From 989ca2abe67a82096fc427a4c3b73f660c8a4e66 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Jessica Stanley <jessica.g.stanley@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2019 11:01:29 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Learn updated --- docs/projects/02learn.md | 66 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-- 1 file changed, 63 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/projects/02learn.md b/docs/projects/02learn.md index 83a6fa9..83a641b 100644 --- a/docs/projects/02learn.md +++ b/docs/projects/02learn.md @@ -1,11 +1,68 @@ # LEARN +This page looks at the maths and electronics of how Stitch Synth works. I could probably fill an entire book with this (and maybe someday I will!), but as this was a three month project, during which time I also needed to research, design, and build Stitch Synth, I focused on documenting how to play and make it. So here, I'll explain some things myself, but will also point you towards great resources that already exist in other places online. -This page is a work in progress! When finished, it will explain the electronics of Stitch Synth +[image?] + +Stitch Synth is a modular, e-textile, analog synthesizer. That's the most concise way to describe exactly what it is, but it's also a bit of a mouthful of jargon. So let's start by breaking down those terms + +[insert image here of explainers] + +## Synthesizer + +It's the last word in the sentence, but probably the most important one: 'synthesizer' is what we've come to call a wide range of musical instrument that 'synthesize' or create sound from electronic signals. In contrast to music made using acoustic instruments, or electronic instruments that use recorded samples of other instruments, with synthesizers we create signals that artificially recreate soundwaves. + +There are many many types of synthesizer out there. Just look at how many Legowelt has: + +<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fyMZ2vV0zqg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> + +## Analog +What's analog about an analog synth? This word causes a bit of confusion because the word analog can mean two slightly different things: + +In our world we have two types of signals (or two types of information): + +* DIGITAL signals are binary. On or off, True or False, 1 or 0, high or low, and nothing in between. +* ANALOG signals can vary continuously between two points. It's not just on or off, but + +For example: + +* Light switches that can be either on or off are binary. Dimmer switches are analog. +* Your phone or computer can be on or off (binary), but the battery percentage can be anything between 0% and 100% (analog) +* An exam that is pass/ fail is binary. An exam where you can score anything between 0% and 100% is analog (or if we're being pedantic, the grading system is binary / analog, not the exam itself). + +But the way we often use the terms analog / digital in daily life is more like: + +* Digital: computers, smartphones, the internet, basically anything electronic +* Analog: the real world. No electronics. + +Digital vs analog circuits. + +## Modular + +Probably the simplest part to understand, 'modular' means that Stitch Synth is made of separate parts, or modules, that connect together. Modular setups are popular in the synth world because it allows a lot of flexibility (when was the first modular synth?) + +[image of classic modular setup] + +## E-textile +E-textiles, or electronic textiles, is a sub-field of electronics where circuits are made (partially or entirely) out of textiles. Metallic threads have long been used for decorative purposes in embroidery and dressmaking, but it's only in recent years that these threads, which can be conductive, have begun to be used to make soft circuits. + +Conductive textiles currently available include: + +* Metallic thread made out of stainless steel, silver coated nylon, copper coated teflon, etc +* Silver or copper coated conductive fabrics +* Carbon-coated synthetic fabrics +* Fabrics coated with conductive polymers +* Silver, copper or carbon-based conductive ink and paint. + +Today, in 2019, there is research ongoing on developing soft components like capacitors, transistors, and various types of flexible circuit boards. The field of e-textiles isn't yet at the point where all components in a circuit can be fabricated out of textiles and soft materials, but this may change in the near future. + +At the moment, e-textile circuits can be a bit more challenging and tricky to make than regular electronics. But they also offer new and interesting ways to interact with electronics, and possibilities for us to make wearable computers that aren't just hard devices strapped onto the body. + +Some people prefer the term 'wearable electronics' instead of e-textiles - both terms cover much of the same ground, and which one you use is mostly down to personal preference. + +# Oscillator Modules -<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3ov9jRPMChw9ZzVlUk" width="480" height="480" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/giatec-dogs-construction-3ov9jRPMChw9ZzVlUk">via GIPHY</a></p> -* Analog circuits * Wendy: The NOT gate Every synthesizer needs an oscillator. An oscillator is a circuit that takes a steady signal (e.g. from a 9V battery) and turns it into an oscillating (changing / moving up and down) signal. The heart of the Wendy is a CD40106 IC, which is a logic chip containing 6 inverters / NOT gates @@ -14,6 +71,9 @@ Every synthesizer needs an oscillator. An oscillator is a circuit that takes a s * Delia: The phase-locked loop + +# Other modules + * Maryam: space-filling curves * Filter -- GitLab