<nettime-ann> Pixel Lab #5 | ANDY BOLUS, "GHOST DETECTOR"

Pixel Lab #5 | ANDY BOLUS, "GHOST DETECTOR"-------------------------------------------
in: Laboratoire Ouvert @ la GaÃtÃ lyrique, Paris Sat. 11 Oct, 5PM-7PM,talk/discussionSun. 12 Oct, 2PM-6PM, workshop,5 Euros#5 | GHOST DETECTOR
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For the ghost detector, a coil (like the antenna of a radio but with no tuning magnet) is constructed using fine copper wire around a cylindrical object of the users choice: preferably cylindrical in shape, and preferably a "charged" object (one with personal meaning or of natural origin. Examples include an animal bone, a sex toy, a sacrificial knife, but really any cylindrical object will produce results). The coil diameter and number of windings is variable and experimental and will produce different results / capture different parts of the radio and electromagnetic spectrum. Also using the inverting or non-inverting inputs of the 386 will produce different results.

In place of the coil it is also possible to add a choke and diode (thus the circuit becomes an amplified version of the Raudive diode), or the play or record head from an old tape recorder. The results will vary according to the head used, for example bigger heads out of reel to reel machines will be more sensitive.
A volume control may be added using a potentiometer either at the input (coil end) or output of the circuit.
The circuit may be constructed by soldering the components directly to the LM386, or veroboard may be used.
Once the circuit is constructed (should take maximum 2 hours) you can go on a ghost walk with your device and headphones (or a recording device if you have one) to listen to hidden spooky sounds.

The static charge detector takes advantage of the fact that CMOS chips are static sensitive to cause a flip-flop to switch according to the positive or negative ions around the antenna, lighting one of the LEDs. This can be constructed 'dead bug' style. The 3M resistor before the antenna protects the chip against large static spikes. See schematic / photo for construction details.

PARTS (Ghost Detector):
LM386
10 uf and 220 uf capacitors
Veroboard (optional)
Fine copper wire to make the antenna coils
9v BATTERY CONNECTORS
9v battery
3.5mm headphone socket
- An object to wrap your coil around to make the ghost detector antenna. The small circuit and battery will also be attached to this antenna.
Headphones

PARTS (Static Detector)
CD4011
resistors 270ohm and 3Mohm
Capacitors 33pf
Diodes 1N4148
9v battery connector

OTHER STUFF:
- SOLDERING IRONS (one per person is ideal but can be shared if less)
- SOLDER (flux core, as thin as possible)
- Electrical tape (insulation tape) or gaffer tape
- glue gun
- Wire to recycle (for example old computer cables / Ethernet cable / telephone cable)
- Cables 3'5mm mono to 1/4" jack if people want to plug their machines into a mixer or amp and record.
- Mixer and amp

WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING:
a cylindrical; non-conductive object to wrap wire around to make an antenna,
preferably something personal and/or from a dead animal/person/plant.
Also headphones, and a 9v battery

http://schoolofmeatcutting.free.fr

PIXEL_LAB | LABORATOIRE OUVERT-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Within the residency program "Laboratoire Ouvert" of la GaÃtÃ lyrique, Mal au Pixel proposes a series of monthly meetings in Paris, until April 2015, consisting in a public talk and a collective workshop.

Since 2006, Mal au Pixel festival is looking at connecting technology, urban electronics and socialÂ transformation issues, and to investigate our contemporary beliefs. The festival brings together young digital artists and unconventional electronics : unexpected technologies, open source tools, prototypes and open ended events.

http://www.malaupixel.org

PROGRAM-------11-12 OctoberAndy Bolus (UK.FR), Ghost Detector Synthhttp://schoolofmeatcutting.free.fr8-9 NovemberBengt SjÃlÃn, Tempest Aura/Tempest Radiohttp://www.automata.se/13-14 DecemberMari Keski-Korsu & Erich Berger,DIY Geiger Counterhttp://casepyhajoki.info/en

PRACTICAL---------

Presentations:

On Saturday, 5PM-7PM,

free access;

Workshops:

Sat and/or Sunday, 2PM-6PM, 5 EUR,

Reservations = billetterie@gaite-lyrique.net;

SUPPORTS--------

In partnership with Pixelache Network.

http://www.network.pixelache.ac

With the support of the Grundtvig Foundation.