Name of the wind -- harnessing wind and weather as voltage sources

[Ben Asaro]

Well, this has been an eventful 24 hours.

It started with watching this video yesterday afternoon, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt5CG7Hbe9U&t=166s

That ended with an online purchase of my own anemometer, light sensor, and a few bits and bobs.

I have no idea if I can make any of this work, but since I now have the ability to take the modular outdoors, might as well see if I can maximize it. The entire thing only ran me $40, so even if it's a failed experiment, I'm not out a lot of cash.

I should have done more research before I made my purchase because I learned afterwards that there are two anemometers useful for modular: there's the passive kind that turn wind into voltage (what I purchased) and the active kind that output pulses per revolution.

After some experimenting today, I was able to get the Make Noise Function to output a pulse from an lfo input, so theoretically, I should be able to make this work using the anemometer; a change in wind speed, should trigger a pulse from Function.

Anyway, I'll be documenting this mad experiment here.

[Ben Asaro]

Just did some research into comparators and it looks like I will need one or two for this project.

[Arpangel]

Very interesting, be fascinated to hear what you do Ben.

[Ben Asaro]

Yesterday was a holiday here and by the time I got home from our day at the NY Aquarium, the light sensors were waiting for me.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NVbeNish66UaKn418

It's worth noting that I have NO idea what I'm doing, so this is learn-as-I-go. Using USB to barrel to Phoenix connector, I was able to connect bread board wires to the module, and another series of adapters to get the analogue out to a 3.5mm plug.

And it works! Kinda?

Once I figured out how the light sensor threshold works, I was able to verify that the sensor is working correctly (ostensibly).

Going through a cv attentuator to whack the output WAY down, I waa able to verify that pointing the sensor towards a light source increased the voltage from the analogue output.

However, I think that a comparator is the right module for this, as the YT video indicated. So, onto Perfect Circuit I went!

Two DPW comparators/attenuverters later (and MAAAYBE another Buchla module lol), now I just have to wait for the wind sensor and the modules to arrive to continue testing.

[Folderol]

I'd be inclined to go a bit further with that light sensor.
Buffer the analog voltage output and use that for tonal changes, and also have multiple independent comparators attached so you can switch various different functions.
Oh, and/or provide a link from the comparator(s) threshold setting so that can be further controlled by the rest of your kit.

[Ben Asaro]

and/or provide a link from the comparator(s) threshold setting so that can be further controlled by the rest of your kit.

Can you explain what you mean by this?

[Martin Walker]

and/or provide a link from the comparator(s) threshold setting so that can be further controlled by the rest of your kit.

Can you explain what you mean by this?

I've just had a look at the block diagram of the dpw design AV2, Attenuverter, Mixer, Comparator (see below), and while there is no dedicated control labelled Threshold for the comparator, with nothing plugged into one of the inputs it remains connected to +5 volts, so using the Attenuverter knob you can then adjust the voltage going to the comparator input anywhere between +5 to -5 volts - this becomes your Threshold control.

I think what Will means is that if you instead connect a different varying signal to this input (or indeed, several summed signals from various sources), the instantaneous voltage level will result in the comparator output switching either high or low depending on whether it's higher or lower than the current voltage value of the signal connected to the other input.

Simply put, plug different static or varying signals into each input and you'll get a high/low comparator output that depends on the current relative input values.

Or, just plug stuff in to Inputs A & B, wiggle things, and see if anything happens that sounds good

[Ben Asaro]

Or, just plug stuff in to Inputs A & B, wiggle things, and see if anything happens that sounds good

HA! You have discovered my secret!

[Folderol]

I thin Martin has pretty much covered it

[Arpangel]

I think I’ll just get a Koma Field Kit and a few contact mic's.

[Martin Walker]

I think I’ll just get a Koma Field Kit and a few contact mic's.

Ooh, now you've reminded (and shamed) me that I really haven't used my Koma Field Kit plus an array of contact mic and other novelty items to generate or at least enhance any real music - I did a load of test runs when I first got it eight years ago, but then other stuff cropped up.

