Author: Sofia Grytsenko

Sofia’s Final Synth

Ready to build your very own synth but don’t know where to start? No worries – you’re in the right place!

 Welcome to the Fish Synth Docs, your step-by-step guide to creating the Fish Synth! This unique synth comes with a convenient strap, making it easy to take your sound on the go for all your events. 

It features 3 adjustable dials, sound-controlling buttons, and a headphone jack for personal listening. Plus, it has a pedal plug for connecting other effects and creating a daisy-chain setup. Let’s dive in and get started!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

HOW TO BUILD

Step 1: Order the DaisySeed and Wait for Delivery
 The first step in building your Fish Synth is to order the DaisySeed online. This component, which acts as the “brain” of your synth, is where all the code will be loaded. Be patient as it will take some time to arrive from California.

Step 2: Choose Your Effects
 While waiting for the DaisySeed to arrive, start planning what effects you want your synth to have. Explore the DaisySeed coding library to find the effects that suit your needs. Once you’ve selected the desired effects, you’ll need to wire them to the appropriate switches.

Dial 1 – Switch Sound Effect

Dial 2 – Volume

Dial 3 – Miscellaneous / Tone

Button 1 – On/Off

Button 2 – Chord C major 7

Button 3 – Chord G major 7

Button 4 – E major 7

Step 2.5: Set Up Daisy Seed and Code

When using Arduino for coding, it is essential to follow the DaisyDuino Set-Up Guide. A variety of video tutorials are available on the ElectroSmith YouTube channel, as well as a comprehensive Start-Up guide on GitHub.

Start-Up Tips:

  1. Ensure the “Extra Step” STM32 package is downloaded, as it is crucial for the setup. If unable to obtain it, request it from another source.
  2. In Arduino, select “DFU” as the upload method.
  3. It may be necessary to press and hold the Boot button while pressing the Reset button a few times to allow Arduino to properly recognize the board.

To code the effects, start by reviewing the multiple Daisy Seed examples available in the Arduino environment. 

 The goal is to combine the relevant portions of each example into a single, cohesive file.


By doing this, you’ll be able to tailor the code to your specific needs and create the desired effects. The example code is available through the link provided below, offering a starting point to help guide the process.

Step 3: Solder Buttons, Dials, and Plugs
 Begin by soldering the various buttons, dials, and plugs onto the board. Ensure you connect the correct wires to the outside dials so they correspond to the effects you wish to control. Take your time to ensure each connection is accurate.

Step 4: Create the Case
 You have two options for the case:

  • 3D Print the Case: Use the provided file to 3D print your case. If you don’t have access to a 3D printer, check with your local public library to see if they offer printing services. This file was made with TinkerCAD.
  • Cardboard Case: Alternatively, you can fold a custom cardboard case. If you choose this route, follow the instructions for cardboard assembly provided below. Note that, regardless of the case type, only the placement of knobs and buttons matters.

Step 5: Wire the External Components
Solder the switches, dials, and other external components using wires. Ensure that all switches and dials are connected properly to the board and that they align with the designated holes in the case.

Step 6: Assemble the Synth Case
Once everything is wired correctly, screw the components into the case. Double-check that all connections are secure before moving on.

Step 7: Test the Synth
Before sealing the case by drilling or gluing it shut, test the synth to ensure everything is working properly. This is your last chance to make adjustments if needed.

Step 8: Add a Strap
For convenience, sew a bag strap using any fabric you have available. A jewelry chain was used in this example!

Step 9: Final Steps
Congratulations! The Fish Synth is now complete. You should have a better understanding of musical synthesizers and can start creating music! Enjoy the process and the sounds you create!

