THe ScReamINg FaNS. THe FlOOd OF lIgHTS. THe ONSTage RUSH. aNd waNT YOU TO UNleaSH YOUR INNeR ROcK STaR.

l� �s go! WARNING VERY IMPORTANT NOTE RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERFERENCE send us your love • This product contains small magnets. Swallowed magnets can • Several projects in this kit involve the use of a box cutter This equipment has been tested and found to comply with Contact [email protected] with any questions stick together across intestines causing serious infections and/or a hot glue gun. the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part or comments. and death. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are • These tools should be used ONLY under direct adult 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide swallowed or inhaled. supervision and ONLY by children capable of using them safely. reasonable protection against harmful interference in a www.littleBits.cc • Most littleBits modules are small parts. DO NOT allow residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and children under 3 years old to play with or near this product. Instructions can radiate radio energy and, if not installed littleBits Electronics, Inc. • NEVER connect any littleBits modules or circuits to any AC We recommend using littleBits brand 9-volt batteries, but and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause 60 E. 11th Street, Fifth Floor electrical outlet. standard alkaline or standard rechargeable batteries may also harmful interference to radio communications. However, NY, NY 10003 • Do not touch or hold any moving parts of littleBits modules be used. Properly discard and replace exhausted battery. there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a (917) 464-4577 while they are operating. Do not connect the two battery terminals with any conducting particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful • Keep conductive materials (such as aluminum foil, staples, material. interference to radio or television reception, which can be You are a proud owner of the Synth Kit v1. paper clips, etc.) away from the circuit and the connector determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is Over 500,000 combinations?! Are you serious? terminals. Care and cleaning encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more Yep, www.littleBits.cc/mathmagic • Always turn off circuits when not in use or when left Clean Bits modules ONLY by wiping with a dry cloth. If of the following measures: unattended. necessary, isopropyl alcohol on a cloth may be used sparingly. • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. An open source project under Creative Commons license • Never use littleBits modules in or near any liquid. • Increase the separation between the equipment and and OSHW definition v1.1 • Never use in any extreme environments such as extreme hot or DO NOT use any other cleaning products on Bits modules. the receiver. cold, high humidity, dust or sand. Congratulations for reading this fine print. Your dedication • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different Design and engineering by Inc., Japan and littleBits • littleBits modules are subject to damage by static and persistence will serve you well. from that to which the receiver is connected. Electronics, Inc. New York. Made in Dongguan City, CHINA for electricity. Handle with care. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician littleBits Electronics, Inc. New York. • Some littleBits modules may become warm to the touch when for help. used in certain circuit designs. This is normal. Rearrange littleBits, Bits, Circuits in Seconds, and Make Something That modules or discontinue using if they become excessively hot. Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the Does Something are trademarks of littleBits Electronics, Inc. • Discontinue use of any littleBits modules that malfunction, manufacturer or registrant of this equipment can void become damaged or broken. your authority to operate this equipment under Federal Communications Commissions rules. maKe SOmeTHINg THaT dOeS SOmeTHINgTm Tm 1 2 3 5 lITTleBITS CIRCUITS IN SECONDSTM COLOR CODED ORDER IS IMPORTANT littleBitsTM+ littleBitsTM makes an expanding BitsTM modules are grouped into four power modules always The modules arean just y�the begin- ing B a S I c S library of modular electronics different categories, which are color coded: come first and Input ning. Combine them with craft that snap together with pOweR is needed in every circuit and the modules only affect the materials, building sets, and magnets. start of all your creations. Output modules that other toys to electrify your life. INpUT modules accept input from you and come after them. We’ll show you how! , the environment and send to the �reen d a modules that follow. 4 deri ue an ween no sol ng �l n b� OUTpUT modules DO something–light, buzz, � a al, i o p� gramming s ne � on move… MAGNET MAGIC n y TM wi ring a re � wIRe modules expand your reach and littleBits modules snap together no alw e a ou g change direction–great for helping to with magnets. The magnets are Y Oran d incorporate modules into your projects. always right, you can’t put k an Pin modules together the wrong way. 4 pITcH pITcH vS. FReqUeNcY amplITUde Pitch is how a person perceives the frequency Frequency and pitch are similar, but not the Amplitude relates to the change in the peaks wHaT IS of a vibration. Every person perceives pitch same! Frequency can be measured scientifi- of waveforms and is perceived as the loudness differently and some have a better sense of cally, while pitch is dependent on individual of a sound. The higher the amplitude of a pitch than others. Sound can generally be perception. You can distinguish pitches as waveform, the louder it sounds. SOUNd? categorized as pitched or un-pitched. being “higher” or “lower.” Sound is the vibration of air or another me- louder dium (like water). When you speak, sing, or lower hi g � r qui� er clap, you create sound waves that radiate out pitch pitch into the environment. Every sound has its own Al� ough e� ry on e is differen t, �uman s can gen erally hear “signature” that is called a waveform. the fre�uen cies b� ween aro und 20H� an d 20KH��. TImBRe Timbre (pronounced tam-ber) is what differ- peak wa� l� gth entiates sounds of the same pitch. It is what +5 audible infrasound ultrasound makes a and a flute sound different… or your friends’ voices! 0 amplitude 20Hz 20KHz 2MHz 200MHz

