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A while in the past, Joshua Coleman Makes constructed a modular synth rack primarily based on a 555 sq. wave generator as one of many modules, together with an Arduino-based VDCO, or Voltage Managed Digital Core Multimode Oscillator. Extra data on the Arduino bit will be discovered right here on GitHub, however the brief story is that between these two modules – and no matter else he hooks up – the rack is ready to generate all kinds of sounds.
The “no matter else” on this case is an Apple II pc that pipes in analog voltages with the assistance of a DAC pack initially meant for mannequin trains. This DAC, which is kind of hefty by right now’s requirements, regulates voltages by way of an 8-bit enter from the pc for modification of the unit’s sounds output. Coleman wrote two BASIC applications on the Apple II to facilitate music making, together with one which performs “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and one other that turns the Apple keyboard itself right into a musical enter.
The video under goes over the construct idea in additional element, and it’s enjoyable to see a DIY modular synth setup managed by the sort of classic gear. Given the scale of the DAC unit – and what one seemingly value on the time in comparison with cheap chips of right now – it’s fascinating to think about what hackers of yesteryear needed to undergo to create superior digital results!
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