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Basic Stamp Alarm Clock Project- Control Audio Levels? — Parallax Forums

Basic Stamp Alarm Clock Project- Control Audio Levels?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-08-08 16:03 in General Discussion
Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
shove in the right direction.

Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
$$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
keep me from re-inventing the wheel?

For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
"Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my room
to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your attention.
Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your spouse
rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)

Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can hear
"loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to fall
asleep.

So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock, I
thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the white
noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to create
white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
"analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?

Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

Vern

--
Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 16:50
    To ramp up or down sound you could use a Motorized POT! With a Simple LM386 or
    similar the volume is controlled by a pot. Have the Stamp control the pot.....

    For you white noise....why not record the Analog unit via your PC....then burn a
    CD? Or use Software to generate White noise...and burn that to CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Does the White Noise really help that much? My office uses it and I it makes me
    wonder why the AC is so noisy!

    Good luck,
    Tim

    >>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
    I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
    shove in the right direction.

    Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
    $$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
    with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
    it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
    that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
    volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    keep me from re-inventing the wheel?

    For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
    "Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my room
    to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
    like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
    uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your attention.
    Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your spouse
    rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
    Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)

    Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
    wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
    the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
    generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can hear
    "loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to fall
    asleep.

    So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock, I
    thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
    another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the white
    noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to create
    white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
    "analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?

    Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Vern

    --
    Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 17:10
    Tim:

    I like the idea of using the CD for the source of the white noise, the
    only problem is the length of time it takes for my CD to re-start itself
    when it repeats. There is a very significant intteruption that defeats
    the whole purpose of raising the noise floor. [noparse]:([/noparse] Looks like a circuit
    that creates noise is still the best bet since it would allow me to
    leverage a stamp-controlled volume system. I did find a schematic that
    looks interesting as a source for a white noise generator here:

    http://world.std.com/~reinhold/waynesrngcomp.gif

    Anyone care to comment on how well this would work and/or advise on how
    to build this with a single supply rather than a +/- supply? If thats too
    complicated, maybe something similar? I found some pseudo-generators as
    well, like this:

    http://www.qkits.com/serv/qkits/velleman/pages/k4301.asp

    The Vellman P4301 is sold by a few kit makers, but I'm afraid it will
    have discernible "loop points" as well. Ideally I'd like to find a
    circuit that would leverage the power of the stamp itself, but I don't
    know if such a circuit would make truly random noise w/o loop points...

    The idea about using motorized pots is cool! I hadn't thought about doing
    it that way. I found a few sources for motorized pots surplus in a quick
    search, but they're pretty pricey and I wonder if they'll operate
    silently? If the motor grinding is louder than the noise then the fade
    in/out is kinda blown. I'm still leaning to a solid-state solution... If
    I can find one.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Vern

    --
    Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG



    Tim Hart said:
    > To ramp up or down sound you could use a Motorized POT! With a Simple
    > LM386 or similar the volume is controlled by a pot. Have the Stamp
    > control the pot.....
    >
    > For you white noise....why not record the Analog unit via your PC....then
    > burn a CD? Or use Software to generate White noise...and burn that to
    > CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Does the White Noise really help that much? My office uses it and I it
    > makes me wonder why the AC is so noisy!
    >
    > Good luck,
    > Tim
    >
    >>>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    > Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
    > I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
    > shove in the right direction.
    >
    > Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    > Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    > bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
    > $$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    > building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
    > with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    > went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    > forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    > idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    > goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
    > it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
    > that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    > path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
    > volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    > keep me from re-inventing the wheel?
    >
    > For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
    > "Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my room
    > to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
    > like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
    > uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your attention.
    > Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your spouse
    > rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
    > Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)
    >
    > Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
    > wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
    > the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
    > generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can hear
    > "loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to fall
    > asleep.
    >
    > So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock, I
    > thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
    > another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the white
    > noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to create
    > white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
    > "analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?
    >
    > Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern
    >
    > --
    > Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    > Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    > Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    > vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    > Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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    >
    >
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    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 17:42
    > Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
    > I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
    > shove in the right direction.
    >
    > Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    > Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    > bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
    > $$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    > building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
    > with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    > went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    > forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    > idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    > goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
    > it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
    > that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    > path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
    > volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    > keep me from re-inventing the wheel?

    How about a digital pot ? Parallax uses them in one of the Stamps
    In Class curriculums. Ideally, you'd want one with log taper, but
    under the control of a Stamp, I'm sure you could get around it.

