NoiseAxe MiniSynth

This Project is Mini Synthesizer, using a PICaxe. It was designed by Brian McNamara. If you're looking for a mini drum machine, you should check out his other project, The GrooveAxe. His other project is the MemAxe

You can get the kit from Gadget Gangster & grab the schematic. here. The kit comes pre-programmed. But, if you'd like to gather the parts yourself, you'll need the following.

Parts list

• Resistors, 1 each of : 1k, 3.3k, 330, 560, 100k, 2.2k, 220k
• 4 x 10k Resistors
• Gadget Gangster project board (half board)
• 10 uF Cap
• 8 Pin Dip Socket
• 3xAA battery holder (and batteries)
• 10k Photoresistor
• Micro Speaker
• 22Ga Hookup wire
• And a programmed PICaxe 08M. You can get the Source Code off Gadget Gangster

You'll also need a soldering iron, solder, and wire cutters.

Here's a little video demonstration

How to Play It

The NoiseAxe will play 8 different notes, each note is played by touching one of the 8 resistor legs at the bottom right of the PCB with the stylus wire. You can change the level of modulation by varying the light that enters the photoresistor, creating a vibrato effect. This is done by putting your finger over, or shining a small LED torch onto, the photoresistor.

How it Works

The NoiseAxe is based around the Picaxe 08M micro-controller. The 8 different notes that it will play are controlled via a stylus that you use to touch each of the 8 resistors legs at the bottom right of the PCB. Each resistor makes a voltage divider that produces a different voltage when that resistor is touched. The voltage is sensed by the ADC (analog to digital converter) on the Picaxe and converted into one of 8 values in the program. The 8 note output corresponds to one octave on a keyboard. The sound command is then used to output the correct note to the speaker. The photoresistor is also used in a voltage divider circuit connected to one of the inputs the micro-controllers ADC. A digital value is read within the program and added or subtracted from the frequency sent to the sound command.

Step 1: IC Socket

Place the 8pin IC Socket on the top side of the PCB, with pin 1 on G4 of the PCB and pin 8 on J4 of the PCB. Solder into place.

Comments

[Coolkid4]

Check out Tic Tac Tunes, another picaxe powered mini music maker

[StJohn]

Please do not laugh, I am a quilt artist. I am working with conductive threads to eluminate specific section of my quilts. However there is a very big problem
I need a continuious sourse of power when the quilt is being exhibited. I am not an electronic person. I need help.
I would like to have a sourse of power that is very light and it can be sewn on the back of the quilt and be a power source to eluminate the conductive threads. With an on and off switch. If these power sources could be light enough so that more then one can be incorporate , because the quilts are very large. If you have any ideas I would be gratefull.
Thank you for your time and energy. Maria E. Cosimano-Kohl

[guitarmonk15]

this is weird. did any one notice how much this noise axe is like Make zine's pic axe?

[Gadget Gangster]

I would suspect it would pretty similar as they were both designed by Brian McNamara. He also did the GrooveAxe, another PICaxe 8-bit mini synth.

[Unit042]

I don't see a schematic...!

[Gadget Gangster]

Check the word doc on the project page in the resources section.

[Unit042]

Many appreciation(s)!

[timnolan]

neat project. you just need a feedback loop and some pots to make a square wave synth though

[thepelton]

Thanks, that was cute, but needs recogizeable tones and volume before it could be considered a proper musical instrument. Nice start, though.

[Gadget Gangster]

You might find Brian's other project, The GrooveAxe, a little more up your alley.

[WhoTookMudshark]

I disagree. It can't play Beethoven's 5th but neither can a snare drum. Both instruments are musical as heck, though. :)

[thepelton]

All right. I concede. I suppose if you want compact size, you have make some concessions. I discovered a long time ago that there are tones you just can't get out of a harmonica.

[Kiteman]

It's a teeny Stylophone!

[Gjdj3]

That's sweet! I don't if it was this, or a similar project that was featured in Make: recently, but I like it.

[Brennn10]

Great step by step instructions! For many, PCBs can be hard to master and providing the details really helps everyone out!