trigger so you can put your foot on it then press harder to set it off. Its nice as it is pretty much indestructible. What is interesting though is when I showed it to people after they got past the "cool" factor most people missed the tactile feel of the switch which is why I won't be using it on my products...atleast for now.

Andrew

[PRR]

Not DPDT.

Apparently "SPST" with a Triac. Which has ~~2V losses. And is dedicated to switching the wall-power to a 230V load.

And as said: needs to be connected directly to wall-power. The touch-plate has so much resistance in-line that this is quite safe; but you don't want this near sensitive audio.

Probably won't switch DC (even hi-voltage DC).... it may turn-on but never turn-off.

You could replace the lamp with a 230VAC relay. Might have to be a fat one: the Triac or driver may leak enough to energize a small load. Yup, you could stick with a 230V lamp shining on LDRs.

And the no-click problem. Not too annoying when the lamp goes LIGHT!, but these things don't always "hear your finger", and if you need-to-know that you next note will be FX-ed you may get disappointed.

There is a different way to do it all on low-volt DC in any room with good electric buzz (any gig-venue or home, not on batteries out in a field, and maybe not busking in the park).

Hovering: sometimes these things flip before you touch them. On dry days your body's static charge may set them off when you get close. In high-buzz rooms they may trigger on "close".

The "snic", "crunch", "clank" of gizmo levers is very important. Read the sportcar magazines. They get as intimate with their gearknobs as you do with your pedal. The early Jaguars had a very nice snic to the gearchange. The early Thunderbird was criticized for slop in the column shift. The 1970s Ford was described as "rubberband".

[earthtonesaudio]

The "snic", "crunch", "clank" of gizmo levers is very important. Read the sportcar magazines. They get as intimate with their gearknobs as you do with your pedal. The early Jaguars had a very nice snic to the gearchange. The early Thunderbird was criticized for slop in the column shift. The 1970s Ford was described as "rubberband".

I think the future of human-machine interfaces will have a lot of "fake" noises and vibrations built in to let the user know the button they just pushed actually did something.

"Wow, it feels just like a real light switch!"

[phector2004]

http://www.soundracer.se/?p=98&p2=128

adapt for a DROP in AC power and you've got the next big electric car add-on 

They're already adding "driving noises" to hybrids to save inattentive pedestrians

[.Mike]

They're already adding "driving noises" to hybrids to save inattentive pedestrians

...or blind people.

[skrunk]

The "snic", "crunch", "clank" of gizmo levers is very important. Read the sportcar magazines. They get as intimate with their gearknobs as you do with your pedal. The early Jaguars had a very nice snic to the gearchange. The early Thunderbird was criticized for slop in the column shift. The 1970s Ford was described as "rubberband".

I think the future of human-machine interfaces will have a lot of "fake" noises and vibrations built in to let the user know the button they just pushed actually did something.

"Wow, it feels just like a real light switch!"

yep.
I just bought a digital camera which has a fake shutter sound when you take a pic.
the sound does make you feel like your holding something solid and mechanical, but in a way it makes the experience even more hollow as you know it's just an illusion, so I turned it off.

[soggybag]

I love this switch, I want to add a few to my house. But I don't think I would like it in a foot pedal.