ColorChord - A Steampunk inspired creation

I have been checking out various circuits so as to change the tones on CC to something that is more distinct. This next circuit is part of a drum generator and makes a pleasing TICK. Almost matches the sound used in the Popcorn song.

This is turning out to be a new project in making a discrete synthesizer and all I need is to make a keyboard. But for now this is a positive step in the evolution of ColorChord.

IO is now controlling the beat tempo by using one of its sequencer outputs and through a non inverting buffer. This might end up giving IO a sound / music generator as well.

I am learning the art of hearing various colors and it does not take long to quickly ID A lot of the basic colors. However, with slight changes in color, lets say yellow, The change in tone volume is hard to pick out but is there between bright sun yellow and a slightly redder yellow. What if the tones were replaced with rhythms  such as a drum beat.  Might make it easier to pick out the finer details.....

Bass drum, High hat, Cymbal are just some ideas I have been thinking about what can be done simply and cheaply :-)

ColorChord is now finished except for fabricating a cover. A handle and base was added and the entire circuit works as well or better than expected.

The audio was set higher than normal to pick out the finer changes in the tones for this video. With ear buds, the audio output is much lower and much less red background will be heard.

I have ColorChord running on 3 volts @ 20mA and have added a shroud to keep test subjects from getting too close to the photo cells.

When pointed towards IO, I can detect the green wiring so this is more sensitive than I expected and in a good way :-)

First full test and ColorChord works better than I thought it would. Still not in tune yet but that is a simple adjustment :-D

I now need to mount the filters better and then start doing some real world tests on my shirts from the bedroom :-) Colors, I need lots of colors to test and record ..

Well, that's three oscillators ready to hookup and mount.

35 watt iron, fat hands and less that perfect eyesight yet it still looks ...well... not too bad ;-)  I ran out of sockets....

Here is the beginning of phase two by having three filter cells and a oscillator card for each. Enough room for a audio amp if needed.

If this project shows enough merit then I will switch to pcb to be truly hand held but in the development stages cardboard still reigns :-)

This is the basic 555 circuit used times 3. Transistors or other circuits can be used in place of what I came up with.

Sorry for the lousy image...