The Walkmellotron uses a widely available GE cassette player that featured a simple speed control dial. To adjust the playback speed, you'll connect a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to the ground and wiper of the speed dial potentiometer, and send it different voltages to select the speed. The QT Py RP2040 will be used to interpret USB MIDI messages and send the voltages via the STEMMA QT-connected DAC board.
This build is loosely inspired by the Mellotron, an amazing instrument invented in 1963, that used one tape loop per key to play beautiful, lush soundscapes.
GE 3-5362A Cassette Player/Recorder
This is a great, easily available player to use for cassette hacks. Online auction sites are full of them, usually priced to sell at around $10-$20.
Look for one that has been tested and works, unless you want to get a replacement belt, which is the most common thing to break in old tape players.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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