Help with making or sourcing a sound chip

elvisgump

elvisgump

Active Member
I'm wondering if anyone has tips on how to make a compact sound chip or a source that sells them?

I'm making a custom Doctor Who sonic for the current contest and I want to include a sound chip. Currently the only alternative I have is to destroy a toy sonic for it's chip, but I thought I'd like to make a custom chip that I could alter the sound on or program with other sounds.

Anyone have tips, how-tos or sources?

Thanks
Elvis
 
exoray said:
Gut a digital voice recorder pen, you can't do anything custom for anywhere near what you can purchase an over the counter item for...

http://www.google.com/products?q=digital+recorder+pen&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&scoring=p
Click to expand...

I have just torn apart two of said objects and they have some issues.

First - the voice recorders I bought do not repeat the playback when the button is held down so you have to keep pressing the button to repeat the screwdriver noise.

Second - the microphone on those is absolutely _horrible_ for recording the sound in question. I'm going to try switching the microphone for a direct headphone cable to see if I can't feed the sound directly from the computer to the recorder.

Third - activating the sound and lights at the same time is problematic. Still working on how to do this using the voice recorder circuitry.
 
Tempus said:
There is this:

Sound Chip

But given it's size, it's more suited for larger items, like a tricorder.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but too large for a Sonic screwdriver and at $25 one would be better off buying a sonic toy at the same price and tearing it apart for the sound chip with the sound already in it.

Perhaps I should contact Character Options who makes the toy and see if they will sell the chips alone?
 
Look into those recording chips for greetings cards and cuddly toys (build a bear). They tend to loop a 10 second clip. Some I've used in the past had a point where an input cable could be attached (I assume for factory use in making multiples) the input jack wasn't there but the mounting connectors were so I just put a spare one on, added the sound, and then popped it off. Some alterations to the switch and you could have a decent chip.
 
First - the voice recorders I bought do not repeat the playback when the button is held down so you have to keep pressing the button to repeat the screwdriver noise.
Click to expand...

Well compromises for a cheap solution... It records 20 seconds so record a 20 second loop, IMO that's a pretty long loop...

Second - the microphone on those is absolutely _horrible_ for recording the sound in question. I'm going to try switching the microphone for a direct headphone cable to see if I can't feed the sound directly from the computer to the recorder.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, but you only have to record it once...

Third - activating the sound and lights at the same time is problematic. Still working on how to do this using the voice recorder circuitry.
Click to expand...

DPST switch, or DPDT and only use one side of the throw...
 
Actually, since someone was good enough to start a thread on the topic...

I have a project in mind in which I would like to have any of 4 sounds played at the press of a single button.

I bought my niece a Stitch plush that would sing, laugh maniacally, or babble all from pressing a button in his palm.
My mother showed me a miniature robbie the robot figure that would say any one of several quotes when you pressed his head down.

So I know there is a solution out there, but right now it seems like the only way to get the functions I want is with a micro-controller and an Arduino (or similar) environment.

Anyone have any thoughts?

TIA

JM
 
Jaded Monk said:
So I know there is a solution out there, but right now it seems like the only way to get the functions I want is with a micro-controller and an Arduino (or similar) environment.

Anyone have any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Several options just depends on your budget and size requirements, almost all toys are custom pre-recorded modules so even though they do what you want most can't be modified... As for the Arduino it's so oversold and hyped it's getting annoying, there are better ways to go about it... For a simple digital playback solution with random playback there are single chip solutions, no need for a micro for something so simple...
 
exoray said:
ChipCorder http://www.isd.com/hq/enu
Click to expand...

I can't make heads or tails out of how bug this thing is or if I need to supply a speaker or do I have to order a container ship full of them to get them.

I guess I could make a sonic screwdriver the size and shape of a plush animal and use one of those sound chips.

"What is that?"
"Sonic screwdriver. Doesn't kill doesn't maim, but very good at opening doors. And at night you can stoke it's fur and cuddle with it."
 
elvisgump said:
I can't make heads or tails out of how bug this thing is or if I need to supply a speaker or do I have to order a container ship full of them to get them.
Click to expand...

Most of the hobbist friendly packages for those chips will not fit in a sonic, thus the reason I suggested the pen for that application...

And yes you need a speaker and supporting hardware for those chips...
 
exoray said:
Most of the hobbist friendly packages for those chips will not fit in a sonic, thus the reason I suggested the pen for that application...

And yes you need a speaker and supporting hardware for those chips...
Click to expand...

I haven't cut open a C.O. toy though I've seen pictures of what the chip in it looks like and wonder if it's some variation on one of those piezo buzzer thingies I see for sale at Radio Shack?

I'm guessing trying to buy the cheapest C.O. toys is looking like the best way to go.

I'm rather surprised how hard it is turning out to get an alternate solution.
 
elvisgump said:
though I've seen pictures of what the chip in it looks like and wonder if it's some variation on one of those piezo buzzer thingies I see for sale at Radio Shack?
Click to expand...

No a buzzer is a buzzer, you want a digital audio playback circuit and speaker, there are piezo speakers but you still need to generate the sound for them to play... Chances are the chip and circuit in the Sonic toy is a custom die made just for that toy...

I'm rather surprised how hard it is turning out to get an alternate solution.
Click to expand...

$$$ will get you alternatives, custom electronics are not cheap, hobbist simply can't compete with a toy company in China that is making millions upon millions of products and gets huge volume discounts and can leverage the cost of development of custom electronics across a huge market...
 
Sorry to revive this but I am working on a little project and I need to get a small recorder/playback system that can fit into an Altoids tin. I just want to put one sound on it then when I press a button, it loops the sound. I am very new at all of this. Thanks.
 
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