Industrial Meter Audio

Audio recording:

Just a quick listen to the range of frequency and sound generated with this latest build. No additional effects devices or treatments were applied.

Completed Project

It's Alive!!

Below are pictures of the latest FrankenMusik creation.  Truly a pieced together table top synthesizer/Drone machine, of course all electr4ical components are new : )   Circuit is based on the 40106 and 4093 IC

Features:
4 - Oscillators
      Each with on/off switch to main output
1 - Gate Oscillator
      With on/of switch
1 - 1/4" Output Jack
1 - Output signal LED
Power input and switch

Hand made with a reused wood case vintage multimeter from Radio City Products. 

Pictures:

New Monster Box

I put together a drone circuit based on two IC's, the 40106 and 4093.  The 40106 will serve as the basis for the oscillators and the 4093 will serve as a gate filter.  Quick demo video below to show the idea.  Although not fully developed, it has great control and sound.  I went with lower frequencies for the oscillators.  In this demo, there are only two oscillators running.

The first version will be completed in a week or so and will be a special one off enclosure.

Circuit Bent PSS-140 V2 Finished!

Well, I finally finished the YAMAHA PSS-140.  It didn't take 20 days to modify this instrument : )  I did however tend to either play with the keyboard in its mid altered state or poked around and trying different ideas out.

Th end result is what I present below.

Bent Features:

• 8 - Data line modification, made with 8 three position switches.  Each switch is connected to the data line between the FM and CPU chip.  I also wired up 4 sets of mixed data lines.
• Positions:  Data Line On / Data Line OFF / Swapped Data Line

• LFO, with rate, signal strength controls and on/off switch

• Tone control

• Feedback/Distortion control

• Pitch shift (for all keys above the accompaniment section) lowers the keys several octaves.

Added handles to complete the feel of the modification, adds a bit of weight and sturdiness to the keyboard.  

Where the internal speaker used to reside now is home to the data line switches, pitch, distortion and tone controls.

 LFO section.

Keyboard is useful in "normal mode", as the 100 Voices on board are quite useful, but more then that are the combinations of new sounds that this machine is now able to create.  Designed to be used a a heavy glitch keyboard, but can make some drones if you fine the right combination.

Circuit Bent PSS-140 V2

I am currently in the process of finishing up a bend on a YAMAHA PSS-140 keyboard.  This will include the data line mod, added capability of mixing data lines, filter and LFO.  Pictures to follow in the coming days.

I also got my hands on a CASI SK-1, so this too will get the FrankenMusik treatment!


Stay tuned!!
-FrankenMusik

Hex Box V3 Video

Short demo of the Hex Box V3 in action!!

Hex Box V3

I could not resist the urge to transform this vintage volt/amp meter into a unique one of a kind instrument.  Based on my previous circuits, this Hex Box is the latest version.  I was able to use all of the existing construction of this meter without many physical changes, most notable is the power input and audio output jacks.  Circuit is based around the CD40106 IC, running with 4 oscillators configured into two pairs.

I decided not to repaint this and keep the original patina.  The meter is connected to the power side of the circuit and reads the current draw.  However, due to the range of the analog meter, the readings are not accurate, but it gives a nice effect.  Unit is complete with power LED, on/off switch and volume control.

Videos to be posted soon.

Hex Drone Box/Delay

Video showing with working 40106 based synthesizer unit.

Hex Drone/Delay Box

Pictures of the latest creation.  Runs with 4 oscillators (wired as two pairs), volume control, 1/4" output jack, standard 2.1mm 9VDC supply power (low mA draw). Delay is outfitted with a delay time control and also a repeat control.

Together, both circuits complement each other and endless drones and textures are created.  I will post a video later.

The industrial finish makes for a nice clean look, I will change the hardware soon.

Pictures of the latest creation.  Runs with 4 oscillators (wired as two pairs), volume control, 1/4" output jack, standard 2.1mm 9VDC supply power (low mA draw). Delay is outfitted with a delay time control and also a repeat control. 

Together, both circuits complement each other and endless drones and textures are created.  I will post a video later.

The industrial finish makes for a nice clean look, I will change the hardware soon.

