Maplin Function Generator (Oscillator)

I bought and assembled this Maplin function generator, which is a 4 waveform DCO with basic pitch control. The kit comes with buttons to control the pitch, but I wanted to see if I could apply constant rather than stepped control to the pitch of the output. As you can see in the video, by bridging the pins that I put in rather than the buttons, you can effect a smooth change across the oscillator's range in both directions.

More at www.isotopeofme.com

These kits are amazing for beginning circuit bending. The sounds that you can eek out of this aren't that exciting in and of themselves, but combined with the "voice changer" (an LFO/pitch shifter/tremolo kit), and the crazy music generator (a primitive Theremin type kit) and a little ingenuity you can come up with some great circuit bending toys.

I plan to wire switches up to the pitch controls, on this one as well as a brush assembly to swipe across the IC pins to effect random change. Housed in a project box with the voice changer and a little bit of CV, I could have a useful effect box.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Electronics Kit
• DIY
• Function Generator
• Oscillator
• DCO
• circuit bending

[FerHivore]

Sounds like a painful trip to the dentist.

[formant84]

some cool effects there! but for the record I have the same kit and the buttons actually give a smooth change in pitch, not stepped like you would expect!

[Drevilbreakfast]

I just bought their theramin kit so i will be making a tutorial when i dig out the soldering iron nice sounds

[fwbrc51]

i wish i hadn't watched this with a headset on for listening.

[nathanielscott]

Really nice. Great demo! Thanks for posting this.

[SSNK101]

That's cool. Ive got the same kit from Maplin.but where did get the sound from?and i havent got the chords.Ive got to make a power supply for this circuit first and then i will be testing it on a CRO.Sounds very Naive...isn't it?