Subject: Custom HID Controllers

Hi everyone!

For about 2 years now, I’ve been thinking about how to make the LSPDFR experience more immersive — kind of like ikt’s “Transmission” mode, but taking it a step further.
I used to have one of those cheap 6-button macro keypads from China, but I’ve always had this idea in my head: how cool would it be to have a working siren controller and a police radio with a real handheld mic.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything like that for sale, so after 2 years of thinking about it 😄 I decided to start building my own.

I’ve come up with two device concepts:

1. Police Radio (this is the one I’m currently designing)

• 2 potentiometers: One would control Windows system volume, the other would act as an active audio channel selector, letting you switch between the audio outputs of running Windows applications (e.g. GTA V, Discord, YouTube, Radio Broadcast).
• Display: It would show your exact in-game position, time, possibly weather; when adjusting settings, it could show the volume level, active audio channel name, etc. (I’ve already tested this on a breadboard and it works.)
• Push buttons: Fully programmable — you could assign them to whatever you want. The navigation buttons below the (not-yet-existing) right potentiometer would match the in-game navigation buttons, so they could also be used quickly in a backup menu or StopThePed menu.
• Realistic handheld mic: An analog handheld microphone with one PTT button. The connector would be mini-XLR for extra realism.
• Adjustable backlight and PTT indicator LEDs.
   

2. Police Siren Controller (still only tested a few things on a breadboard)

• Instead of a slider, it would use a center-return “rocker” switch for siren stages.
• Push buttons: Also works as a programmable HID controller, so all siren functions could be mapped.
• Adjustable backlight.
   

Last year, I built quite a lot of the electronics on a breadboard, and to my surprise, many things worked smoothly right away. I should add that I’m not a professional in any part of this — not in programming, not in 3D design. I’m learning all of it as the project moves forward, so please keep that in mind when looking at this.
 

Right now, I’m at the very beginning of designing the 3D prototypes. I’m waiting for the necessary parts and displays to arrive, and then I’ll start working on the programming.

If you’ve read this and you’re also into this kind of immersion 😄 or if you have any extra ideas, I’d be happy to hear your comments!
 

Oh, and I should mention — I don’t actually speak conversational English, so sorry if sometimes ChatGPT’s translation sounds weird. I’ll do my best to fix it.