Posts on DIY Audio Circuits

ESP32 Tulip MicroPython Synthesizer Workstation

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:30:00 +0000

The Tulip Creative Computer is an impressive open-source project that transforms the ESP32 microcontroller into a complete music synthesizer workstation programmable in MicroPython. This exciting platform brings together the power of modern microcontrollers with the accessibility of Python programming to create a versatile tool for electronic music creation.

What Makes Tulip Special

At its core, Tulip runs on the ESP32-S3, a powerful dual-core microcontroller with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. What sets Tulip apart from other synthesizer projects is its commitment to being a fully programmable creative computer. Rather than offering a fixed set of features, Tulip gives you a complete MicroPython environment where you can write your own synthesizers, sequencers, and audio effects from scratch.

Building a 32-Band Audio Spectrum Analyzer with Arduino

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 10:15:00 +0000

Audio spectrum analyzers are fascinating projects that combine digital signal processing, microcontroller programming, and LED control to create mesmerizing visual displays. Building a 32-band spectrum analyzer with an Arduino provides an excellent opportunity to learn about Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT), real-time audio processing, and LED matrix control while creating something genuinely impressive for your workshop or music setup.

Understanding the Basics

A spectrum analyzer works by breaking down an audio signal into its component frequencies and displaying their amplitudes visually. The “32-band” designation means we’re dividing the audible frequency range into 32 distinct frequency bins, each represented by a column of LEDs. When music plays, each column lights up to a height proportional to the energy present in that frequency range, creating a dynamic waterfall effect that dances to the beat.

Raspberry Pi Pico MIDI Synthesizer Projects

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0000

The Raspberry Pi Pico has emerged as an incredibly capable platform for DIY MIDI synthesizers, offering dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processing power, generous GPIO, and affordable pricing around $4. Its combination of processing capability, built-in PWM and I2S audio output options, and native USB support makes it ideal for music electronics projects ranging from simple monotimbral synthesizers to complex polyphonic instruments.

Why Pico for MIDI Synthesis

The RP2040 microcontroller at the heart of the Pico provides several advantages for audio synthesis. Its dual-core architecture allows one core to handle MIDI input and user interface while the other dedicates itself to audio generation, ensuring glitch-free performance. The Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines can handle timing-critical tasks like generating PWM audio or managing protocols without burdening the CPU cores.

AI and Machine Learning in Embedded Audio Processing

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 13:20:00 +0000

The convergence of artificial intelligence and embedded audio processing represents one of the most exciting developments in DIY electronics. Machine learning models that once required powerful GPUs can now run on microcontrollers, enabling intelligent audio applications from noise cancellation to musical instrument recognition, all happening in real-time on devices costing just a few dollars.

The Embedded AI Revolution

Traditional digital signal processing relies on hand-crafted algorithms based on our understanding of audio physics and psychoacoustics. While effective, these approaches require expert knowledge to design and often struggle with complex, variable real-world conditions. Machine learning flips this paradigm, learning patterns directly from data and generalizing to handle situations their designers never explicitly programmed.

Designing Your First Distortion Guitar Pedal Circuit

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Distortion pedals remain among the most popular DIY guitar effects projects, offering an ideal balance of circuit simplicity and sonic satisfaction. Understanding how distortion circuits work demystifies not just pedal design but fundamental concepts in audio electronics, from amplification and clipping to tone shaping and impedance matching. Whether you dream of recreating classic tones or inventing your own signature sound, grasping distortion fundamentals opens the door to creative circuit design.

ESP32 Audio DSP Effects Processor with YummyDSP

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

The ESP32 microcontroller has proven remarkably capable for real-time audio digital signal processing, and the YummyDSP library makes this power accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike. This open-source framework provides a collection of audio processing building blocks optimized for ESP32, enabling you to create guitar pedals, studio effects, synthesizers, and audio tools with professional results at a fraction of commercial product costs.

What is YummyDSP

YummyDSP is a lightweight, efficient DSP library specifically designed for audio effects processing on the ESP32 platform. Unlike general-purpose DSP libraries that try to do everything, YummyDSP focuses on real-time audio with low latency and clean implementation of essential audio processing blocks. The library handles the complexities of I2S audio interface configuration, buffer management, and efficient arithmetic while providing an intuitive API for building effect chains.