Hex Drone Box/Delay

Well, it's finally finished.  I combined my hex drone circuit with the delay circuit of a PT2399 IC.  I will post videos and pictures shortly.

4 oscillators, delay and repeat controls too.  Amazing sound from this hand held/table top device.

Stay tuned!!

New Project Drone/Delay

I have a circuit made that uses the Hex Drone Box sound base running through a delay circuit based on the PT2399 IC.  Makes some amazing drones.  Sound (square wave based) section is set, made some adjustments to the Separation portion and changed the frequency range.  Delay side is still in the works, but nearly complete.  I looked at a lot of different arrangements of the circuit, but ended up basing the design around the original schematic found in the specification sheet.  Of course I added a few changes :-)

I will post a video soon of the initial work.

gebrochene augen

I started a blog for my music project gebrochene augen.  The blog is intended to document my experience working with my latest project.  It will report all phases of the project from ideas, sampling sources, demo tracks to full audio just before release, if it gets released--I still need to work this detail out : ) .

You can check it out at:

gebrochene augen blog

Hex Box V2

I am working on an analog based signal device similar to the Hex Drone/Noise Box made previously.  I have plans to change the separation range and also add on-board delay via a PT2399 IC.  The delay will be based of of the data sheet design but will be simplified and built to work specifically with the CD40106 IC and its signal range.

More to follow !!

Drone Box Video

I made a short demo video for the Hex Schmitt Drone box.

 

 Volume is on the far right, the top two and the bottom two controls are the pair of oscillators (four controls total for frequency and separation).  About half way in I kicked some delay effects.

Drone Box Pictures

Pictures of the final build for the mini synth/drone box.

Quad Oscillator Drone Synth

I have been working on a new circuit based around a Hex Schmitt IC.  This offers 4 oscillators and two buffers.  The oscillators are controlled through four potentiometers.  The oscillators are grouped into two pairs with a dual pot for each pair and an additional separation control to individualize each pair.

Volume control on the output, on/off switch and a standard 1/4" output jack.  The circuit runs on 9VDC.

Enclosure is made of die cast aluminum and I gave it a sort of scuff polished looked; something different than paint.  Great small design is easy to handle or perfect for placement on a table amongst other great synths ;)

Audio sample was recorded with the signal pushed through a delay and phaser effect.  On its own this is a great source for some drone type soundscapes and textures.
Quad Oscillator Drone Synth by gebrochene augen


Pictures to be posted soon!

Circuit Bent Casio MT-36

Just finished my latest bend, a Casio MT-36.

This one has an added filter (distortion and tone control), LFO and 5 glitches.  filter has frequency and separate tone control knobs.  The LFO has a Rate control and Amount control.  This keyboard uses a variable capacitor, rather than a resistor or crystal, on the CPU.  With this I used a potentiometer to adjust the amount of LFO signal fed into the timing cap.  This gives the sound out put a wobble or sequenced/ step effect.  At a high enough level, the LFO will make the keyboard loop and glitch.  In addition, there are 5 different bend points (glitches) that I included and are activated by 4 switches.

Output is via the standard (on bard) 1/8 output jack.  Runs on the standard Casio Power Supply (7.5 VDC)

Circuit Bent MT36 demo by gebrochene augen

Atari Punk Console, Industrial V2

Industrial Version 2

Atari Punk Console circuit housed in what was a pump controller.  I recycled the switches and the cast aluminum BUD enclosure. 

Square wave based table top synth/drone machine.
 Dual oscillators, frequency control of both
 LFO with rate control, selectable to run as CV for either oscillator circuit (on/off/on switch)
 Filter circuit built in
 LFO on the filter circuit (on/off switch)
 1/4" audio output jack, LED on output signal
 2.1mm power Jack, runs on 9 VDC power supply (on/off switch)

Video shows this unit inaction.  Signal is running to Reason Record where I am using a Combi. based filter.  Background rhythm is not based/sampled from this APC.

Audio is completely based on the signal from this unit; treated again in Reason : )

Atari Punk Console, Industrial V2 by gebrochene augen

Moog

It's Robert Moog's 78th Birthday today.

