September 2007 Archives

I had a great time at the Create Digital Music / Make / Etsy Handmade Music Night. Many awesome projects were featured, check them out @ CDM and Make (and their respective Flickr pools).
What made this event extra fun for me was the fact that it was the first time I was able to demonstrate some instruments I've been working on to a very supportive and interested community. I have to say, the positive feedback I received (regarding the atari tube in particular) warmed my heart. I have spent so much time learning the language of electronics over the past few months - toiling over wire and solder - that I almost forgot how good it feels to see someone else enjoy something that I've made. What I see as a noisemaker with a couple of knobs on it becomes an instrument once someone else picks it up and begins to play. That is a very good thing.
A big thanks to everyone who came out to the event - Hope to see you again soon.

Looks like we made it after all.Below that scuffed aluminum dwell a veritable clown car of wire bulk. And you know what? That bulk makes some damn fine sound. Now onto the 1V/Octave keyboard controller as I wait for my temperature controlled resistors to arrive by post.

Sound Lab - Panel to Board Wiring

Originally uploaded by Collin Mel

After everything else, following the alphabetically coded board -> pcb wiring is a refreshing snap - though it may look like a crackle an a pop as well (huh?)

Cube-Tube x 2

Mo' tubes is good tubes. I'll post a video of it in action soon.

WSG003
Originally uploaded by Collin Mel
Yet another Weird Sound Generator.
BTW - Ray Wilson is now selling WSG component kits for your DIY Synth building convenience.

Atari Tube v2

A new take on the atari tube APC design. I'd have posted a video of the synced LEDs but it seems I fried one during installation :/

But I'm happy to report it actually sounds quite good - a bit smoother than the original design and a tad bassier.

Sample to come . . .

WSG2 Near Completion


Originally uploaded by Collin Mel

In case you missed it - The WSG "Arctic Knob" edition.

This little guy was actually painted up a bit more after this photo and then delivered to the patron who commissioned its creation.

Light Sensitive LED


Originally uploaded by Collin Mel

Man, when circuits get extra small, they get extra cute. This one will be used as an earring.

Once a 3V coin battery is attached the blue LED will light up in the dark.

Well I dunno maybe you would. Though an 'accidental modification' at first I quite prefer the curved solder tip to straight ones. I've seen curved needle nose for sale but never a solder tip, hmmm.
Well as you might guess from the occurances described in the previous paragraph, I am very busy of late and therefore not been doing much info-decorating on the web. Much good things to come.
Like this newborn WP-20, still waitin for paint and a few knobs: