LFO 1/4 jack in/out question

crossedout · April 18, 2010, 01:50:24 AM

the way i make my LFO's into toys is i build a simple LED flasher circuit from a 555 chip running two LED's. i then tape one LED to a photo resistor and mount the other LED on the outside of the toy. then i just solder the two ends of the photo resistor to my bend.

but here is my question, could i put my LFO in a breakout box with a 1/4 jack output that is connected to the photo resistor, and then put a 1/4 jack input on my toy with the jack connected to the bend that i want to add my lfo to.

i would then use a patch chord to connect the two.

would this work?

Spann · April 18, 2010, 01:57:04 AM

So far as I know, yes - Although I'd imagine you'd potentially have to consider voltage differences and the like.

I'm working on something with a similar idea to this tomorrow, I could report if you'd like. I'm sure people more experienced with 555s than I could tell you more definitely though.

crossedout · April 18, 2010, 01:59:27 AM

sure! i would definitely be interested, 555's are great.

Spann · April 18, 2010, 02:01:41 AM

Oh, hang on.

You'd still be using the Photoresistor and the LED yeah?

crossedout · April 18, 2010, 03:21:44 AM

yes

phantompowers · April 18, 2010, 06:39:27 AM

Yes, that will work. I've been doing very similar experiments myself.

http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1502.msg9134.html#msg9134

Spann · April 18, 2010, 11:32:23 AM

Funnily enough, that vid was exactly what I was thinking about.

I'm experimenting with just sending the output straight through a jack - hopefully I'll at least have some sound tonight.

crossedout · April 18, 2010, 09:43:13 PM

thanks for the input! that video is great.

crossedout · May 10, 2010, 08:21:09 PM

alright i have another question. my original plan was to build a two in one lfo box so i could drive two toys at the same time, at different speeds or synced up to the same speed. but more is better, so the question is could i drive 4 toys (2 of each having the same speed as each other, or all 4 synced up) with only 2 lfo circuits? would the fan-out of the 555 chip take part in this? also, the way i would sync them to the same speed is simply putting a switch in between the outputs of the 555's, i would turn one lfo circuit off and then hit the sync switch so one circuit would be driving 4 of the outputs.

basically the question is could i run 4 led's at the same brightness from one lfo circuit.

Gordonjcp · May 10, 2010, 09:22:58 PM

Yes of course, just make sure the outputs that drive the LEDs are buffered correctly.

crossedout · May 11, 2010, 10:26:29 AM

would it matter if i used mono or stereo patch cables and jacks? would just mono be ok?

jamiewoody · September 13, 2010, 01:38:27 AM

do you have an illustration of your lfo with the in-out jacks? i have been wanted to build one of these for some time, that i can maybe plug sometime into. this would be an act of mercy! ;-)