the way i make my LFO's into toys is i build a simple LED flasher circuit from a 555 chip running two LED's. i then tape one LED to a photo resistor and mount the other LED on the outside of the toy. then i just solder the two ends of the photo resistor to my bend.
(http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/3357/lfo.jpg)
but here is my question, could i put my LFO in a breakout box with a 1/4 jack output that is connected to the photo resistor, and then put a 1/4 jack input on my toy with the jack connected to the bend that i want to add my lfo to.
i would then use a patch chord to connect the two.
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2199/lfo2.jpg)
would this work?
So far as I know, yes - Although I'd imagine you'd potentially have to consider voltage differences and the like.
I'm working on something with a similar idea to this tomorrow, I could report if you'd like. I'm sure people more experienced with 555s than I could tell you more definitely though.
sure! i would definitely be interested, 555's are great.
Oh, hang on.
You'd still be using the Photoresistor and the LED yeah?
yes
Yes, that will work. I've been doing very similar experiments myself.
http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1502.msg9134.html#msg9134 (http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1502.msg9134.html#msg9134)
Funnily enough, that vid was exactly what I was thinking about.
I'm experimenting with just sending the output straight through a jack - hopefully I'll at least have some sound tonight.
thanks for the input! that video is great.
alright i have another question. my original plan was to build a two in one lfo box so i could drive two toys at the same time, at different speeds or synced up to the same speed. but more is better, so the question is could i drive 4 toys (2 of each having the same speed as each other, or all 4 synced up) with only 2 lfo circuits? would the fan-out of the 555 chip take part in this? also, the way i would sync them to the same speed is simply putting a switch in between the outputs of the 555's, i would turn one lfo circuit off and then hit the sync switch so one circuit would be driving 4 of the outputs.
basically the question is could i run 4 led's at the same brightness from one lfo circuit.
(http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1572/lfo3.jpg)
Yes of course, just make sure the outputs that drive the LEDs are buffered correctly.
would it matter if i used mono or stereo patch cables and jacks? would just mono be ok?
do you have an illustration of your lfo with the in-out jacks? i have been wanted to build one of these for some time, that i can maybe plug sometime into. this would be an act of mercy! ;-)