oscillator
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Tom Senkus
Oct 25, 2008, 6:36:34 AM10/25/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
Hey ya'll,
I just finished building an oscillator from a 555 timer IC and was
wondering if anyone here has any tips on housing, which pots to use
(I've got body contacts for now...), and what would be the best way to
amplify it? I'm thinking about rigging a built-in condenser mic...
But yea, please geek out with me. Any convo is useful
-t. senkus
I just finished building an oscillator from a 555 timer IC and was
wondering if anyone here has any tips on housing, which pots to use
(I've got body contacts for now...), and what would be the best way to
amplify it? I'm thinking about rigging a built-in condenser mic...
But yea, please geek out with me. Any convo is useful
-t. senkus
Nevyn Nowhere
Oct 25, 2008, 5:17:53 PM10/25/08
to pdxelectr...@googlegroups.com
Have you played around with the optic sensors at all? I know who has done some neat oscillator and otherwise stuff with such.
I'd be interested in hearing about the process you followed; might even give some housing ideas..
-nn
happyhumans.org
I'd be interested in hearing about the process you followed; might even give some housing ideas..
-nn
happyhumans.org
Tom Senkus
Oct 26, 2008, 7:34:35 AM10/26/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
I've tried some photo resistors, but realizing that a stage setting
with different lighting might yield inadvertent results, the physical
approach seemed the best... especially when I've got a strobe going
(though that'd be cool on a smaller scale, to be in time with the
pulse. Hmmm... I'm reconsidering....)
What kind of housing ideas do you have? Currently, I use old tin
boxes from thrift stores. $.50 a pop and they are easily Dremmel'd
(sp?).
As for the process, I've breadboarded out an 8-pin 555 timer with a
piezo contact microphone attached at the cone (soon to be replaced by
an electret condenser powered by the same 9-volt). The schematics are
under "Continuous Wave Oscillator" meant for morse code, but I
modified the constant pitch for one that's more... R2D2-ish... Its
fascinating, and with a few effects units and amplification, could be
something...
-ts
On Oct 25, 2:17 pm, "Nevyn Nowhere" <nevynnowh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Have you played around with the optic sensors at all? I know who has done
> some neat oscillator and otherwise stuff with such.
>
> I'd be interested in hearing about the process you followed; might even give
> some housing ideas..
>
> -nn
> happyhumans.org
>
with different lighting might yield inadvertent results, the physical
approach seemed the best... especially when I've got a strobe going
(though that'd be cool on a smaller scale, to be in time with the
pulse. Hmmm... I'm reconsidering....)
What kind of housing ideas do you have? Currently, I use old tin
boxes from thrift stores. $.50 a pop and they are easily Dremmel'd
(sp?).
As for the process, I've breadboarded out an 8-pin 555 timer with a
piezo contact microphone attached at the cone (soon to be replaced by
an electret condenser powered by the same 9-volt). The schematics are
under "Continuous Wave Oscillator" meant for morse code, but I
modified the constant pitch for one that's more... R2D2-ish... Its
fascinating, and with a few effects units and amplification, could be
something...
-ts
On Oct 25, 2:17 pm, "Nevyn Nowhere" <nevynnowh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Have you played around with the optic sensors at all? I know who has done
> some neat oscillator and otherwise stuff with such.
>
> I'd be interested in hearing about the process you followed; might even give
> some housing ideas..
>
> -nn
> happyhumans.org
>
Sad Music for Happy Humans
Oct 28, 2008, 8:01:06 PM10/28/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
If you use a joystick with an led setup and position right over the
sensor you can play in crazy light type settings and not have it
changing other than where you want. Use it like an xyz controller, if
you will.
Housing totally depends on size. If you're ever talking small stuff,
one way to help reduce waste in the world and get a tin box fix are
Altoids containers. For bigger items I like to go through the toy
section/electronic section at thrift stores. Bins usually have tons
of weird little container things that really have no discernable use
other than as housing for some crazy concoction. I once dreamed of
utilizing doll parts (i know i know, how cliche) as housing for
various small and simple odds and ends; who knows, might feel like it
one day despite it's unoriginality.
Definitely sounds like a nice toy you've built, and you've described
your process well... I can virtually see it! Best of luck with the
housing..
-nn
happyhumans.org
sensor you can play in crazy light type settings and not have it
changing other than where you want. Use it like an xyz controller, if
you will.
Housing totally depends on size. If you're ever talking small stuff,
one way to help reduce waste in the world and get a tin box fix are
Altoids containers. For bigger items I like to go through the toy
section/electronic section at thrift stores. Bins usually have tons
of weird little container things that really have no discernable use
other than as housing for some crazy concoction. I once dreamed of
utilizing doll parts (i know i know, how cliche) as housing for
various small and simple odds and ends; who knows, might feel like it
one day despite it's unoriginality.
