Adding A Robotic Glockenspiel To The ElectroMechanical Visitor Counter

[@connorhalliday7304]

You must be a man who's remarkably comfortable out of your comfort zone Sam. Every time you release a video I think about the sheer weight of accumulated knowledge you must have from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. You build multitudes of amazing things, run a museum, create awesome music and then casually film and edit videos about it all as if it's nothing. I'd be an absolute nervous wreck

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

I think I'm just too stupid to realise the amount of work something requires in the planning stage. Usually a quarter of the way into it realising the magnitude of work required but already too far in to not carry on. It seems to have been a common trend in my life over the past 10 years lol, only difference as time has gone on being the percentage of completing to giving up on a project has increased which is good. 😂

[@Benadski]

@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER Hmm that sounds familiar... :P Maybe someday, if I have a buffer and can put more time in my hobby I will make awesome videos like you do. Got some awesome ideas and loads of stuff and some knowledge too. If only I could make just enough money with my hobbies to live from, that would be so awesome!

[@Potz4pizza]

@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER I think what sets you apart is that you finish those projects 😂

[@mrkthmn]

WELL SAID!!

[@stinkymart3173]

Absolutely well said.

[@roanoconnor98]

Whats interesting is that back in the day, the reason they spoke at such a high pitch is because the microphones frequency range wasnt great. They only really worked at the mid range. Loved the intro recreating that!

[@ryanmccampbell7]

You mean the microphones just only picked up the high parts of their voice, or that they actually talked at a higher pitch so the microphones could pick up their voice better?

[@roanoconnor98]

@@ryanmccampbell7 they would actually talk at a higher pitch. Microphones couldn't record lower frequencies, so voice over artists or even actors and TV hosts would be told to speak in that way for the best sound.

[@thedoopus]

Deffo gonna visit the museum when I can. You're a modern day mad inventor, truly brilliant!

[@tamasnogradi4524]

I can't wait to see and hear it.

[@KeritechElectronics]

"This prototype runs on R2D2s. CuriousMarc would be proud!" You're way too cool, a mad scientist of electrical engineering. I love your enthusiasm!

[@pileofstuff]

I would love to see Sam and Tim Hunkin collaborate on a project. can you imagine the madness that would result

[@Abrankod]

Sadly, we lost Rex Garrod recently and I'm sure they'd all have gotten along famously.

[@RiffZifnab]

I was just thinking this too. I think it was the carbon microphones. (:

[@davidrobinson4291]

you're actually one of the top ten channels on YT man. please keep making videos/cool stuff

[@pippzzz]

The only thing wider than your creativity is your ability to provide solutions to the challenges you set for yourself..it sounds like those glocks notes are not really the real thing at the end, but still, the whole thing is pretty impressive no matter what. I admire your ability to show your point, to demonstrate and educate about whatever you're focusing on, to always have fun in whatever you're doing....this is really inspiring, and it just makes me wanting to pay you a visit at the museum at some point...see you soon I hope!

You cable management is becoming better than what you can discover behind many panels in the industry 🙂 If you add one feature you are in the best of class catgory but maybe is that a frightening perspective ?

[@unclemick-synths]

I was impressed by his lacing of the looms on the organ. I asked if he had been trained (I was trained to lace looms) but he's taught himself.

[@trulyinfamous]

That museum is absolutely mental, and it's getting cooler by the day. The fact you have the telephone exchange working is awesome.

[@repeat_defender]

You’re a mad genius, mate! Absolutely inspiring.

[@martinstam5241]

The main reason I enjoy this channel so much as a computer geek, is that you show how much is possible in such fun and elegant ways without one. :) Never stop clacking!

[@petegaslondon]

Hey did you read 'The Difference Engine' novel? As thats what THEY had - steam-powered geeks, aka 'Clackers'

[@martinstam5241]

@@petegaslondon Pretty sure that's what I got the term from. Provenance is fuzzy though, because either Gibson got the term from somewhere else, or wherever I also heard the term in the (steampunk) communities themselves for it from that book.. I always kinda figured that 'vintage hardware hacking' == 'clacking'.

[@Magnetic_Spaceman]

I can't begin to explain how inspiring your videos are, thank you so much!

[@johnno31uk]

I have an idea for the jingle machine - it needs some rhythm. So how about visitor punch cards where they can punch in their name, which when fed into the counter will play back the melody from the current count with a morse code rhythm of their name

[@jakefinnegan1932]

That's really cool!

[@LFOVCF]

I saw you making that hammer assembly, at the museum. It's another world in there, loved it!

