custom stomp box, anyone want to build it?

[hoppock]

i'm writing to inquire: i would like to have a stompbox built which generates a single tone, switchable by foot...i have been told that a 555 timer with an old volume pedal enclosure would do the job.  I'm interested in an instrument that i could use as a background while i play my guitar and sing.  

how hard would this be to build?  i know nothing about stompbox wiring, etc.  would anyone on this list build such a contraption for me?  what would it cost?  i live in Kansas and would be happy to pay cash or trade (i collect old records which i'd be willing to trade for a pedal)

if you're really interested, please backchannel me:  hoppock@hotmail.com

thanks
matthew

[hoppock]

to be more specific, I'd like a machine that puts out a single constant sine wave (or something like it) configured to a note (E)...and i would like to use some sort of foot control to change the note.  

i think this could be done either with an old volume pedal enclosure and a 555 timer.  OR a box with a series of stomp switches for specific notes...and to stomp one would disengage the last one.

is this possible?  anyone want to build it?

thanks

[mattv]

You should check out the Jacques 'Singing Geisha.'

[petemoore]

Does the 'knob theremin' thing.
 What about a very small electronic keybaord, ripped down to be an even smaller "E' maker.

[hoppock]

as long as it is easily controllable with my foot...

the singing geisha is a good example...but i wouldm't need the wah or the overdrive.  just a simple monophonic synth whose notes can be shifted by foot (either with a volume pedal enclosure or a series of stomp switches

[Transmogrifox]

If you have a wah pedal or volume pedal already, I can design a box that  responds to the wah and controls a VCO to output a single tone.   I don't have any spare enclosures to do it with, unless you want me to send you a crybaby with this feature built in at the flip of a switch...

Simple box compatible with external volume pedal or wah:  $100

Modded out crybaby:  $350

transmogrifox@yahoo.com if you're interested.

Time requirements:  Don't expect anything before the end of May/first week of June.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

This is a bit of a hack, but you could have a footpedal that just generates a voltage, and then run this to a LED volume control chip, so you have separate outputs energised depending on the range the rocker pot is in.
And these could control an oscillator, you would have different value pots driving the inputs to a 555 timer.
This has the advantage that you have a number of fixed frequencies as you rock the pedal.

[hoppock]

what about a pedal with a series of stomp switches like keys on a keyboard...each one, when stomped, would cause a specific note until another was stomped, which would disengage the first and engage the next.  is this possible?  anyone want to build one for me?  

matthew

[RickL]

The simplest way to do that is to find an old cheap keyboard, something along the lines of a Casio home keyboard or such, and hardwire external switches to 11 (or 12 if you want a higher "C" as well) of the keys. You can use actual switches of whatever quality you are willing to pay for, mounted in a wooden or metal floor board or scare up a set of bass pedals from an old trashed home organ and use the switches in them. Any competant local tech can do the wiring for you.

I've done it several times, usually so I could play the "one finger chord" feature of a portable keyboard to provide backup in a one-man-band situation. If you do it to a MIDI keyboard, no matter how cheap, you've just built yourself a set of MIDI bass pedals that can control a sound module of whatever quality you want. I've done the mod using both seperate switches and bass pedals and at present have two sets of bass pedals, one controlling a Yamaha PSR 600 keyboard and the other a Korg Poly 800. I also have a couple of switch board types controlling a couple of other cheap keyboards.

Another option, if you don't want to build yourself or pay someone to do the building is to simply buy a set of MIDI bass pedals and a sound module.

[Ansil]

i build these into old wah cases.


aprox range is 3.5 octaves.


austenfantanio@yahoo.com

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

I think it would be wise to use those 'momentary' switches under covers (like on Boss etc) because an ordinary stomp switch will prob give up with a lot of switching, plus hard to play 'musically'. You need a bit of logic, to latch the last switch stomped on, connecting up the relevant resistor (actually a pot to allow individual note tuning) to the oscillator.
You can get nice wooden footpedals from old home organs for next to nmnothing at thrifts etc.
I like the idea of hacking a little keyboard (maybe even a childs toy would do!) but, you need some logic to keep it latched.