How to make the Atari Punk Console

So talking with a friend I decided to make a synth, a basic but nice one. So I thought why not? So I'll add my contribution to the APC history!
The Atari Punk Console has a long history so you can check it here. 
I can tell you it was designed by the most famous Forrest M. Mims III.
It is called the Atari Punk Console because of the stepped tone generated is like the sounds emitted by the original Atari video game system. 

Step 1 Materials

The electronic components you will need are: 

• X2 555 Chip (You can also use a 556 Chip but for sake of simplicity I will use two 555)
• X1 1K resistor
• X1 .01 uF ceramic capacitor
• X1 .1 uF ceramic capacitor
• X1 10 uF electrolytic capacitor
• X1 Female stereo jack 6,3 mm
• X1 DC female jack
• X2 50K (or 500K but I will use 50K because it seems to me the correct stepped tone sound)
• X1 Switch (any really)
• X2 Knobs (optional)
• X1 Prototype board for soldering (I bought the smallest and cheapest)
• X1 Enclosure (optional, I used a plastic ipod touch one)
• X2 8 pin sockets (optional)

Other things you'll find around the house:

• Soldering iron
• Screwdriver
• Tweezers
• Wire
• Wire stripper 

Comments

[seensaman]

Where do you get those 555 timers? Would I be able to salvage them from stuff around the house?

[TobaTobias]

555 timers are recent chips, I think the best thing is to buy them or buy a 556. They are cheap. Look at this:
http://www.instructables.com/answers/Where-can-i-find-scavenge-a-555-timer-and-others/

[JoshuaZimmerman]

Using two 555 timers is nice. Try using a single 556 if you can find one, it makes things a tad easier to wire up. (In my opinion.)

You can also use a CDS (photo resistor) instead of the variable resistors (knobs). Then you have a light controlled circuit. My students loved that.

Also, if you only have a single 555 chip you can always make a stripped down version of this. An ease project for those just starting out.

[TobaTobias]

I will do a version with a 556, it was cheaper for me to get to 555.
Yep, I also tried it with some CDS, really cool. You get a nice atari theremin console!