    Mark Hillier, VE6HVW
    President, HVW Technologies Inc.
    Canadian Distributors of Parallax Products and other Neat Stuff
    Tel: (403)-730-8603 Fax: (403)-730-8903
    http://www.HVWTech.com
    ** New Breadboard Voltage Regulator (BVR) -A plugable +5 Volt
    power supply !
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 17:53
    For white noise, try an FM radio with the antenna shorted. Tune it for no
    reception.
    For an analog fader, try a 2n7000 mosfet with a large cap (say 1000uf) connected
    from Source to Gate, Gate fed through a resistor
    (say 100k) from the stamp. Connect a 10 ohm or larger resistor from the audio
    source to the Drain pin and take audio out from there.
    When the stamp pin goes high it will slowly attenuate the audio, when driven low
    it will slowly return to full audio out.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-06 19:47
    an OT remark...I guess you mean pink noise...it is what is being used in
    noise 'cancellators' or whatever they are called...white noise is harsher,
    rather unpleasant to listen to, pink noise is closer to surf sounds...I
    have been using it to block out tens of students practising simultaneously
    in the music across the street of a room where I do a lot of reading
    guy

    At 11:50 AM 8/6/2003 -0400, you wrote:
    >To ramp up or down sound you could use a Motorized POT! With a Simple
    >LM386 or similar the volume is controlled by a pot. Have the Stamp
    >control the pot.....
    >
    >For you white noise....why not record the Analog unit via your PC....then
    >burn a CD? Or use Software to generate White noise...and burn that to CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    >Does the White Noise really help that much? My office uses it and I it
    >makes me wonder why the AC is so noisy!
    >
    >Good luck,
    >Tim
    >
    > >>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    >Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
    >I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
    >shove in the right direction.
    >
    >Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    >Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    >bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
    >$$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    >building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
    >with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    >went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    >Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    >forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    >idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    >goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
    >it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
    >that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    >path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
    >volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    >keep me from re-inventing the wheel?
    >
    >For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
    >"Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    >Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my room
    >to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
    >like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
    >uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your attention.
    >Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your spouse
    >rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
    >Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)
    >
    >Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
    >wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
    >the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
    >generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can hear
    >"loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to fall
    >asleep.
    >
    >So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock, I
    >thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
    >another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the white
    >noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to create
    >white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
    >"analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?
    >
    >Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    >Vern
    >
    >--
    >Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    >Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    >Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    >vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    >Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    >Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-07 13:47
    Just a clarification on white vs. pink noise. White noise is defined as
    having equal amplitude across the whole frequency band of interest (usually
    20 Hz to 20 kHz), while pink noise has equal energy per octave resulting in
    a descending energy level as the frequency rises. Since human hearing (and
    piano scales) hear in logarithmic scales, white noise will indeed sound very
    harsh, while pink noise has much more bass since it's energy level decreases
    as the frequency goes up. And yes, analog white noise sources can sound more
    "real" than looped digital copies.

    Also, white noise is called "white" for the same reason white light is
    called "white". Both have (more or less) equal amounts of all colors
    (frequencies) included. While pink noise is called "pink" since it's
    "colored" and has more "bass" frequencies. I've heard of brown noise, but
    not sure I want to know exactly what that is.

    Mike Sokol
    www.modernrecording.com
    mikes@m...



    Original Message
    From: "Guy De Bievre" <guydb@t...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 2:47 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Basic Stamp Alarm Clock Project- Control Audio
    Levels?


