Speak & Spell: Initial DIY Work

These instructions regard the Texas Instruments vintage learning aids: Speak & Math, Speak & Spell and Speak & Read.

Modifications & Additions
Replacement: speaker grill foam
Battery compartment: Access Key
Battery removal: Pull-tabs
project box addition

Tools & Materials
Small screwdriver, small scissors, cheap scissors, plastic card, thick plastic tape or ribbon and glue, paper clip, wire clippers.

Step 1 Buying a used Speak & Spell

Ebay is the main source for finding a speak & spell, other than chance encounters at yard sales and thrift stores. Take precaution in buying one from a new ebayer or anyone with a low rating. The questions to ask are: does it work, have you tested it, is there battery terminal corrosion, is the display clear and what is the cosmetic condition from 1-10. Most auctions will post if it works or not, so ask questions accordingly.

When the package arrives put in some batteries and turn it on. Play all the games and turn it on and off a few times. Make sure to inspect the keypad where children have doodled and scratched, to see if any traces are damaged. If its an original speak and spell, check that no buttons are loose. Leave the batteries inside the unit with the it off for awhile, later on try turning using on, look and listen for anything peculiar. Test out the 1/8 output, if its mono plug it in to a battery powered amp, if its stereo plug in some headphones. Last test is to power the unit with the AC/DC adapter.

After deciding to keep the learning aid, open it up. The screws should be really tight because it hasn't been opened since it was manufactured. Inspect the PCB, use q-tips and rubbing alcohol to clean any build up.

Next use rubbing alcohol to clean the exterior.

Comments

[Keigh]

This may be a dumb question, but what exactly have you modded that speak & math to do?

I recently came across my old speak & read and would love to mod it up somehow, was considering taking apart and creatively reassembling, but what you have done looks interesting, even if i don't understand it yet!

thanks!

~>K<~

[conceptualstratagem]

Hey Keigh,
I havn't finished this S&M, because I need to get a interface panel cut out of plastic, this interface only worked with PC mount controls. This one so far has the casper LFO, three loops with controls to sample, hold and scan. If you want to work on your S&R, I would recommend schematics to start with like fishtape and casper. I would also recommend reading "Circuit Bending" and "Handmade Electronic Music".

[Keigh]

Wow. There were a lot of words that didn't mean anything to me in that reply, namely casper, LFO, three loops, sample, hold, scan, fishtape!

i do appreciate your quick response, and I guess i will keep researching on ways to creatively reassemble my S&R

~>K<~

[conceptualstratagem]

These places are good to find info on S&R, amongst other stuff too.
http://homepage.mac.com/tmckaskle/bending/broken.htm
http://casperelectronics.com/
Http://getlofi.com

[twocvbloke]

I used to have a Speak & Spell, got confusing when I started using computers as they both have different key layouts... :P