Untitled Document

The FRANKLINATOR

(click on image to see a larger view)

(also, see below for diagram & explanation of functions)

Link to larger image

#1-10 - Wooden buttons – These replaced the original plastic “soccer ball” buttons on the toy. These speak the numbers, from the top down, 1-10. You’re supposed to press these in response to the questions from switch 11.

#11 - Black slide switch – This is one of the original switches from the toy. Left is off, middle is “Hello, my name is Franklin, press a button…”, Right is “Hello, my name is Franklin, can you find the number (x)?...”

#12 - Black slide switch – This is another original switch from the toy. It changes the language. Left is English, Middle is English/French, Right is English/Spanish.

#13 – White handled toggle switch – When down (on), it produces a continuous loop when switch 12 is at the right-hand position. Also produces a continuous loop when switch 12 is in the left-hand position, IF the glitch switch 19 is down (“on”).

#14 – Green handled switch – This one, when “on” activates the knob next to it (15), which is a pitch control.

#15 - Pitch control knob, activated by switch 14.

#16 - Green handled switch - When “on”, activates the other pitch control knob (17). This knob is sort of a “fine” control, and only works if knob 15 is activated too (by switch 14).

#17 - Pitch control knob, activated by switch 16.

#18 - Red momentary push button – Kill and re-set switch.

#19 & 20 – Glitch Switches - Left one causes looping in some cases and a pitch shift in some cases; Right one totally mangles the sound.

#21 & 22 – More Glitch switches - adds some distortion & pitch shift

#23 - Yellow-handled toggle switch, 3 position– Center is “off”; Down adds distortion & enables knob 24 to function; Up adds a different degree of distortion & pitch shift + enables same knob (24).

#24 - Knob - Works when yellow toggle 23 is engaged – adds distortion, pitch change.

#25 - Knob – Decreases battery voltage for distortion effects.

#26 - Yellow-handled toggle switch, 3 position – Center is off; Down enables knob 27 for pitch-up control; Up gives a pitch shift up.

#27 - Knob for pitch-up control, activated by switch 26 (when down).

#28 - Knob that is a “volume” knob, but only works within a few degrees of rotation.

#29 - Toggle switch - turns on the yellow LED (30) and also affects the sound sometimes (depending on setting of other controls).

#30 - Yellow LED, activated by switch 29.

#31 - Red LED.

The switches & controls interact with one another and take on somewhat different characteristics depending on the configuration. There’s almost an endless supply of combinations, some producing new sounds, some causing it to stall or crash. It always comes back on though...