    > an OT remark...I guess you mean pink noise...it is what is being used in
    > noise 'cancellators' or whatever they are called...white noise is harsher,
    > rather unpleasant to listen to, pink noise is closer to surf sounds...I
    > have been using it to block out tens of students practising simultaneously
    > in the music across the street of a room where I do a lot of reading
    > guy
    >
    > At 11:50 AM 8/6/2003 -0400, you wrote:
    > >To ramp up or down sound you could use a Motorized POT! With a Simple
    > >LM386 or similar the volume is controlled by a pot. Have the Stamp
    > >control the pot.....
    > >
    > >For you white noise....why not record the Analog unit via your PC....then
    > >burn a CD? Or use Software to generate White noise...and burn that to
    CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > >Does the White Noise really help that much? My office uses it and I it
    > >makes me wonder why the AC is so noisy!
    > >
    > >Good luck,
    > >Tim
    > >
    > > >>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    > >Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I thought
    > >I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me a
    > >shove in the right direction.
    > >
    > >Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    > >Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    > >bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot less
    > >$$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    > >building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I finished
    > >with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    > >went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress... [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > >Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    > >forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    > >idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    > >goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed, as
    > >it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a cap
    > >that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    > >path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an audio
    > >volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    > >keep me from re-inventing the wheel?
    > >
    > >For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
    > >"Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > >Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my room
    > >to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
    > >like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
    > >uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your attention.
    > >Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your spouse
    > >rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
    > >Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)
    > >
    > >Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
    > >wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
    > >the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
    > >generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can hear
    > >"loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to fall
    > >asleep.
    > >
    > >So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock, I
    > >thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
    > >another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the white
    > >noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to create
    > >white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
    > >"analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?
    > >
    > >Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > >Vern
    > >
    > >--
    > >Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    > >Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    > >Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    > >vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    > >Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    > >
    > >
    > >
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-08 15:23
    Mark Hillier said:
    > How about a digital pot ? Parallax uses them in one of the Stamps
    > In Class curriculums.

    I dug around on the site and didn't see the item you described. Do you
    have a link to a schematic or a part numnber maybe? [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Vern

    --
    Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-08 15:38
    Ok, so I've done a bit more research based on some of the feedback I've
    received here, and though I got some good responses (make an audio CD
    w/noise & use motorized POTs) I'm still stuck on a couple of things:

    1) Can the stamp *itself* be used to produce pink/white noise?

    2) Can anyone provide (or point me to) a design/schematic for a stamp to
    control audio volume in a non-mechanical manner? Al? Jon? [noparse]:D[/noparse]

    TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Vern

    --
    Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG


    Vernon Graner said:
    > Tim:
    >
    > I like the idea of using the CD for the source of the white noise, the
    > only problem is the length of time it takes for my CD to re-start itself
    > when it repeats. There is a very significant intteruption that defeats
    > the whole purpose of raising the noise floor. [noparse]:([/noparse] Looks like a circuit
    > that creates noise is still the best bet since it would allow me to
    > leverage a stamp-controlled volume system. I did find a schematic that
    > looks interesting as a source for a white noise generator here:
    >
    > http://world.std.com/~reinhold/waynesrngcomp.gif
    >
    > Anyone care to comment on how well this would work and/or advise on how
    > to build this with a single supply rather than a +/- supply? If thats too
    > complicated, maybe something similar? I found some pseudo-generators as
    > well, like this:
    >
    > http://www.qkits.com/serv/qkits/velleman/pages/k4301.asp
    >
    > The Vellman P4301 is sold by a few kit makers, but I'm afraid it will
    > have discernible "loop points" as well. Ideally I'd like to find a
    > circuit that would leverage the power of the stamp itself, but I don't
