I want a ribbon synth so bad, however, I feel like to get a decent one you have to drop a grand or build your own. Wish I was smart enough to understand how to do this.
Hi!, I tried to do the same thing as you did. I bought a softpot linear potentiometer and i hooked up the leads from the wires to it but i dont seem to get any sound! did you use the same gauge wire as the ones that came with the gakken? thanks a lot mate!
If you hook up the wires correctly (stylus' wire to the ribbon's center post), you should be getting something. I think I used 22 gauge wire, but that shouldn't matter, because the ribbon is just a variable resistor.
@xsupernazix thanks... this case and the components of this instrument have been improved since I shot this video: stexeweb.com/electronics_frankenribbon1.html
On the Gakken, the stylus has a single wire coming out of it. The surface you place it on (to close the circuit) has two wires.
The ribbon controller has three poles on it to attach the wires. If I recall correctly, the one from the stylus goes in the center. The other two go on either side of it. If you're getting high frequency to the left and low frequency to the right, switch those two wires. That's all there is to it. No additional discrete components were used.
There's a little bit of reverb coming through the multi-effect pedal (also controlling volume). Otherwise, it's still just a Gakken SX-150 in a new case with new controls.
I want a ribbon synth so bad, however, I feel like to get a decent one you have to drop a grand or build your own. Wish I was smart enough to understand how to do this.
SixSickSixOfficial 2 months ago
My God this sounds good.
chrisjhart221138 2 months ago
Hi!, I tried to do the same thing as you did. I bought a softpot linear potentiometer and i hooked up the leads from the wires to it but i dont seem to get any sound! did you use the same gauge wire as the ones that came with the gakken? thanks a lot mate!
xsupernazix 8 months ago
If you hook up the wires correctly (stylus' wire to the ribbon's center post), you should be getting something. I think I used 22 gauge wire, but that shouldn't matter, because the ribbon is just a variable resistor.
stexe 8 months ago
@stexe awesome! thanks man it works now...time to install it in a proper casing...
i also checked out your other vids and the music is great keep it up!
xsupernazix 8 months ago
@xsupernazix thanks... this case and the components of this instrument have been improved since I shot this video: stexeweb.com/electronics_frankenribbon1.html
stexe 8 months ago
@stexe I saw the pics thats pretty cool.
I got mine working and hooked it up to my guitar amp and it seems very low on volume. How did you hook yours up so its loud?
xsupernazix 8 months ago
I LIKE IT!!!!!!
tomdcour 9 months ago
did you just replaced the stylus on the Gakken? did you used a voltage divider on the ribbon?
JorgeCortez01 1 year ago
On the Gakken, the stylus has a single wire coming out of it. The surface you place it on (to close the circuit) has two wires.
The ribbon controller has three poles on it to attach the wires. If I recall correctly, the one from the stylus goes in the center. The other two go on either side of it. If you're getting high frequency to the left and low frequency to the right, switch those two wires. That's all there is to it. No additional discrete components were used.
stexe 1 year ago
now thats a cool synth
smartpartzzkidd 1 year ago
Excellent!
IllPropaganda 2 years ago
Beautiful... Reminds me of Delia Derbyshire - Blue Veils and Golden Sand
aRhesusMonkey 2 years ago
Incredible!
psound79 2 years ago
Did you do anything else to the gakken sx to make it sound like that?
megamanisgod 2 years ago
There's a little bit of reverb coming through the multi-effect pedal (also controlling volume). Otherwise, it's still just a Gakken SX-150 in a new case with new controls.
stexe 2 years ago
@stexe did you just replaced the stylus on the Gakken? did you used a voltage divider on the ribbon?
JorgeCortez01 1 year ago
wow..........that's all i can say
markmccrary 2 years ago