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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments Speak & Music
Date of introduction: | 1986 | Display technology: | |
New price: | Display size: | n.a. | |
Size: | 9.1" x 11.1" x
1.2" 231 x 282 x 30 mm3 |
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Weight: | 18.2 ounces, 515 grams | Serial No: | |
Batteries: | 4*AA cells | Date of manufacture: | wk 24 year 1987 |
AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | USA | |
Precision: | Integrated circuits: | TMS50C40 (CM54129), CF60034 |
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Memories: | |||
Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Joerg Woerner | |
Download manuals: |
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This
funny synthesizer based product from Texas Instruments generates a lot of
different sounds and stores them into internal memory.
Compared with earlier
products of the Speak & line this one uses a quite simple technology.
This educational toy was rated by Texas Instruments for children aged between 7 and 11 years.
A similar product was introduced in the same year with the Little Maestro and two years later with the German speaking Music-Star. The Speak & Music sold in United Kingdom differs from the design, view it here.
The La Musique Magique introduced a French speaking version, Fonillo Suonaparla an Italian voice.
Other products in the Speak & line cover spelling and reading words. Compare this Speak & Music with Speak & Math, Speak & Spell and Speak & Read.
Dismantling this Speak & Music manufactured in June 1987 by Texas Instruments in the United States reveals a compact design centered around just two Integrated Circuits:
• TMS50C40/CM54129: TSP50C50 VSP (Voice Synthesis Processor) with
with 8-bit microcontroller and 8k Bytes Mask ROM for both program and
voice and 32 Bytes RAM • CF60034: Not yet discovered, probably a Port-Expander for the VSP |
Developed for children, the Speak & Music found – like
the Speak & Spell – its way into the Detroit area electronic music. Artist
Dethany (tOYBREAKER :::) heavily modified this kids’ keyboard and created this
wonderful “Bloo Meanie”.
Learn more about “Circuit Bending”.
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Press the
Play button and listen Bloo Meanie. Find more sound samples in the DOWNLOAD section. Powered by Yahoo Media Player. |
Blue Meanie Tunes |
Path of Logical |
Composer: | tOYBREAKER ::: |
Contact info: | dethany |
Permission by: | dethany |
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.