In the first session of Expanded Studio Practice, we began learning about components, using a breadboard as a means to practice circuitry without any permanence. Using a; 555 Timer ( an integrated circuit used for generating pulses and oscillations in electronic circuits), a light dependant resistor, a capacitor, and a battery – I was able to make a light-controlled oscillator. Meaning the more light shone onto the resistor, the lower the resistance, therefore, the capacitor charges faster and the oscillator’s frequency increases- causing a higher pitched tone to be heard. Then using an audio jack I sent the signal into an audio interface and out through headphones. Lastly I added a potentiometer, which essentially affects the foundational amount of resistance moving through the circuit. This allowed me to control the initial oscillation rate.
Following this lesson, I took the components home and continued to experiment with them. Using the same circuit (rebuilt), I then ran the breadboard through a Zoom 505 guitar pedal, which I was using to pitch shift the signal, and into my guitar amp- with the reverb turn up to max. This made for a much more interesting sound, containing a lot more depth and complexity. Along side the noise coming from this configuration, I was running my laptop through the amp of which I was playing ‘Globex Corp Vol.8 A1’ – (Dwarde & Tim Reaper) from. This was playing along side as a kind of tester as I want to create my own music to work with the sounds coming from the circuit, however this was a test run and a sound, I thought, worked very well with the signal noise. Using the flash on my phone, I recorded how distance affects the noise produced, demonstrating through both the movement of my phone and the movement of my hand, getting closer to the resistor even touching it at certain points. -Playing with the beat of the signal through changing the amount of resistance.
LINK TO VIDEO OF CONTINUED PRACTICE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14O0NVBRwDcgBbICvAXOsifqD43QCUwvV/view?usp=sharing
This was the first time I have worked with circuitry to produce sound and I found it incredibly inspiring, not only because I was able to produce a sound that is so malleable and free to work with, but also because it is something I have made with my hands from scratch. And therefore I am able to understand exactly why a sound is being produced and why it is able to manipulated. I found it a very satisfying task, in which I felt is possible to take in multiple directions to implement into my own practice. I am aware that this is only a basic level of circuitry, however I want to continue to work with this medium and I feel very enthusiastic to see what I will be able to create using it.