Haha yeah, the idea is to shoot for simplicity. One walkman, with one tape (lets say a loop of approximately six seconds, I forget what the actual length of a tape loops is) outputting it's audio via the headphone out (could be modded for a better output I'm sure) and modded to loop constantly when the power to the circuit is on.
The tape would be a recording of a single sustained note. The controls on some walkmans (volume, bass/treble boost) could even be utilised here. The audio output would then have to be regulated (ie pitched to the correct note, let's say the middle C, assuming whatever is on the tape is always recorded at the correct pitch) via an analogue keyboard/switch setup. Polyphony would need multiple tape players (well 13, enough to accomodate 25 seperate notes) but I'm not really fussed about that. This can be the lo-fi mono synth version
The keyboard I'm thinking of is a 2 octave, I was inspired when I saw what this guy had done with the shell of his Memoplay:
http://haamu.com/soundlab.htmlwhich is the shell I now have since the board is corroded. I might yet be able to fix it but I like the idea of building something in the case as it's in great condition. Make no mistake, I'd love to have a Soundlab to put in there but the cost/complexity of that project makes it a bit out of my league
His 6th and 7th photos down are of the original memoplay analogue keyboard. Wires that are pushed into contact with bars. Then from that he has made his own PCB to do the same. I assume that his uses a gate/trigger/CV on the synth. This would simply need a way to adjust the pitch of the sound output based on the key that is pressed. Failing that, it would have to be 13 microcassette dictaphones and a lot of effort
Anybody got any ideas?