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Signal build

Tone Generator

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

Radio & soundBuildAudio
Watch on YouTube

How it works

What this project is testing.

A tone generator is the simplest version of electronic sound: make voltage rise and fall repeatedly, then feed that pattern to a speaker.

Read more

This project demonstrates oscillation, frequency control, and how a changing electrical signal becomes air pressure your ear hears.

Frequency is how many waveform cycles happen each second.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries for Smoke Detector, Electronics & Audio, Reliable, 5-Year Shelf Life
batterypower

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries

$12.694.7(242K)

General electronics battery pick; choose AA/AAA variants when the circuit calls for them.

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Rigol Digital Oscilloscope DS1054Z 50 MHz 4-Ch 1 GSa/s 24 Mpts 30,000 wfms/s UltraVision 7" 800x480 Intensity Display, 60,000-Frame Record/Playback, Serial Decode UART I2C SPI for Debug & Education
oscilloscopetest equipment

Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope, 50 MHz, 4 Channel, 1 GSa/s

$349.004.7(724)

Good bench choice; budget scope alternatives may be cheaper but less durable.

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Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack
test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)
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BOJACK 3 Values 130 Pcs Solderless Breadboard 4 Pcs 830 Tie Points & 400 Tie Points & 126 Pcs Flexible Breadboard Jumper Wires
breadboardprototyping

BOJACK Solderless Breadboard Kit with 830/400 Tie-Point Boards and Flexible Jumper Wires

$9.994.4(692)
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EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables
jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)
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BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25 Values Resistor Kit 1 Ohm-1M Ohm with 5% 1/4W Carbon Film Resistors Assortment
resistorpassive electronics

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25-Value 1/4W Carbon Film Resistor Assortment Kit, 1 ohm-1M ohm

$9.994.7(4,500)
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BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF-1000uF
capacitorpassive electronics

BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

$16.994.7(953)
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CHANZON 100pcs 5mm LED Diode Lights Assortment 10 Colors x 10pcs Diodes (Clear Transparent Lens) Emitting Lighting Bulb Lamp Assorted Kit Variety Color White Red Yellow Green Blue Orange UV Pink
LEDsemiconductor

100pcs 5mm LED Diode Lights Assortment, 10 Colors

$6.994.5(1,800)
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BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit
integrated circuit / ICsemiconductor

BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit

$18.994.8(511)
View on Amazon
150 Pcs 15 Value 100 ohm- 2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor 6mm Potentiometer Assortment Kit
potentiometerpassive electronics

150 Pcs 15-Value 100 ohm-2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor Potentiometer Assortment Kit

$11.994.6(267)
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CQRobot Speaker 3 Watt 8 Ohm Compatible with Arduino Motherboard, JST-PH2.0 Interface. It is Ideal for a Variety of Small Electronic Projects.
speakeraudio

CQRobot 3 Watt 8 Ohm Speaker for Arduino and Small Electronics Projects

$7.994.5(457)
View on Amazon
Panasonic Portable AM/FM Radio, Battery Operated Analog Radio, AC Powered, Silver (RF-2400D)
AM/FM radio receiverradio

Panasonic RF-2400D Portable AM/FM Radio, Battery Operated or AC Powered

$29.994.5(33K)
View on Amazon

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

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