PSX controller mod for Amstrad CPC

Modify a PSX digital controller to work on Amstrad CPC. The thing is that is very cheap and easy to find a PSX controller on a second hand shop. I just paid €2.50 for this one!!!

• PSX digital controller
• DB9 female connector
• A bunch of little wires
• Small phillips screwdriver
• Cutter or razor
• Some sleeve
• Solder and tin
• Loctite Supeglue
• Multimeter to test continuity

First of all, disassemble the PSX controller by removing the screws at the back. Is not complicated to open the case, you won't find any clip or anything.

After that, remove the board and front switches that are attached to the board. It would be great if you spend a couple of minutes cleaning the case with some water and soap and leave it drying.

Now, let's have a look to the board. You will see a lot of electronics, that we don't need to turn it into an Amstrad controller. Amstrad controllers are digital but very simple, and they don't need any special electronics to work. So, we have to disconnect the electronics from the switches on the board. The easiest way to do that is to use a cutter and cut the tracks on the board. After that, all the electronics will be dead and we won't have any short in the future, while operating the controller.

Then, if you look at the cable on the back of the board, you will see 7 wires coming from the connector in a thick grey cable. Cut 6 out of 7, just leave the black one connected to the board. The black one is ground, and we will use it as ground for our new Amstrad controller.

Now you can start soldering the little cables to the switches. If you don't know, switches usually have two contacts. One of them is the common one, ground. The second one is the +5 VDC signal that we will have there when pushed. You should sold six cables, one at each switch that we need, but on the +5 VDC side, not on the ground side. We need six switches and six cables: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, FIRE 1 and FIRE 2. Test ground continuity or follow the circuits on the board. Is not difficult to find the ground common track. You may know some electrics... but is not necessary if you think twice how it works!

After soldering all the wires, don't forget to cut all the tracks on the board, in order to avoid shorts and double hits. Put also some glue on the wires to keep them at the right position and avoid problems while playing. If you cutted properly the tracks, you may need an extra wire from ground black cable to the ground side of the switches on the buttons side.

Then, sold the little wires from the board with the wires that come from the PSX plug. Don't forguet to put some sleeve there to avoid shorts and make a good job. Below is the color code that I used to sold the wires:

The final stage is to put the board back into the case and close it with the screws. Then cut the PSX orginal connector and sold our female DB9 connector, following the same color code and you won't have any problem.

Test, and enjoy your new Amstrad CPC controller!!

Here is a video I made to show you the controller working on my Amstrad. Hope you like it!

Modified PSX controller to work on Amstrad CPC

Guide by Forcy