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Archives: Collin Cunningham

More random than random()

The Arduino random() function can be used to easily generate a seemingly unpredictable series of numbers. The only problem is, from the first time it's used in a sketch, random() actually begins spitting out the same series of seemingly random numbers. The standard solution to this conundrum is to start (or "seed") the formula with a noisy reading taken from an unused analog pin like so: randomSeed(analogRead(0)); But for some the data returned by that little trick may still not be random enough, and that's why Tinker.it created an extra randomy randomabration by the name of TrueRandom -

It is hard to get a truly random number from Arduino. TrueRandom does it by setting up a noisy voltage on Analog pin 0, measuring it, and then discarding all but the least significant bit of the measured value. However, that isn't noisy enough, so a von Neumann whitening algorithm gathers enough entropy from multiple readings to ensure a fair distribution of 1s and 0s.

And if you're left wondering what all that random is good for, think - games, cryptography, generating serial numbers and similar. Swing by the TrueRandom code repository to download the library.

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 19, 2010 08:30 AM
Arduino | Permalink | Comments (5) | Suggest a Site

Adult Fans of Lego - a Blocumentary

Check out Jess Gibson's rather excellent documentary which takes a deeper look at the avid community of grown-ups who enjoy building in colorful plastic brick. Maybe I'm a bit out of touch here but - do some people really consider an interest in LEGO something to be a shamed of nowadays? Guess I'd assumed we were well past that point. [via The Stretta Procedure]

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 18, 2010 05:30 AM
LEGO | Permalink | Comments (3) | Suggest a Site

In the Maker Shed: MidiVox shield for Arduino

The MidiVox shield turns a basic Arduino board into a standalone MIDI synthesizer with parameters tweakable via MIDI CC messages. Hook up a MIDI keyboard controller via the onboard 5-pin DIN (aka MIDI) jack, upload a sketch and play. You may be surprised what sweet sounds can be generated by a single channel of 12-bit digital-to-analog conversion (I definitely was).

A test drive of the kit's example sketch can be seen synthing just below this sentence ...

MidiVox shield for Arduino

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 17, 2010 06:30 AM
Arduino, Kits, Maker Shed Store | Permalink | Comments (4) | Suggest a Site

Scenes from Handmade Music Brooklyn 3/8/10

The Handmade Music event series returns to Brooklyn, NY showcasing a talented collection of sonic experimentalists at Galapagos Art Space. A musical sewing machine, electro-country, the sound of blinking lights, and experimental gestural controllers were all on hand for the event.

In addition to the segments seen above, the night also included a performance by Mouse & the Billionaire which unfortunately I was unable to grab any footage of. In any case, a good time was had by all - stay tuned for details on the next installment in the series.

Subscribe to the MAKE Podcast in iTunes, watch it on YouTube, Vimeo, or download the m4v video.

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 15, 2010 06:30 AM
Arts, MAKE Podcast, MAKE Video, Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

How-To: Position-sensitive MIDI drum pad

The SynPad uses four corner-mounted piezo sensors to determine the pressure and relative location of a given hit. The project can easily be made on the cheap, and turns out a pretty sophisticated Arduino-based MIDI percussion controller. Gang1ion shares the relevant steps and source code for making one yourself. [via Matrixsynth]

In the Maker Shed:

Arduino Family

Make: Arduino

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 11, 2010 07:30 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Music | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Chip orientations explained

Figuring which way is 'up' for any one of the various IC packages may be second nature to circuit veterens, but getting acquainted with all possible indicators is definitely an important step for newcomers - and it can be a tad tricky at times. Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories posted a detailed photo guide on the subject, even going over orientation tips for seven-segment and LED matrix displays - good stuff!

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 10, 2010 06:30 AM
Electronics | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

The drumbot of our dreams …

Beeple posted this video analyzing/documenting/presenting a beyond-awesome computer-generated rhythm machine I so deeply wish was real. Note to self - must figure how to construct laser capable of creating laser sound … anyone? [via CDM]

From the pages of MAKE: Drumbot Activate! MAKE: 15: Music, Page 60. Subscribers--read this article now in your digital edition!

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 9, 2010 12:30 PM
Computers, Music | Permalink | Comments (4) | Suggest a Site

How-To: Circuit-bending the VL-Tone

Pete of Casper Electronics posted his picks for better bending on the classic Casio VL-Tone keyboard -

Almost all of the bends in the VL-tone are achieved be creating amplifier feedback loops. There are no data glitches to be found. This means there are no random melody bends but lots of squealing distortion bends.

Seems the little VL sports a rather delicate LCD connection that requires a fair amount of TLC. Relevant tips + wiring diagram can be found over at Casper Electronics.

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 8, 2010 07:30 AM
Electronics, Music | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

Handmade Music Brooklyn 3/8 - Musical sewing machines, electro-country, + new venue!

Attention NYC noise-lovers - Handmade Music Brooklyn returns at our new venue, Galapagos Art Space!

Science fair, party, variety show - Handmade Music celebrates unusual DIY creations in music, with people who make their own tools to make their own music. This month, Galapagos Art Space means a stage, a bar, and a huge lineup of FREE music:
ELECTRO-COUNTRY + unusual instruments with the Owen Lake band, covering honky-tonk country classics on synths and electronics and showing off Jeff Snyder's original Manta touch instrument
AUGMENTED SEWING MACHINE + ENSEMBLE with monome and other creations, featuring Lara Grant (sewing machine) + Matt Ganucheau + Peter Kirn
AUDIOVISUAL HYPER-TRUMPET the TOOB, an expressive digital instrument
...plus surprises, hands-on with lots of inventions, plenty of makers and technologists to meet and buy beers in exchange for tips, crafters, inventors, and more. Hosted by createdigitalmusic.com, the craft marketplace and community Etsy, the DIY bible Make Magazine, and the trend-setters of XLR8R Magazine

In addition to the above listed goodness, I'll be on hand demoing some new MIDI toys - if you're in the area, be sure to stop in and say hi!

Where: Galapagos Art Space, DUMBO Brooklyn [directions]
When: Doors open 7pm
Cost: FREE

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 6, 2010 02:00 AM
Events, Music | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

CODEORGAN turns sites into songs

When fed a valid URL, CODEORGAN gets to work arranging an original, often quite danceable piece of music determined by several characteristics of the site's HTML. So explaineth the CODEORGAN -

THE CODEORGAN ANALYSES THE *BODY* CONTENT OF ANY WEB PAGE AND TRANSLATES THAT CONTENT INTO MUSIC. THE CODEORGAN USES A COMPLEX ALGORITHM TO DEFINE THE KEY, SYNTH STYLE AND DRUM PATTERN MOST APPROPRIATE TO THE PAGE CONTENT.

Neat - though I was expecting to hear something a tad more retro-8-bit based on the interface/aesthetic. I suppose the minimalist piano breaks derived from http://google.com aren't too far off the mark. [via Matrixsynth]

Posted by Collin Cunningham | Mar 4, 2010 05:30 AM
Music, Online | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

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