Arduino RGB LED VU Meter and Visualizer

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0000

VU meters have captivated audio enthusiasts since their introduction in broadcast studios decades ago, providing visual feedback of audio levels through mechanical needle movement. Modern LED versions bring this classic aesthetic into the digital age with colorful displays that react instantaneously to music. Building an Arduino-based LED VU meter or audio visualizer combines audio signal processing, microcontroller programming, and LED control techniques into one visually rewarding project perfect for your workbench, entertainment system, or live performance setup.

PicoADK v2: Raspberry Pi RP2350 Music Synthesizer

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:30:00 +0000

The PicoADK (Pico Audio Development Kit) v2 represents a significant evolution in affordable audio synthesis hardware, leveraging Raspberry Pi’s latest RP2350 microcontroller to deliver professional-quality audio capabilities in a compact, maker-friendly package. This development board combines powerful processing, dedicated audio hardware, and thoughtful design choices that make it an excellent platform for building synthesizers, effects processors, and experimental audio instruments.

The RP2350 Advantage

At the heart of PicoADK v2 sits the RP2350, Raspberry Pi’s newest microcontroller featuring dual ARM Cortex-M33 cores running at 150MHz. Compared to the RP2040, the RP2350 brings substantial improvements critical for audio applications: doubled on-chip SRAM (520KB vs 264KB), hardware floating-point unit on both cores, and optional RISC-V cores for specialized processing. These enhancements translate directly into more sophisticated audio algorithms, larger wavetable storage, and headroom for future expandability.

GreatScott's Best Audio Electronics Projects

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:20:00 +0000

GreatScott! has earned its place among YouTube’s most respected electronics channels, with nearly 2 million subscribers tuning in for clear explanations, practical projects, and Scott’s infectious enthusiasm for all things electronic. For audio DIY enthusiasts, Scott’s channel offers a treasure trove of projects ranging from basic amplifiers to sophisticated digital audio systems, all presented with the clarity and attention to detail that made the channel famous. Let’s explore some of the best audio-related projects and what makes GreatScott! such a valuable resource for learning audio electronics.

ElectroBOOM's Audio Power Amplifier Tutorial

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:40:00 +0000

Mehdi Sadaghdar’s ElectroBOOM channel has become legendary for its unique combination of rigorous electrical engineering education and comedic presentation involving deliberate (and sometimes accidental) electrical mishaps. With over 5 million subscribers, Mehdi’s approach to teaching electronics through entertainment makes complex topics accessible while never compromising technical accuracy. His power amplifier tutorials exemplify this approach, breaking down intimidating audio circuits into understandable concepts while keeping viewers thoroughly entertained.

The ElectroBOOM Educational Philosophy

What makes ElectroBOOM’s teaching style so effective is the willingness to directly address misconceptions and explain why common approaches fail. Rather than simply presenting working designs, Mehdi often demonstrates what doesn’t work and explains precisely why. This negative-space learning—showing boundaries of what’s possible—builds deeper understanding than positive examples alone. When Mehdi deliberately shorts an output or forgets proper biasing, the dramatic (sometimes pyrotechnic) results make the underlying principles unforgettable.

Building a Simple Audio Boost Pedal Circuit

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Clean boost pedals represent the simplest and most elegant of guitar effects, providing pure signal amplification without coloration or distortion—at least, that’s the ideal. These minimal circuits teach fundamental amplification concepts while delivering genuinely useful functionality. Whether pushing an amp into saturation, compensating for signal loss through long cable runs, or simply adding volume for solos, a well-designed boost pedal solves real problems with refreshingly straightforward circuitry. Building one makes an perfect introduction to audio electronics and effects pedal design.

Environmental Sound Recognition with Embedded ML

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:15:00 +0000

Environmental sound recognition represents one of the most practical applications of embedded machine learning, enabling devices to understand their acoustic surroundings and react intelligently. Unlike speech recognition that focuses on linguistic content, environmental sound classification identifies non-speech audio events: glass breaking, dogs barking, machinery malfunctioning, or babies crying. Running these recognition algorithms directly on microcontrollers—without cloud connectivity—opens possibilities for responsive, privacy-preserving, low-latency audio applications across countless domains.

