HolyNegative0
Offline
Texas

So I have an old Speak & Spell laying around my house, and I think it would be fun to use it for something other than gathering dust. I'm just wondering how I should go about this.
I was thinking that I was just going to make it say say the words I want, then record that and import it into Audacity and edit the length and pitch of the words/syllables in there, but that seems like a really complicated and time-consuming way to go about this.
Is there a better way to do this? Are there mods I can do? I know there is a cartridge slot, is there a cart/ROM I can buy? Is there a special jack that I can hook up a keyboard to? Is there a better software to use for the above method?

Please Help. ;~;

Vile
Offline
San Diego

You can circuit bend the crap out of a speak and spell. The ROM slot was for specific games and lessons. Not sure of anything for recording purposes. You can put a 1/4" or 1/8" jack on it as well to easily record, or do live performances. Here's a site I found that had some good info on a Speak and Read http://makezine.com/extras/32.html  There are quite a few things out there for these little toys, just google search "circuit bend Speak and Spell". You'll turn up a lot of stuff, from videos to tutorials and what not. Hope this helps.

Vile
Offline
San Diego

This site had some good info for basic circuit bending as well as how to hook up and audio out. http://www.oscillateur.com/circuitbending/faq And if you really want to go all out, this site has a kit to hook up a MIDI port to it! http://highlyliquid.com/kits/midispeak/

Last edited by Vile (Feb 14, 2012 2:54 pm)

HolyNegative0
Offline
Texas

Thanks, man! I can't check those out right now, but as soon as I get a chance I'll definitely be looking at those. big_smile

Vile
Offline
San Diego

No problem! I really wish I knew what happened to my old Speak and Spell from when I was a kid. They look like a ton of fun to bend and record with. I'd like to hear what you do with yours! big_smile

InactiveX
Offline
England

MIDISpeak is good fun if you're into MIDI:

http://highlyliquid.com/kits/midispeak/

kitsch
Offline
matt's mind

the highly liquid kits are quite amazing.  very good product.  i've got one installed in a speak and math and it works really wonderfully

HolyNegative0
Offline
Texas

Awesome. big_smile Will update with pics after I modify the living daylights out of it! XD

e.s.c.
Offline
IL, US

I've got a midispeak kit gathering dust that I'd sell for $30 shipped, if you're interested

kineticturtle
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Matthew Joseph Payne

Great kits! I installed one and sold the thing on eBay for like $300. smile

xray303
Offline

If you like solder and write some code, you can also doing similar with a open source midi speak and spell. http://noizeinabox.blogspot.com/

abortifacient
Offline
Sydney AUS

Mods begin and end with Casper Electronics' work.
http://casperelectronics.com/finished-p … l-bending/

Analog
Offline
Ciudad de méxico, MX

got a speak and spell lying around, this looks like a fantastic weekend project wink

Screamforme99
Offline
San Angelo, TX

circuit bending is not hard and really really fucking cool man!
and i installed midi on my SK1, so installing midi on a speak and spell shouldnt be to hard either.
I think reed put one up on his sight somewhere