Retrospective:

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  1. Find way to attach buttons to case
  2. Cut breadboard to fit in case
  3. Adjust code to actually sound good

Company Pitch:

The Fish Synth is a DIY, portable synthesizer designed for on-the-go music creation and exploration. This compact, user-friendly device allows enthusiasts to build their own unique synth by assembling the components, offering a hands-on experience for both beginners and experienced creators. With its battery-powered design, the Fish Synth is perfect for spontaneous jam sessions, street performances, or personal audio experimentation, providing a versatile range of sounds and effects. Its easy-to-customize features and portable nature make it an ideal tool for music lovers who want to enjoy creative synthesis anytime and anywhere.

https://www.instructables.com/Build-Your-Own-Synth

@astralsofia

DIY SYNTH TRAILER

♬ Veridis Quo – Daft Punk

🎶✨ Introducing the Fish Synth! 🎹 A DIY, portable synthesizer that lets you build your own unique sound and take it on the go. Perfect for spontaneous jams, street performances, or just vibing wherever you are! 🚀🔊

Easy to assemble, fun to customize, and ready for any adventure. Get yours and start creating music on the move! 🎧💡

#FishSynth #DIYMusic #PortableSynth #MusicOnTheGo #CreateEverywhere

Sofia’s Fish Synth (Update)

CassioBlog 2 – The Fish Synth

So you want to build your own synth? But you know nothing about music, soldering, or laser-cutting… well you came to the right place! Welcome to the Fish Synth Docs… a step by step tutorial for the Fish Synth! It comes with a strap so you can take your awesome synth on-the-go with you to all your events!

It comes with one dial, buttons to control the sounds, and a keyboard! It also has a plug that can connect pedals to your synth to create a daisy-chain effect!

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

I do not have the exact circuit diagram yet, but this video illustrates a circuit that will be very similar to my final one.

MATERIALS

  1. Daisy Seed
    1. https://electro-smith.com/products/daisy-seed 
  2. Breadboard
  3. 2 Dials
  4. 4 Buttons
  5. 2 Jacks (1 for computer, 1 for pedal)
  6. LaserCut Material / Wood (OR CARDBOARD!!!!)
  7. Fabric / Bag Strap
  8. Arduino
  9. Speaker

FISH SYNTH DOCS

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W0-eHwBJVBVMbLhxn2xCbMTPiduavZ2mpNqcAj_7g00/edit?usp=sharing

INSTRUCTABLES

https://www.instructables.com/member/sgrytsenko

PROJECT VIDEO STRUCTURE

The issue I had with most of the videos is that they would explain without showing what they are talking about, or the video would just show the building process. I wanted to combine these two video styles.


1. Show All Materials Laid Out and Overlay Final Product

(HAVE BREADBOARD AND EVERYTHING CLEARLY IN FRAME)

2. Have DIY Music Playing in Background

3. Start with Introduction and Explain all Materials

4. Explain each step in detail and have graphics on the video as well

5. Put all the separate parts together

6. Show Final Product

7. Outro

Intro -> Show Materials -> 1 Min Quick Sped Up Building -> Dive into Explanation -> Show Final Product -> Outro

Sofia’s Final Project Ideas

Welcome Back to The Cassio Blog!!!!! That is what I am titling my releases from this class from now on.

For our third and final project, we were instructed to create any product that would improve day-to-day life using Arduino and everything else we have learned in class.

I started brainstorming by looking through the old WordPress blogs that old POD students wrote for their final projects. I was amazed!!! I had a couple ideas stemming from music, midi board, and light before hand, but the posts really helped propel me to my final three.

  1. Typewriter Pager For Friends

This project stemmed from my main issue in my life: I hate texting on my phone. Spending time staring into a screen more than I have to is unappealing to me, but I still want to contact my friends and see their messages.

I thought of a pager… and thus my Typewriter Pager was born! I want to create two small screens with a keyboard attached, that the user can give to their friend and then exchange cute messages and ideas through Wifi. [Note: Talk to Becky about feasibility]

2. Phone Stand + Speaker Magnifier + Lights that React to Music

The next issue that needed to be solved was… What to do when my Bluetooth speaker dies at a party???? The Phone Stand Speaker with Lights!!! It is a product that boosts the sound from your phone and has a light that reacts to the music.

3. DIY Soundboard or Midi Board

I recently took a DIY Guitar Pedals class (Thank you Kyle) and I learned a lot about soldering and creating my own pedal. This started the thought of incorporating this new knowledge and skills into my final project into some kind of Midi or Soundboard that I can control the sounds that are put into it.

If anyone has extra thoughts or comments, I would love to hear below!! <3

Sofia is an Angler Fish?????

My Angler Fish is complete!!! This was the result of sewing, soldering, and a lot of fabric.

