Gian Pablo @ ITP

I finished my synthesizer project! The last touch was to to connect the four switches, which choose the phase of the modulation signal. This means that when two oscillators are modulated at the same rate, you can choose whether they sound at once, or alternately.

I've put a couple of MP3s recorded from it online here and here.

I found (you may disagree...) that it allows for a striking degree of control and expression, just by turning 4 knobs for pitch, 4 knobs for modulation, 4 switches for phase and one last knob for overall tempo.

Next steps with this project:

* add an amp within the case, so speakers can be powered directly
* add speakers - maybe on stalks, coming out of the currently empty front of the case
* add some kind of controllable distortion circuit
* etch the circuit board

Posted by Gian Pablo at 05:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm taking a summer class called Systems, or more popularly, "Hacking Everyday Objects". I felt I needed to get back into the lab, and actually build stuff.

My project (now approaching completion) is a compact rhythmic synthesizer, based on circuits and concepts from Nicolas Collin's book "Handmade Electronic Music".

Here's a picture:

My original plan was to build it into a surplus Sony professional tape deck, but I decided I didn't really know enough to do more than just use it as a case. Instead I'm using the enclosure from an old Iomega CD-ROM drive.

I'll post recordings of sample output. It sounds interesting - using only a few simple chips, it generates elaborate polyrhythmic structures.

Posted by Gian Pablo at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)