Drawdio

via (http://www.SynthGear.com/2009/synthesizers/synth-pencil/)

Do you perhaps really, really want to create some music but have a term paper or some work to catch up on and don’t have the time?  How about making music by writing?  Wait.. what?

The Drawdio is an analog synthesizer circuit that attaches to a pencil and lets you synthesize electronic sounds while by writing or drawing.  The DIY  kit uses the conductive properties of the graphite in the pencil lead and produces all sorts of crazy sounds while you move it on paper.

OK, so that video doesn’t quite show a symphony being produced, but it’s a really cool concept, and I’m sure with some practice you could really start to control this little synth.  Besides, if you’re a synth geek like me, this is an absolute must-have.

Adafruit sells the Drawdio kit for $19.50, including the circuit board and all the hardware.  They even throw in a 2B pencil!  Since this is a DIY kit, you need some really basic solder skills to put the Drawdio synthesizer together, but the circuit looks simple enough that even I would have a hard time messing it up.