New in the Maker Shed: Pico Paso and Nebulophone

These two new kits from the Maker Shed were designed by Bleep Labs for Handmade Music Austin. Both are featured in our upcoming Ultimate Kit Guide and kits website.  The Pico Paso (above) is a perfect beginner soldering / electronic music project. Its simple, high quality components will have you making electronic music quickly and easily. It’s very similar to Forest Mims’ stepped tone generator but it uses two triangle wave oscillators that can be used independently or together. Wave shaping and square wave LFO knobs are used to change the sound and light sensitive resistors increase aural ridiculousness! This kit is just as fun to play as it is to put together.

Features

• 2 triangle wave oscillators
• High quality components
• Light sensitive sound manipulation
• Mod and shape knobs
• Great sound!
• NOTE: Requires 1/4″ mono plug and an amplifier (computer speakers work well)

Who says Arduinos can’t make music? The Nebulophone (above) is an Arduino based synthesizer with a stylus keyboard that can be played through 6 octaves using the shift button. The programmable sequencer function lets you record, play back, and manipulate custom arpeggios for musical awesomeness. 5 waveforms and tons of options including the “hidden” HYPERNOISE 30xx mode will have you making your own unique electronic music almost soon as you put it together. Perfect for beginners, advanced builders, and electronic music lovers that grow out of an Atari punk console.

Features

• – Light controlled analog low-pass filter with five adjustable LFO LED modes.
• – Six arpeggio modes with adjustable rate.
• – Portamento with three speed settings.
• – Infrared control of arp rate with other Andromeda Space Rocker and some Gieske devices.
• – Open-source Arduino code and hardware
• – Improved sound generation.
• – Five new waveforms including two with dual, detuned oscillators.
• – Programmable sequencer to easily make your own arpeggios right on the Nebulophone.
• – Perfect tuning across six octaves.
• – Improved white noise mode.
• – Adjustable temperment and key.
• – HYPERNOISE 30XX mode.
• NOTE: Requires 1/4″ mono plug and an amplifier (computer speakers work well)

And don’t forget, the MakerShed is offering $5 shipping on any order over $50!