Materials

  1. Black Morph Suit (Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LEF3IRW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title )
  2. Mermaid Trim (Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGL6D47N?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSDY374?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 , but I recommend Etsy if you have the time)
  3. Black Fabric (Flea Market)
  4. NeoPixel Gemma
  5. NeoPixel Strip
  6. Sewing Machine
  7. Hope
@astralsofia

does anyone know the sound that goes la la la la with bubble sound effects in the background that youtubers used to use in their videos yea that’s what I wanted in the background of thus video

♬ under your spell – ✯

I had a lot of fun learning how to sew during this process and there are a couple things I would have done differently.

@astralsofia

work in progress for my halloween costume…. sexy angler fish coming your way🐡🐟🐠

♬ Whiplash – aespa
  1. Make the hood bigger and have a small wire to make it stick up.
  2. Have a magnet in between the wig and hood to keep the light and hood in place.
  3. Buy more trim and add more layers
  4. Add LED lights to the ends of the trim for a more fun effect
  5. Use a stronger clip for the head light.

Overall, the costume making process was fun, and I managed to meet all of the goals that I set out to accomplish at the beginning.

Some my favorite pics from the parade:>

Soldering Components

//fades all pixels subtly
//code by Tony Sherwood for Adafruit Industries

#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

#define PIN 1

// Parameter 1 = number of pixels in strip
// Parameter 2 = pin number (most are valid)
// Parameter 3 = pixel type flags, add together as needed:
//   NEO_KHZ800  800 KHz bitstream (most NeoPixel products w/WS2812 LEDs)
//   NEO_KHZ400  400 KHz (classic 'v1' (not v2) FLORA pixels, WS2811 drivers)
//   NEO_GRB     Pixels are wired for GRB bitstream (most NeoPixel products)
//   NEO_RGB     Pixels are wired for RGB bitstream (v1 FLORA pixels, not v2)
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel(14, PIN, NEO_GRBW + NEO_KHZ800);
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip2 = Adafruit_NeoPixel(14, PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

int alpha; // Current value of the pixels
int dir = 1; // Direction of the pixels... 1 = getting brighter, 0 = getting dimmer
int flip; // Randomly flip the direction every once in a while
int minAlpha = 100; // Min value of brightness
int maxAlpha = 250; // Max value of brightness
int alphaDelta = 5; // Delta of brightness between times through the loop

void setup() {
  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
}

void loop() {
  flip = random(32);
  if(flip > 20) {
    dir = 1 - dir;
  }
  // Some example procedures showing how to display to the pixels:
  if (dir == 1) {
    alpha += alphaDelta;
  }
  if (dir == 0) {
    alpha -= alphaDelta;
  }
  if (alpha < minAlpha) {
    alpha = minAlpha;
    dir = 1;
  }
  if (alpha > maxAlpha) {
    alpha = maxAlpha;
    dir = 0;
  }
  // Change the line below to alter the color of the lights
  // The numbers represent the Red, Green, and Blue values
  // of the lights, as a value between 0(off) and 1(max brightness)
  //
  // EX:
  // colorSet(strip.Color(alpha, 0, alpha/2)); // Pink
  colorSet(strip.Color(0, 0, alpha)); // Blue
  //colorSet(strip.Color(alpha, alpha/2, 0)); // Yellow
  //colorSet(strip.Color(alpha, 0, 0)); // Red
}

// Fill the dots one after the other with a color
void colorSet(uint32_t c) {
  for(uint16_t i=0; i<strip.numPixels(); i++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(i, c);
      strip.show();
  }
}

Look out for Angler Fish Part 2 next year!!!!

Sofia’s Halloween Costume Progress

Hello!!! Sofia here from the deep dark sea of sinus problems. Over the weekend I got a little cold, and thus that has put a halt on my soldering portion of my costume.

I have finished up everything else, so hopefully on the 30th, I will finish up the lights and be ready for Thursday!

Materials

  1. Black Morph Suit (Amazon:)
  2. Mermaid Trim (Amazon: , but I recommend Etsy if you have the time)
  3. Black Fabric (Flea Market)
  4. NeoPixel Gemma
  5. NeoPixel Strip
  6. Two Small LED Lights
  7. Sewing Machine
  8. Hope

In class on Wednesday, I tried on my suit and cut out my fabric pieces. I then started to craft together my final garment, but I fell ill around Thursday.

