I love this keyboard!

[Tyler1144]

I had one when i was a kid, very young, but i dont remember what happened to it
The sounds are very rich and powerful for squarewave, and believe it or not you can actually build one because it uses a 9037 IC

Manual/schematics: http://manuals.elenco.com/manuals/ak-900.pdf (schematics are on page 18)

Info: http://weltenschule.de/TableHooters/HingHon_EK001.html


Squarewave keyboard (sounds like C64)


I would really love to build one of my own and re-live some fun times, but im having a hard time finding this 9037 IC. Does anyone know where one can be found?

[Circuitbenders]

Presumably your researches have already shown you that the Hinghon is one of the most discussed keyboards in the circuitbending world. There are already a fair few posts on the subject on this forum.

[noystoise]

yeah, these are pretty common. there are many variations on this keyboard too like the cx500 and others that produce the same sounds. there is also a version of this keyboard that doesnt have the c64 sounds but rather some really cheapo samples. i think it also has animal sounds. heres a ek 001 i destroyed a little while ago
circuit bent keyboard

[Tyler1144]

I wonder if they still make the 9037 ic, if they do then i can build one but id also have to build my own case which may be fun

[Circuitbenders]

I'd be willing to bet that if you can buy them, you won't be able to get them in anything other than industrial quantities. It looks like the kind of specialist IC thats ordered in vast amounts by chinese companies as a standard part for loads of cheap stuff like the Hing Hon. getting hold of just one might be tricky.

On the othe hand i could be completely wrong.

[noystoise]

i have seen this keyboard as a kit before. thats probably where that manual came from. yeah it was on ebay a couple years back. maybe radioshack would have some info in their archives or something... id love to find more of these. unfortunately all of the thrift stores(across the US apparently) have stopped selling toys altogether due to some lead hysteria. im glad i hoarded all my toys when i had the chance but now im running out!

[Tyler1144]

Well im gonna hunt down this IC