Summary of FIZZLE LOOP SYNTH DOES IT WITH 555 TIMERS
The Fizzle Loop Synth is a unique noise generator built around three 555 timers, rejecting microcontroller alternatives. Housed in a vintage metal flashlight case, the device uses two 555s as flashers to drive vactrols, which modulate resistance for a third 555 tone generator. It features extensive controls, an onboard speaker, and a line-out jack for external recording or modular synth integration.
Parts used in the Fizzle Loop Synth:
- Vintage metal flashlight case
- Three 555 timers
- Two vactrols (resistive optoisolators)
- LEDs
- Light-dependent resistors
- Onboard speaker
- Line-out jack
For every project that uses an Arduino to make soup or an ESP8266 to hash bitcoin, there’s always someone out there uttering the same old refrain. I could have done it with a 555. More often than not, this is true, even if it is tangential to the discussion being had. In this case however, such a statement is moot. [lonesoulsurfer] has built the Fizzle Loop Synth, featuring not one, but three triple-nickel timers.
It’s a build that delights in both presentation and performance. The hardware is elegantly slotted into a vintage metal flashlight case, which is absolutely covered in controls. It’s an aesthetic that gives us an irresistible urge to start twiddling knobs and flicking switches. Inside, two 555s are set up as basic flasher circuits, each feeding a vactrol – essentially a resistive optoisolater. Inside is an LED, which is optically coupled to a light-dependent resistor. The LEDs are flashed by the 555s, and this creates a varying resistance which is used to feed a third 555 which generates the tones.
The final result is a fun little noisebox that’s capable of generating quite the variety of bleeps, bloops and blops. There’s an onboard speaker for noodling on the go, as well as a line-out if you need to record your work on external hardware. It would be great fun to hear this circuit hooked up to a modular synth, too.
For a history lesson on the venerable 555, we’ve got you covered. Video after the break.
Source: FIZZLE LOOP SYNTH DOES IT WITH 555 TIMERS
-
How many 555 timers are used in the Fizzle Loop Synth?
The project features three triple-nickel timers. -
What is inside a vactrol?
A vactrol contains an LED that is optically coupled to a light-dependent resistor. -
Can you record the output of this device externally?
Yes, it has a line-out if you need to record your work on external hardware. -
Does the device have an onboard speaker?
Yes, there is an onboard speaker for noodling on the go. -
What kind of enclosure was used for the build?
The hardware is slotted into a vintage metal flashlight case. -
Can this circuit be hooked up to a modular synth?
Yes, it would be great fun to hear this circuit hooked up to a modular synth. -
What does the first set of 555s do in the circuit?
Two 555s are set up as basic flasher circuits feeding the vactrols. -
What generates the tones in this synthesizer?
A third 555 timer generates the tones based on varying resistance from the vactrols.
