Analog synths are fun because they combine music, which all humans seem hard-wired to enjoy in one form or another, and electronics, which… uh, this is Hackaday. If you don’t like electronics, we’re not sure what to tell you. This hack from [Sound Workshop] takes the cheap, toy-like Otamatone and turns it into an older and more capable type of synthesizer: a Trautonium.
The Allure of Analog Synths
Analog synths combine music and electronics, creating an unparalleled sonic experience. They are capable of producing sounds that are both warm and rich, a direct result of the analog signal processing. The Otamatone, a toy-like electronic instrument, may seem like an unlikely candidate for a hack, but its versatility and affordability make it an attractive starting point for electronics enthusiasts.
The Otamatone is kind of like an electronic slide whistle, but adorable. Shaped like an eighth note or a tadpole, you control pitch by sliding your fingers up and down the ‘tail’ and activate the voice by squeezing the ‘head’ to open the mouth. It is one of the newest electronic instruments on the market, having debuted as a Japanese toy in 2009.
Uncovering the Trautonium
The Trautonium, on the other hand, is a more capable instrument. It keeps the pitch slider, but adds some nice tactile bumps so you can actually hit specific notes– but more importantly, it adds tactile volume control. The pitch slider on the Trautonium is horizontal rather than vertical, and it doubles as a volume control: the harder you push, the louder it gets. That means everything musical is done with one hand, leaving the other hand free to twist knobs or work patch cables to max out the analog electronic fun.
The Hack: Turning the Otamatone into a Trautonium
The hack itself is a clever reworking of the Otamatone’s circuitry. Audio out from the Otamatone goes through a low-pass filter, whose volume slider has been replaced by a pair of hall-effect sensors tracking the vertical motion of a flexing plate of metal. The original touch sensor has been glued to that plate, giving the one-finger pitch-and-volume control of a Trautonium. The circuitry gluing it all together is made of a handful of op-amps and passives– there’s no Arduino here, this is analog country.
A Deeper Look into the Trautonium
For those who want to dive deeper into the world of the Trautonium, we have a comprehensive guide that covers its history, design, and sonic capabilities. The Trautonium is a more than five times older than the Otamatone, having been invented in 1930, and its influence can be seen in many modern synthesizers.
The Electronics Behind the Hack
The build itself starts at about 6:55 into the video. For those of you more into the electronics than the music side of things, the hack is a masterclass in analog circuit design. The use of op-amps and passives to create a one-finger pitch-and-volume control is a testament to the ingenuity of the Sound Workshop team.
The Future of Analog Synths
The Otamatone hack is just the latest example of the creativity and innovation that can be seen in the world of analog synths. From keyboards to hurdy-gurdies, the possibilities are endless, and the future of music production looks bright. With the rise of DIY electronics and the resurgence of analog synths, the possibilities for musicians and electronics enthusiasts alike are limitless.
Verdict: The hack is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the world of analog synths. By turning the Otamatone into a Trautonium, the Sound Workshop team has created a one-handed musical instrument that is both functional and beautiful. Whether you’re a musician or an electronics enthusiast, this hack is a must-see for anyone interested in the world of analog electronics.
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