keskiviikko 22. elokuuta 2012

37. Machine gun Aztec

2012-08-03-IMG_8102.CR2

3 channels, 10 steps per channel. External clock goes through opto-isolator that is connected to a big TO-3 canned transistor. The transistor feeds a solenoid that pulls the sequencer gear forward. Can be adapted to high-powered applications, if enough current goes through a channel sparks form at contact points. One subjective downside of the sequencer is the noise it emanates.

Scan-120513-0005

tiistai 21. elokuuta 2012

36. Phone Tapping Sequencer

IMG_2015

Two channels of (up to) 64 steps tap sequencer, in the picture above it is triggering toy organ drum sounds. The device is built of two 4557 variable lenght shift registers and a switchable AND for both channels to separate consequent steps.

IMG_2011

Played by tapping on tempo, this device is part of an interconnected/synced costume system (provides both clock and power) that Koelse has used in live concert.

35. Radio/Sequencer

2012-04-29-IMG_1700.CR2

Three channels of 16 steps of pulse, one CV channel. Can be used as a radio or a sequencer, depending how you route the power supply. Incidentally playing cassettes is no longer possible:( Sequencing (if needed more than radio entertainment) can be timed with an external or internal clock controlling a binary counter connected to a 4067, etc. Contains approximately half a kilo of switches. Never again.

2010-04-20-_MG_9507.CR2

34. Seqlunker

IMG_1291

This contraption consists of AC motor-driven camshaft pressing a row of switches, and, if memory serves me, a 4532 with its inputs fed with an external clock that is wired through the aforementioned switches. Three outputs of the 4532 can be used to create different levels of pseudo-randomness when/where pseudo-randomness is desired. The machine sounds a bit like a bunch of huge insects tap dancing.

33. Eko uber jno R

IMG_0012
4017 timed by a built-in or external clock, 3 channels, 3-10 steps/channel of pulse output. Keys can be used to play drum sounds.

This drum machine/sequencer started life (maybe in the 70's) as an Italian electric organ, Eko Super Junior R. At some point the organ sounds had stopped working, but the drum sounds still worked so it seemed appropriate to make a sort of a drum machine out of it. Eko was adjusted to a proper drum machine shape with a saw, and excess keys were archived to Koelse dungeon. Scars of the surgery were covered with fake fur.
IMG_0012
The sequencer can trigger drum&noise sounds from the original Eko pcb, and also external devices like the toy organ in the topmost picture.

keskiviikko 25. heinäkuuta 2012

32. Dream Machine

2012-04-29-IMG_1694.CR2 For producing simple rhythmic patterns with long pauses in between.

Based on binary counter and multiplexer, Dream Machine has 8 outputs and a combined output. At any time, exactly one output is active unless that output has been turned off with buttons in the front. Switching of outputs is controlled by external clock. There is also an auxiliary pulse input which can be turned on or off. When off, the whole sequence in controlled by the primary clock input. When on, control of one of the three bits that select output is transferred to the the auxiliary input.

A rotary switch on the panel allows for changing the sequence pattern. In basic mode, all outputs are cycled periodically, whereas other three modes give more complex pattern with various total lengths. With the rotary switch, different styles can be used select the total length of the pattern. Then the active outputs can be selected to fine-tune the pattern. If unpredictable or very long patterns are desired, the auxiliary input can be connected to complex output of some other sequencer.

31. Ericsson

2012-04-29-IMG_1691.CR2 An example of higher-order recycling, this instrument re-recycles casing and some parts from an older disassembled Koelse instrument. Probably whoever invented the word recycling was thinking of something like this when he put the 'cycle' in there.

Ericsson is a sequenced bank of four voltage controlled oscillators. Each oscillator has its own CV in channel. Sequencing the oscillators is controlled either by external clock input or internal voltage controlled clock. There are outputs for each oscillator separately and a combined output.

Due to serendipitous accident in circuit design, this sequencer is able to power itself from CV inputs. Irregularity of this kind of power supply also causes all kinds of interesting glitches, extending Ericsson's musical possibilities.

One important feature still in the to-do list is a pulse input for muting output. Until it is added, Ericsson is a bit too dominant to be used as a lead instrument, but works very well for generating low volume background soundscapes.