Sound to vision machine

[Arabhacks]

This is but one version of a color organ.

In place of tubes and LEDs, use old style light bulbs, like what ferrowatt sells.

Use solid state, much easier, and drive them with triacs.

And, yes, solid state has its distortion and tubes their way.

I frequently take a single ended tube output and construct a push pull with the other half being solid state and doing 3/4 of the load.

This gives an interesting balance.

Tubes distort more than a transistor so the lopsided output.

[LorenzoNW]

Very nice. I'd love to see you take an old tube radio and design and build a Steampunk chassis that exposes and accentuates the aesthetics of tube electronics. Either that or build one from the ground up. Surprisingly, I haven't found anything like this — only radios with "Steampunk decorations" added on which looks like an afterthought, more like faux Steampunk.

[JingleJoe]

Thats exactly what I think, it's faux steampunk. I'm acctually a bit embarased that I used valves improperly here but at the time it seemed like as good idea, I have been trying to build some valve based electronics - I will try to make a proper steampunk valve radio next! Thanks for the idea :)

[LorenzoNW]

Great, I look forward to seeing seeing your finished Steampunk audiophile radio :) Jolida has a very nice new 10 watt integrated tube amp called the FX 10 you might be able to use as a base. And Scanspeak makes a great tweeter and mid-woofer in their Revelator Line. Always thought tube electronics sounded more musical. Solid-state produces unpleasant odd-order harmonic distortion while tubes produce even-order which is the same distortion made by acoustic instruments.

[cubetube232]

do you sell stuff? could that item be made into a backpack version?

[JingleJoe]

I do sell stuff, but I won't sell this, I've got alot of other fantastical devices similar to this one in the works, which will be for sale! So keep an eye out for them on brass goggles or something :)

[cubetube232]

ow great... well im not that handy when it comes to electrical stuff etc. but am looking for some steampunk gear that actualy works... maybe i could contact you next month or so? to talk about some ideas that i have for steampunk gear ? i have a hard time finding people who are good at making steampunk related things.

[JingleJoe]

Well look no further :) I can make anything! My latest invention might be just the thing for you, it looks something like this but it is portable and it detects electromagnetic waves (in short, the very æther itself!) a month or so from now will be when it is for sale!

[wisteela]

Fantastic!

[42fba]

I love your steampunk devices. They look more functional than most : )

[JingleJoe]

That is because they are! I make sure they all have switches and dials and things that acctually controll aspects of them! And/or have some random pointless funtion- like turning sound into light :) Thankyou, by the by ^_^

[CrazyAd88]

dude, i was hoping to see what high people say they see, ohhhhhh yeahhhhh

[clydesight]

This is cool! How about a video showing us how to make one, or something that lights up with sound. I love things that light up! I think this type of thing would be wonderful with a vintage tape recorder driving it!

[JingleJoe]

Thanks :) but I can't really make a "how to" video, it would be hours long if I explained how to make a doohickey just like this.

You can buy a sound to light circuit from maplin (the electronics specialists) soldier it up and modify it to your wishes as I did here :)

Also theres a tutorial and lots of information on LED modding valves linked in the description, hope you find that useful :)

[clydesight]

Thanks, I found a site in the US that has something called a "color organ" which seems to be a sound to light circuit. I read your web page about the tubes too,cool. Thanks!

[TheMorMor]

Cool! But i hope that the Valves where broken or its a hell of a waste of good valves, if they where good that is.

[JingleJoe]

Ah don't worry about the valves ;) I collect them and like to use them in my inventions too, one- the one with the top contact, was broken, the others probably work but even so they still will!

My modifications leave them totally usable; after you remove them from the doohickey and take off but a little thermoplastic glue from around thier pins- which is pretty damn easy :)

[TheMorMor]

Cool!I always thaught they where just one piece of glas. I have plans for a similar project. To modify a computer casing a bit and put some Valves in them but to put old tiny light bulbs in them so that they will give of a more "genuine" glow.

[JingleJoe]

Hmm, I thought I already replied to your second comment but it's not showing up? sorry if this is a double post! -

Amber or "sunset" colour LED's work brilliantly for giving a genuine thermionic valve colour glow! :)

And check the video description now for a link to a tutorial I made on making LED-valves :)

[TheMorMor]

I know! that happens al the time for me to. Some bug in youtube.

Okay, i will check them out.

Thanks

[JingleJoe]

Hey the link is there now, sorry it took a while to update it, got distracted by shiny brass things... ^_^;