I have gone through several sound systems that were unsatisfactory
before Heath and I worked out the CFII system.

The CFII system along with a 12ch RF remote allows you to directly
access a specific sound. It is great to make R2 interact with people.
The CFII also allows one channel to be sequenced so you can add an
unlimited number of sounds.

Good Points
You can access specific sounds depending on the situation
One channel can be sequenced so you can, in theory, have an unlimited
amount of sounds

Bad points
It is a bit costly for some people (Approx $250)
It only sequences one channel
There is a boot up time before you can start playing sounds. This can
run over a minute long

Murray Jones and I have developed a new sound system that is not as
expensive as the CF3 system and has similar features.

Good Points
Less expensive then the CF3 setup (Approx $110)
Quicker boot up time compared to the CF3 (approx 5 sec)
Multiple sounds can be played per button so there are less buttons to
use but more variety of sounds

Bad points
A bit more wiring/soldering needs to be performed compared to the CF3
system
Fewer direct access to sounds (5 buttons vs 12 on the CFII/CF3)

However we have programmed the 5th button to change modes so you can
have more then 4 direct access sounds. It is just not as convenient
as the pushing one of the 12 buttons

We have programmed 5 buttons
Mode 1
Button 1 gives you random R2 generic sounds
Button 2 gives you random R2 chattering sounds
Button 3 gives you random R2 sad sounds
Button 4 gives you random R2 excited sounds

Button 5 toggles between modes

Mode 2
Button 1 gives you one long mp3 that plays R2 generic sounds with a 10
second gap between
Button 2 gives you random Star Wars music
Button 3 gives you random Star Wars sound bites
Button 4 gives you random non Star Wars related sounds

With this system you can add more modes for more sounds or features

I have put up a tutorial on my web page showing where to get the
parts, how much they cost and how to assemble everything. See Number 32
http://www.alexkung1.com/r2d2/cmain.htm

***NOTE: DO NOT post this to the R2 Builder group yet. I will do
that in a few days so my web site does not get overloaded and maxes
out my transfer rate.***



Alex
Styrofoam Guy