Speak and Sequence
WIP
WIP
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(still a work in progress) With this project I hoped to step away from the usual speak and spell (/read/math) bends that get done and attempt to create a step sequencer instead. What this ended up meaning was a home-designed circuitboard and a lot of aggravation ordering parts from Mouser who twice now have sent me the wrong things. In essence, this project is meant to force a loop or a solid tone out of my speak and math, then perform a pitch bend at various pitches a number of times each measure. I have built my circuit to allow the sequencer to have 8, 4, 3, 2, or 1 step measures and have built it to either sync itself to a gameboy running Little Sound DJ (Read up on LSDJ, it is amazing) or use internal clock set by a 555 timer. The entire sequencer has 8 switches to turn the 8 pitch-bend steps on or off, these are controlled by relays attached to a 4017 decade counter. This counter is controlled by clock coming from either a) a 555 timer or b) Gameboy LSDJ clock which is divided by 48 by two 4017 decade counters to match a common 4/4 time signature. Also included are a load of LEDs controlled by transistors to let the musician know what step the device is on. Below is my schematic:  The good news about this project is that the box my home made board will be put into looks beautiful. It is made from a bent piece of aluminum with 32 holes drilled in it for switches, potentiometers, and LEDs. The box and the block of wood it uses as a base were given a few coats of primer and paint to get it all looking right and now looks wonderful. I can't wait to get the parts in.  The bad news, however, is that I didn't have any really good PCBs around for building this onto, so I had to use what was around in the basement. I ended up finding an old blank cartridge of some sort, but it isn't incredibly helpful as far as soldering everything down goes. The entire thing has become a bit of a mess, but at least it functions. Be sure to continue checking in as I'm getting close to finishing this project. I'm very excited to see how this comes together! |
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