[sdiy] Telharmonium motors, perhaps?

[Tim Parkhurst]

> 
> But Tim, we wouldn't be doing much of anything with the encoder
> output. The idea is just to let the motors run free and use the
> encoder outputs as fixed frequency audio signals. Run them through
> waveshapers and frequency doublers, I suppose.
> 
> Given a bank of motors, I'd set them up to have a master frequency
> control as well as individual tuning controls. I doubt the would stay
> in tune (relative to each other) at anything other than "standard"
> pitch. However, the master tuning knob might make for a nice pitch
> bend effect.
> 
> This gives new meaning to the term VCO, ha ha.
> --
> john
> 

Ahhhhhh (sound of the idea finally sinking in). I get it now. Here I was
thinking that the motors were going to drive tonewheels or something. In
this case, the encoder output IS the 'tonewheel.' 

Okay, get a dozen of those bad boys, hook 'em up and let 'em rip! 

You know, all the standard CV tricks should work (lag circuit for
portamento, resistive voltage divider keyboard). I'm just wondering what the
voltage to frequency response is. My guess would be linear (doubling the
voltage doubles the speed / output frequency). So does this mean we (and by
'we' I mean 'you') are going to have to hand match power transistors for a
high current expo converter? ;)

Also, you could have the motors drive an optical or magnetic sensor (i.e.
tonewheel) to get another frequency. This frequency would be synched to the
encoder frequency, so you can get harmonics. Of course, if you take this to
it's (illogical) extreme, you've built your own mini-Hammond, but it would
be fun (and fairly easy) just to add one sensor. The coolest would be an
optical setup arranged to give you a sawtooth wave at the same frequency as
the encoder output. Now you've got a very wide range of harmonic tricks to
play with. 

And you could also ("BLAM! BLAM! POW! POW!" the sound of Feature Creep
killing another project)... okay, I'll shut up now.


Tim (illogical extreme) Servo
 

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