Adding unique sounds to a robot. Advice needed.

Jax

···· How would I be able to do it without much fuss?· I know there are a number of·sampled sound chips out there.· But what if the sounds I want are not on those pre recorded sound chips?· I want my robot to·have unique animal sounds.· Playing the typical·overused sound effect isnt necessarily what I have in mind.·

The other method that I know of for adding·sound is something called a phonemes which can synthesize sounds in a roboish·voice.· But I dont want to make the robot talk.· I want it to sound like an animal.

I dont know what kind of chip I would use to store the sound.· Unless I can store it on the basic stamp?· I dont know if the stamps are capable of high quality sound effects storage (if any)(I'm still waiting for my kit).· I·read about a·synthesizer chip.· But I dont know if I need that.· I only need to save up to a dozen sound files tops.·

Any ideas?

allanlane5

The BS2 has 2K of program storage, and 26 (that's right, 26) bytes of RAM. That's it. And it cycles at 2000 instructions per second. And it's programmed in PBasic over your serial port, and it's absolutely reliable if you take a few precautions.

So it makes an excellent simple controller for OTHER chips that are playing animal sounds.

Mike Green

Look at the AppMod Sound Module (http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=29111). It allows you to record and playback sound samples (a total of 60 seconds). It's based on a chip used for a lot of the simple sound recorders out there. The WinBond website shows some of the chips available now (http://www.winbond-usa.com/mambo/content/view/36/140/). The Stamp itself is too slow and has too little memory to store and playback sound.

LoopyByteloose

Having studied linguistics, I strongly suggest that you stay away from phonemes until you actually need to produce something that sounds like language. The whole topic is quite complex and vast. Essentially, it is modeled from the human's anatomy and divided into vowel and consonant utterances. But there can be blends and slides. And clicks and pops.

That leaves you with sounds and noises. Some sounds are quite pure and easily created. These we generally identify as music. Noises, such as percussion insturments, are much more complex and hard to synthesize.

Might I suggest that you use the Propleller's Development board [noparse][[/noparse]with microphone] to just take samples that you can replay in an appropriate context. This is likely to be the most direct route as trying to create an program that does it all is like chasing the end of a rainbow. It likely will keep moving away from you as you try to get closer.

Just consider that a myna bird easily mimics much of what it can never comprehend. So why expect a robotic device to do much better?

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"If you want more fiber, eat the package.· Not enough?· Eat the manual."········

···················· Tropical regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

Post Edited (Kramer) : 9/24/2006 1:03:39 PM GMT

dandreae

Here are a couple codes of which one has·different themes and the other weird sounds and computer noises.

Dave

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Dave Andreae

Tech Support
dandreae@parallax.com
Http://www.parallax.com

Jax

Mike Green said...
Look at the AppMod Sound Module (http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=29111). It allows you to record and playback sound samples (a total of 60 seconds). It's based on a chip used for a lot of the simple sound recorders out there. The WinBond website shows some of the chips available now (http://www.winbond-usa.com/mambo/content/view/36/140/). The Stamp itself is too slow and has too little memory to store and playback sound.

Thanks all for the input!· Yes I saw that AppMod·module.· But I kinda warded away from it due to the price.· I figured if there were cheap sound chips available with preprogrammed sounds, then it shouldnt be too hard to find one that has non volatile recordable function at an affordable price.· Thats where the trouble started since I had a tough time finding a cheap non volatile sound recording chip.· I will look into the Propeller chips and see the features and sound capabilities.· If its non volatile, affordable,·and can save half a dozen sounds that are playable seperately,·then I may have a winner.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dave Andrae Wrote:· "Here are a couple codes of which one has·different themes and the other weird sounds and computer noises. "

Dave<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


I didnt need to create computer noises at the moment but thanks for the links.· They may be of use if I ever get into making other robots that need wierd sound effects.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kramer Wrote:· "Having studied linguistics, I strongly suggest that you stay away from phonemes until you actually need to produce something that sounds like language. The whole topic is quite complex and vast. Essentially, it is modeled from the human's anatomy and divided into vowel and consonant utterances. But there can be blends and slides. And clicks and pops.
···· That leaves you with sounds and noises. Some sounds are quite pure and easily created. These we generally identify as music. Noises, such as percussion insturments, are much more complex and hard to synthesize.
···· Might I suggest that you use the Propleller's Development board [noparse][[/noparse]with microphone] to just take samples that you can replay in an appropriate context. This is likely to be the most direct route as trying to create an program that does it all is like chasing the end of a rainbow. It likely will keep moving away from you as you try to get closer.
···· Just consider that a myna bird easily mimics much of what it can never comprehend. So why expect a robotic device to do much better?"<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


Thanks for the insight!· I will be taking a closer look at the Propeller Development Board.· As for the program that does it all..· Well I dont really need to make the sounds invinitely variable.· I only need to make a·handful of sounds.· Something like·the·varying idea·may only be really useful if its random songbirds singing in a backdrop for an indoor rainforest.· But that could easily be done with a CD recording with loop.· Well maybe AI could also make use of it.· But thats·so far beyond me that I shouldnt even think about that until I have..·like..· an army of programmers and money to burn.·

Cheers!·

Jax

Jax

Has anyone ever heard of an ISD sound module? I found some onfo while surfing a short while ago. The only place (at the moment) that I know of that sells programmable sound modules and the software and development board is a place called Quadravox. Anyone ever heard of them? You can find more info here http://www.tetraphon.com/QVFrames.htm Tell me what you think. These are cheaper than the AppMod mentioned earlier. Looks like it might be useful if it meets my requirements for a non volatile, multi sound effect recordable chip that I can save wav files to. I dont think they listed much info about their older 300 series. Their newer one seems worth it. Considering it comes with free software and the option of selectable sound directories, it might be what I need. I'll keep looking though incase I see any other sound chips out there that have what I want.

Note that I am learning PIC IC's first. A decision I hope I would not regret. I am learning these first mainly for the low cost chips that I can buy. The only thing keeping me from exploring Basic Stamps are the high cost per chip. I want to make multiple robots and not go broke doing so. I am still thinking of getting one since Basic Stamp and PIC's are supposedly very similar. And Basic Stamps have alot of versatility, addons and are among the easiest to use. Also the languages (from what I read) are very similar (if not the same).

Mike Green

Parallax used to sell a Quadravox sound module that worked very well. Their older models all used the ISD chips. I still have one or two. They (Quadravox) have talked about a newer MP3 based module, but, the last time I looked, was still in the "it's coming soon!" category.