March 2011
1 post
Reed Ghazala's Video Octavox
This is either a case of “great minds think alike” or “everything worth doing has already been done”. I tend towards the former, not that I count myself anywhere near the genius of Mr. Ghazala.
Check out some more Video Octavox pictures and poke around his site if you haven’t already, it’s very inspiring.
Expanding the VidiSynth
Paul Sobczak has continued doing good things with the VidiSynth. Here is his series of videos documenting the progress and ending with a couple of nice demos.
Expanding the Vidisynth Part I from paul sobczak on Vimeo.
Expanding the VidiSynth Part II from paul sobczak on Vimeo.
Expanding the VidiSynth Part III from paul sobczak on Vimeo.
February 2011
13 posts
Open Source Licenses: GPL vs. BSD
Despite being aware of the open source movement since the mid-80’s when RMS spoke at my university, I’ve never bothered to pay more than a couple of minutes of attention to the licenses. I guess I’ve just never been in the position of releasing any of my code to the public before, oddly enough. Anyway, now I am releasing some small programs so I thought I should take a more...
VidiSynth Enclosure and Sensors
I sent Paul Sobczak a VidiSynth a couple of weeks ago and he’s been running with it. He built a custom enclosure, figured out a good way to wire it all up and also has been experimenting with different ways to build the sensors using various suction cups for attachment to the video source (much cleaner than using tape which is my standard method).
He’s got a flickr set devoted to...
4 tags
555 Contest Entry: VidiSynth
The VidiSynth is a circuit with multiple oscillators that are controlled with light sensors attached to a video screen.
Video + Synthesizer = Vidi Synth
The light sensors create interesting and complex sounds based on the intensity of different areas of the screen. I also learned from experimentation that if the sensors are attached to an LCD screen you get relatively normal square wave tones...
VidiSynth in the Wild
Sighted at the Hack Factory, it’s blurry but it’s back there. What’s a VidiSynth you ask? Details are forthcoming.
Microphone Wind Screen
I’ve been trying to gather the materials for the Zoom H2 digital recorder that I have. I found this video that gives great instructions but it’s been a challenge to find the right fabric. My helpful mother-in-law found something that she thought might work and wrapped it up for me for Christmas. I also found some high density foam at the local craft store. So the time has come. ...
Mux Dump
I started working on a project using a multiplexer with the Arduino. Here’s a varied collection of info that I came across in my research.
Arduino Playground: Analog Multiplexer/Demultiplexer - 4051
Arduino MIDI out example
CD4051 Data Sheet - TI
CD4051 Data Sheet - Fairchild
Using 4051 analog multiplexer/demultiplexer
Arduino Mux Shield
Here are some links related to generating...
Arduino on a Breadboard
My primary Arduino (I really new a few more of those) is currently allocated to another application so I dug out one of my breadboarded Arduinos to start a new project. It’s been a while since I used it so I had to scrape off some rust (from my brain, not the Arduino).
Here are some helpful links in that regard:
Setting up an Arduino on a Breadboard
ICSP Hookup Diagram
Arduino Chip...
Behold FET Buffer #1
I’m not convinced I have it right as there is major drop in volume with the buffer vs. without the buffer which wasn’t present on the breadboard. I can’t decide if it matters how the input and output leads are wired.
Also bask in the wonder that are my Sugru embellished plugs from a previous project.
Build Better Contact Mics with a FET Buffer
I breadboarded the FET Buffer circuit that I mentioned a couple days ago, I also rigged a quick and dirty AB switch so I could do a simple demonstration of the results which you can listen too below. Even this crude demonstration shows that there is a definite difference, the FET Buffer clearly removes the tinny quality inherent in piezo pickups. I’ll build a more official contact mic...
PingduinoM: Video or it didn't happen
A video of my ping visualizer was demanded, I aim to please. It doesn’t take much to push it into the red with my fabulous ISP, I just have to bring up a video.
Original Post
BlinkM Diffuser
As I expect is generally the case with RGB LEDs, the BlinkM needs a diffuser to properly mix colors. I’ve used a variety of things for diffusers in the past, usually something within arms reach. They tended to be relatively large and fragile.
This time I wanted to come up with something more compact but that still used whatever materials I have on hand. One of the first things I came...
From the Days When Towers Towered
Of course the sad thing is that even when this box was new it wasn’t exactly impressive, but some yahoo at my first job thought that if you got the same hardware in a tower vs. a desktop that somehow made it better.
I did however have FreeBSD running on it at some point and used it as a auto-dialing router which I even hauled to a LAN party once.
Thank the FSM for wi-fi and nearly...
January 2011
5 posts
PingduinoM
I never appreciated my internet connection enough when I lived in the city. Now that I’m a country mouse I think it really IS a series of tubes. Reliable it’s not. So I thought it would be fun to use an Arduino, my BlinkM and a bit of python to create a visual network monitor.
Here are the steps:
1. Plug your BlinkM into analog ports 2-5 (the standard way instructed by ThingM).
...
Launch Controller Links
I’m still researching the details for building a rocket launch controller, the major part of that so far has been figuring out the best relay.
For the launch controller I’m looking at 12-24V and potentially high current before the igniter fires. The minimum resistance for igniters seems to be around .5 ohm which at 12 volts would be 24 amps. The first link below also discusses...
Simple Diet Coke and Mentos Nozzles
There are various plans for nozzles online but I wanted something simple and a bit more elegant (if that’s possible with PVC) than what I was seeing. I also wanted my nozzles to use as few parts as possible.
Here’s what I came up with:
Parts:
1” PVC threaded to smooth adapter
3/4” PVC end cap that fits inside the smooth end of the adapter
12, 16 or 20 ounce plastic...
FET Buffer Links
I’m working on building a FET Buffer for piezo mics, following are a couple relevant links. A post concerning my success or failure will be forthcoming once I do the work.
DIY Contact Microphone
Piezo contact mic amplifier
Get Better Sound from Piezo Mics
October 2010
1 post
Spooky Sounds
It is often nice to have a way to add sound to your projects, especially Halloween projects. An easy and cheap way to do this is to pick up an inexpensive surplus voice recorder module from All Electronics and modify it to be triggered by an Arduino. I bought a bunch of them to play with.
So let’s get into it, first we need to dismantle the recorder. 1. Remove the batteries and...
September 2010
2 posts
What is a hobby anyway?
“What is a hobby anyway? Where is the line of demarcation between hobbies and ordinary normal pursuits? I have been unable to answer this question to my own satisfaction. At first blush I am tempted to conclude that a satisfactory hobby must be in large degree useless, inefficient, laborious, or irrelevant. Certainly many of our most satisfying avocations today consist of making something by...
October 2009
2 posts
* Casper Electronics » Drone Lab V2 →
Ooh, this looks like a fun kit, can’t wait to see a price.
June 2009
2 posts
Pretty Quiet Around Here
Haven’t been thinking about the blog much lately. Project 365 continues to slide but may reappear eventually as something new. I’ve been in collecting mode lately, trying to pull together the obtainium for various projects.
Stuff I’m working on:
Still trying to finish my Atari Punk Console. I wanted it to have a visual component with some flashing/changing lights. I finally...
May 2009
27 posts
Project 365: Life is Noise
For whatever reason life has been extra heavy this week and has been sucking the creative drive out of me. So after posting my weekend batch of images on Tuesday I decided to take a little break. I’ll pick it up this weekend once I get away from the coal mine.
Project 365: Just not happening today.
Will have to be another double tomorrow, or not.