Why Environmental Sound Recognition Matters

Traditional audio systems react to simple thresholds—sound present or absent, loud or quiet—providing crude detection at best. Machine learning enables nuanced understanding: distinguishing wanted sounds from background noise, recognizing specific audio events among many possibilities, and adapting to acoustic variability that defeats rule-based algorithms. This capability transforms devices from simple sensors into intelligent listeners that understand context.

Demo Vid: How to Build Small MXR Phase 45 Clone

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 15:57:00 +0000

Short demo of a small MXR Phase 45 clone that was built using the “Smoothie” PCB.

This is a short demo video of a small two-stage phaser that was built based after the MXR Phase 45 circuit. Homemade Franken caster will be playing through Fender Pro junior amp, which demonstrates what the dry signal sounds like.

Video: How to Make Guitar Pedals

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 15:37:00 +0000

This short video contains some useful advice on some starting options for building your own guitar pedals! I’m going to give a plug to my tutorial series, where there’s eight videos and they go through etching the board all the way to painting the box. Not only will you be soldering everything onto the PCB, which will give you an introduction to the electronic components, but you are going to be wiring it up as well.

Video Tutorial: Learn to Build a Fuzz Guitar Pedal!

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 12:19:00 +0000

Video and Schematic Breakdown: MadLab Junior Theremin

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:33:01 +0000

I found a great beginner’s project, the MadLab Junior Theremin, as a cheap electronics kit available on Jameco!

Build and Demo Video

Here’s a video from Youtuber 3DSage that shows off a nice build tutorial along with the functionality of the Junior Theremin:

Theremins are extremely cool to play around with, but are bulky and a bit expensive. The MadLab Junior Theremin is a stripped-down version of the famous proximity-controlled instrument. One key difference is the lack of a volume control antenna, but the pitch control aerial/antenna is way more interesting! Simply move your hand closer to the antenna and listen to how the pitch changes.

Video: 8 Step Sequencer

Tue, 19 May 2020 13:22:50 +0000

YouTube channel LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER has a great in-depth video review of the classic 8 step sequencer. He discusses concepts such as control voltage and he also shows how he assembles his own circuit. Very cool stuff!

For another great 8 step sequencer circuit with an in-depth explanation, check out this link: </posts/8-step-sequencer/>.

Video: Center Negative Power Jack

Tue, 19 May 2020 13:04:16 +0000

When we are building our circuits and DIY guitar stompboxes, power supply polarity is extremely important. Boss guitar pedals makes sure that their power adapters supply continuous power through a center negative power supply. This means that the input jack must be wired correctly in order for the circuit to function. Using the wrong polarity power adapter can, at worst, destroy the circuit! Many older designs do not prevent users from doing this!

Video: LM386 Audio Amplifier Circuit with Bass Boost

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 12:00:52 +0000

Check out this great video from YouTube user Circuit Basics. If you’re new to audio electronics, one of the best projects to build is an audio amplifier with the famous LM386 Audio Amplifier Integrated Circuit. In this video tutorial, he will go step-by-step through the breadboarding process to eventually testing his custom LM386 circuit.

A companion article to this video can be found here, http://www.circuitbasics.com/build-a-great-sounding-audio-amplifier-with-bass-boost-from-the-lm386/, with loads of details that will help you tweak your circuit for optimal sound quality and performance.**NOTE:**As you can see in this video, there are a lot of issues that can occur when you use small breadboards. Jumper wires and cables can clutter up your work area and get in your way when you’re experimenting. It’s also common for long -lead resistors and capacitors to create short circuits when bending them out of the way. Your best course of action is to plan your breadboard projects in advance, have a set of solid core wires of varying lengths, and test often during the process.

EEVblog's Workbench Tutorial

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 09:30:07 +0000

If you’re interested in optimizing your workspace, this tutorial from one of the greatest electronics YouTube channels will surely help! Dave from EEVBlog is one of the most knowledgeable and detail-oriented people out there. You will appreciate his candor and professional insight. Enjoy!

