[sdiy] Mechanical synthesis

[Tim Parkhurst]

>> Out of curiosity, has anyone connected any electronically controlled
>> mechanical devices, other than spring reverbs, to their synthesis
>> equipment---perhaps using microphones or other transducers?  It seems
>> that the possibilities are most interesting.  

 
>Rock trigger sequencer
****
Is that anything like "Rock, paper, scissors"? 
****

>attach a shaft to motor and a wheel to the other end of the shaft (think of
an >amusement park carousel). Attach rocks to strings and hang them from
edge of wheel, >evenly spaced. Turn on motor and now the rocks are in
motion. Fasten a mic (cheap 
>and crappy) to a small plastic flap. Place the flap where the rocks just
nick it as >they spin. Now connect the mic to some simple trigger generating
circuit. Now you >have a very primitive trigger sequencer. You can create
different rhythms if you tie >some rocks so they don't hit the flap.

>P.
************************

But seriously, folks. How about attaching the rocks (or metal weights) to
flexible stalks? (use strips of metal or even plastic maybe)... then you
would have a sequence that would become more and more "full" as you
increased the speed. Put the plastic "contact flaps" at uneven distances
from the center of the wheel and you'll add even more weirdness (and again,
more and more will make contact with the weights as you increase the speed
of the sequence). 

Now if you could only rack mount it... ;)

Cheers!
Tim (rock, paper, servo) Servo


BTW - OT but funny: challenge your friends to an online rock, paper,
scissors duel at
http://www.brunching.com/psr.html


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