Junkyard Jam Band: DIY Musical Instruments and Noisemakers

500 Pages·2015·19.43 MB·English

by  David Erik Nelson

JUNKYARD JAM BAND
DIY Musical Instruments and Noisemakers
DAVID ERIK NELSON
Junkyard Jam Band. Copyright © 2016 by David Erik Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval
system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.
First printing
19 18 17 16 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ISBN-10: 1-59327-611-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327611-9
Publisher: William Pollock
Production Editor: Riley Hoffman
Cover Design: Beth Middleworth
Interior Design: Octopod Studios
Developmental Editors: Jennifer Griffith-Delgado and Liz Chadwick
Technical Reviewer: Ron Sloat
Copyeditor: Julianne Jigour
Compositors: Riley Hoffman and Susan Glinert Stevens
Proofreader: Paula L. Fleming For information on distribution, translations, or bulk sales, please contact No
Starch Press, Inc. directly: No Starch Press, Inc.
245 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: [phone]; [email protected]; http://www.nostarch.com/
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nelson, David Erik, author.
Junkyard jam band : DIY musical instruments and noisemakers / by David
Erik Nelson. -- 1st edition.
pages cm
Summary: “A collection of DIY musical instruments made from everyday
materials. Projects include audio effect generators, a sequencer, an
electric ukulele, a PVC slide-whistle, and an acoustic-electric thumb
piano. Features step-by-step, illustrated instructions, modifications,
and a soldering primer. Touches on topics like circuits, harmonics,
wind instrument physics, and music theory”--Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-1-59327611-9 -- ISBN 1-59327-611-7
1. Musical instruments--Construction. I. Title.
ML460.N43 2015
784.192’3--dc23
2015018140
No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No Starch Press, Inc. Other
product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Rather
than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in
an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the
trademark.
The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution
has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor No Starch Press, Inc. shall have any
liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or
indirectly by the information contained in it.
About the Author
David Erik Nelson is an essayist, freelance writer, and award-winning science
fiction author whose stories have appeared in Asimov’s and The Magazine of
Fantasy & Science Fiction, among others. He is the author of Snip, Burn, Solder,
Shred (No Starch Press). He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his lovely wife,
tolerable children, and aging poodle.
When push comes to shove, these words are my Darkened Violins; I play them
for my Carnal Spider, a Lonesome Lost Nut, and a Zonal Ninja Sneeze.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother playing at all.
Brief Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Quick Projects and Tinkering
Project 1: The Slinkiphone
Project 2: The Plasti-Pickup
Project 3: The Elephant Trumpet
Project 4: The CPVC Slide Whistle
Project 5: The Scratchbox
Project 6: The Droid Voicebox
Project 7: Circuit Bending for Beginners
Project 8: Junkshop Percussion
Part II: Weekend Projects
Project 9: The Playing-Card Pickup
Project 10: The Robo-Tiki Steel-Stringed Ukulele
Project 11: The Twang & Roar Kalimba
Project 12: The Mud-n-Sizzle Preamp
Project 13: The Universal LFO
Project 14: The Twin-T Phaser/Wah
Project 15: The Single-Chip Space Invader Synth
Project 16: The Bleepbox 8-Step Analog Sequencer
Appendix A: Electronic Components, Tools, and Skills
Appendix B: Extra Circuits
Appendix C: Music Theory Crash Course
Contents in Detail
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
What’s in This Book?
A Note on Safety
Further Reading
Support and Contact
License
Part I: Quick Projects and Tinkering
Project 1: The Slinkiphone
Preparation
Building the Slinkiphone
Finding Amplifiers
Playing the Slinkiphone
Echoes and Amplifiers
Tips, Tricks, and Mods
Project 2: The Plasti-Pickup
Preparation
Building the Plasti-Pickup
Protect Your Lungs and Brain!
Playing the Plasti-Pickup
Doubling the Vocals
Tips, Tricks, and Mods
Project 3: The Elephant Trumpet
Preparation
Building the Elephant Trumpet
Playing the Elephant Trumpet
Tips, Tricks, and Mods
Tube Length
Mutes
Resources
Project 4: The CPVC Slide Whistle
Preparation
Buying CPVC
Building the CPVC Slide Whistle
Build the Mouthpiece
Add the Piston and Slide
Finishing Touches
Playing the Slide Whistle
Pipes and Pitches
Tips, Tricks, and Mods
Resources
Project 5: The Scratchbox
Behold the Magnetic Musicassette!
Preparation
Building the Scratchbox
Building a Tape Deck Amp
Playing the Scratchbox
Tips, Tricks, and Mods
Project 6: The Droid Voicebox
Preparation
On the LM386
Building the Droid Voicebox
Connections in Circuit Diagrams