Posts Tagged ‘Make’

Atari Punk Console – Round 2

Posted in Physical Computing / Electronics on January 2nd, 2010 by Anna France – Be the first to comment

As mentioned in the previous post, Atari Punk Console Workshop, I had some issues with fitting the wiring in the Altoids tin without breaking any of the soldered connections (poor planning on my part).  I made a second attempt with a new case and I was much more successful.  I used a “New World Tea” (now Arbor Teas) company tin.  (They provide really superior tea, if you are in to fine loose tea, check them out.)

Video of the console in action (turn your sound on):

This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.

The gallery of photos below documents how I put it together.

For a complete step by step instructions or to purchase the APC kit see Jimmie P. Rodgers site.

Atari Punk Console Workshop

Posted in Physical Computing / Electronics on September 19th, 2009 by Anna France – Be the first to comment

Maker Faire RI Logo

I attended two great workshops with Jimmie P. Rogers at the Maker Faire RI, Atari Punk Console (APC) and Circuit Bending.  (The circuit bending workshop is detailed in the next post.)  The Atari Punk Console is a simple synthesizer with a wide range of sounds. It is so named because the sounds generated are similar to those of the early Atari consoles.

Check out Jimmie’s site, you can order APC kits there.

I have had a tough time with this project.  It is not difficult to assemble, but the first time I put it together (at the workshop) I did not plan the position of the potentiometers well and I could not get the lid of the Altoids tin to shut.  The console was in working order – until I tried to shut the lid completely.

Atari Punk Console

I was impatient and I forced it and broke a soldered connection.  I checked and re-soldered any loose or broken connections, but I think I eventually burned out the board, so look for part 2 where I start over with a new board.

Trying to Get the APC Working Again

Trying to Get the APC Working Again

Intro to Circuit Bending Workshop

Posted in Physical Computing / Electronics on September 18th, 2009 by Anna France – Be the first to comment

Maker Faire RI Logo

I attended a circuit bending workshop at the Maker Faire RI with Jimmie P. Rodgers. Circuit bending is the modification of toys or instruments to generate crazy sounds.  We experimented with a simple toy – the Staples Easy Button, creating a one of a kind instrument.

Easy Button - Circuit Bending

Learning to Solder – Practice Kit

Posted in Physical Computing / Electronics on June 27th, 2009 by Anna France – Be the first to comment

This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.

I thought I would learn how to solder. I purchased the Make “learn to solder” kit (available from the Maker Shed). In the middle of this 2 hour long outdoor endeavour I was I was startled by a huge rodent.

Getting Started - I completed the first few steps of soldering the battery wire, volume switch and a few resistors onto the board.

Getting Started - I completed the first few steps of soldering the battery wire, volume switch and a few resistors onto the board.

Adding more resistors. It is impossible for me to take pictures and hold the soldering iron at the same time.

Adding more resistors. It is impossible for me to take pictures and hold the soldering iron at the same time.

Soldering Interupted by the Appearance of a Huge Groundhog!

Soldering Interrupted by the Appearance of a Huge Groundhog!

Goundhog is Huge!

This Groundhog is Huge!

All Finished! Now to get a battery to test it!

All Finished! Now to get a 9 volt battery to test it!