-5 tr ough 5 ELEMENTS OF A SYNTH

Korg’s MS-20 , first introduced in 1978, is still a coveted instrument to this day; thanks to its thick, robust HISTORY OF the SYNTH sound, its powerful, iconic analog filter, and its versatile patching options. Today, the sounds of the MS-20 have been - first Switched on Bach Sounds were created digitally. reborn as the MS-20 Mini. Most famous was the Yamaha electronic musical see pg 13 instrument. DX7, which used FM synthesis. modifiers KORG MS-20 introduced. generators for see pg 23 then 50 60 70 80 90 00 now

Robert Moog and Rebirth of analog modular synths. littleBits + KORG began producing the launch modular modulators first commercial Synthesis dominated by Synth Kit! controllers (keyboard) musical . computer interfaces. 6 it all starts 9-volt with power. . . battery and cable KNOW included tm YOUR BITS turn it on and off modules right here This is the Synth Kit, Version 1 Learn more and shop for individual power p1 Bits modules at littleBits.cc/Bits This power module lets you use a 9-volt battery to supply electricity to your other Bits modules. Snap in the battery + cable (both included) and flip the switch to turn it on.

7 ELEMENTS OF A SYNTH Signal Generators In a synthesizer, these elements are known as try both modes! signal generators and can be either pitched Twist to or un-pitched. In the Synth Kit, you have both change pitch! (oscillator & random). These are the modules that actually produce the sound. oscillator i31 random i34

The oscillator is the main sound source in the Synth Kit and is The random module has two modes: “noise” and “random volt- capable of creating audio tones that will be used in almost every age”. In “noise” mode, it outputs white noise, like a television set sound experiment you create. It features a “pitch” knob to adjust its not tuned to any channel. In “random voltage” mode, it outputs output tone and a “tune” dial for adjusting the tuning (learn about random voltage signals that can control oscillators and make tuning on pg 21) when using with the keyboard. It also features a them play random pitches. The “trigger out” of the micro se- mode switch that selects between “square” and “saw” waveforms. quencer can be used to set the timing of the random voltages. The “square” waveform has a rich, powerful character, and the “saw” waveform has a more mellow, rounder character. ELEMENTS OF A SYNTH Trigger output sends Controllers maximum output at twist Controllers do exactly what it sounds like they The dial allows every press. you to play in knobs to do; they control elements of a synthesizer. 4 . make a Sometimes controllers are familiar like a 13 keys melody keyboard and some are lesser known like a 13 x 4 = 52 different notes! sequencer. The Synth Kit has both! The control can come in the form of control keyboard i30 micro sequencer i36 voltages or triggers. A control voltage is usually a changing signal that is often used to The keyboard lets you play melodies – it features 13 switches The micro sequencer sends out voltages based on the position of control the pitch of an oscillator. A trigger is a short voltage pulse that is commonly used that make up an of notes. It has two modes: “press” each of the four “step” knobs. Connect it to an oscillator and it will to trigger or “turn on” other parts of circuits. (which only produces output when you press a switch) and step through the “sequence” consecutively to make a melody (The Triggers are also good at generating rhythmic “hold” (which will sustain the last note you played). It also LEDs tell you which step is active). Turn a knob fully counterclock- patterns. features an octave control which changes the playable range. wise to make the step silent. Use the module in “speed” mode to set To see how triggers are used, go to page 24 for the Percussion Party project. In addition to its main output, which is great for controlling our the speed using the dial, or flip the switch to “step” mode to use an oscillators, it also has a “trigger out”, which you can send to input module like a pulse or button for control. It also has a trigger the “trigger in” of the envelope or other littleBits modules. output, which you can send to any of your other modules. 9 ELEMENTS OF A SYNTH ELEMENTS OF A SYNTH Modulators = = Attack time to Modulators are elements of a synthesizer that Cutoff set limit for reach loudest point alter the main audio signal with another signal. frequencies Decay = time to In the synth Kit, they are the oscillator, Peak = set intensity return to silence envelope and random modules. of cutoff Even though the oscillator is a signal generator, it can also be used as a envelope i33 modulator. You can turn the pitch knob fully filter i32 counterclockwise to produce frequencies low The envelope modifies the loudness contour of a sound. It enough to control other modules. The filter has the biggest effect on the sound’s character or When the random module is in “random takes a sound input and shapes it into something you’d hear voltages” mode, it is also a modulator. “timbre”. It affects the timbre by changing the relative volume from an acoustic , like a or saxo- of certain frequencies in the sound. Use it to give the impres - phone. This envelope has two controls: “attack”, which is how sion that a sound is “brighter” (more high frequencies) or long it takes to ramp up to maximum volume, and “decay”, “darker” (more low frequencies.) The “cutoff” knob sets the which is how long it takes to fade to silence again. You can frequency to be emphasized, and the other controls “peak,” use its third bitSnapTM to trigger the envelope from different or intensity of the filter. If the “peak” is turned up all the way, sources, like the keyboard. the filter turns into an oscillator! combine sounds Modifiers Modifiers are synthesizer elements that directly affect the sound of the signal generator. They create spac¡ey echoes! can either reduce or enhance characteristics of sound and manipulate waveforms (filter, , and mix modules). DELAY i35 mix i37

