Tiger Quiz Wiz (now a synth!)

jamiewoody · January 09, 2010, 10:57:38 PM

this was in my box of yardsale finds, waiting to be bent! ;-)

i took it apart and examined the circuit. there were two boards. one tiny one, which was the mian circuit, and one slightly bigger board of sensors, for switches,etc.

at first listen, the beeps sounded kind of cool, the natural sound the buttons make.

eventually, i got to probing, and i found a buzz, which was kinda cool! i found a lower pitched buzz, and a sort of higher pitched tweet sound! hmm....

so, i tried different potentiometers, and settled with a 1k for the main sound (the first one you hear now when the unit is turned on. i did another 1k on the bassier buzz-tone, and wired a switch to the tweet in series between it and the low buzz.

after realizing how this thing can crash easily, i got to thinking.i started to probe, and found a point which would "reset" things. so, i installed a reset switch.

so, 2 potentiometers and three switches so far. i also need a power switch for this new circuit, so i think i will wire a 2 way toggle between the negative of the battery compartment.

the only problem left is the battery compartment itself. since the original case is out of the equasion, and i am installing it in a clear rubbermade container now, i have to figure a way to do the batteries. it uses 3 "AA". i might step up to 3 "C" cells instead, for longer battery life. i could go with a 4.5 wall wart, but the more i think about it, i hate the idea of how they clutter life up!

also, the speaker in the original unit was this tiny 1" speaker, i think the cone might be gel, and it was impossible to remove. so, i upgraded to a leftover casio 4" speaker...and talk about BALLS!!! it made a world of difference! i think i will install an audio out jack too.

now, i have a really cool synth! it seems like a glorified LFO!!!

so, now, to tie it all together!

jamiewoody · January 10, 2010, 01:52:19 AM

it is now a FINISHED PIECE! (well, i do plan to add an output jack and some rubber feet, other than that...).

image coming up...

jamiewoody · January 10, 2010, 02:11:55 AM

Remork · January 10, 2010, 11:15:56 AM

the picture ain't true 'til we hear it

jamiewoody · January 10, 2010, 06:50:23 PM

oh, comon', can't you tell just by looking at it?!

listen to the sustain....if it were plugged in, you could hear it! ;-)

Remork · January 10, 2010, 11:21:13 PM

i'm not even looking at it

jamiewoody · January 12, 2010, 12:16:55 AM

the translucent orange is drawing you near, you will not resist it! ;-)

(a website of my projects is coming soon. will include sound clips and photos).

Dylan · January 12, 2010, 12:23:44 AM

It looks rather sexy; but I agree, we need to hear it.

jamiewoody · January 12, 2010, 12:31:04 AM

Quote from: Dylan on January 12, 2010, 12:23:44 AM
It looks rather sexy; but I agree, we need to hear it.

you make me blush!!!

jamiewoody · January 16, 2010, 02:25:26 AM

i had some leds i had not used yet. so, i tested them through the circuit with jumpers.

eventually, i remembered, "this IS actually a diode and not a glorified lightbulb!" LOL!

so, i found i was able to increase the strength of the soundwave by adding one to the left and middle pins of the potentiometers.

i also added one to the speaker for looks.

so, this translucent box looks even cooler with red leds!