Dual Atari Punk Console

The Stepped Tone Generator designed by Forrest M. Mims III, more commonly known as an 'Atari Punk Console' is a lot of fun to play around with; however you can only do so much with it. I built this one with two 556 dual timers, for a Dual Atari Punk Console. This allows you to create more complex sounds, by having each APC tuned to a different frequency. It's also interesting how crosstalk between the two APCs can create very dirty lo-fi sounds. Each of the APCs has it's own volume control in addition to the two potentiometers for the oscillators. This design has a 1/4" TRS socket for connection to nearly all audio equipment. A video of the Dual Atari Punk Console in operation is available on the final step.

If you're still not sold, here's a video of it working :

Step 1: Parts list

You will need:

- (x4) 470K Potentiometer
- (x2) 100K Potentiometer
- (x6) Potentiometer Knobs
- (x4) 1K 1/4-Watt Carbon Film Resistor
- 120R 1/4-Watt Carbon Film Resistor
- (x2) 10nF Ceramic Capacitor
- (x2) 100nF Ceramic Capacitor
- (x2) 10uF Electrolytic Capacitor
- SPST Toggle Switch
- 1/4" Mono Panel-Mount Audio Jack (or any other audio connector)
- 9V PP3 Battery Snap Connectors
- 9V PP3 Battery
- (x2) 14 pin DIL sockets
- (x2) NE556 Dual Timers
- LED and bezel of your choice
- Various lengths of stranded core wire
- Stripboard (50 holes x 15 tracks)
- Project enclosure (I used a Hammond 1591-D)

Comments

[Alexander Dumbhead]

I got a problem here! When I rotate my 470 all the way, the led goes off, what may it be that I'm doing wrong? Also, nothing is coming out from the audio.

[Alexander Dumbhead]

is 0v the negative side of the battery? PLEASE ANSWER!!!

[Harrymatic]

yes

[5ynth5]

is there any way to replace the output with an internal speaker or an internal speaker?? this is my favorite APC it would be even better if there was a way to add an internal speaker. thanks

[jgowan]

First time trying out this stuff and i went out and got all the parts ($44.00) and I'm slowly putting the Schematic together in fritzing but Im having troubles with were every thing connects could you post some picks of the bottom of the circuit board and/or post a sketch of the bottom? The top view sketch was awesome and helped a great deal but Im just missing some info that the bottom view sketch would clear up.

[synthdust]

I love your easy to follow and understand 'structable! I am planning on building a dual APC, with some mods, and this is a great jumping point for me! Once question, where do you like to get your components? Specifically, where do you like to buy your pots?

[Selmerman]

What is the exact purpose of the 1k resistors in the volume circuit of the apc. It seems that it just makes the total sound much quieter. I took it out and it seems the only effect is the sound level difference.

[Selmerman]

Ok another question. Im sort of new to electronics and horrible at problem solving, how would you put in a volume potentiometer for a simple "not dual" apc. So far I just have 2 unmodified apc's built directly from Forrest M. Mims's plans.

[Harrymatic]

OK here you go! The input of each channel connects to the output pin of each 556 timer which is pin 9.

[Selmerman]

Thank you again. You are very helpful

[Selmerman]

Could I accomplish essentially the same thing if I paired 2 already built apc's together with one output?

[Harrymatic]

Absolutely! At the end of the day, this circuit is just two APC circuits in the same box with a simple passive mixer combining the two outputs.

[Selmerman]

Thank you very much.

[cc67]

Can the 556 be substituted with double 555?

[Michael_Bell]

yes.... You will need 4 555 chips

[cc67]

Could you please make a download link of your diagram or make the diagram bigger?

[Harrymatic]

Hi, I've added links to the step. You can always see the original high resolution images on any Instructable by clicking the little 'i' in the top-left corner of any image and then clicking the link to the original file.

[cc67]

tnx

[blinkyblinky]

I think you need a bigger schematic. >straining<

[cc67]

Agree... But I heard it should not be called schematic but circuit diagram...

[hgarg2]

Hey harry i have problem after making this CONSOLE that my 3 knobs of B is not operating even my IC is ok. but dont know why my circuit do not work well??
tell me what should i do to completely work my console. plz tell me as soon as possible.

[hgarg2]

these r the pics of my circuit. these r not good soldering but itss the simple i have done.

[Harrymatic]

OK, I suggest that you start again with the not working part - and copy exactly everything you have soldered for the working part.

[hgarg2]

well its very long process to desolder and again solder it.
dont u have any other idea to make this ckt. work??

[Harrymatic]

It sounds to me like there's either a problem with the power going to the chip or audio coming from the chip. Check all of the wires for the second chip. If you post a photo of the board, I may be able to see what the problem is.

[hgarg2]

ok i will post u the pic of it. my soldering is not good but i have checked that there is no short circuit in the circuit. and i used a buzer for output. but with in a few hours i will upload a video of it and photos of it. so that it maybe help u to find out my mistakes and thanx for ur reply.

[scottinnh]

How much difference does it make if one uses 500K linear potentiometers... and if one does, should other resistors be adjusted (to match)?

Reason I ask is 470K potentiometers are $2 to $5 each at the usual sources, but for some reason 500K potentiometers are easier to find and cheaper ($0.50 each at Futurlec or ebay).

I just finished a 500K APC (standard build) and it works well, although I did not adjust any components when I subbed in the 500K pots.

[Harrymatic]

It doesn't really make any huge difference. You might get a tiny increase in pitch range but it would have very little overall effect. I used 470k pots because I had several of them from a mixed box of potentiometers I bought a while back.

[oklacalit]

WOW is there anyway to mod this so that a guitar could drive the note and the atari punk the tones? like an awesome retro sounding fuzz pedal?

[Harrymatic]

If you were to connect the guitar to Pin 3 of the 556 which is Control Voltage Input, you would be able to do just this, although you would also need to run the signal through an amplifier such as the LM386. This has been done before by 'theproperboy' :

[aandres1]

All potentiometers must be logarithmic?

Thakss! :D

[Harrymatic]

While the ideal setup is lin. for the four oscillator controls and log. for the two volume controls, it doesn't really matter, as at the end of the day you're not really dealing with elaborate precision audio equipment. Just get what's cheaper.

[ynze]

Can you posy a video/audio something? I'm curious how it sounds...

Nice project!

Y.

[Harrymatic]

Video's up now. Thanks for your feedback.

[ynze]

Cool!

[blinkyblinky]

WOW! Were you consulted by Randofo to build this? It just so happened that I asked him to build one of these and post it as an ible!

[Harrymatic]

No, it's just an uncanny coincidence :-). For the schematic, just click the 'i' in the top left corner to see the original full size image.

[blinkyblinky]

>click<
"I have been enlightened!"
>click<
"I can see!"