How To Make A DIY Electronics Workbench

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:25:45 +0000

Us DIYers love to build things from scratch! If you ever wondered the amount of work that would go into building your own electronics workbench, this video series is the one for you!

What you will realize is that sometimes DIY is not always the easiest thing to do, as YouTuber Made 2 Hack makes very clear in his three part video series. You will learn the process that goes into making a DIY electronics workbench, along with the trials and tribulations of a manufacturing project.

Velleman MK171 Voice Changer Circuit

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:52:53 +0000

Anyone who has ever watched Doctor Who will be familiar with the peculiarly distorted voice of the Dalek. According to the Wikipedia entry, the original voice sounds were created with ring modulation. While simple passive circuits for this effect exist, there are plenty of ways to expand on this idea and create your own custom voice changer circuit. For instance, check out this forum post to see what people are experimenting with.

Passive circuits are fun to experiment with, but us DIYers know that we still have to deal with amplification, mixing, and output control to have a useful audio circuit. A popular circuit schematic from a Velleman Voice Changer Kit is publicly available:

Fun PT2399 Circuit Video Tutorial

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:30:58 +0000

In this video by YouTube channel Ms Mad Lemon, you can see the whole process of building a PT2399 circuit from scratch! As us audio DIYers know, it’s a great feeling to power on a hand-built and start playing around!

One of the great things about this video is how the participants interact and debug their circuit. In the world of DIY, it can be frustrating to run into roadblocks or issues when we’re all alone. In this video you will notice how they talk about the digital and analog ground issues of the PT2399, the odd circuit schematic design.

Learning more about the Princeton PT2399

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 11:17:23 +0000

I have recently been watching YouTube videos about the Princeton PT2399 and I came across a very educational video by user Electronics Freak. The first part of the video gives a very beginner-friendly overview of the chip’s capabilities through explanation of the datasheet.

As he builds the project, he runs into a typical issue us DIYers run into: the datasheet isn’t the optimal circuit we need for our project.

Video: PT2399 Delay IC Pedal Review

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 14:33:59 +0000

If you’re a DIY circuit enthusiast like me, you love the PT2399 Delay IC! The range of sounds that can be extracted from simple circuits using this versatile chip will blow your mind. It’s a fairly stable component with a lot of great possibilities for experimentation, sound exploration, and musical inspiration!

YouTube channel ThePedalZone released a fantastic review of the PT233 Delay IC that goes into a little bit of history as well as a review of five delay pedals. Check it out and make sure to like + subscribe!

Electronics Workbench Essentials

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 16:59:29 +0000

If you’re missing any of these from your workbench, you’ll be creating more work…for yourself. Take a look at our handy dandy list and see what you’re missing that could make your projects easier, more efficient, and ultimately, just plain old FUN!!!

3rd Hand- A third hand is absolutely necessary for any serious electronics work. Unless you have the most patient and steady partner (not likely) to assist you, you’re going to want a third hand. Basically, they consist of two adjustable alligator clips mounted to a heavy piece of metal that free up your hands to solder and assemble.

MIDI for Beginners

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 17:55:30 +0000

You’ve probably seen some weird plug-ins in the back of your keyboard that you’ve avoided like the black plague. They don’t take a normal quarter inch TRS male plug that you may be already familiar with. They look like this: [caption id=“attachment_1237” align=“aligncenter” width=“273”] TRS plug. Tip Ring Sleeve![/caption] No, the weird one with all the holes looks more like this: [caption id=“attachment_1238” align=“aligncenter” width=“225”] What is this? It’s a MIDI plug![/caption]

Eagle CAD Printed Circuit Board Parts Library and Schematics FOR FREE on Github!

Sun, 23 Jun 2013 22:31:52 +0000

Over the years, I have greatly benefited from the generous work of the open source community. Whether it’s a reverse-engineered schematic of a early 70’s drum machine to source code for the Arduino, there is a lot of unpaid work that I have used for my hobbies and my work.

As a token of my appreciation, I am making the official DIY Audio Circuits Eagle CAD Parts Library and Schematics available to the general public. Many of these custom-built parts and circuits have been manufactured and tested, while others were for demonstration purposes only. Please feel free to download these files and use them for whatever purpose you see fit.

