Looking for something like a fart machine, only one that makes joke noises... you know... like springs going off, the sound of a window being smashed, perhaps a car horn, etc.??
Can anyone guide to anywhere to make one? I'm ok with electronics...circuit diagram and parts list, anyone? But better still - a complete unit with a remote.

The sort of noises that would appeal to kids....

Thanks!

DCB

DCB,
I am actually working on a system that creates Classic Cartoon Sound Effects very similar to the unit installed in the flea.
Unfortunately, they are very expensive to make properly and will be a bit bulky so they may be best installed in a prop or located at your lower back area. I have designed a "Tuck In" panel, for the lower back, to allow easy attaching/removal etc.
The size has yet to be determined as I am working out the details.
This is a very loud system with Volume Control, etc. and will have a rechargeable battery system as well.
I will keep you folks posted.
Thanks
Chance

Chance,

Thanks for that.. best I've come up with yet is a CD of assorted noises - I could edit these onto my Ipod.. but the selection and timing is the problem. I have a remote for the ipod, and I'm thinking along these lines right now (played through the PA system).

Regards,

DCB

Chance, I'm delighted that you're taking that project forward. The sound effects for The Flea are fantastic! I'll be first in line for one of your SFX units. Can I suggest that there be some way of downloading sound effects, so that it can be customised to a particular performer/performance?
Doug

I know the volume may not be enough but what about using the sound effect keychains. If it is held by a mike, it should pick it up. They have a variety of sounds in them.

Richard

I was looking for a remote ringing noise for Xmas for Santa to call me half way through the show!

The http://www.freesound.org website is great for finding various sound effects that are free to use.

I've been shopping at toy stores for a long time and have a drawer full of almost every kind of noise machine you could imagine.

I have one the makes a LOUD rim shot for some of my jokes.

There used to be a gag called Phoney Ring that was a ringing device with a fake phone. You might find on on ebay or someplace. This was 25 years ago. With Cell phones, people accept almost anything for a ringtone.

Richard

Are you looking for something you will actually wear on your person in a walk around type situation or something to hook up to your PA system?

Best,

Dan-

For a good boing sound, I took the electronic sound maker out of a cheap stuffed rabbit I found at Easter time at a drug store. It had a motion activated switch that was easy enough to replace with a push button. I'd wager you could hook it up to a fart machine without too much difficulty so that it could be activated remotely.
I've also seen bouncy balls with a boing boing sound maker inside that you could use as well.

I have two small sound generators ..one is more modern music (about 5 buttons plus a small microphone)

The other contains the boing boing sound, along with buttons for head rattle, alarm clock, explosion, zipper and maybe one more.

Got the first at a garage sale..2nd and third on ebay...can't recall the name of the "toy"...

It is about the size of an 6 ounce can of vegetables...It telescopes open with a small speaker on the bottom...(anyone remember what they are called)

I believe they take 3 AAA batteries...(one of the best presents I got a few years ago was a battery recharger..)

I had a remote control fart machine. I had it in my car for some reason. I think my son put it in the car to play with. Anyway...

When I pulled up to pay the toll booth at the bay bridge in SF it started going off and farting random farts every 2 seconds. It must have been on the same "frequency" as the Fast-Pass detector.

I'm sure the toll booth lady was very impressed with me.

Danny,

it doesn't need to be remote - I want it to co-incide with a flash and a big puff of smoke - so I could operate the whole thing with a foot switch. The flash is generated via flash wool and flash powder, and the smoke - I'm going to try smoke pellets. I've picked up an kit at Maplins (Radio Shack type of place) that will give me fire engine, machine gun, police siren noises etc.. so I'll give that a try. It only has a tiny piezo speaker, but I should be able to hook that up to the PA.
But... I'd really like to find the "BOingggggg" noise - it's by far the funniest - and it's for kids...

Thanks for all the help so far..

Frank.. as a point of interest , this same effect involves the sponge food, discussed previously..!!

Regards,

DCB

If you are hooking it up to a PA why not just buy an iCue and a CD full of sound effects? That's what I do, it's the easiest thing in the world and after you nickle and dime yourself half to death (I am assuming because I also do this with projects all the time! ) You will probably have spent as much money as an iCue and an ipod cost.

This is how all the pros are doing it and it is seamless.

Remote control sound is just a click away:
http://virtualsoundman.com/

Best,

Dan-

Danny.. I think your suggestion regarding the Icue is great - perhaps when I have more need, or need to use more effects that will be a consideration.
Right now though - I'm just looking for a quick "boiinnnngg!!" as part of an effect I'm knocking together.

Regards,

DCB

I am also looking for a sound effects 'machine'. The problem with using the ICue or similar device is that I want the sound effects to be more random and 'event' based during my show. I think what you are looking for is called a 'sampler'. It is a device that can record sounds (or be loaded) and then play each one back at a touch of a keypad. I am looking for one that can be remote controlled, but have not found it yet. The smallest one that I have found looks about as big as a large TV remote.

I've knocked up the little soundboard, and I have to say, it's pretty good. OK - it doesn't have the exact noise I'm looking for, but for trial purposes , it'll work fine, through the PA. It's pretty loud for a crowd of around 20 kids, but the PA will be required for impact with more than 20 kids..
The effect it's required for is the O.O.O.P.S Machine by Jim Gerrish. I can see there's a lot of potential for noise, smoke, flash effects, along with a bit of fire - stuff that kids of ANY age love. I'm looking forward to performing this... check it out!

Regards,

DCB

Check out http://www.thinkgeek.com They have a shirt that will do 20 different sounds with a remote and you can change the sounds with the help of a couple of other things. The shirt is about $40 dollars, I've ordered one. It's called "Personal Soundtrack Shirt."

Jerry

That looks like a great idea! One problem I can foresee - if that's an ordinary magnetic type speaker, it would be heavy..and "hang forward".. but at the price, it's likely to be a smallish piezzo typ, which woould work well.

I'll be interested to hear hwo it works out! It DOES sound pretty novel!

Regards,

DCB