[@shaunsmusicchannel6260]

Loved this project! I still have an electro-mechanical doorbell from the 1950s that used to be at my grandmother's house. Works in a very similar way with an electromagnet compressing a plunger against a spring to hit the chimes.

[@MrJozza65]

What a jolly spiffing contraption! Having those switching doodahs controlling the musical ditties is like something from the future; I wonder whatever fantastical things the chaps in the lab will come up with next?

[@xpndblhero5170]

OMG, the beginning was amazing, you definitely fit that era and I love the pronunciations of electromechanical visitor counter and stuff w/ the old world TV static over it..... I'd watch all of your videos even if they were in black and white and old school like that. 😁❤️

[@davidcoates4852]

Yet again you have created an absolutely bonkers machine from the depths of your genius mind that I find fascinating and and in many ways brings back memories of my youth and inspires me too. Thank you Sam.

[@sonosus]

love the intro!

[@potatosmasher1072]

Would you happen to remember where on KZbin that beginning theme was played? It feels super familiar to me but I couldn’t find it.

[@sonosus]

@@potatosmasher1072 it's moonlight sonata kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWndo3qio6ujf7s

[@someonesays8022]

Very impressive the whole telephone exchange thing! Amazing really.

[@luther99flame]

if you hadn't of put the number up for this I would never have realised the Museum is in my home town. Awesome. Will definitely have to visit it now. Can't believe I never realised until now!

[@Elmantukas]

I once built an intercom with two soviet phones, felt pretty cool, but what you do there, unimaginably cool! To be able to think so imaginatively and to build such complex things, absolutely godlike, thank you for what you do!

[@gentleeyes]

I had this idea today and I knew in my heart it had already been done. A lot of work, wow!

[@GavinLyonsCreates]

A darn sight better.... LOL Brilliant intro and clever implementation with the solenoids - nice touch.

[@unsoundmethodology]

Great solution to the solenoid damping problem! Years ago, as part of a big shooting gallery build with my local makerspace, I was trying to use an Arduino to ring real bells - each was basically a round alarm bell shell with a solenoid in - and even after getting MOSFETs to drive the bells at 24v, they ended up with that same sort of clunk response. My problem ended up being that I was effectively trying to drive them with a gate signal, when what it needed was a trigger; I then spent way too much time figuring out just how long the trigger had to be. Too long and the bell wouldn't ring out, too short and it wouldn't ring at all. (I should dig one of those out and build it as a synth module - add something to the percussion on patches.)

[@petegaslondon]

The digital answer would be a monostable, right ? The analog one, a capacitor in series, to turn a step into a pulse (aka differentiator) I aint watched to the end yet, lets see if thats what happens ;)

[@unsoundmethodology]

@@petegaslondon Sam goes with a mechanical solution; I went, in the digital space, with just turning the output high and then low quickly. The amount of that short delay is what took tuning; if it was too short, the solenoid couldn't overcome the - is it friction or reluctance? Even at 24VDC, the electromagnet took some time to get the shaft moving.

[@wimdsock9419]

What a leg-end. Phenomenal!

[@jamesh5460]

My wife and I have the UK on our wish list of places to visit and when we do... the museum will be on the to do for the trip. Cheers mate!

[@snil4]

I'm so excited to visit the museum next month, can't wait to hear my very own randomly generated melody!

[@Flying-Roro]

Amazing and inspiring as always Sam. Cheers from Japan

[@klassisch9093]

Love your videos! Nice intro haha

[@dglcomputers1498]

Related to the electronically controlled glockenspiel, the band Sailor (A Glass Of Champange, Girls, Girls, Girls Etc.) made a custom instrument they called the Nickelodeon, that had a glockenspiel with what I understand to be door bell mechanisms attached, wired so that the keyboard of the built in small upright pianos could play the glockenspiel on that side (amongst other things), with pedals? selecting different instruments that could be controlled (there were synths (odyssey one side and 2600 the other side?), organ and string synths built in as well, i understand). There are a few videos from the mid 70's that show it being used live on YT, including performances of Girls, Girls, Girls, Jacaranda and Sailor. Bit of a franken instrument and must have been VERY heavy. It was built as they realised that 4 people could not recreate the studio sound live without extra musicians. The Sailor Marinaro website has more info on it and the later "fakes" that were essentially posh keyboard stands (though they did look the part).

[@MittenpunKt]

I am so excited that I get to visit and see this in a couple of weekends time!

[@nat7278]

Thanks for the glockenspiel dinger how to. I'm trying to actuate a keyboard button with a doorbell dinger. Gives me some great possible solutions.

