Graphite-Controlled Step Sequencer

This is an 8-step sequencer whose pitches you can change using a mixer made of merely pencil and paper. Why buy variable resisters when you can build one virtually for free?

Step 1 Parts List

Parts You’ll Need:
-3 alligator clips
-22 awg solid core wire
-Solderless breadboard
-9V battery
-battery clip
-7805, Voltage Regulator
-2 Synchronous 4-bit counters (74HC193N)
-7555 Timer
-4 1kΩ resistors
-1 LED
-1 1µF capacitor
-speaker and audio cable or headphones
-graphite pencil and paper

Comments

[Orion1615]

Looking at the schematics and the way you connect 2 4bit counters, would it be possible to make a 16-step sequencer by adding 2 more of those 4bit counter modules? Would it be possible to switch between 4, 8 and 16?

[pfred2]

You call that a breadboard? That's not a breadboard, now that's a breadboard!

Check it out, an old light theremin I made. Power was applied at the left, and a speaker goes between ground and some point up by those transistors. By waving your hand over the photocell you change the pitch of the sound.