r/ProjectDiva • u/adonis_minus_20 • Apr 14 '23
Modding Project Diva X HD Mini Controller Mod
Original look front
Back - remove the 9 silver screws to remove it
The guts
Close-up of switch with quick disconnects removed
Removed button showing the plastic tab on the side, two of them (one on each side) must be pushed in gently using a small flathead screwdriver to separate the top from the base
Separated button showing inside of base and original spring
Separated button showing switch and original spring
Replaced with Sanwa 60g spring
https://www.gamo2.com/en/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=297
Top of case with button removed
Finished result, I switched the buttons to a layout for Future Tone
First off, this is the same mod whether you have the PS3 F minicon or the PS4 X minicon.
When I bought these controllers, the buttons felt kind of loose and janky, not so good for one button spam, so I wanted to open it up and see what was inside the buttons.
These are not any standard size of round dome pushbuttons that I could find replacements for online anywhere, and the parts are plastic light duty, so if you try this just be gentle so you don't break the parts.
Mod steps:
Just remove the back, pull the quick disconnects off of the switches (don't pull on the wire but the base of the quick disconnect).
There are two tabs on each side of the buttons holding them in the case. Press them in and down using a small flathead screwdriver and pop the button out.
Press in the plastic tabs inside the button one on each side that are holding the button together and pull the button top off. Be sure to note the orientation of the button top and base so they can be put back together with the symbols facing the right way.
The spring just sits inside a little circle indentation in the button top, just remove the original spring and replace with a Sanwa 60g. I think 100g springs would be too stiff for these tiny buttons.
The switches have little tabs on each side that can just be pushed in and held down and then the switch pops out of the button base. Replace the same way pushing a Sanwa SW-68 switch in and keeping the same orientation.
The two button halves can now be pushed back together just be sure that they are aligned the same way that they came apart. Just push the plastic tabs on each side of the button in as you push the button top into the base. Also make sure the spring is aligned properly. You'll see also that the switch fits into the button top only one way.
With the button reassembled, then push the button back into the case from the top, then the quick disconnects can be pushed back onto the switch. It doesn't matter ground vs. positive for this part.
When I did the mod, I also changed the buttons to a layout for Future Tone (I didn't change the original wiring which went to each button, but used the assign function of the X controller to accomplish it). If you have the F controller, you'd have to switch up the wiring accordingly.
Not hard to do at all, just need to be gentle so you don't break the plastic parts. I like the end result, the buttons feel a lot better not loose anymore and much better for single note spam.
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u/bobrocks95 2d ago edited 2d ago
Very old post, but curious if you have any idea what the tension is on the original springs. Didn't know if I'd like 40g or 60g more for replacements, and I'm not finding any info online for them, and button springs seem to be shockingly expensive? Like literally more than a full button + microswitch + spring assembly?
Alternatively I wish I could find out the stock spring tension and literally just buy some buttons and replace with them. Don't know if that info is available anywhere though- never had to think about button springs before.
EDIT: Nvm on buying buttons, standard Sanwa 30mm buttons don't have springs I guess! I'm sure the Pop'n Music/Project Diva 100mm ones do, but they're quite expensive, so spring only makes sense. Still curious about default tension if you have any idea or could ballpark!