Summary of Arduino punk console
Concise summary: An Arduino-based tone sequencer emulates an Atari Punk Console with eight programmable tone slots. Four potentiometers control frequency, duration, tempo, and volume; momentary switches select slots and start/stop sequencing. A SparkFun 2x16 backlit LCD (with serial I/O) displays information. The build was prototyped on a breadboard and housed in acrylic panels with wooden supports and sheet metal screws.
Parts used in the Arduino punk console:
- Arduino microcontroller
- 2x16 backlit LCD display with SparkFun serial I/O board
- 100k linear potentiometer for frequency
- 100k linear potentiometer for duration
- 100k linear potentiometer for tempo
- 100k audio taper potentiometer for volume
- Momentary SPST switches for each of the eight slots
- Momentary SPST start/stop switch
- Red LED tempo indicator
- Breadboard for prototyping
- Clear acrylic front panel
- Clear acrylic bottom panel
- Red oak strips (for internal supports)
- Black sheet metal screws
This is my first build using an arduino microcontroller. I wanted to create a simple tone output device along the lines of the 555-basedatari punk console, but using solely the mcu as the tone generator. Unfortunately, that was just too simple a task with a microcontroller to play with–it was done in about five minutes and my mind was already forging ahead with a bunch of stupid ideas.
Since coding the arduino is simple, I decided to set up eight tone “slots” and then sequence through them. A frequency knob would control the freq of each slot, and a separate tone duration control would allow me to get awesome eighties video game tones. Figuring out the component wiring wasn’t too tough once I’d figured out the basics of reading analog pots and digital switches.
I also thought it would be fun to add a 2 line x 16 character backlit LCD display. The one I used is from sparkfun electronics and includes a serial I/O board so writing to the display is super easy.
The Controls
There are four potentiometers, one each for frequency, duration, tempo, and volume. The first three are simple 100K linear pots wired as voltage dividers. The fourth is a 100k audio taper wired in the traditional volume circuit. The switches for each of the slots are simple momentary SPST devices and another is added for the start stop function. A central red LED is wired in as a tempo indicator.
The Wiring Diagram
Here’s the wiring diagram. Click on the image for a bigger picture.
Prototyping & Building
I built it first on the breadboard to make sure I had everything correct. Quite a mess.
After that, I designed a front panel using clear acrylic panel. I set everything up in Visio, printed the front panel, and taped it to the acrylic sheet to use as a drilling template.
Once the drilling was done, I cut a second piece of acrlyic to be the bottom panel and a couple of strips of red oak. The hole thing is held together with black sheet metal screws.
For more detail: Arduino punk console
- What does this project do?
It sequences eight tone slots using an Arduino to generate tones with controls for frequency, duration, tempo, and volume. - How many tone slots are available?
Eight tone slots are provided. - What controls are included?
Four potentiometers control frequency, duration, tempo, and volume, plus momentary switches for slot selection and start/stop. - What type of potentiometers are used?
Three 100k linear pots for frequency, duration, and tempo, and one 100k audio taper pot for volume. - Is a display used in the project?
Yes, a SparkFun 2x16 backlit LCD with a serial I/O board is used for easy text output. - How was the project prototyped?
It was first built on a breadboard to verify wiring and functionality. - What materials were used for the enclosure?
Clear acrylic sheets for the front and bottom panels, red oak strips for support, and black sheet metal screws to assemble. - Does the project include a tempo indicator?
Yes, a central red LED is wired as a tempo indicator.
