Transistor Organ


This simple circuit can provide hours of enjoyment as you learn tunes, play duets or just make some really weird sounds by pushing all the buttons at once. You have probably seen this circuit before, it is fairly common. I have seen it in several books. The best thing about the circuit is that you can tune each individual note, or go to a whole new active by changing one capacitor (C1). Because of this, it is possible to from an entire Transistor Organ ensemble. Why you would want to do this is anyone's guess...

Schematic

This is the schematic of the Transistor Organ

Parts

Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
R1-R8 8 250K Trim Or Regular Pot
R9, R12 2 100 Ohm 1/4 W Resistor
R10 1 10K 1/4 W Resistor
R11 1 220 Ohm 1/4 W Resistor
R13 1 5K Pot
C1 1 0.01uF Capacitor
C2 1 0.1uF Capacitor
Q1 1 2N4891 Unijunction Transistor
Q2 1 2N2222 Transistor 2N3904
S1-S8 8 SPST Switch
SPKR 1 8 Ohm 2 W Speaker
MISC 1 Wire, Circuit Board, Knobs For Pots

Notes

1. You can tune the organ to any instrument by adjusting R1-R8. I used a clarinet to tune mine, but you can of course use any instrument you wish.

2. The circuit may drain a 9V battery fairly quickly at full volume. You may remove R11 for even more sound.

3. You can rig up a relay and a foot switch to change C1 (for a different active) while your playing.