[sdiy] DIY Optical organs.

[phillip m gallo]

What where the original spec's for the optigon?

Was it linear velocity or did the higher notes encode in the smaller
diameter portion of the record surface?

Your "Tube" idea sounds "conceptually" like a Mellotron since each recording
is of equal length (but with no spring return).  And since no spring return
how will you control rotation (assuming an "attack" "sustain" and "decay")?
Or does the "ORGAN" part mean "bang yer on" "bang yer off"?

Since the original "records" where "printed" they were not "pixelated" but
continuous representations.  Would you OPTO integrate the "BEST QUALITY"
printing into an essentially linear reproduction?

The optigon records i remember had pattern percussion which i thought was
also on the record.

interesting project, basically an analog sample playback system.

regards,
p

 Hi.
I'm a fan of the old optigan organs, and after despairing of finding one in
Wales, have decided to have a go at building one. The principle looks
straight forward, and I can code a little, so I think I can make something
similar using a computer to generate the tracks.

Rather than attempting to make circular records, I think it will be possible
to print the waveforms onto transparent acetate with a laser printer, and
roll the resulting sheet around a clear plastic tube about 6" in diameter.

I will then put the light source inside the tube, use a motor to turn it,
and use a single hand held photocell to select the tracks.
With a 1400 dpi printer I reackon I could get about 2 seconds of 7k
bandwidth with a pretty low amplitude resolution with about 10 tracks per
sheet.

Anyone tried laser printing waveforms onto acetate? I'm not expecting hi-fi
results. :)
I guess the only way is to try it, but I would be interested to see if
anyone else has had a go, and if they had any advice.
This list looks like a good place to ask!

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.445 / Virus Database: 250 - Release Date: 1/21/03
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/attachments/20030127/fa08e518/attachment.htm>