Here's Soundcloud audio of it in action with two electromagnetic pickups placed on a computer cooling fan - you could say that this is me harnessing wind as voltage sources

"I've finally got my computer fan working with the versatile Koma Field Kit, so here's a little proof of concept test using two electromagnetic pickups to capture plenty of stereo movement, by placing them in different positions on the fan. LFO output to DC Interface CV input. No FX added - recorded straight out of the Field Kit. Love these rhythms!"

https://soundcloud.com/yew-tree-magic/m ... -fan-tests

[Arpangel]

Sounds like crazy ring modulation! great Martin!

[Folderol]

Depending on just how dirty you want to get your hands these are two chip options worth considering:

TLC3702CP (single analog comparator)

TLC374CN (4 channel analog comparator)

Both operate over the supply voltage range of 3 to 16V. Also they are true comparators. They have two inputs and switch over at the point they are equal voltage, ignoring the common voltage ie. their voltage away from either supply rail.

[Ben Asaro]

That's probably more dirt than I trust my hands with. I'm far from 'craftsy'.

[Ben Asaro]

Modules arrived!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bXu8qESQswNxwuCA9

Dry fit into the case, https://photos.app.goo.gl/SKuArrJjc19J57pk7

[Ben Asaro]

After a battery of additional tests, I'm now ready to test the light detection module outdoors. Now I just need the Venn diagram of Free Time and Cooperative Weather to overlap!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CcZ9bYyvpNXwwNBk7

Made a couple of small changes to the voltage lab skiff, and it will need a complete tear down and re-arrange once I know it all works because the current flow of modules isn't very elegant. Had to remove the Pro Output, but that's okay bc the quad processing skiff is basically my output stage now. Also removed SEQS, but I will probably pop that into the quad processing skiff since it will add a lot of versatility to the 245t. These were replaced with the attenuator and Branches.

The AV2 is a great module for manipulating the raw voltage coming in from the light detection module, but I think Branches will end up being the secret sauce in that workflow.

We shall see!

[Ben Asaro]

Had an AMAZING jam last night using they Lyra-8, Buchla 245t, Studio Electronics Oscillation and Momo Modular Clouds clone. Taking grains, pitching them up or down, and using them to create interesting ping-pong rhythms is a ton of fun!

Unfortunately, I don't think that the light detector will work for me -- it's just too erratic for my style of music, I'm afraid, and the amount of work it requires to get something I could use, at the end of the day, could be achieved much easier using the Pulser from the 245t.

The wind sensor should be arriving in a day or two and then I will see whether this project will move forward or die on the operating table.

[Arpangel]

I know, I think you can't buy this type of stuff and tame it, you’re better off starting from the opposite end, get something that is quite conventional but has potential in the random department, and then subvert it, you have more control this way.

[Ben Asaro]

It's a journey vs destination thing for me. I rarely have in my mind what the outcome of these experiments will be. If they bear fruit, great; if they don't, then I chalk it up to teachable moments.

[Ben Asaro]

Doesn't look like the wind sensor I ordered is going to ship any time soon so I cancelled the order and ordered one that has a pulse output instead. Supposed to arrive on Wednesday!

[Ben Asaro]

Wind sensor arrived!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZcjwdAhqbdjiATTW9

I'm out of town for work today, which sucks, because the weather would have been perfect for testing ... looking forward to checking this out, tho!

[Martin Walker]

It's an anemometer!

[Ben Asaro]

It's an anemometer!

100%!

I got home from work super late tonight, but I couldn't NOT try out the sensor. It works! Especially with the comparator, the pulses are kept under control bc the sensor puts out 20 pulses per revolution.

A small blow was all that it took to get pulses going, and they slow down, stop, the start again as the sensor swings the other way.

Looking forward to experimenting more fully with it!

[Ben Asaro]

I am the WORST at DYI, but I mocked up a couple of project boxes to hold all of the cables and adapters necessary for the wind sensor. It still worked afterwards, so I guess the wires will hold for now.



90% chance of rain tomorrow, so I guess I will not get to try it out in anger until Sunday ...

(image link tweaked for you - Andy )

[OneWorld]

"90% chance of rain tomorrow, so I guess I will not get to try it out in anger until Sunday ..."

'It Might as Well Rain Until September' mind you Bob Dylan has already done Blowin' in the Wind