The delay module takes incoming audio and repeats it, like The mix module allows you to combine two inputs and send an echo. It has two knobs: “time”, which sets the delay length them to a single output. It also has a volume control for each of between a sound and its repetition, and “feedback”, which its inputs – that’s where the mixing comes in. Use it to play two controls how many times the sound repeats. Delays can be long oscillators on a single speaker! and spacey, like shouting into the Grand Canyon, or loud and crazy. This module will play forever if you turn the “feedback” knob all the way up. You can also shift the pitch of a sound by turning the “time” control while a sound is repeating. 11 hookup to , or computers We recommend using littleBits brand 9-volt batteries, but split signals or standard alkaline or standard use as a wire! rechargeable batteries may also be used. adjust volume SPLIT w19 SYNTH speaker o24 BATTERY AND CABLE a1

The littleBits split module sends a single input to two wired The synth speaker amplifies your sonic explorations! You can This Kit contains a 9-volt alkaline battery and a cable to con- outputs. It’s great for connecting one output to two inputs, like control the volume with a dial on the front of the module. It nect it to the power module. Connect it and then flip the switch using a keyboard to control two oscillators. But keep in mind also features an output jack. Use an audio cable to connect to to power all of your creations! that it can be used just like a wire module if you ignore one of headphones or a computer for recording, or to an for its outputs. a show. The speaker can detach from the circuit board, so you can orient it to your liking.

