- #1
What is the signal flow in this circuit diagram?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around understanding the signal flow in a circuit diagram related to a drum machine, specifically the Bleep Drum by Dr. Bleep. Participants seek to clarify how the signal interacts with various components throughout the circuit, including the role of the microcontroller and other electronic parts.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
- Homework-related
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express confusion about the circuit and request a detailed explanation of the signal flow from start to end.
- One participant shares their background, mentioning they are writing a memoir about drum machines and have built the Bleep Drum using instructions from the website.
- There is a discussion about the importance of the datasheet for the microcontroller, with some participants suggesting it is essential for understanding the component's functionality.
- One participant questions the nature of a datasheet, initially confusing it with a legend for circuit symbols.
- Another participant explains that the programmed code in the microcontroller is responsible for generating sounds, while resistors act as regulators and capacitors modify pitch and add distortion.
- A later reply clarifies that the signal path involves a voltage divider and AC coupling, with the microcontroller interfacing through a digital-to-analog converter.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of the signal flow and the roles of various components, indicating that multiple views and uncertainties remain in the discussion.
Contextual Notes
Some participants mention the lack of a datasheet and the need for further clarification on the signal flow, indicating potential gaps in understanding the circuit's operation.
- #2
- 19,385
- 15,618
propeller said:
Uh ... you want to maybe throw out a hint or two? Like, where did you get it, what is it supposed to be for, stuff like that ... you know ... REALLY basic information!
- #3
propeller
- 8
- 0
right.. I am working on this memoir and don't know where to put my head anymore, sorry about that. I am working on a memoir in which I am talking about the Drum Machine! So i did all the history, the protagonist brands on the market today, and i thought it will be a good idea to build my own drum machine. looked on the internet for some ideas and found the Bleep Drum by Dr. Bleep. Great! so i bought one, built one with the easy instructions they have on there website, but i really want to explain in my memoire how everything works. So this diagram was downloaded straight from his website, and I let myself wrote what i knew, what i didnt...etc
Here is a list of the bleep drum's components: 1x Cicruit imprimé sur carte
1x Arduino Atmega328P chip
1x MCP4901 IC chip
1x Prise DIP 28 broches
1x Prise DIP 8 broches
1x Resonator de 16MHz
1x Transistor 78I05
2x Potentiometre 10K
4x Boutons 12mm Bleu, Rouge, Jaune et Vert
4x Boutons 6mm noir
1x Capacitor 10uF
2x capacitor 220uF
5x Resistor 1k
1x RGB LED
1x Jack stéréo (1/8)
1x interupteur SPDT
1x Batterie 9V
Here is a list of the bleep drum's components: 1x Cicruit imprimé sur carte
1x Arduino Atmega328P chip
1x MCP4901 IC chip
1x Prise DIP 28 broches
1x Prise DIP 8 broches
1x Resonator de 16MHz
1x Transistor 78I05
2x Potentiometre 10K
4x Boutons 12mm Bleu, Rouge, Jaune et Vert
4x Boutons 6mm noir
1x Capacitor 10uF
2x capacitor 220uF
5x Resistor 1k
1x RGB LED
1x Jack stéréo (1/8)
1x interupteur SPDT
1x Batterie 9V
- #4
- #5
berkeman
Admin
- 69,539
- 25,120
propeller said:
What is your circuit/electronics background? Have you read the datasheet for that microcontroller (uC)?
- #6
- #7
berkeman
Admin
- 69,539
- 25,120
propeller said:
That's the component placement drawing.
And of course there is a datasheet. Just look it up on the web and download it to your PC to read.
- #8
propeller
- 8
- 0
What is a datasheet exactly? Do you mean the legend for the symbols?
- #9
berkeman
Admin
- 69,539
- 25,120
propeller said:
No, a datasheet is published by the uC supplier. In the case of Arduino uCs, that supplier company is Arduino:
http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Products
You should download the datasheet for the chip, to learn more about how it is used.
- #10
propeller
- 8
- 0
thank you for that, but this is datasheet is going way to profound, I really would like to know how basically the signal goes from a component to another and how is it affected by each of the components presented on the diagram. The chips are basically filters with programmed code inside in which the signal goes through right?
- #11
propeller
- 8
- 0
what I am understanding here is that the programmed code is the source of the sounds produced by the tactiles? so the resistors are used here more as regulators, whereas the two capacitor modifies the pitch and adds distortion (two codes included in the micro chip), tactiles would be switches, each letting the signal to interract with the sound connected to them
- #12
milesyoung
- 818
- 67
When you write about components in a schematic, it's good practice to remember to include their names, i.e. 'R1', 'C1' etc.propeller said:
I guess you're talking about the signal path from the microcontroller to the jack output?
All the magic happens in the microcontroller itself. R3 and R4 is just a voltage divider to drop the level and C1 AC-couples the signal to block any DC component. The microcontroller feeds this passive network through a digital-to-analog converter, which is controlled using a SPI-bus.
- #13
propeller
- 8
- 0
That is it! thank for your quick answers