[@tomvesely4008]

So like, the electromechanical sequencer goes through each number and what the number is determines what note will be playing. Very cool.

[@niklaswejedal463]

That intro, though! 🤣 Genius! Loving the robotic glockenspiel too!

[@hanzazazel412]

Well that was a right proper intro

[@superotterboy7937]

All this is missing is your own vintage, BBC style intro! I can hear it now! "This, is LMNC television!"

[@Kapitaen_Flauschbart]

most grandiose work! flabberghasting way over the horizon ... you know ... where even clouds drop down

[@RiffZifnab]

I don't get to the UK very often but if I ever find myself near Ramsgate I will absolute stop by.

[@curtkeisler7623]

Dude. That was EPIC!!!

Refreshing sound of the Glockenspiel, professional too. More creative than a lecture at the University? Yeah!

[@arenotdiy]

I like this 1920's mechanic who is practicing for radio

[@beautifulsmall]

Always a pleasure to see whats happening, Single pixel Nixie tubes ! great work.

[@klassisch3039]

Wow your projects are so cool!!!

[@Heisenberg2097]

Getting better every day. The intro was really funny. Cannot beat the mental insanity of my fav. tuber LIZZZA... but that's a different story.

[@unkowndata2338]

This is incredible Sam! I've been wanting to make something like (just the xylophone part) this for a while but never knew how to go about it. Thank you!

[@christopherkarlsson4919]

Endless creativity

[@Luchoedge]

that xylophone through carbon microphones sound is perfect for those lo-fi hip hop songs 😅

[@IllumiNationGaming1]

I tried to call from Australia, adding the extension to the end of the landline number. I got through to your fabulous "on hold" song, but it didn't go to the glockenspiel counter sadly :( Am I missing a step? Other than that, as always Sam, your videos are fantastic! It's amazing to see all your genius ideas come to life

[@praguestepchild]

“In open hours” Maybe it was closed

[@Ashley.0000]

Im in Australia.. Last time i used it i just dialed the main number then had to wait on hold then you dial the ext .

[@IllumiNationGaming1]

@@Ashley.0000 thanks chief!

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

if in open hours, it was exceptionally busy yesterday, in all there are 5 people possible in a queue. going to 3 selectors, whjich then goes down to just 1 line on the glockenspiel. it was hard to get through to it yesterday for anyone, poor fella at the front desk had to sit and hear it constantly fgoing off all day haha.

[@IllumiNationGaming1]

@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER yeah I made sure it was during open hours, I could imagine the poor bloke hearing it all day, but atleast he is working in one of the most unique and awesome museum's out there!

[@PeterPopovicsaStrucc]

Brilliant piece of art....

[@RonPiggott]

I can only imagine that Sam's parents are very pleased with his accomplishments

[@gower1973]

Bonkers project that’s going to send the receptionist mad after a few thousand visitors 😂

[@Super8Rescue]

Brilliant video. Just what I need on this saturday morning. You are a genius.

[@sgsax]

Yeah this is brilliant. Going to call and get my jingle! Thanks for sharing!

[@KSITREVS]

I just called and i was impressed. Nice work.

[@raymondduck6492]

Just Brilliant... Loved the 1950s intro! keep them coming bro.

[@watchit9519]

Your contraptions are just astonishing! Can't wait for you to create a humanoid body to the Organ. My hobby is 3D modeling and I'm even thinking to model one, with that boombox looking thing(sorry, don't what it is ) as a head, and wooden part with pipes as chest and shoulders, if you don't mind.

[@TheOneandOnlyAP]

The "old man Sam" voice needs to be a recurring thing!

[@roanoconnor98]

I didn't know the opening hours, and gave the number a ring. I've been dying with laughter at the recorded message telling me it's closed 😂😂😂

[@muzikman2008]

Reminds me of an old ice cream van.. Now I Need a fab or 99!🍦😂👌 Spot on ..

[@stuartm8335]

"A boy , and his electro-mechanical toys is a very happy boy"

[@woosix7735]

damn, you nailed that 60s television narator voice

[@MagierMax]

When at 2:33 he nearly said Glockenspiel right, i got so happy. Then the next "Glockenspiel" squeezed all of the bliss straight out again.

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

Huh? But it's a glockenspiel?

[@MagierMax]

@@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER"spiel" is said Schpil. with a long i. schp not just sp. like sh*t. like shpeel i think I don't know if this makes any sense i don't know how to write phonetics which wouldn't even help... But i enjoy your vids ur a rad dude

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

@@MagierMax yeah i commpletely iunderstand, but all people mispronounce words from other languages usually. its fiiiine

[@slamshed]

That is awesome Sam, wicked idea!

