Comments on: Gemmy Skull MIDI Hack

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:18:19 +0000

i would like to make a six skull display ,, can u tell me how to do it i never done enything like this

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:27:59 +0000

Robert-

Shoot me an email via the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page and I’ll do what I can to help you out.

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:34:17 +0000

Scott, got my parts! yea! got a neighbor that can show me how to soider everything.

Now back to the daisy chain. I had planned to just build a board for each skull. … Could I create a “midi box” that has 6 outputs, then run those to each skull as needed with plugs? could you sketch something up like that or if I build a board that can run all 6 then run connections to each skull…could you sketch that too?

oh yea, powering all of this without burning things up…how to?
does each board get hooked up to a battery? and if I have the box that can run all 6, how much power and how? LOL

I have so many questions…is there anyway I can get you my email address without posting here? sorry if my questions seem a little nave…like I said this is my first real cool thing to add to the yard and I want to do it right…I am the only one for blocks that does anything…oh and “damn it Scott Im an artist not an electrican!” lol as bones would say.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:29:44 +0000

@Robert(& Chris: Sorry): I’ll see if I can get a picture of the bottom of the board (it’s not pretty so no making fun). The Midify board has 12 different outputs so you could use it to control the eyes and mouths of 6 different skulls. I only included enough support circuitry in the schematic for one skull (the board I actually built would run two) but it’s pretty easy just to add more transistors/resistors/diodes and fill up all 12 outputs.

I used Sonar to do the sequencing, but any software that will do MIDI/audio sequencing would work. It sounds like I need to write an article just on that part of it. I’ll try to get one up soon.

I’m pretty sure your neighbors would be jealous if you had singing skulls! =p

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:35:18 +0000

Scott, I have wanted to do this for the last 2 years!
I would like to see the underside of your board, ( I am a novice and have not done anything like this before, would just like to get it right). also, the board said you can hook up 6 skulls, I would like to see some detail on this, also what software and how do you program them (detailed). wanted to do this for a long long time! I am the only one that decorates for halloween in my neighbor hood, this would be a spooktacular event! lol

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:21:34 +0000

@Derek: They’re kind of hard to find right now. You can try here:
http://www.division-6.com/store/gemmy-animated-talking-skull-c-33-p-1-pr-52.html

@Darlene Thanks! The music is “Grim Grinning Ghosts” and it’s from Disney’s Haunted Mansion. You can buy it on some Disney CDs or probably just find it on the Intertubes.

By: Darlene Pino

Darlene Pino — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:32:44 +0000

This is great! The music on the video for the pumpkins, what is the name of it and where can i get it?

I love what you have done. I think I’d like to try this with a Snowman,elf or Santa for Christmas. Thank you for posting this.

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:24:18 +0000

Do you have a link to an online dealer for the Gemmy skull? This tutorial is great thanks for putting it together!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:44:02 +0000

This is amazing and really want to give it a try, but have questions. Do you have any photos of the underside of your circuit, just trying to make sure I’m follow you schematic correctly. I have other questions but won’t flood them all out. Thanks for the tutorial.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:21:23 +0000

Terrormaster: They are supposed to be back in stock around the end of the month. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to make plenty of skulls by Halloween!