[sdiy] wave/surf machine

[Cynthia Webster]

on 9/19/04 10:23 PM, damion at poweracoustics.org at damion at poweracoustics.org
wrote:

> 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

Hi Charlie, (et all)!

I have one of these.  It is the Marsona 1200 and I must say it works
very well.  (puts me right to sleep most anytime I turn it on!)  LOL!

This was a Garage Sale find and it even includes a guitar jack right in
back!

see here on ebay

Search for: Marsona

http://search.ebay.com/marsona_W0QQsokeywordredirectZ1QQfromZR8

Ken Stone has an excellent Digital Noise Generator card that I
use in my RanDivide Modules, however for your purpose you will
probably need a somewhat sophisticated LFO section to sound halfway
realistic.  Perhaps two triangle or Sine VC LFOs mixed together,
and changing speeds ever so slightly?

(Any Oceanographers in the house?)

http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/cgs31_digital_noise.html

One way is to patch it up on a modular until you find the right
combination of elements - and then build a stand alone version
of ~that~

Good Luck!


Cynthia

http://www.cyndustries.com/





> 
> 
> 
> 
> 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
>