The Thingamagoop Is Controlled by Light and Human Interaction

The Thingamagoop is a simple analog synthesizer that you control by turning knobs, flipping switches and adjusting the type or amount of light hitting its face.

The little creatures have oscillators, just like any synthesizer, which create the note or tone you hear. However, instead of using a keyboard, the oscillator in the device is controlled by a photocell, making the sound somewhat random. The more light across the photocell, the higher the pitch. Less light lowers the pitch. The photocell reacts to different kinds of light. Florescent lamps and TV screens give the Thingamagoops a harsher tone, while natural and incandescent light produce a cleaner one.

There is a second oscillator, called a low frequency oscillator or LFO. The frequency of the sound is controlled by this second knob.

The switch on the right controls what type of range the noise is in. When it is up, the oscillator is in a high range and when it’s down it’s in a lower range.

Light from the lighted tentacle can also change the sound quality. If pointed at the photocell, it will rhythmically change the pitch.

Thingamagoops are powered by a 9-volt battery and come with a built-in speaker. You can also use the quarter inch output jack to plug it into guitar effects and an amp.

Click here to listen to the Thingamagoop or see it in action.