At the 2020 NAMM Show, Doepfer introduced the A-174-4 3D Joystick, a new that goes beyond traditional joystick controllers by offering three dimensions (x/y/z) of analog control.

In the video above, via Perfect Circuit, Eurorack synthesizer standard creator Dieter Doepfer introduces the new module on the NAMM Show floor.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

Joystick module A-174-4 outputs three control voltages generated by a spring-loaded X/Y cross potentiometer (so-called joy stick) and a Gate signal.

The control voltages for X and Y are controlled by the X and Y position of the joystick in the usual way. The third control voltage Z is controlled by the rotation of the spring-loaded joystick knob. The Gate signal is generated by a button at the center/top of the joystick knob.

For each control voltage, the non-inverted signal (X, Y, Z) as well as the inverted signal with adjustable offset (-X+O, -Y+O, -Z+O) are available. The generic joystick control voltages are bipolar, i.e. they range from typ. -5V (lowest position) via 0V (center position) to typ. +5V (highest position).

The “Overlap” switches can be used to add a fixed offset voltage of typ. +5V to the non-inverting output in question so that the output voltage range changes to typ. 0…+10V (rather than -5…+5V). That’s necessary if e.g. a VCA has to be controlled. The offset voltages which are added to the inverting outputs can be adjusted by means of three small potentiometers. That way different kinds of control voltage ranges are possible.

On top of this the four quadrant voltages Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 are available. A quadrant voltage becomes positive when the joystick is positio.ned in the quadrant in question. Each CV output is equipped with an LED that displays the present voltage.

See the Doepfer site for details.