MIDI Buffer

Sun, 12 May 2013 18:35:03 +0000

Just found an awesome MIDI schematic used in a production model MIDI multiple-output buffer. In the works is a tutorial on how to make you own MIDI buffer! I’ll even have Eagle files! Woohoo!

4093 NAND Gate Oscillator

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:15:56 +0000

Use a NAND Gate to get a square wave oscillator. Typically, the 4093 is used due to it being a Schmitt Trigger and there being 4 of them in the IC package. The potentiometer allows for user-adjustable frequency control. Lots of uses for this circuit building block.

Staircase CV (Control Voltage) Generator

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:06:24 +0000

Use this circuit with your circuits to output a staircase-style CV. The 4516 Binary UP/DOWN Counter is controlled by a two 4093 CMOS NAND Gate oscillators; one controls the clock speed, the other controls the direction of the binary count. A R-2R resistor ladder converts the binary output into a scalable voltage, which is then limited by a potentiometer and buffered for use with synthesizers that can accept a Control Voltage.

555 Monostable Multivibrator

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:57:22 +0000

The 555 timer can be configured with external components to output a single pulse for a fixed duration. When the switch is toggled to “ON”, the output will go high/1/ON for a brief moment of time, then go back to its stable state. You may find that some switches will need to be debounced, which is a pain in the ass reality of dealing with physical components.

True Bypass Passive Ring Modulator

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:47:33 +0000

A simple 2 Transformer, 4 Germanium Diode Ring Modulator with a true bypass switching scheme. Includes input for Carrier Wave modulation. Power is only required for the status LED.

Passive A/B Box

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:39:18 +0000

A simple switching circuit that allows you to route a signal to two different paths. LEDs help indicate which signal path is active, although this circuit can also be used without battery/DC Jack power.

Coron DS-8 Drum Synth Clone

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:33:33 +0000

Originally made by Coron, the DS-8 Drum Synth circuit is a fairly complex circuit that generates some awesome analog synth tones.

PT2399 Echo Application Circuit

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:29:25 +0000

The PT2399 Echo Application Circuit comes straight from the Princeton datasheet, providing the simplest functional delay circuit possible with this impressive chip. This minimalist design demonstrates the PT2399’s core capabilities using approximately 15-20 components—perfect for breadboarding and learning how digital delay chips operate.

Circuit Overview

This basic echo circuit includes input coupling, the PT2399 chip itself, delay time control via Pin 6 potentiometer, feedback regeneration control, and output coupling. The elegant simplicity makes it ideal for first-time PT2399 experiments. You can breadboard this circuit in under an hour and immediately hear functional echo effects.

PT2399 Surround Delay Application Circuit

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:27:03 +0000

The PT2399 Surround/Delay Application Circuit represents Princeton’s second datasheet example circuit, designed for creating ambient “surround” effects that approach reverb-like characteristics. While single PT2399 chips inherently produce echo rather than true reverberation, this circuit demonstrates techniques pointing toward more complex reverb implementations.

Understanding “Surround” Effects

Princeton’s “surround” terminology suggests spatial effects beyond simple echo. This circuit configuration uses specific feedback and filtering strategies creating denser echo patterns than the basic echo application. While not achieving authentic reverb—which requires multiple delay taps with varied timing—this design moves beyond discrete echoes toward more continuous decay characteristics.

Atari Junk Console

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:24:56 +0000

A highly modified Linear Feedback Shift Register circuit with a lot of oscillators. Sounds a lot closer to vintage Atari than the much-more-famous Atari Punk Console.

Atari Punk Console

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:22:53 +0000

The Atari Punk Console schematic.

Center Negative Polarity Dual Power Supply

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:19:54 +0000

A simple circuit that allows for power to be switched between a 9V battery and an AC-DC Adapter. This snippet is useful for the beginning of power supply design for electronics that may need a backup power supply.

5V Center Negative Power Supply

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:14:29 +0000

A very useful schematic to be used in all sorts of audio applications, including guitar pedal power supply circuits & analog synthesizers. Power is automatically switched from a 9V Battery to AC-DC Adapter, with voltage regulation down to a steady 5V. Includes a 5V voltage regulator, status LED, ON/OFF power switch and output leads.