    > know if such a circuit would make truly random noise w/o loop points...
    >
    > The idea about using motorized pots is cool! I hadn't thought about doing
    > it that way. I found a few sources for motorized pots surplus in a quick
    > search, but they're pretty pricey and I wonder if they'll operate
    > silently? If the motor grinding is louder than the noise then the fade
    > in/out is kinda blown. I'm still leaning to a solid-state solution... If
    > I can find one.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern
    >
    > --
    > Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    > Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    > Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    > vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    > Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    >
    >
    >
    > Tim Hart said:
    >> To ramp up or down sound you could use a Motorized POT! With a Simple
    >> LM386 or similar the volume is controlled by a pot. Have the Stamp
    >> control the pot.....
    >>
    >> For you white noise....why not record the Analog unit via your
    >> PC....then
    >> burn a CD? Or use Software to generate White noise...and burn that to
    >> CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >>
    >> Does the White Noise really help that much? My office uses it and I it
    >> makes me wonder why the AC is so noisy!
    >>
    >> Good luck,
    >> Tim
    >>
    >>>>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    >> Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing over time, and I
    >> thought
    >> I would throw my two pondering points out to see if someone can give me
    >> a
    >> shove in the right direction.
    >>
    >> Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial LCD module and the
    >> Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it configured as a basic
    >> bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have gotten one for a lot
    >> less
    >> $$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the stamp when I was
    >> building a robot for my son (http://www.robocide.com) and when I
    >> finished
    >> with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower so I got a IIsx that
    >> went into the robot so I had some spare parts and... but I digress...
    >> [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >>
    >> Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the "alarm clock" project
    >> forward by having it control the volume of a radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    >> idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the sound in when the alarm
    >> goes off rather than just closing a relay and blasting me out of bed,
    >> as
    >> it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM out of the BSII to a
    >> cap
    >> that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but before I went down that
    >> path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a stamp to control an
    >> audio
    >> volume source, and if so might they be willing to share a schematic to
    >> keep me from re-inventing the wheel?
    >>
    >> For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott Edwards widget called a
    >> "Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put in line and be done!
    >> [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >>
    >> Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White Noise" playing in my
    >> room
    >> to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you interested, white noise
    >> like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise floor" that your mind
    >> uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to require your
    >> attention.
    >> Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the event that your
    >> spouse
    >> rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks over your son's large
    >> Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the night!)
    >>
    >> Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very good white noise. I
    >> wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled, so I bought one form
    >> the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this unit uses a digital
    >> generator that isn't as "random" as the analog unit I have and I can
    >> hear
    >> "loop" points in the noise that are very distracting when trying to
    >> fall
    >> asleep.
    >>
    >> So, since I would like to add some audio to my Basic Stamp Alarm Clock,
    >> I
    >> thought about including a white noise generator in the new design as
    >> another source for the stamp to control. For example, fade out the
    >> white
    >> noise while fading in the music. So, has anyone used the stamp to
    >> create
    >> white noise directly or does anyone have a circuit design that creates
    >> "analog" white noise the stamp could subsequently control?
    >>
    >> Any feedback/questions/suggestions humbly received. TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >>
    >> Vern
    >>
    >> --
    >> Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is down, then you're
    >> Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent so why are we
    >> Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course, if the network
    >> vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we obviously don't need
    >> Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we paying you?" VLG
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    >> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    >> and
    >> Body of the message will be ignored.
    >>
    >>
    >> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    >> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >>
    >>
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    >>
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    >> and
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-08-08 16:03
    you can get a very good insight into digital pot
    control in this months nuts n volts personaly i would
    generate the noise externaly i have seen this done
    with the juction of a transitor then amplifiy it with
    a op amp looks like you could control it all with a
    stamp good luck

