FaderBuddy

# MF60T Low Profile Mod (Optional!)

The stock MF60T is unnecessarily deep/tall, but if desired, you can shave off a LOT of height when installing a FaderBuddy PCB with a little bit of work. This is only recommended for advanced users; most users should install the FaderBuddy PCB on an unmodified MF60T as intended.

Here's a side-by-side comparison:
<img width="1262" height="460" alt="IMG_0463 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8a6aead6-1e5d-4326-adb1-c06b4a78a4c1" />


## Step 1: Remove pin extensions/brackets
The MF60T comes with black plastic and metal pin extension brackets on both the 4 pins from the potentiometer, and on the 2 motor pins, designed to make PCBs (like the FaderBuddy) easy to attach - we'll be removing these to save space.
<img width="1140" height="506" alt="IMG_0443 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fa780a93-7877-4bd8-ab11-185e33db0e4e" />

The 4-pin bracket can be pulled directly off the fader
<img width="1280" height="960" alt="IMG_0444 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/342ea119-6b32-42ef-9168-71cbddd5dde9" />

And the motor pin extensions/bracket will need to be desoldered to be removed, leaving just the motor connections exposed (be careful not too apply too much heat to the motor coils during this step)
<img width="1280" height="960" alt="IMG_0446 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/227fe26e-adc8-4579-8255-4fa6d6196598" />


## Step 2: Prepare potentiometer pins 
You'll need to fold down this metal tab, which previously held the plastic bracket in place
<img width="1280" height="960" alt="IMG_0450 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/48cbac97-ae00-4723-a4eb-3dc764a3a749" />

Then, using sharp and sturdy cutters (the pins are steel, not soft copper!), shorten each of the 4 potentiometer pins with a diagonal cut. The diagonal cut is necessary because the metal pins are too wide to fit into the PCB through-holes once the narrow tips have been cut off.

Note: the pin lengths shown here are not the final length; I ended up shortening them further to get the very low profile seen in the final photos, but I forgot to take an updated photo.
<img width="960" height="1280" alt="IMG_0451 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f5c5fdca-10fc-4977-90e6-c93d15ce0a77" />

The diagonally cut pins will fit into the PCB's through-holes - check the length and shorten further if needed (I shortened them more after taking this photo) before soldering in place.
<img width="837" height="811" alt="IMG_0452 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1558f954-27b5-473e-9830-83c34e69ba19" />

## Step 3: Add motor wire extensions
Because the FaderBuddy PCB was designed to fit onto an **unmodified** MF60T, it will be too short and unable to directly solder to the motor pins on a modified MF60T.

I found that the easiest way to connect the motor is by adding a short wire extension to each, and specifically, it's easiest to assemble this by taking a wire, feeding it through the PCB and bending it appropriately to align with the motor pin, then soldering in place to the motor and PCB before finally cutting off the wire.
<img width="1097" height="778" alt="IMG_0457 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/849b3dcf-fb7b-4d44-8677-ae2beec9d400" />

<img width="1132" height="683" alt="IMG_0461 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/1efdfc45-2144-41a7-8ebd-9368bd46b2f3" />

## Step 4: Admire your work
You now have a significantly lower-profile motorized fader! Good work!

<img width="1221" height="660" alt="IMG_0462 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fa433fad-8011-4646-8bb3-ed999700d0f0" />

<img width="1262" height="460" alt="IMG_0463 Large" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8a6aead6-1e5d-4326-adb1-c06b4a78a4c1" />