CMOS LFSR Vintage Atari Sound Effects Generator

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:02:17 +0000

I took some of my well-earned EE classtime experience and decided to use it for vintage Atari audio awesomeness! This circuit utilizes a Linear Feedback Shift Register along with an adjustable-rate Astable 555 Timer, resulting in Asteroids-like noise.

555 Flip Flop Circuit Schematic

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:54:54 +0000

A quick way to make a flip-flop out of a 555 Timer IC. If your component cabinet is limited, you can avoid having to use two digital logic gates.

LM317 Adjustable Voltage Regulator Schematic

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:52:46 +0000

One of the most versatile components around, the LM317 Voltage Regulator allows you to power your circuit with voltages ranging from 2.5V to 15V. Try all all of those higher-voltage circuits you’ve been wanting to experiment with! Another great application is simulating voltage sag like an older battery (great for guitar pedals).

DIY Center Negative Power Supply

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:06:22 +0000

In the DIY audio electronics world, getting electricity to power your circuits is merely a matter of connecting the right wires and voltages to the right spots! In this tutorial, I hope that, by the end, you will have a firm grasp on how to make your own**Center Negative power supply.**I will go step-by-step through how to construct a circuit that accepts a Center Negative AC Adapter and/or a 9V battery to supply power to your own circuits. Once the basic circuit has been constructed, I will show you how to modify it: add an ON-OFF switch, add a Power Status LED, and build a 5V voltage regulator circuit for your next breadboard experiment session or DIY design.

Atari Punk Junk Console

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:16:58 +0000

This circuit is a fork of a great project that I found online while looking for information on Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSR).

Here’s a video that inspired the fork:

The circuit sounds much more like an Atari 2600 than the ever-popular Atari Punk Console, or Stepped Tone Generator for you Forrest Mims fans.

While I was not looking to clone the circuit , it did lead me to use it as a base for building one that was little bit more fleshed out.

Rhythm Bandit by Lueken Innovations Teardown Fail!

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:26:12 +0000

I was hoping to do a quick article on DIY reverse engineering, but was thwarted by a little bit of intellectual property protection! My subject of study was the Rhythm Bandit, a product by Lueken Innovations. I acquired this particular unit from a garage sale for cheap and was not impressed by the rhythm guitar isolation the box promised me. One of the input jacks needed a replacement, so I decided to open it up and take a look under the hood. After unsuccessfully finding screws that typically are used to hold plastic enclosures together, I realized that glue was involved. I drilled a tiny hole with a Dremel and used a screwdriver as a wedge. The glue was holding tight and I noticed something very odd as I pried the case open: the entire circuit was encased in a hard plaster-type material. No small obstacle, but I was determined to find the circuit. I decided to hammer and scrape to get to the circuit board until the circuit was revealed to me. I learned a couple of things about the Rhythm Bandit: 1) No circuit board 2) It’s mostly wiring 3) It’s a very simple circuit (probably a passive RC (Resistor-Capacitor) low pass filter, as it doesn’t require batteries) 4) It was encased in plaster It would probably be close to the truth to assume that the Rhythm Bandit design was “protected” by the plaster so that competitors could not reverse engineer the circuit and to give the box some weight. However, I think that Lueken did this to make a simple circuit appear much more complex than it actually is, and sell it for more. You’d be pretty pissed if you opened up an expensive guitar effect and found that all there was to it was a resistor and a capacitor. Anyway, a passive RC low pass filter costs less than $0.50 to make and gives some decent results. I’ll post one shortly, and then you too can become a Rhythm Bandit! Take a look at the pictures below if you’re curious!

Easy Cheap 24 AWG Stranded Wire from a Cat 5 Ethernet Cable!

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:47:30 +0000

In this tutorial, we’re going show you how to get a lot of wire from an ordinary Cat5 Ethernet cable!