12 In 1968, a appealing and an integral rock bands. The 1982 album synths like the “Reactable,” pioneer in electronic part of . Their “Thriller” by Michael a digital tabletop that recorded the landmark studio, “Kling ”, was Jackson is one of the best- creates sounds by moving synth in album “Switched-On Bach”, a place where the band not selling albums of all time. tangible blocks. which consisted of pieces only recorded music, but Nearly every song on the by also invented and built album features synthesized performed on a synthesizer. their own complex electronic sounds. IN 2000 the renowned LISTEN Carlos’ compositions can be heard in the films A Clockwork Orange (1972), The Shining (1980) and “Switched-On Bach” was one instruments. FoRMED in 1965, Radiohead won pop culture (1982). of the first classical Pink Floyd was a progressive a Grammy for their album albums to sell half a rock band known for “Kid A” which brought synth LISTEN “Trans-Europe Express” from ’s sounds good million copies. The album experimenting with different sounds to the forefront. The 1977 album of the same name. Replicate the background won 3 Grammy Awards. FORMED technologies to create a album features wide use of beats with “Percussion Party” on page 24. IN 1970 , Kraftwerk, which unique, uncharted experience analog modular synthesizers LISTEN “On The Run” from “The Dark Side of the I know means “power station” in with music. Released in and the , an Moon” is one of the first uses of a sequencer. German, built the foundation 1973, “The Dark Side of early electronic instrument. of the electro-pop genre the Moon” featured heavy TODAY Björk is praised for LISTEN “Thriller”, the loud blast of chords that queues the zombie dance was performed on a synthesizer. with their revolutionary use of analog synthesizers her experimental electronic synth sound. The band and and brought . She has received 13 LISTEN “Idioteque” from Kid A. Try replicating these its members are recognized sound further into the main Grammy nominations as well sounds in the “Synth Band” project on page 26. as pioneers in music stream. They’ve sold more as an Oscar nomination for LISTEN “Army of Me” (1995) by Björk. Try replicating technology. Kraftwerk is than 250 million albums Best Original Song from the bass line by lowering the pitch of the oscillator and credited with making machine worldwide and are one of the film “Dancer in the playing with the micro sequencer or keyboard. made sounds commercially the world’s most legendary Dark.” She uses cutting-edge 13 pITcH SweepS Learn how an oscillator works. The “pitch” range goes from being TRY adjust volume so low that it is unpitched (you actually hear clicks) to very 1 power oscillator speaker high pitches. You can have lots lug batt in of fun by twisting the pitch knob THeSe an d turn power on . and “sweeping” through all the cIRcUITS frequencies! Get started with these but don’t let us “Saw” and “square” are similar waveforms. The saw has a “mellow” hold you back – every module fits 2 �urn pitch 3  ect   nd of 4 �� ad�usti � character to it and the square with every other module – feel free Touch the silver speaker cone knob on oscilla wa�  rm it p duces. the tuning knob. sounds more “edgy.” and notice how it moves when to ch an ge  The 2 a ve  rms are Wha t ppen s? The timbres of these two to experiment. waveforms are most related to bowed you change from higher or frequen cy. Sawtooth or aw strings and brass in the acoustic lower pitches. an d uare. TRY instrument families. THIS! 14 wHITe NOISe Experience the random module. KeY plaYeR Learn how to play notes on the keyboard. Play wi th  pitch noise mode T both modes! Always plug batt power random power keyboard oscillator speaker in an d turn poer on .

adjust volume T he  oard s 13  s. � octa � dial wi th dial A visual example Noise ppen s w n the allos you to play in differen t octa s, w ch mean s you can play differen t notes! of noise. t el e ision or radio is set Use oc dial to ch an ge bet we� sta  s. the ran ge of notes. A synthesizer is commonly controlled with The random module has two modes and one of them is called a keyboard similar to a piano. Each key “noise”. Un-pitched sound is generally categorized as noise or a creates a voltage that represents a note. collection of many frequencies that are not distinguishable from Since a synthesizer is electronic, it is not one another. Unlike a waveform, noise has no repeating pattern. limited to the same notes a piano can play! 15 SeqUeNceR cONTROl Make a melody. turn a nob all the way FReqUeNcY mOdUlaTION Discover how two oscillators interact. down to mute a step. spe� mode power micro sequencer oscillator speaker power oscillator oscillator speaker

plug me in

A uman can play repeated on e Turn nobs to set Cha � e the pitch . notes, but a se�uen cer can rn m ch an ge spe‚ tu your mel ody. play the m automa cally! A square ave wi ll appear A satoo� wi llramp  ” up an d down to create to cut the sound off. “wo �o ­ sounds. A sequencer is a very novel controller and is unique to the world of synthesizers. A sequencer allows you to store note values and As previously mentioned, an oscillator can produce a frequency that is too play them back in a repeating order. low to be perceived as a pitch. In this case it is known as an LFO or low The stored notes are set by tuning each step using the knobs. frequency oscillator. Because the oscillator in your kit can be both low The pattern will repeat sequentially forever and the speed can be frequency and audio range, you can turn up the frequency of one oscillator controlled within the sequencer or from an outside pulse. and feed it into another oscillator to create “frequency modulation.” 16 Hit� � a drum, the sound SHape YOUR SOUNdS Experiment with the envelope. sha rp atta ck Turn atta ck up an d t Turn decay don an d ‡t sha rp decay appears an d disappears Put in �old mode. a ƒ .  t ppen s† a ƒ .  t ppen s† like a drum right away. power keyboard oscillator envelope speaker

sha rp atta ck gradual decay like a pian o

Violins ˆ � slo atta cks Always con nect the batt  gradual at ck because each note is dran Guita rs gen erally an d turn power on . gradual decay out y playi‰ Š th a bow. a short at ck ecause li‹ a iolin you pluck the m.