Check this out:

MOOG

Google has a really cool Moog synthesizer that one could play.  Wish Google would have kept it up longer.

Atari Punk Console, Industrial Controller V1

Here is the latest creation, straight from the basement laboratory.

Circuit is based on the famous APC (Atari Punk Console), but with some modifications and my own additions.  Unique recycled enclosure was once used to house a metering pump controller.  Now it is transformed into a unique and one of a kind table top synthesizer.

Single square wave oscillator complete with frequency and rate control's, high and low frequency settings, starve control, output signal cutoff frequency and gain control.  Square wave based LFO with frequency control and selector switch to control two different parts of the main oscillator circuit.

Rocker switches are also recycled as well as the manual selectable potentiometer.  All other circuitry and components are new.

Runs on a single, standard 9-12VDC power supply with positive tip polarity and 2.1mm jack

Standard 1/4" output jack.

LED on output signal.

Circuit Bent Casio PT-87

Modified Casio PT-87

Great vintage keyboard from the 1980's with some very interesting modifications.  This one does not have the traditional bends in the circuit.  Because of the chips used to make this keyboard, the bends I found seemed boring and did not produce an interesting variation of output signal/sound.  So I decided to keep the design effective and

Modifications made to this instrument:

• LFO, with Hi and Low frequency settings
• Frequency control
• On/Off switch
• LFO Shape and Depth controls 

• Pitch control
  
•  Filter
• Frequency and shape control
• True Bypass switch

• 1/4" Mono output jack

Short Demo Video:

Audio routed to my Eurorack Pro -> Computer.  No other effects used.

New Stuff On Its Way

I am in the process of completing a Casio PT-87.  Modifications to include a LFO and filter circuit.  More to come in a few days for this one!

Also in the works is a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) Filter with added LFO.  This will be a standalone table top type unit housed in a die cast enclosure.

Additionally, I am working on another Atari Punk Console.  This circuit will have added features to manipulate the output wave shape. It will be housed in a unique, recycled, precision motor controller enclosure. 

--FrankenMusik

Atari Punk Console, Joystick Controller

Just completed another version of the Atari Punk Console (APC).  This one is housed in an Atari Joystick Controller.

Standard dual controls for the oscillators.  This device utilizes the 4-positions of the joystick and the button to change an alter the sound.

1/4" mono output jack
2.1mm input power jack (7-9VDC)
LED out output signal

Video Demo:

Polivoks Filter

Here is a version of the Polivoks Voltage Controlled Filter.

Circuit is based on the LM4250 Programmable OP Amps.  Features:

• Resonance, or "Q" Control
• Cutoff Frequency Control
• LP and BP Filter Settings
• On-board LFO
• Frequency Control
• On/Off Switch
• FM Control (controls the amount of oscillation of filtering)
• 1/4" Input and Output Jacks
• Input Gain Control
•  True Bypass
• Runs on 12VDC input power

I used the LTC1144 IC to make a dual voltage power supply for the circuit (+/- 12VDC).  This worked the best, straight forward and effective solution.

Assembled Unit Demo:

Circuit in development:

Photos of finished filter.

Designed for those who want table top units, guitar pedal type FX units.

Monster Box: Phantom

Square Wave and Triangle Wave based tabletop synthesizer.

4 oscillators
  Triangle Wave, Square Wave selector switches
  Frequency controls, High and Low frequency settings
  Range control, controls the amount of signal to the mixer
On/Off switch, power LED
1/4" Output jack

Oscillators A and B are mixed differently than C and D.  This gives a unique way of blending all or some of the oscillators.. Master volume controls the output signal to an amp, computer, other mixer, or  ... .

Click on image to view larger picture.

Cellar by gebrochene augen

New released album Cellar by my music project gebrochene augen

Self released and distribution made possible by Tunecore.  Music is available electronically (MP3) from stores such as iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.  Hard copies (CD-R) will be available soon.  Full length album contains material from 2010 and 2011.  Tracks are recorded with analog and software based synthesizers and instruments.  In fact, the track Integrate is based off of a recording made with the Steampunk Synth as featured on this blog.

Check it out and download your MP3's today!

Thanks,
Brian