Prometheus/Pandora's Box

Step 2 THE SOURCE CODE

Note: Burn the clock fuse any way you like, but first time now use the internal oscillator. It is not in the code.
Note: replace "(spaces)" with spaces. (problems making columns)

LIST p=12C508
start movlw 0Eh
(spaces)tris 6
loop incfsz 08
(spaces)incf 09
(spaces)btfss 3,2
(spaces)goto skipy
(spaces)incfsz 0ah
(spaces)incf 0bh
skipy movf 8,w
(spaces)andwf 0ah,w
(spaces)movwf 0ch
(spaces)movf 9,w
(spaces)andwf 0bh,w
(spaces)iorwf 0ch,w
(spaces)bcf 6,0
(spaces)btfsc 3,2
(spaces)bsf 6,0
(spaces)goto loop
(spaces)end

Burn (program) it now. Ignore this binary because it's just for show.

Comments

[daemonzx66]

nevermind that. I got it working. I hooked it up to a real antenna. I have never been more mystified by anything so simple. It seems like after a certain number of times through the loop that parts of the pattern get "flattened" and its almost like the pattern starts to fall apart for a split second but then it starts up again with a different order of notes. I can only compare this effect to the act of muting strings on a guitar while playing. Is there any notable difference in the output when using an external oscillator? I was just wondering because it seems like the chip's internal osc is limited in its range and I also wonder if that is what causes the flattening or if that is just part of the design. I am very grateful that you shared this instructable as otherwise I never would have known such things were possible.

[VIRON]

By changing the oscillator frequency you probably could tune the chip for better musical note pitch. (If "flatness" meant out of tune) But it affects the radio frequencies very much more than the sound. Also: When tones get very low, they do tick and pop and fade out. It's not by design, nor by mistake, it just happens in the pattern.

[afridave]

gooday excuse my ignorance but i found this and the links very interesting even though i have no idea what this thing is or what it does and have no intention or tools or ability to attempt to build it.
AM i correct in assuming that you have created a type of program that works in a type of repeating sequence into infinity and would or could eventually play every piece of music ever written or ever capable of bieng written?

[daemonzx66]

Yes, by flatness I meant to say out of tune. I had a feeling that it was just a part of the pattern but I wasn't sure. The very fact that a device like this exists, or that it even CAN exist, makes my head spin just to think about. The pattern gets progressively more complex as it goes along, but am I right in thinking that it almost ebbs and flows? It reaches a certain level of complexity and produces a "verse" of polyrhythmic tones in a quite complex form and then will produce another "verse" that is almost "typical" and doesn't stand out, much like some of the early tone combinations. However, it then builds up again, almost like a microcosm of the whole process. But regardless of that, it just keeps chugging along relentlessly, becoming more complicated, as if trying to communicate a message of overall evolution but short term regression along the way. It's funny how the term "intergalacic radio" seems to fit so well. Listening to the sounds, I often imagine that this is some sort of radio broadcast originating from the beginning of time and that it has always been running. Every time I listen to it for an extended period of time it makes me feel like I have always been listening to it and that such a pattern constructing itself is "completely natural." It is also one of those tunes that gets stuck in your head, and I find myself continuing to imagine the sounds it produces even after its been turned off. This isn't bad in any way, actually its almost reassuring, but its just something I thought noteworthy.

[daemonzx66]

well, this does seem like a very interesting device indeed. I've gathered up all the parts needed to make it, although this is my first time using any PIC to speak of. I'm a little confused as to compatibility between certain burners and certain assemblers. Also wondering if I will need a compiler as well or if that's even different from an assembler. I have looked around and there seems to be vast amounts of information on the subject of PIC programming, so much that its hard to process all at once. I have a MCU programmer that's supposed to be 12Cxxx compatible but have not been able to get it working with any freeware PIC assemblers that I've found. Any help would be great, as I would love to find out the capabilities of this thing. (note: this may make a difference or may not, but the burner has a 6-pin rj-11 jack and i'm attempting to access it through a serial adapter)