In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.
Niklas Roy created this whimsical synthesizer from a hollowed out birch log. Using an ATMega8 as the tone generator, the design of the device is quite simple but charming in its execution.
The contacts for the different tones are wired to felt balls covered in conductive yarn. The user places the balls inside the birch log and plays the notes by touching them with a hammer. The hammer is connected to ground, thus completing the circuit and making the synthesizer chime its chippy notes.
Full documentation for this project can be found at Niklas’ site should you choose to try it out for yourself.
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In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.
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Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 16th iteration!
