[sdiy] Popcorn Noise Generator?

[harrybissell]

Some more random than others... but I don't know if the ionization is really
different, or just WHERE it ionizes.  Certainly a phototransistor could pick
up the effect, but could you do it with the bulb DC biased.

AC bias would have a hell of a 60Hz (ok 50Hz for you globalites :^) component.

Some people have used a flicker buld driving a photoconductive cell driving a
light dimmer for 'sphooky' effects

H^) harry

John L Marshall wrote:

> Harry,
>
> Funny thing. Last month I bought a package of Neon "Flicker-Flame" bulbs to
> experiment with. The "flame" jumps around the two metal surfaces with no
> apparent pattern.  I believe that they may be suitably random. Neon is light
> and heat sensitive so the environment will have an effect.
> Take care,
> John
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "harrybissell" <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
> To: "Glen" <mclilith at charter.net>
> Cc: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 8:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Popcorn Noise Generator?
>
> > I'm not familiar with a random-blink neon circuit.  Is that a single
> > stage, or
> > is it formed by a number of neon bulbs ???
> >
> > H^) harry
> >
> > Glen wrote:
> >
> >> At 10:43 PM 7/8/2005, harrybissell wrote:
> >>
> >> >I don't think the blinky neon would work either, that would really be
> >> >more
> >> >of a sawtooth wave.  The pops would be too regular.
> >> >
> >> >Geiger-Mueller tube would be a pricey way to go... :^P
> >>
> >> A sawtooth? The blinky neon would be one of the old neons that blinks at
> >> random intervals. You think this would give a sawtooth?
> >>
> >> Yes, the Geiger-Mueller tube idea wasn't meant to be practical. I have no
> >> idea what surplus tubes sell for, or hard it would be to build the
> >> circuitry. Still, if I ever came across a really cheap tube, it might be
> >> fun to play with.  ;)
> >>
> >> Of course, there are other disadvantages. Somehow, I don't think it would
> >> be a good idea to enter an airport carrying a suitcase modular synth,
> >> which
> >> uses a Geiger-Mueller tube and a small source of radiation as a noise
> >> generator module.   :)
> >>
> >> take care,
> >> Glen
> >