Definitely sounds like a nice toy you've built, and you've described
your process well... I can virtually see it! Best of luck with the
housing..
-nn
happyhumans.org
Tom Senkus
Oct 29, 2008, 3:58:14 PM10/29/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
Hopefully, I'll post some mp3's, or a link to hear some of it. In
fact, I'm using it on my Halloween costume for a lame-robot effect!
The one detriment I've found with tin box (altoids, especially) is
that I have to insulate the entire thing. otherwise there are serious
grounding issues. Cigar boxes are ideal, but liquor stores that
charge $5 for a simple wood box are worthy of inciting a riot!
Grrrr...
Dolls, I can see, have some serious potential. Imagine have contact
on the--ahem--"bad" parts that an audience member might touch... If I
could find one of those monkeys with cymbals, that'd work even better--
just attach two lead to the cymbals and every time he completed the
circuit, there'd be a massive sound squall....
Hmmm....
-tom
On Oct 28, 5:01 pm, Sad Music for Happy Humans
fact, I'm using it on my Halloween costume for a lame-robot effect!
The one detriment I've found with tin box (altoids, especially) is
that I have to insulate the entire thing. otherwise there are serious
grounding issues. Cigar boxes are ideal, but liquor stores that
charge $5 for a simple wood box are worthy of inciting a riot!
Grrrr...
Dolls, I can see, have some serious potential. Imagine have contact
on the--ahem--"bad" parts that an audience member might touch... If I
could find one of those monkeys with cymbals, that'd work even better--
just attach two lead to the cymbals and every time he completed the
circuit, there'd be a massive sound squall....
Hmmm....
-tom
On Oct 28, 5:01 pm, Sad Music for Happy Humans
Tom Senkus
Nov 12, 2008, 8:08:12 AM11/12/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
If anyone's curious, I posted a wav file of the oscillator I made out
of a 555. Instead of a potentiometer, there's body contacts--alot of
fun.
-tom senkus
of a 555. Instead of a potentiometer, there's body contacts--alot of
fun.
-tom senkus
Jay Paradise
Nov 23, 2008, 7:39:20 PM11/23/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
Try using a hex inverter (like a 40106 or 74hc04), each has 6 input
and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/ has alot of similar stuff, i
recommend the book it comes from.
as for housing, try metal junction boxes from home depot. They cost
about a dollar each, youll just need to drill the holes.
and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/ has alot of similar stuff, i
recommend the book it comes from.
as for housing, try metal junction boxes from home depot. They cost
about a dollar each, youll just need to drill the holes.
Tom Senkus
Nov 24, 2008, 8:49:02 PM11/24/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
Yeah, I just had to return the Nicolas Collins book back to the
library today. I really like the 74C14 controlled with a joystick--
I'll post pictures and clips when I get the chance.
But the housing--that's a great lead! Thanks a million marshmallows
-tom senkus
On Nov 23, 4:39 pm, Jay Paradise <mrsith...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Try using a hex inverter (like a 40106 or 74hc04), each has 6 input
> and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
> feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
> equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
> 1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
> diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
> delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
>
> http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/has alot of similar stuff, i
library today. I really like the 74C14 controlled with a joystick--
I'll post pictures and clips when I get the chance.
But the housing--that's a great lead! Thanks a million marshmallows
-tom senkus
On Nov 23, 4:39 pm, Jay Paradise <mrsith...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Try using a hex inverter (like a 40106 or 74hc04), each has 6 input
> and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
> feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
> equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
> 1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
> diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
> delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
>
Tom Senkus
Dec 5, 2008, 6:20:57 PM12/5/08
to pdxelectronicmusic
Jay,
I used the 74c14 chip. Wow, its so much easier to make and use!
Thanks for the cmos/sea-moss page. Great stuff there. Does anyone
know how I could go about selling some of these? I'm thinking Ebay or
Craigslist. The sound is incredible for the price, y'know
I used the 74c14 chip. Wow, its so much easier to make and use!
Thanks for the cmos/sea-moss page. Great stuff there. Does anyone
know how I could go about selling some of these? I'm thinking Ebay or
Craigslist. The sound is incredible for the price, y'know
> Try using a hex inverter (like a 40106 or 74hc04), each has 6 input
> and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
> feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
> equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
> 1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
> diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
> delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
>
> http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/has alot of similar stuff, i
> and output pins allowing up to six squarewave oscillators. Stick a
> feedback resistor/pot on both pins and put a cap on the input pin. Use
> equal value resistors to mix the output pins. I used 100k pots and
> 1uf/.1uf/.01uf mixed with 1k resistors. More fun: mix oscillators with
> diodes, stick a voltage starve pot on there, etc etc. Run through
> delay pedals and whatever else you want to do.
>
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