[sdiy] wave/surf machine

[damion at poweracoustics.org]

This probably isn't  much help, but it reminded me of a Marpac 
Sleep-Mate (from the 60s) I used to have.
A tunable acoustic noise generator. Basically a fan inside an enclosure 
with holes and slots that could be covered or opened to filter the 
sound to your liking.
The company is still around and a still sells the Sleep-Mate  as well 
as... the Marsona, an electronic "sound conditioner" which does 
different surf (synthesized), rain, stream sounds etc... for background 
sound.
They're not cheap for what they are, but interesting items, none the 
less...
<http://marpac.com/sound_cond.asp>
They do show up on ebay too...

Damion




On Sep 19, 2004, at 5:32 PM, <synth at oldmail.charlielamm.com> wrote:

> I have been commissioned to build a surf synthesizer (sound of waves 
> at a
> beach) for an "artist party" that's coming up end of december.
>
> Here are some of the specs:
>
> a) Can't be a looped CD or a sample if possible.  Analog sounds (pink
> noise, random S/H, EG, filters) should be used.
>
> b) doesn't necessarily need a built in amp; a PA system will be 
> provided
>
> c) Should be relatively hands-off; no complex control surface; if
> possible some control of "big waves" vs "small waves" would be good, 
> maybe
> via a single pot, but this isn't critical, and an attenuator for the
> output would be a plus.
>
> d) Must be self-contained; no external noise generators or whatever
> needed.  Mono would do but stereo is better, so, basically 2 outputs: 
> out
> R and out L.
>
> d.5) -10dbV-ish sort of output levels--consumer type.
>
> e) Needs to be reasonably realistic sounding.
>
> f) Must be built by about Dec 1, so nothing too complex.
>
> g) Should not cost a fortune to build.  I could throw maybe $50 for 
> parts
> and PCB's, but not a heck of a lot more--I do have a large junk box
> however.
>
> h) Powered by a wall wart or 117V; no need for battery power.
>
> i) Needs to sound good and reasonably realistic--these are artists 
> after
> all!!!
>
> Any suggestions?  PAIA once sold a kit for one of these,
> but I think it's long gone--they still sell a "surf man" PCB, and
> something like $15 for the documentation, but I have no idea if it's 
> any
> good or if it fits the above specs, or if they even have it in stock.
>
> Google searches reveal nada...maybe I'm not searching for the right 
> thing?
>
> Any suggestions, about the Surfman or anything else, are greatly
> appreciated.
>
> --CL
>
>
damion romero
damion at poweracoustics.org
http://poweracoustics.org