[@cypherdras]

what an awesome intro

[@Lime_Tree_Audio]

Brilliantly done!

[@cyboticIndustries]

'single pixel nixie tube' - we used to call them 'lights' 🤪

[@Ncyphen]

I've actually been thinking about stuff like this. A dream I have is to make a self playing music machine with bells. Honestly, the best option would be to replicate a piano mechanism so that if the solenoid is still powered, the town remains, but as soon as it retracts, a pad stop the sound. I don't think I'll ever have the time or space to actually build this, though.

[@henrikcarlsen1881]

I really like his wireing skill

[@roterodamus]

Sam’s transatlantic accent is too good

[@zapagog]

This is pure chaos, and I kove it.

[@jakobjorgensen7773]

Brilliant intro :D

[@RuthlessMojo]

Sam is literally a mad scientist. Let's hope he never goes full Dr. Frankenstein.

[@DeadKoby]

I enjoy the wild ideas. It's a mad scientist's dream.

[@TrinityCodex]

love the new/old hair!

[@scottgray6276]

Nice. That might be what’s wrong with my doorbell….it goes, “ding-dunk”!

[@mastercylinder1939]

Another excellent, interesting and informative video.

[@VanguardSys]

homage to 50's sci - fi: ok u are quirky but fun to watch

[@MarkEichin]

Loved the Herr Doktor Battle intro! but yeah, don't get heatstroke over it, it would get in the way of *building* all the things :-)

[@unclemick-synths]

Love the old-time intro. Reminds me of Harry Enfield.

[@toadelevator]

That opening had me thinking I'd accidentally clicked on a Bioshock video : )

[@Shadownrun2]

amazing how this problem with the hammer was solved since the piano was developed ... but still people find their own ways to do it

[@subliminallabs]

This is incredible. Needs more film grain :D

[@BangerFleet]

You’re insane. Keep up the good work.

[@freeaudiojungle4407]

theyre back!

[@D3CD95]

You got me thinking: you have your telephone exchanger wired to the internet, you have an organ that can play voice.... Can you have a phone call through an organ????

[@accousticdecay]

As we say in Tennessee, now don't that beat a hen a-rootin' and a pig a-peckin'.

[@Mawson6492]

Intro was great m8! LOL

[@geofftaylor8913]

Very cool. You’re the man

[@jasonsummit1885]

Hadn't seen anyone use a rotary phone for quite a while. I remember them from back in the 80's.😂

[@SelfIndulgentGamer]

WHHAaaaAATT, a lego orchestra, how did I miss that! :O

[@phlave]

It's very cool, but I wonder how long it'll be until having this thing constantly chime drives you all crazy

[@petegaslondon]

!! Biinngg . Bongg .. Bingg !! Hey tell DC Comics I've found supervillain Dr Bong's TRUE origin story l;)

[@TotoGuy-Original]

Sounds like an old ice cream van through the phone lol. oh, wouldnt that be cool to get an old ice cream van jingle machine!!! YES!!

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

Yeah boy, Sam that's so awesome dude.

[@binarydinosaurs]

That, is awesome sir. Once I've got the SWTPC running again I must bring it back and have a look around this mechanical madhouse :D

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

hey adrian!!!! hope its not turning into too much of a saga :D. i mentionned to pete the idea of heading to you to chat about what you had to do for the vid on the SWTPC synth project, but equally you are welcome here so up to you! im happy popping up your end tho!!!!

[@binarydinosaurs]

It's much less of a saga than my Positron, that's for sure. This one is documented reasonably well so I've just been having to familiarise myself with how it all works, or should :D This weekend I'll be back on it on the new workbench, though my attempts at finding a PSU that will put out 8V 5+ amps aren't turning up much that's affordable.

[@LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER]

@@binarydinosaurs ooosh yeah the inside of aa positron looks kinda daunting haha.

[@ExtremeMetal]

We need a solenoid drum machine now, maybe electric drum pads struck by the same system the glockenspiel uses

[@brooknet]

My good sir, you are a genius. I look forward to your videos as they give me ideas for future projects. Good luck in your endeavours and best foot forward, and all that. :-)

[@GothGuy885]

thats Awesome! Dude you rock! 😀👍

[@Garflips]

When I finally complete my time machine made from old cassette Walkmans and a broken microwave oven, I'd like you to narrate the documentary - in black and white of course.

[@sCealt]

haha that's mad! gotta get my arse to the museum one day