Playing the Mod Sounds
Brian McNamara's Luna Mod synthesizes its own sounds, as opposed to traditional loopers which require line input. It's pretty remarkable the range of noise this little box can produce. Click here to see a video of the looper in action, running the default software program. Remember, the program only uses 81 of the 256 bytes available on the Picaxe 08M’s onboard memory, so there's still lots of room to modify and hack the software to make new sounds and functions.
Mod Designed to be Hacked
While this looper uses a smorgasbord of components, it requires no special or expensive tools to build. It is thoroughly documented and designed for hackability, whether you're using a different integrated circuit, building your own case design, or modifying the software driving the unit. For example, check out these videos of hacked Luna Mods: this version uses an ATtiny45 on the Arduino inside a custom case, and this prototyped version
includes an op-amp and volume potentiometer for increased sound output and control. If you build your own hack of the Luna Mod, be sure to leave us a note on our Facebook page or send us an email with your story!
How to Read a Schematic
During the course of Weekend Projects, we've frequently looked at schematics and the symbols used in these two-dimensional representations of electronic circuits. As Collin Cunningham points out in this video, a schematic is merely a guide used to assemble your circuit, not a physical map of its layout on a printed circuit board. Common symbols for components such as resistors, op-amps, ICs, and various diodes create a visual language for building circuits. In fact, if you can read a schematic, you can build a circuit before even understanding how it works! Take a look at the schematics from previous projects such as the Light Organ
or the 555 Timer Ball Whacker and see if you can interpret parts of the circuit with only the diagram to go by.
Snap Circuit Light Theremin
The Light Theremin is officially one of our most modded projects to date, as both beginner and novice makers have taken to modifying the design of the theremin. Our latest entry comes from Ed, who transplanted the circuit design onto a snap circuit using components from various kits along with custom resistor and photoresistor snaps. The IC socket's jumper cables allow you to visually trace the 555 Timer's pins to the other components, making this layout a great tool for explaining circuit complexity in a simple fashion to anyone new to electronics.
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