[caption id=“attachment_609” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Ah, an ordinary Cat5 Ethernet cable! These are cheap and readily available from the local Goodwill or computer surplus store![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_610” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Yup, that’s a Cat5 cable![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_611” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Get yourself a pair of wire cutters/strippers and remove the ends.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_612” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] When the ends are removed, you’ll see something like this. There are four pairs of twisted pair wires. What’s even better is that they’re color-coded![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_613” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] With a knife, make a small incision. You’re looking to cut through the thick plastic coating. Don’t worry if you cut through any of the wires; you can always cut off any damaged wire. Scissors work, too![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_614” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] You should see something like this after you make your cut.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_615” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Now, grab hold of the exposed wires and pull in one direction while holding the plastic in your other hand. The plastic coating should tear with a little bit of muscle.[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_608” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] The final product! When you’re finally done, you’ll have 4 pairs of stranded wire at about 24 AWG. Given the price of wire at places like Radioshack, this is an amazing way to save some cash. Radioshack doesn’t even carry 24 AWG stranded wire![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_617” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Look at what you’re left with! Four twisted pairs of quality stranded wire. The variety of colors should help you when building your next project![/caption] [caption id=“attachment_616” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Wrap that wire up and recycle that plastic coating! You’re done, so go and make something awesome![/caption]

Hallmark Digital Sound Recorder DIY Breakdown & Repurpose Guide

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:46:59 +0000

My dad recently sent me a Hallmark birthday card that allows for a special message to be played when opened. What’s interesting about it is that a personalized message can be recorded multiple times (“after the beep!”) and the motorized gear assembly moves the mouth in sync with the audio.

After receiving his recorded message (it was at least 20 seconds), I decided to sacrifice the card to the DIY spirit. There are lots of applications for this circuit and I’ve only scratched the surface by using it as a beat recorder with motor control.

PT2399 Digital Delay IC

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:43:34 +0000

The PT2399 is one of the most rewarding chips a DIYer can experiment with. A stock circuit from the datasheet can nearly complete a guitar pedal project, and there are load of other applications for projects that require an analog-sounding digital delay (more on this later). For you circuit tweakers out there, I will include a Mods section to get you going in the right direction.

First off, let’s take a look at the datasheet to learn more about the PT2399.

AC Adapter Breakdown: What's Going On Inside Those Wall Warts?

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:03:56 +0000

I have a couple of side businesses that require power supplies. As a result, I have boxes and boxes of power supplies filling up weekly.

Have you ever wondered what’s inside? Ever noticed a hum in your audio circuits? Want to see what ‘Made in China’ actually means? We’re going to crack a couple of these open and identify what’s actually going on inside.

WARNING: Don’t do this at home, at least not without understanding the risks and making sure to take proper electrical safety precautions. Electric shocks are no joke - actually, they can be lethal. Take a look at the pictures and live to see another day :-).

DIY S-Trigger Cable Tutorial: How To Make Your Own S-Trig Cables and Other Assorted Circuits

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:22:11 +0000

****In this tutorial, we’ll be making our own S-Trig cables, which are useful for interfacing with older synthesizers made by Moog, Yamaha, and other manufacturers. These cables are not only useful for synthesizers; many older electronics use this style of connector and you may find that you want to interface your modern gear with the older equipment (such as wire recorders).

Tools

You’ll need a couple of tools to complete this project.

CMOS 4017 Based 8 Step Sequencer

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:53:26 +0000

Build a step sequencer for your digital synths!

In this tutorial, you will learn the basics of step sequencers, why they are useful, and how to build your own 8-10 step sequencer for your next synthesizer project.

Introduction

Building synthesizer circuits is fun & easy! With a couple of parts you can get for less than $5, you can make a simple circuit that will make some sweet synth sounds. The most famous example of this is the Atari Punk Console (also known as the APC or Stepped Tone Generator), a beginner-friendly synthesizer circuit that utilizes a 556 dual timer chip (conveniently available at your local Radioshack, of all places) to generate a glitchy lo-fi noise. While it is a great circuit that will bring a smile and encouragement to any audio electronics beginner, the novelty wears off fairly quick. You’ll find some sweet spots and maybe be able to get a cool tone every once in a while, but the output will be static and boring. To get any good sounds, you’ll find yourself tweaking the knobs for some dynamic output. If only there was a way to make this circuit hands-free, dynamic, and capable of playing on its own, something musical…