Building my version of the Weird Sound Generator (WSG) kit from the amazing Music From Outer Space (MFOS) website:
I have since forgotten why I named it the MFU-9000 (Multi Frequency Unit?), but it seems to be from an imagined future branch of the military specializing in sonic warfare.
Look for audio samples to be posted soon(ish)!
Most of the components from the Weird Sound Generator kit from MFOS
PCB with components soldered up and ICs in place
I’m repurposing an old Pelican case for the enclosure. Used to transport SCSI drives for audio production (back in the before times)
The case interior had some glued-in foam that needed to be removed and the case interior cleaned up
I ordered a stainless steel panel - cut to my specs - from an online vendor. I designed my own version of the WSG panel after looking at some of the other cool builds out there on the web and made holes with my drill press
My WSG control panel - designed in Adobe Illustrator, printed on matte photo paper, spray mounted to the steel panel, and finished with several layers of Krylon matte finish
Backside of control panel- now populated with all the switches and potentiometers
Control panel with knobs and switches installed
Checking the panel fit (it fits good!) and knobs installed. Remaining holes are for the LEDs
LEDs wired up for attaching to the PCB
Starting to wire up the panel components
Panel wiring in progress…
Panel wiring finished. Note the professional use of hot glue as a means of cable control
Panel now wired to PCB. Will this thing even work?
YES!
I added a 3 way toggle switch on the main output. It is fixed in the ‘center’ and ‘down’ positions, but momentary in the ‘up’ position. This allows me to operate the WSG with continuous output, or the create rhythmic pulses by manually ‘playing’ the output switch. Kinda like guitar players sometimes do with their pickup switches. It makes the WSG way more playable and versatile (IMO)
And here’s the finished product. I sanded and painted the Pelican case olive drab to complete the future-surplus-military-equipment vibe. Seen here with it’s little brother Atari Punk Console sidecar and an Ampeg Reverb Rocket amp it’s about to get plugged into. Ready to Generate some Weird Sounds!