    --- Vernon Graner <vern@t...> wrote:
    > Ok, so I've done a bit more research based on some
    > of the feedback I've
    > received here, and though I got some good responses
    > (make an audio CD
    > w/noise & use motorized POTs) I'm still stuck on a
    > couple of things:
    >
    > 1) Can the stamp *itself* be used to produce
    > pink/white noise?
    >
    > 2) Can anyone provide (or point me to) a
    > design/schematic for a stamp to
    > control audio volume in a non-mechanical manner? Al?
    > Jon? [noparse]:D[/noparse]
    >
    > TIA! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Vern
    >
    > --
    > Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is
    > down, then you're
    > Senior Systems Engineer | obviously incompetent
    > so why are we
    > Texas Information Services | paying you? Of course,
    > if the network
    > vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we
    > obviously don't need
    > Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we
    > paying you?" VLG
    >
    >
    > Vernon Graner said:
    > > Tim:
    > >
    > > I like the idea of using the CD for the source of
    > the white noise, the
    > > only problem is the length of time it takes for my
    > CD to re-start itself
    > > when it repeats. There is a very significant
    > intteruption that defeats
    > > the whole purpose of raising the noise floor. [noparse]:([/noparse]
    > Looks like a circuit
    > > that creates noise is still the best bet since it
    > would allow me to
    > > leverage a stamp-controlled volume system. I did
    > find a schematic that
    > > looks interesting as a source for a white noise
    > generator here:
    > >
    > > http://world.std.com/~reinhold/waynesrngcomp.gif
    > >
    > > Anyone care to comment on how well this would work
    > and/or advise on how
    > > to build this with a single supply rather than a
    > +/- supply? If thats too
    > > complicated, maybe something similar? I found some
    > pseudo-generators as
    > > well, like this:
    > >
    > >
    >
    http://www.qkits.com/serv/qkits/velleman/pages/k4301.asp
    > >
    > > The Vellman P4301 is sold by a few kit makers, but
    > I'm afraid it will
    > > have discernible "loop points" as well. Ideally
    > I'd like to find a
    > > circuit that would leverage the power of the stamp
    > itself, but I don't
    > > know if such a circuit would make truly random
    > noise w/o loop points...
    > >
    > > The idea about using motorized pots is cool! I
    > hadn't thought about doing
    > > it that way. I found a few sources for motorized
    > pots surplus in a quick
    > > search, but they're pretty pricey and I wonder if
    > they'll operate
    > > silently? If the motor grinding is louder than the
    > noise then the fade
    > > in/out is kinda blown. I'm still leaning to a
    > solid-state solution... If
    > > I can find one.. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > > Vern
    > >
    > > --
    > > Vern Graner CNE/CNA/SSE | "If the network is
    > down, then you're
    > > Senior Systems Engineer | obviously
    > incompetent so why are we
    > > Texas Information Services | paying you? Of
    > course, if the network
    > > vern@t... www.txis.com | is up, then we
    > obviously don't need
    > > Cell 507-7851 Desk 328-8947 | you, so why are we
    > paying you?" VLG
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Tim Hart said:
    > >> To ramp up or down sound you could use a
    > Motorized POT! With a Simple
    > >> LM386 or similar the volume is controlled by a
    > pot. Have the Stamp
    > >> control the pot.....
    > >>
    > >> For you white noise....why not record the Analog
    > unit via your
    > >> PC....then
    > >> burn a CD? Or use Software to generate White
    > noise...and burn that to
    > >> CD....[noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >>
    > >> Does the White Noise really help that much? My
    > office uses it and I it
    > >> makes me wonder why the AC is so noisy!
    > >>
    > >> Good luck,
    > >> Tim
    > >>
    > >>>>> vern@t... 08/06/03 10:16AM >>>
    > >> Ok, I have a project I've been slowly advancing
    > over time, and I
    > >> thought
    > >> I would throw my two pondering points out to see
    > if someone can give me
    > >> a
    > >> shove in the right direction.
    > >>
    > >> Background: I have a Basic Stamp II with a Serial
    > LCD module and the
    > >> Pocketwatch unit, all from Parallax. I have it
    > configured as a basic
    > >> bedside alarm clock. Yeah, I know I could have
    > gotten one for a lot
    > >> less
    > >> $$$, but it was a fun project to learn about the
    > stamp when I was
    > >> building a robot for my son
    > (http://www.robocide.com) and when I
    > >> finished
    > >> with the BSII I ended up needing more horsepower
    > so I got a IIsx that
    > >> went into the robot so I had some spare parts
    > and... but I digress...
    > >> [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >>
    > >> Pondering Point 1: I have envisioned moving the
    > "alarm clock" project
    > >> forward by having it control the volume of a
    > radio/cd/mp3 player. The
    > >> idea would be to have the stamp slowly fade the
    > sound in when the alarm
    > >> goes off rather than just closing a relay and
    > blasting me out of bed,
    > >> as
    > >> it does now. [noparse]:)[/noparse] I was toying with using the PWM
    > out of the BSII to a
    > >> cap
    > >> that then slowly bias a transistor or....?, but
    > before I went down that
    > >> path, I wanted to see if anyone else has used a
    > stamp to control an
    > >> audio
    > >> volume source, and if so might they be willing to
    > share a schematic to
    > >> keep me from re-inventing the wheel?
    > >>
    > >> For all I know there may be a One Wire or Scott
    > Edwards widget called a
    > >> "Serial Sound Controller" that I could just put
    > in line and be done!
    > >> [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >>
    > >> Pondering Point 2: I like to sleep with "White
    > Noise" playing in my
    > >> room
    > >> to make my sleep more stable. (For those of you
    > interested, white noise
    > >> like rain sounds or waterfalls raise the "noise
    > floor" that your mind
    > >> uses as the threshold for what is loud enough to
    > require your
    > >> attention.
    > >> Makes it easier to sleep through the night in the
    > event that your
    > >> spouse
    > >> rises for the call of nature or the cat knocks
    > over your son's large
    > >> Power Ranger Action Figure in the middle of the
    > night!)
    > >>
    > >> Anyway, I have an old analog unit that makes very
    > good white noise. I
    > >> wanted to have a 2nd unit to use when I traveled,
    > so I bought one form
    > >> the Sharper Image company. Unfortunately, this
    > unit uses a digital
    > >> generator that isn't as "random" as the analog
    > unit I have and I can
    >
    === message truncated ===


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