The envelope of a sound has a big aTTacK decaY exampleS OF eNvelOpe effect on the character of the Attack is how long it Decay is how long it amplITUde OveR TIme sound. The controls on the envelope takes the sound to get takes the sound to Can you think of other Bits module are “attack” and to its loudest point. fade to silence. instruments that fit “decay.” these profiles? 17 Have fun with this random sound generator! Create a unique sound using the filter module. RaNdOm vOlTage FIlTeRINg NOISe The filter is based on KORG’s famous MS-20 design. spe� mode power micro sequencer random oscillator speaker power random filter speaker

e bl ca us The tŒ con tr ols  the fi lter on battery pl noise mode TRY e Posi on of knobs affects ran dom mode adjust volume m module are cutoff an d peak. THIS turn ran ge of ran domolta  ges. You can recreate this with your voice. Try making an • The filter is known as a low-pass filter. “Ah” sound and then slowly Random voltages can produce interesting effects in a synthesizer. This means that frequencies higher than a shift to an “Ooh” sound. Traditionally, this is created by a circuit called “sample and certain point will be reduced or filtered out. Your mouth creates a filter hold” or “S&H”. In a sample and hold circuit, a voltage is sampled • When the peak is increased and the cutoff is that changes the timbre of from noise and sent to affect another circuit. There is no telling adjusted, the timbral effect can sound like a which voltage will be sampled! person making vowel like sounds. the sound much like the filter. 18 ecHO aNd delaY Learn how to make infinite repeating sounds with the delay. TRY 1 Set the “feedback” knob fully clock- THIS wise and play a few notes, the delay will power oscillator delay speaker repeat those notes and then repeat the repeats. 2 Adjust the “time” knob to create the effect of raising or lowering the pitch. 3 Twist the knob really fast in both direc- You can set how soon  The feed back no set s tions to create some really crazy effects! repeated sound is he ard how man y ‘mes th at wi th the ti me knob. sound is repeated .

The delay affects the sound, but unlike the filter, its primary function is not to add or subtract from the original sound, but SYNTH Artist and producer is well known for pushing the technological boundar- to reproduce it. Think of it as an echo in a large room or cave. HIST ies of music. He has famously produced mega albums like “Low” by , You make a sound, and that sound gets repeated for some amount of time depending on how big the space is. “Remain in Light” by , and “Joshua Tree” by . 19 p21 Tuning pROJecTS p22 play a Song p23 Spooky Sounds p24 percussion party p25 metal music Enhanced instructions plus tons more projects online, littleBits.cc/synth p26 Synth Band Enhanced instructions plus tons more p27 Synthesizer with projects online, littleBits.cc/synth Visit littleBits.cc/recordyourmusic for tips the works on how to record, edit and share your music.

TRY THESE AND INVENT p29 perform like a pro p30 p32 Synth Spin Table YOUR OWN 20 PROJECT 1: Learn how to make your song’s pitch perfect. TUNINg 2 ic on e key an d turn octathe ’ • dial clockwi se an d countercloc– se. o you 3 �urn the  board “octa • con tr ol 4 �urn pitch knob on oscillator to ch an ge he ar the differen ce†isten to the ranhow ge™ ’‡ g” an d “lo•  sound goes) 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. to the middle of the ran ge. the fre�uen cy.

press mode 5 6 power keyboard oscillator speaker lay all the notes  the bottom ro w lay do-re-mi again, does it sound of the key board c secu‘ � ly š m left “right­ to you? emember pitch • is per- to right. T s is called a ma�or scale in cei� d differen tly fo r eve ry  e! f the notes music. You may recogni�e it as do-re- didn’t sound uite right, tr y sloly adjust- mi›œ -so-la- ›do. ing the tune dial counterclockwi se un� l it octa � dial sounds in tune.” Always con nect the batt  adjust volume an d turn power on . TUNINg 7 ou�£ successfully tun¤ your • Tuning is the relationship between the pitches in a musical instrument. Instruments YOU’Re readY TO PLaY need to be “tuned” and a synthesizer is no different. By tuning instruments, you can oscilla¥ , ! create “melodies” that are recognizable. • The tuning dial on the oscillator Bits module will alter the relationship between pitches. This will be important when using the keyboard and micro sequencer. 21 PROJECT 2: Serenade a friend! 4 USe ThiS coLOr COdeD plaY a SONg KEYboaRd and tHe noTeS to The 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. 2 � n, tune your oscilla 3 dust pitch to match  RIGhT TO HeLP YoU PLaY a SOnG! (see previous p� ject). ran ge of youroice!  power keyboard oscillator speaker

