SIGNUM_Portable Analog Instrumentation Amplifier from animazon on Vimeo.

In this workshop participants will build and take home their own Signum device, which is designed to experiment with hidden signals and usually un-hearable sounds. The device includes a transducer, optical, coil, germanium diode and small loop antenna that will allow you to both to listen to and record the sounds hidden in the electromagnetic spectrum. The workshop will also cover the use of the electromagnetic spectrum in art practice.

With Victor Mazon Gardoqui.

Signum is a portable device designed to provide a clean, line level & micro controller friendly output signal to various input sensors: different bandwidth antennas, high impedance transducers, photosensitive cells, infrared, ultraviolet, sound pressure or line level.

The electromagnetic spectrum will be used as a creative resource where participants will build a device capable of modulate the invisible phenomenæ on various media or devices.

SIGNUM performs a fully analogue difference operation between its input and reference output level, multipling by a factor of 100 times in the first stage  -controlable by potenciometer- and 10 times magnification on its second stage, providing a controlled amplitude output line suitable to be safely connected to any audio input: sound card, computer or mixer, providing the input signal a maximum magnification ratio of 1000: 1 and a signal-to-noise distortion of 0.007% THD.

The kit contains two amplifier circuits operating in parallel to accommodate different impedances of sensors and a final amplification for line output. The 3 sensors embedded on its surface measures close range electromagnetic frequencies, a central SMA antenna connector for long-range signals and an external line input via the 3.5mm jack to amplify self made sensors and physical devices.

It’s powered by a 9V battery or supplied 1,3mm power jack to USB connector.

The workshop will be lead by Victor Mazon Gardoqui who’s the author of workshop concept, electronics design & documentation | CC 4.0 BY-SA ://victormazon.com/signum

Victor will be also giving an Artist Talk about his practice at the Music Hackspace on Thursday 22 October

SIGNUM Portable Analogue Instrumentation Amplifier

Specifications:
Voltage gain 10 to 1000 (w/ ALPS potentiometer)
Amplitude control (w/ ALPS potentiometer)
Bandwidth set to 15.9kHz (w/feedback capacitors), or 100kHz (w/ caps removed)
Line IN / Line OUT (w/ Jack 3,5mm)
SMA Antenna Input
Self-centering output quiescent voltageBattery operation ~3V–30V
1,3mm power jack to USB cable included
220v to 5v USB adaptor included
Current drain ≤160mA
Size 70×70 mm
8x 30mm. metal stands
Sensors: transducer, optical, coil, germanium diode, small loop antenna included
Industrial PCB manufacture
Material FR4
Thickness 1,6mm
Surface Finish ENIG Immersion Gold  on both sides
Black Matt Soldermask on both Sides

 

 

 

 

When: Saturday 24th October: 11h to 19 h and Sunday 25th October 11h to 15h.

Required skills: No previous experience in electronics is necessary, but interest and patience mandatory.

Cost: 95 GBP (Keep you device! All electronic materials and documentation are included).

Enquiries: please email workshops@stagingmhs.local

 

 

 

 

During the six weeks you will build The Ultimate Headbutting Machine – 10 step sequencer with drums and cymbals. You will learn principles of electronics starting from simple circuits to more complex ones. Each class (4h per week) will be focused on building different modules of the UHM, exploring CMOS technology in depth. Participants will be encouraged to experiment with circuits, hack toys and use organic materials implemented in the machine in order to modulate the sounds.

The classes will not only be focused on building final musical device but also on learning principles of electronics. After the course hopefully you will be able to read schematics and build devices yourself.

After each class you will be given hand outs with resources.

Price: £300. All the materials are included in the price and you take the final machine with you.

At the beginning of each module the participants will work on breadboards to freely experiment with the circuits and play around with different components in order to familiarize themselves with CMOS technology and feel more comfortable with circuit design experimentation.

Next, after the participants are introduced to the principles of the electronic circuit’s mechanism and they are happy with the design they will solder each module on copper strip boards / or PCBs.

The whole 6 weeks course will be focused on those modules, where participants will start from building simple oscillators to more complex circuits.

For more information contact curators@stagingmhs.local. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Module 1

Date: Wednesday 7th of October (18:00-21:00)

Location: Music Hackspace, Unit 15 (ContainerVille), 5–10 Corbridge Crescent, London E2 9DS

Subject: Noisy Oscillators.

TOPICS:

Introduction to electricity: current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, Ohm’s Low.
Basic functions of a circuit.
Introduction to components .
How does the sound look like? introduction to measuring tools.
How does the breadboard work?
Introduction to oscillators.
Combinational logic.

During this module we will work on breadboards, experimenting with different frequencies of oscillators and different resistive materials. We will learn how to build oscillators that modulate each other and use them to control pitch, timbre and speed.

Module 2

Date: Wednesday 14th of October (18:00-21:00)

Location: Music Hackspace, Unit 15 (ContainerVille), 5–10 Corbridge Crescent, London E2 9DS

Subject: Melting solder and making noise.

TOPICS:

Introduction to soldering.
Looking at different soldering techniques and different kinds of copper boards.
Troubleshooting principles.

Module 3

Date: Wednesday 21st of October (18:00-21:00)

Location: Music Hackspace, Unit 15 (ContainerVille), 5–10 Corbridge Crescent, London E2 9DS

Subject: Sequencing in silicon.

TOPICS:

Introduction to sequential logic.
Building LED driver.
Controlling the sequence with fruit ‘n’ veg.
Audio sequencer vs. Gate/CV sequencer
Driving circuit bendet toys in sequence.
Building a 10 step sequencer.

During this module we will build different kinds of simple experimental sequencers, playing around with various triggers. We will explore decade counters.

Module 4

Date: Wednesday 28th of October (18:00-21:00)

Location: Music Hackspace, Unit 15 (ContainerVille), 5–10 Corbridge Crescent, London E2 9DS

Subject: 808 Cowbell demystified.

TOPICS:

What is a harmony mixer?
What is a frequency modulation?
Introduction to XOR gates.
Metallic sounds vs percussive sounds.
Introduction to control voltage.
Transistors and buffers.

We will build the cymbal/cowbell module. We will experiment with different values of components in order to produce various sounds: from metallic ones, to high hats, cowbell and cymbals.

Module 5

Date: Wednesday 4th of November (18:00-21:00) and Saturday 14th of November (12:00-16:00)

Location: Music Hackspace, Unit 15 (ContainerVille), 5–10 Corbridge Crescent, London E2 9DS

Subject: Filters and Drums.

TOPICS:

Active and passive filters.
Introduction to op amps (Operational Amplifiers).
Why does drum sound like a drum?
Simple distortion effect.

During this module we will learn about importance of an amplification. We will build simple drum module, that will be implemented in the final machine.