Unique Sound Effects with 555 Control Voltage

[@75slaine]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks for pushing through the build issues to get the video out. Really gives an appreciation of how the early synth/electronic music pioneers would have had their imaginations sparked. I can picture them in the BBC sound lab mucking about with exactly this kind of setup which eventually lead to the glorious Dr. Who theme tune.

[@GadgetReboot]

The more I played around with all the controls and got used to the board’s personality, the more I think it will be fun to keep going with it and expand on it and incorporate it into other similar circuits. I think I’m going to try some more stuff while it’s all in my head.

[@BRUXXUS]

I just discovered your channel via the ws2812/arduino videos and I can’t stop watching! It’s like every project you do is something I’m super interested in. I could happily play with this board for hours, lol.

[@GadgetReboot]

I first made a circuit like this decades ago and there was always a new sound I could get from it every time. There’s a more recent video where I made even more complex sounds from a 555 using Arduino and digital potentiometers.

[@BRUXXUS]

That’s awesome! I’m working my way through your backlog of videos, but I randomly came across this one when searching for fun 555 projects. Haha I’m still a bit of a beginner when it comes to circuitry, but I’ve been learning a lot the last few years just through KZbin. It’s so fun!

[@pepzi_]

I'm really loving your dev/test boards! This one would drive my wife crazy ;) Have you got more awesome projects coming up? I think I'll have to order your two devboards + this from PCBWay :)

[@GadgetReboot]

There’s always projects coming up. You just need to stay tuned!

[@batchrocketproject4720]

Brilliant thanks. Really nice explanations of some key concepts. If it wasn't for your perfect finger nails, I'd swear you were Ben Eater faking a Canadian accent.

[@electronic7979]

Super 👍

[@Scrogan]

Oh damn, now I want one of these. But the only logic ICs I have are shift registers and some normal 74HC gates without the Schmitt trigger. There’s no real reason to ever get logic gates that don’t have the Schmitt trigger, at least at these frequencies. Makes me wonder to what extent you can construct any arbitrary waveform from a collection of square waves, I could just feed a high-freq note into one of those clock dividers, put a potentiometer on every single one, and feed them into one large summing amplifier. Also check that you aren’t throwing DC into that speaker, though I doubt the audio amp IC can output enough power to make it a problem.

[@JonDeth]

Cool synth

[@besoklebihbaik596]

Awesome... 24:33 sounds like one of Uriah Heep's songs.

[@akhurash]

Awesome project.

[@ElieWar]

thank you!

[@jimhough6233]

Hey ANY other 400mW class an or d amp, please?!

[@jimhough6233]

OK parts on hand, BOM, coool!

[@GadgetReboot]

I am trying to use up the parts I have been carrying around for 20 or 30 years so yes, my bill of materials is related to what I have and so far I’m really happy with the projects I’m doing.

[@HazeAnderson]

Very cool! :D

[@pileofstuff]

Now you need to add a 555 based piano to trigger the whole shebang!

[@GadgetReboot]

I ordered one of those kits..... if it ever gets here. ....

[@DrexProjects]

I think you can install the Vol pot on the bottom of the board and have it work correctly. Not sure. But I think so. Maybe I need another drink.

[@GadgetReboot]

I would definitely need to put standoffs on the mount holes to keep the thing level but I think it would work because the end terminals would be reversed back to the intended position.

[@GnuReligion]

This is really slick! Just finished my first 555 project last night, and discovered as you did that in datasheet astable mode the duty cycle is always top heavy ... never below 50/50. A couple of diodes can fix it: www.electronics-tutorials.ws/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waveforms-tim58.gif You have a counter on your generator, so, meh, it does not matter ... you can get your 50/50 at half speed. Glad to see you are using KiCad. I am learning it now. Kind of a steep learning curve for me. Have you got Auto Routing working?

[@GadgetReboot]

Yeah as long as the 555 negative portion was still enough for set up and hold on the logic gate, I didn’t bother trying to recalculate for a better duty proportion and symmetry is restored as you say after the counter. I first made a circuit like this about 30 years ago and it came to mind sometime last year so I only just got around to playing with it again now. I think this will be a gateway into a whole bunch more audio sound effect and synth circuits. I’m slowly getting the hang of KiCad but I haven’t tried the auto router. Every time I start the next project I feel like I’m driving someone else’s car and I need to sit there for a minute figuring out where all the controls are before I take off. One thing I don’t like is on the schematic side, we only get one sheet to work with unless apparently there’s some convoluted way we can do some hierarchy thing and get sub pages but I’d like a straightforward multi page thing so I think I am stuck on tiny projects unless I really feel invested in the software when I need to do something with more parts. Sometimes I like to put different circuit sections on different pages even if there’s still enough room on the first page just to keep it organized so I got frustrated but I’ve never found a CAD tool that was perfect so I will let it slide for now.

[@GnuReligion]

@@GadgetReboot Yup, one of my projects is almost completely off the largest sheet. I'd like to opt for no sheet at all. Hierarchical Sheets Instructions here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnbSh4iij99sotk Will send you instructions on autorouting with Linux, if interested.

[@GadgetReboot]

Thanks for the link, yeah auto routing info would be good as well. Thanks.

[@GnuReligion]

@@GadgetReboot freeRouting comes in "The Layout Editor" package, found here: layouteditor.com/ Instructions: From KiCad-Pcbnew: File / Export / Specctra DSN Run Java freeRouting: $ java -jar /opt/layout/bin/freeRouting.jar Save DSC Load it back in PCB editor in KiCad

[@GnuReligion]

@@GadgetReboot It is possible you have version of KiCad that can use freeRouting as a module, and you do not need to do all this. I found this vid's instructions essentially work for me though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ2Qi36jfp6irrc

[@jimhough6233]

Class AB or D

[@andymouse]

Totally Dr Who !

[@GadgetReboot]

I need to add a solar cell or LDR so I can control it in even more weird ways. I have a feeling this is only the beginning. I’m gonna build a wall of noise.

[@andymouse]

@@GadgetReboot Not sure the world is ready.

[@GadgetReboot]

I’m not even sure I’m ready But...

[@pileofstuff]

@@GadgetReboot Soon you'll be turning into "look mum, no computer"...

[@GadgetReboot]

I only wish I could wear baggy pants like that and get away with doing a live show and duct taping myself to myself and still making tones to have the audience applaud because they all held hands and helped electrocute the poor soul at the wrong end of the chain.

[@jimhough6233]

LM386 blows!!

[@GadgetReboot]

Depends on the purpose. Workbench desktop quick interface when a speaker otherwise loads down your output signal, 386 is great. In my living room? Not a chance.