Griffin PowerMate driver for modern macOS (opens in new tab)

(github.com)

81 pointsclassichasclass1mo ago29 comments

29 comments

29 comments · 15 top-level

maroonblazer1mo ago· 10 in thread

>Of course, modern controllers exist that offer many more literal bells and whistles...

Anyone have a favorite 'modern controller' for those of us who no longer have a PowerMate?

gglanzani1mo ago

I have this and it’s great https://binepad.com/products/bnk9

Customization is possible https://blog.lanzani.nl/2025/customizing-the-binepad-bnk9-fi...

Rebelgecko1mo ago

I don't have one, but Ploopy's knob is intriguing (https://ploopy.co/knob/).

LilyGo/TTGo also has some interesting knobs with some unusual features features (force feedback or LCD touchscreen on top of the knob, depending on model) but again I don't have firsthand experience and these might take some DIY

jrmg1mo ago

Not commercial, but “Engineer Bo” on YouTube has an interesting series about building his own very professional looking scroll knob:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYK5tmZIBWtHYt4w8Y6P6ba-I...

Taewoong13781mo ago

Surprised Loupedeck hasn't come up here. The Live and CT both have weighted main dials with real damping — which is what made the PowerMate feel different from a regular rotary encoder, more than the software integration ever did. Pricier than most of what's been mentioned, but the closest I've found to the tactile feel. Everything in the sub-$50 range (Drok, generic Aliexpress encoders, etc.) works fine for mapping to volume or scroll, but they all feel like plastic clicky knobs. Fine for utility, not for fidgeting.

lukeh1mo ago

Microsoft Surface Dial is nice. You'll also need to write a driver...

jauntywundrkind1mo ago

As usual there is very very very good Linux support for a device (this device, the MS Surface Dial), better than anywhere else. https://github.com/daniel5151/surface-dial-linux

Some are calling it the most obvious trend of all computing. And that was before the agentic age super put its finger on the cosmic scales of justice+hacking.

ThrowawayR21mo ago

There was a poster on HN a while ago that recommended¹ the Drok USB volume knob because it can be reconfigured to send keystrokes or mouse actions. Just Google for "configure drok usb volume control knob" for instructions. I reconfigured mine to send mouse scroll events for scrolling through documents.

¹ https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31702940

eksu1mo ago

Surface Dial is a good hardware target.

parl_match1mo ago

some elgato stream deck models have knobs. 3Dconnexion also still around

Hamuko1mo ago

Elgato and Corsair have also made a keyboard that has the Stream Deck buttons + knobs on it.

https://www.elgato.com/us/en/explorer/products/stream-deck/g...

haunter1mo ago· 2 in thread

Damn I always wanted to one of these! So cool

_-_-__-_-_-1mo ago

I check eBay from time to time, they are usually very expensive.

haunter1mo ago

Same...

zdw1mo ago· 1 in thread

Would be great if it could do other things, like be a volume knob, or do media play/pause, given that scrolling and mouse button press seem like things you already have a mouse to do?

lloeki1mo ago

This begs to be able to send MIDI events!

detourdog1mo ago· 1 in thread

I have one of these all I need to do is find it.

donatj1mo ago

Literally thinking the same thing. I have one somewhere... Haven't seen it in twenty years

dmwood1mo ago

Yippy! I feel like I'm 15 years younger

mcphage1mo ago

I have one of those, but never used it too much—if the button got pressed while my Mac was asleep, it immediately woke up and kernel panicked. I don’t know if there was something odd about my machine or my particular PowerMate or what?

mannyv1mo ago

The powermate driver still works. My powermate is hooked up to my mac studio. I'll try this one; the real one doesn't init on restart, so I have to open it to get the throbbing.

adt1mo ago

Used one for the GPT-3 Leta Series back in 2021 (all 60+ episodes!).

Still got mine!

https://youtu.be/X6_E69K5WUs?t=327

aa-jv1mo ago

I have two of these, near-permanently affixed to my Zynthian .. but now I think I want another one for the desktop. Anyone know of similar devices available currently?

rcarmo1mo ago

This is awesome. I know I have one someplace that I stopped using because of lack of drivers, now all I need is to find it :)

TheAtomic1mo ago

I love this. PowerMate was the ultimate fidget tool when not scrolling, editing, etc.

timnetworks1mo ago

I have one of these and now all I need to do is find a reason to use the Mac.

Cockbrand1mo ago

I was wondering whether BetterTouchTool would support the PowerMate, and I sure didn't get disappointed: https://community.folivora.ai/t/griffin-powermate/30169

Disclosure: I have no idea whether this would still work, and I have no way to find out.

fzzzy1mo ago

Lol I wrote a new driver for the bluetooth one a few months ago.

joshmarinacci1mo ago

Curse you! Now I have to go clean out the attic to find mine.

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