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blackdeath noise synth

And this is the reason why it is impossible in a visitation to prevent the spreading of the plague by the utmost human vigilance: viz., that it is impossible to know the infected people from the sound, or that the infected people should perfectly know themselves.

[Daniel DeFoe. Journal of the Plague Year]

Inspired in part by Leif Elggren's Virulent Images/Virulent Sound (if images can be virulent, can sound be virulent too?), blackdeath is the first open hardware/free software noise synthesiser with the plague inside.

Embedding epidemic and plague simulations amongst other data generation algorithms for granular re-synthesis of incoming audio signals or self-generated feedback, blackdeath represents a virulent yet highly controllable noise/audio engine with built-in, switchable distortion.

Alternatively you can abandon the plague carrier and code your own sampling software to make use of resident 512 Kb RAM (64 seconds of audio sampled at 8000 samples per second), 8 bit DAC (Digital Analogue Convertor), and digital switched distortion(s). A prototype area is provided to design, test and run your own distortion designs.

blackdeath is delivered fully assembled, and features high quality ALPS potentiometers, BOSS style 9v power socket (+V on the outside), and full size (6.5mm) JACK input and output sockets. The sheer, black design follows John Dee's Sigillum DEI, according to the instructions of the Angels given in Mysteriorum Liber Secundus.

Price: 110 euros with free shipping worldwide

15 now in stock

Samples

Recording (line out from device to laptop) using the blackdeath noise module in simple no input mode, with distortion enabled:

blackdeath_noinput_distortion by martin_howse

Another in no input mode with distortion:

blackdeath_noinput_distortion002 by martin_howse

Recording (line out from device to laptop) using the blackdeath noise module with an input; a simple coil amplifier, with distortion disabled:

blackdeath_simplecoilnodistortion001 by martin_howse

Another with coil amp as input:

Coilinnodistortion 002 by martin_howse

With coil amp as input but with distortion and switching between no-input/feedback mode and usual input mode:

blackdeathmixedcoilnoin by martin_howse

Video

[blackdeath with no_input]

[blackdeath with input]

Layout and controls

../images/bd01desc.jpg

The design follows John Dee's Sigillum DEI, according to the instructions of the Angels given in Mysteriorum Liber Secundus.

Hardware

Schematic and design

../images/blackdeathsch.png

The schematic and PCB design (all licensed under the GPL) are available from: https://github.com/microresearch/blackdeath

Parts List

1x blackdeath PCB
2x 22pF capacitor SMD 0805
5x 100nF capacitor SMD 0805
5x 1uF capacitor SMD 1206
2x 10uF capacitor SMD 1206
1x 4.7K resistor SMD 0805
6x 10K resistor SMD 0805
1x 330R resistor SMD 0805
1x 16 MHz XTAL HC49 SMD
1x AVR ATmega128-16
2x 4066 SMD
1x 628512-55 M (512Kx8) RAM SMD
1x 74LS573 SMD
1x 7805 voltage regulator TO-220
1x MAX548A (MAX549A on latest PCB)
2x 2n3904 NPN transistors SOT-23 (Segor)
2x red LEDs SMD 0805
6x ALPS 100K potentiometers (RK09K1131K25)
2x Mono PCB or panel mount jack (6,35mm) (Banzai: Jack MO-PCB-NS)
1x BOSS style DC 2.1mm socket (Segor: DCBU 2,1-PR Mini)
5 pin SIL RM2,5 connector for programming
3x sliding switch (Segor: SS-22E01, 11x6,2x5,5 RM2,5) (now changed on latest PCB)

All parts were ordered from Reichelt, farnell, segor and banzai-music.

Make your own PCB or purchase for 23 euros (with free shipping worldwide):

5 in stock!

Parts placement

../images/bdlayout.png

Software

Download the code from: https://github.com/microresearch/blackdeath

To program: attach a usbasp compatible In System Programmer (ISP), power on, and from the blackdeath directory run:

make fuse
make flash

Contact

m_at_1010.co.uk

Author: root <m@1010.co.uk>

Date: 2012-02-22 17:32:58 GMT

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