Circuit Diagram

Here is my tiktok of my progress! I also plan to buy fake nails and some sfx makeup to do the creepy makeup on Thursday. (SHOUT OUT TO Gudren for helping me with the bobbin <3 )

@astralsofia

work in progress for my halloween costume…. sexy angler fish coming your way🐡🐟🐠

♬ Whiplash – aespa

Sofia’s Halloween Costume

The confirmed costume for this Halloween is an Angler Fish! I wanted to make an artistic interpretation of the angler fish, inspired by high fashion looks. I want to scare people and maybe make a cool outfit as well.

I have purchased a black morph suit to alter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LEF3IRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the tutorial for the light and the teeth on the hood as well: https://imgur.com/gallery/grainy-happy-halloween-xAjxz

I so far have no progress images because I have been trying to craft the pattern for the hood and outfit. Now that I have the foundations, I will start buying supplies and crafting.

List of Materials

To Do List

  • Get materials for hood
  • Create light
  • Scout for finishing touches
  • Craft hood
  • Attach to outfit!

Circuit Diagram

My circuit diagram will look similar to this one:

Sofia’s Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is my favorite holiday! So naturally, I had a lot of ideas for this project. It stemmed from characters I have seen in media like JOI from Blade Runner 2049, Bella from the Winx Club, and more.

After some more thought, I wanted to choose one idea from media, and have the others be original ideas.

Idea 1: Psyclocke from X-Men

Materials:

Idea 2: Deep Sea Creature

Materials:

Idea 3: T.V Head

Materials

Finally, I soldering and connected my first RGB LED Strip to my bread board. I have made another TikTok vlog recording my process!

@astralsofia

hehehee making studio vlog 2

♬ カッチンコールたいりく / Freeze Continent – Soichi Terada

COOL DOG(S ) – Sofia

Are you a young adult?

Have you found yourself feeling lonely?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above.. COOL DOG(S) is the perfect companion for you!

The idea of COOL DOG(S) was born from the need that young adults have for companionship, and my own love for trinkets and cute plush.

The user would purchase a Blind Box (A blind box is a sealed package that contains a random item, making the contents a mystery until opened. Blind boxes are a popular way to collect toys, and they can add an element of surprise and excitement to the unboxing experience. ) in order to get 1 of 5 DOGS. Each dog comes with a different light up body part and accessory.

This is the pink dog, Marty. He loves sports and skateboarding, so his accessorizes would revolve around headbands, sunglasses, and helmets. This Marty came with a headband and light up nose! He had a special talent for finding your hidden food.

The process started with sketching, and figuring out what I wanted out of the materials. While going to the fabric store, I decided to dye my fabric to get the color that I wanted.

MATERIALS: Ralph Lauren Fabric, Pink Dye, and Felt

I did a battery pack with two changing color lights! There are no active photos of me soldering this battery pack, due to stress during the time of soldering, but check out this blog post if you are interested in more!
https://wordpress.com/post/makingstudio.blog/48069

Each individual COOL DOG would be a unique color and breed. I ran into some roadblocks with this project, with the biggest one being the fact that my fabric was too thick for embroidery.

Here are some things I would do for the next prototype:

  1. Embroider Eyes and Mouth Details
  2. Make more accessories
  3. Make 5 Dogs

Thank you so much for reading my blog post!

Sofia Grytsenko’s Plush Night Light Proposal

When I think about plushies, I think about Squishmellows or Beanie Babies. Their uniqueness and customization between the plushies is what drew me to them. Each one has their own personality and look. This is what lead me to my first prototype. It was Pikmin!

Here is my circuit diagram of my yellow light. My plushie would have two of these.

But, the Pikmins are a concept that exist already. I want to do something new and more in line with my personality. What about a dog? A dog that you can customize and accessorize!

The CoolDog Plushie would be meant for teens or people in their early 20s, who are seeking connection. He is anyone you want him to be, and can take on any hobbies or talents. This would give teens and adults ideas of what they could do for fun too! It would be made out of fleece, a soft inexpensive material with cotton accessories that you can attach by Velcro pieces.

Look forward to Part 2!