555 Contest Entry - Synthanola

This is my 555 Contest (www.555contest.com) entry. It is an analogue synthesiser based on 555 timers, with three channels and four octaves per channel. It is sequenced with either paper tape (as shown) or by any 8-bit interface with suitable flow control.

More details and circuit diagrams at http://kaput.retroarchive.org/555/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 555
• timer
• 555-contest
• analogue
• synthesiser

[thenendo]

The fact that there is no ambient sound before/after the music, and that you don't say anything, will unfortunately make many people suspicious that this is dubbed. Not an accusation, but just so you're aware.

[256byteram]

@thenendo I had the output of the synth plugged directly into my computer along with the camera. I know what you mean though.

[CampKohler]

You must immediately remove the infringing audio from this video! WMG has determined that it matches one of the 421,678,922,456,754 songs that WMG has registered at the U.S. Copyright Office by means of shipping them a small uCPU board that randomly plays every possible permutation. If your song has not played yet, it will, sooner or later, so your goose is legally cooked!

It's true, I tell you.

[256byteram]

@CampKohler what the hell are you talking about.

[douro20]

@OldCrowsSynthShop

Yeah, I wonder if he has the Heathkit H8 to go with it.

[smartpartzzkidd]

A superb entry!

[FlyByPC]

@256byteram A CPU programmed to play every possible song (combination of notes) so as to be able to "copyright" each one -- including Happy Birthday, Bach's B-minor mass, and Shiny Happy People -- by sending a device which "plays" all of them eventually. It would take longer than the lifetime of the Universe to do so. This would be funny, except there's probably some copyright troll out there who's given it serious thought. Nice project, BTW -- driving it from paper tape is pure class!

[OldCrowsSynthShop]

I love the old Heathkit paper tape reader/writer.

[cristinaGlopez]

555 plays Bach???

[DoloresHaze84]

@CampKohler LOL Yeah really. WMG and Viacom are such @n@l tools.

[CampKohler]

@apple2forever Well, at least someone has a sense of humor!

[apple2forever]

@256byte - CampKohler is joking with you, pretending to be a patent/copyright troll.

I predict that someday, the name 256byte will be as famous in music circles as 50 cent!