turn me on ch an ge pitch

The bass sound in ’s 1973 Go to littleBits.cc/synth to learn song “Living for the City” features the use how to play more tunes! of a keyboard, oscillator, and envelope. Can you replicate that sound? SYNTH Do you recognize it? 22 HIST PROJECT 3: Create a supernatural soundtrack. 3 SpOOKY SOUNdS 2 ut the ran dom �urn the � me module on “noise­ up ™clockwi se) on 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. mode the d  ay module.

power random filter delay speaker 6 SCare YouR FrIendS!

e  The peak knob has a large effect on what m turn 4 �urn the feed bac 5 � pea” to middle an d play the cutoff knob does. It emphasizes certain The film score by Louis and Bebe frequencies and creates a “peak” at these SYNTH up ™clockwi se) on the wi th cutoff.­ Barron for “Forbidden Planet” HIST frequencies. If the peak is turned all the del ay module. way up, the emphasis can be strong enough (1958) was one of the first to make to increase the loudness of the sound and use of entirely electronic music. in some cases create an oscillation. 23 PROJECT 4: Dance to the beat of your own drums. BONUS NOISe TRY MaKinG A. . . peRcUSSION paRTY Noise is an un-pitched sound. It . . �orse gall¨ ing sound– Turn one of the 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. is often used as a way to create knobs all the way down on the sequencer percussion sounds because most spe� mode drums are un-pitched instruments. to make the sound effect for a horse power 2 ut the ran dom module galloping. on ’ noise­ mode. speaker . . © odblock sound– Turn the peak knob up (clockwise), turn the cut off down (counter clockwise). – Keep the peak up. micro sequencer . . water dª p sound turn me on Turn the cut off to a mid-range (higher split random filter envelope than the woodblock).

3 � your r�yth m by 4 dust the fi lter to 5 �urn the “atta ck­ knob all the adjusti � knobs on the affect the � mbre way down (counterclockwi se. Turn 6 WAil mic« se�uen cer an d adust the ’decay­ kno lo, but slightly on your synth drumset ! 24 tempo wi th spe‚ dial. hi g� r th an “at c.• PROJECT 5: Recreate metallic sounds with the envelope. meTal mUSIc 4 �urn pitch of the secon d oscillator 1 up unti l you reach a m® allic sound ta rt wi th th is circuit. - li¯ a b l. spe� mode power micro sequencer oscillator oscillator envelope speaker

e  FUN urn m FACT t 2 3 5 People who are � your r�yth m by �urn the pitch of On your en l e, turn 6 ROCK On! adjusti � knobs on the the ° rst oscilla up decay knob an d at ck knob musically inclined mic« se�uen cer. (clocwi es  down ™countercloc– se) un l tend to be better you ach ie� a’ ping ing­ sound. at math! Go figure.

25 PROJECT 6: Learn how to play a melody with accompaniment. 4 5 dust the fi lter un� l you � mi leve l�¡1 lo 8 YOu’Re SYNTH BaNd reach the sound you li‹ . an d mi le� l  ´ ghe r. REadY TO 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. micro sequencer oscillator filter PERForM!

power split mix speaker

PRO TIP

 Use an audio me turn keyboard oscillator envelope delay cable to connect your speaker to 2 your computer, �une both oscillator s™refer to page 21  3 reate a pattern  the 6 lay a fµ notes on the ƒ board. 7 dust the en l e an d headphones, or how to do th is). Oscilla s can ei r be s® mic« se�uen cer th at you li¯. T he  oard is li¶ the “lead si� er” an d del ay ¹ the se wi ll ch an ge to con son an t• or disson an t” intervals. n T s Š ll become your bac �² wi ll appear louder � an your seuen cer your key board�s sound. an amplifier! 26 c on s  an ce, the y are in rmon y In diss an ce, music. because noth i‰ is fi lteri¸ the sound. the y wi ll sound inha rmon ious. PROJECT 7: Create one monster synth with all of these modules! SYNTHeSIZeR wITH THe wORKS 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. oscillator 4 dust the en l e. 5 dust the fi lter.

