ST-225 simulator 😂

Jo22 wrote on 2023-03-23, 21:35:

Solid work. 😀 👍

Solenoid work.

Anyone try this with an Aura Interactor yet?

I just got mine last week. Like other folks, I was concerned that the piezo buzzer wouldn't be realistic enough, but it's way more convincing than I expected.

Up close, it's a sterile popping sound, but inside a case running a couple fans and a real floppy drive, I have to listen closely to notice that it's fake. I think the fact that it makes sounds at the correct times really makes up for any issues with the sound quality. I got the version with the sticker, and It's still plenty loud. Honestly, I think it's louder than the real thing. I didn't get the 3D printed case. I might experiment with mounting and sound damping options.

The only thing missing is the motor spinning sound. I had an idea for a simple way of doing this, but I won't have time to breadboard the circuit in the near future, so I thought I would share here in case someone finds it compelling. Maybe the motor sounds could be reproduced well enough by using a couple of oscillators generating the right waveforms. If the oscillator frequency is voltage controlled, the spin-up could be reproduced easily enough by charging a capacitor. Adding some trim pots for adjusting the waveforms and low pass could enable mimicking different drive models.

Anyway, that's my hare-brained idea. Meanwhile, my rig suddenly feels more complete with the HDD clicker.

johnnycontrario wrote on 2023-06-25, 18:49:

I just got mine last week. Like other folks, I was concerned that the piezo buzzer wouldn't be realistic enough, but it's way more convincing than I expected.

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad you like it.
Looking forward to hear the results of your further experiments !

I've been tinkering with different ways of dampening the sound of the HDD Clicker.

I encased it in a plastic project box padded out with foam. With the lid sealed it muffles the sound and reduces the higher frequencies. I think it sounds more like a real hard drive this way.

I like the result and will probably do this with the HDD Clickers I have in other systems as well.

i working on a new version, based on RISCV MCU. keep tuned 😀

Cool, can't wait!

Which RISC-V MCU are you using?

A small Preview, DDS based Synthesis on CH32 RiscV MCU, Supercap is on the Backside for SpinDown Sound.

No Expensive ICs needed, all cheap off shelf components

I should get first Hardware in ~2-4 weeks.

Seems like a great update. Especially the spindown sound.
Am looking forward for the final product.

Cool! Is it still similar to the original Clicker, just running on RISC-V, or does it sound different etc? Is the "Speaker" a buzzer?

It uses Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) to "almost" faithfully reproduce the complete sound of a mechanical hard drive, including spin-up, spin-down, platter wobble and other characteristic HDD sounds while keeping it in a hobby friendly price range.

Not sure yet how it will sound on the small Speakers i purchased, i used my desk speakers for testing.

Can you make this a white noise machine to fall asleep to?