4 step sequencer with 4 oscillators.

phantompowers · May 31, 2010, 11:20:02 AM

4 oscillators with a 4 step sequencer.mp4

I've just finished making this and I thought I would share it with you all.

I didn't follow any single schematic for this, I pieced it together out of what info I could find.
I have made several timer circuits with a 555 chip before so there was no problem in making that part of it. Schematics for this part can be found all over. I then made an LED sequencer using info from this site - http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_7/6.html

I then made four identical oscillators on a 40106 ic using info I found here - http://www.milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/

Nicholas Collins book was also an excellent resource - http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Electronic-Music-Hardware-Hacking/dp/0415975921 Everyone needs a copy of this book!!!

The four pulses from the 4017 were then sent to the inputs on the 40106.

It works but not quite as I intended it to! Each oscillator affects the sound of the others even when they are not switched on. Also I didn't ground any of the unused inputs or send power to pin 14 on the 40106. It just seemed to work better this way on the breadboard.

I also added vactrols to the 1st and 3rd beats which are controlling the kick drum and hi-hat you can hear half way through the vid.

nochtanseenspecht · May 31, 2010, 08:45:50 PM

cool

kitsophrenik · June 01, 2010, 08:37:19 AM

hi! really love this...

could you offer me some tips/advice on how to get the sounds to repeat???

im quite new to the whole circuit bending /homemade electronics game! (lol game) and im struggling with a few aspects...

ive bent a yamaha pss 80 (i fink it is...gonna get sum piks up when im done) also a few kids toys, a drum and a vtech sumts or other!

what im really after building is someform of soundeffects unit... then plan .... or idea was i got a toy or a cuple of toys that play just random one shot noises (like a toy drum machiene..mayb?) and mount them in my own unit with repeaters or ossilator type thingys....

but its this idea of gettin something to repeat tht im stuck with i litterally have no idea bowt how to make this happen... im either quite thick and its somthing obvious tht im missing.... or i need a masters in electicall enginering...

any help would be greatly appreciated! ..

taa

=)

phantompowers · June 26, 2010, 10:45:18 AM

Like I said above, I have attached vactrols to the 1st and 3rd beat counts on this sequencer and outputted these via RCA jacks. It works great at switching various bits of kit on and off when connected, all perfectly in sync. But what would make it better is being able to increase the amount of time that the 'switches' are 'on' for and be able to adjust this length. Can anyone point me in the right direction with this?

phantompowers · June 26, 2010, 10:59:10 AM

Also, If I want the sequencer to trigger more than one bit of kit on the same beat, what would be the best way to do this? I can imagine that it would be possible if I attach more LED/vactrols but surely there is another way of doing this.
Are opto couplers the right things to use?
Sorry if I'm being annoying!

Timodon · July 02, 2010, 11:30:07 AM

Oooh this is wicked!

Definitely want to build a step sequencer at some point soon. lots of scope for original sounding devices from what I've seen on youtube so far and yours is no exception! Are you playing with reverb as well in this vid?

phantompowers · July 03, 2010, 10:51:42 AM

Cheers Tim! Yeah, I didn't realise the reverb was switched on 'til I watched the vid back. My ears must have been tired!
I also switch on an echo box about 1/4 of the way through. I wish I hadn't done either cos it sounds quite muddy.
It's back on the work bench at the moment, getting some final adjustments. Although, I am seriously thinking about rebuilding again from scratch as it is such a fuckin' mess inside!

I took this photo just before the final wiring. The 40106 circuit is on the left, the 4017 in the middle and the 555 circuit on the right. I really ought to start making proper circuit boards! I try and reduce all production costs to virtually nothing and recycle everything but sometimes you have got to reluctantly spend some cash! On the other hand, I don't mind giving all my cash to dealers and off licences!