Steptone & Son is based on the Stepped-tone Generator designed by Forrest M. Mims III. Also known as the Atari Punk Console, this is a classic DIY noise-maker comprised of two 555 timer-based square oscillators. Our version adds CV control over both oscillators, a range switch that drops the frequency range of the oscillators, passive VCA for envelope shaping and a “kinda sync” for external oscillator control.
Since this is not a precision oscillator, it doesn’t track 1v/octave and the sync is not completely accurate. That won’t stop you from making some pretty great sounds with it, though.
Schematic
As with any schematic found on the internet, exercise caution when building. Test the build before plugging it into your case. If you find mistakes in the schematic, or you have recommendations for improving the design, feel free to contact us and let us know.
BOM
- Capacitors
- 10nf (1) C2
- 0.1uf (1) C3
- 1uf (1) C1
- Resistors
- 1k (5) R1, R2, R6, R8, R9
- 2k (1) R3
- 10k (3) R4, R5, R7
- Potentiometers
- 250k (2) RV1, RV2
- ICs
- LM556 (1) U1
- TL072 (1) U2
- LED (1) D1
- VTL5C vactrol (2) U2, U4
- Audio jack (3) J1, J2, J4
- Switching audio jack (1) J3
- 2n7000 FET transistor (1) Q1
- SPDT switch (1) SW1