power keyboard split mix envelope filter delay speaker

e  m turn 2 oscillator �une both oscillator s™refer to page 21 3 dust olume of 6 dd some ech oes 7 ReCord YouR mUSic! on  o to do � is). Oscilla ¥ s can eithe r each oscilla¥  the by ad�us‘ ¸ the be s� to con“ son an t•  rm ious) or mix module. del ay module. “disson an t” in rm ious intervals. Record your music and share it with us! littleBits.cc/upload 27 And now a brief intermission from the projects. just vISIT US aT lITTleBITS.cc/TIpS press 6 STRaWS! it  ne� r FOR SOme amaZINg TIpS & TRIcKS make a knob wi th a look�ed so cool 5 STYroFOam BALl

mold a ha ndle wi th adjust º m a 1 ClaY 3 PAPer PLaTe dista nce – th a.  . cut a hole in a . . . . .  an d ta pe it on 7 PIPe CleaNeR . .  or. . . 2 PlaSTIc CUP 4 CARdBoaRd TUbe

8 A PoPSicle STiCK  pe 28 PROJECT 8: Transform your box! peRFORm lIKe a pRO Build a perfo rman ce sta ti on!

Visit littleBits.cc/prosetup Power up your circuit for instructions on how to set up an dSTarT PLaYInG! your modules so you can put on live performances anywhere and on the go!

Buy moun‘ ¸ boards on line at TIME: 60 mins littleBits.cc/moun ‰ boards DIFFICULTY: COOl! Just li¶ the K S-0. 29 PROJECT 9: Create your own electronic instrument! 2 raw a guita r-li¶ sha pe an d KeYTaR cut it out of cardboard. adjust pitch 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. oscillator

power keyboard oscillator envelope delay speaker

small en d  r ƒ board wi der en d¿ r o r modules

adjust pitch split filter create ech os sTAY sAFE! Always use with an adult. EED In the early ’70s Edgar Winter was one of the LL N U’ O first people to create a makeshift “keytar” by add- TIME: 60 mins Y DIFFICULTY: ing a shoulder strap to an . Check out the popular song “Frankenstein.” box hot sta pler mar‹ r  pe sÁ i¸ fo a m small cardoard p¨ sicle paint- paint SYNTH 30 HIST cutter glue ball box sti ck brush 3 �ape or glue smaller bo to 5 dd the circuit. 6 dd a w mmy ar! 7 dd a str ap. the bac of the – der en d.

8 ROcK OUT! use sta pler be careful! tuck battà in be nd 4 ecorate! se paint, glue pÄ sicle s ck to mar‹ rs, w te� r you £ ! sty«  am ball Show us your design! littleBits.cc/upload

We used el asti c. You could also place sty« fo a m tr y ribbon , ball on t� of sÁ i¸ Å cloth . .  sec d oscillaÇ customie! 31 PROJECT 10: Play your Synth Kit like a DJ. SYNTH SpIN TaBle 1 ta rt wi th th is circuit. oscillator spe� mode power micro sequencer split mix envelope speaker 2 ay cereal bo flat.

adjust volume

sTAY sAFE! Always oscillator use with an adult. ch an ge volumes EED LL N of each oscilla U’ O ! The first notable fully synthe- TIME: 2 hrs Y DIFFICULTY: sized disco hit was “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer in 1977. hot scissors  pe p en plas c or sÁ as cereal SYNTH 32 HIST glue paper cup box make fi rst turnta le make secon d turnta ble 3 ut the circuit on  box. 4 tta ch on e sÁ a on each oscillator knob 5 � paper plate cut don to sie. 8 o¯ a ole in the bottom 9 epeat steps -7 an d Use ta pe toÉeep �em in place. of a cup an d slide it on the str awadd an othe r plate on t� of the secon d oscillator . of the cup.

6 ar cen ter of plate an d po¶ hole.

7 lide plate on to str aw. You can ta pe sÁ a to cup at the base fo r sta bilizi‰ .

33 10 lue str aws to plates. 11 ecorate! 12 PERForM! Your spin  ble is ready r the s ge!

glue

ben d flat

We used color‚ sÁ aws. ˆ t materials do you ha at home† 34 maKe SOmeTHINg THaT dOeS SOmeTHINgTm This booklet’s over but the fun’s not done. Want More? You got it! lITTleBITS.cc/UplOad EXPLORATION SERIES Upload your project and you may be handsomely rewarded. We regularly feature awesome community projects and send out exclusive gifts.

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