This cool project turns a boring Ikea lamp into a theremin-like synth. Pretty cool. I really like the updated instructions — but real instructions would be nice too. I guess this is more a show piece than a how-to. Nonetheless, it can still inspire someone so I’m posting it anyways.
One thing I’d add is a switch so that the lamp can still be used as a plain lamp. Flick the switch and it would turn into a noisy monster.
Sunnan Synth / ikea hack from Jan van Nuenen on Vimeo.
Arman Bohn sent me a couple of links to his projects – and I took forever to put them online. Sorry about that, been busy.
The first one, the Magical Toolbox, is a multi-effect generator built into a tool box. It has a stereo phase-cancelling reverb, fuzz box and ring modulator – All in stereo. It sounds really nice too.
Arman also built a Transmission Electron Microscope. It doesn’t quite work as intended, but it still looks cool, and the sountrack to the demo clip is pretty nice as well.
“The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.”
- Lloyd Jones
Magical Toolbox [link]
Transmission Electron Microscope [link]
“ADACHI’s self-made instruments are consists of simple electronic circuit, almost case built in tupperware. They never can make precise pitch, but have good sound and noise, easy to operate and carry and worked by battery. Of course the funny and pretty looks are important aspects.”
I swear, I didn’t see this until I posted yesterday’s post: it’s basically the same thing, but mono (so much for stereo separation anyways), and amplified! I’ll definitely build myself one of these. They’d also make great gifts for guitar playing friends. Refer to yesterday’s project for installing felt in the tin, as it probably helps with the overall sound quality.
Altoids Tin Amplified Mini Speaker [link]
I love just about every project that’s built around the Altoids tins. This one is no exception: mini speakers made of recycled headphones. You could also use those cheap mini-speakers that they sell at your local electronic parts store.
Altoids Tin Mini Speakers [link]
I love this: it’s cheap, effective and pretty simple to do. Basically, you take a 2$ Radio Shack piezoelectric transducer and use it as pickup. One thing bothers me a bit though: you need to drill a hole in the guitar to fit the jack. I’m quite sure there’s a way to go around this. And who cares, I don’t have a guitar ;)
I might build an acoustic bass out of scrap wood I have at home, and that sort of pickup would be perfect for it.
How to make a small guitar from an Altoids tin. It may not be a Stratocaster, but it [almost] fits in your pockets. If I’d make one, I’d add some frets.
Make an Altoids Guitar [link]
Another Instructable shows you how to make a guitar pickup. Now maybe, if you put the two together, that is , if you can make a miniature version of the pickup, you can end up with a mini electric guitar. If you ask me, it’s worth trying.
Make a Guitar Pickup [link]
This isn’t exactly a set of instructions, but anyone familiar with the Arduino should be able to make up something similar to this. With nice pads (think recycled mousepads) and some nice packaging, this could make up a great electronic drum set.
I’ll be exploring this in the next year as I’d really like to have a drum set at home, but lack the space and don’t want to spend much money on this. Plus, the ability to control a drum machine by playing “real” drums is more interesting (to me) than playing a “real” drum. I can’t get enough of that TR-808 bass drum.
DIY Arduino MIDI Drum Kit [link]
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