Edited on 5/31/25 to add The Doohickey Addendum

I’m not quite sure where I first got the idea for this project, but it's been one I’ve contemplated starting for a couple of years at this point. For a taste of the kind of texture this setup can provide, check this out!

Since I’ve begun to really start toying with music production in earnest (shoutout to WRIR), I figured now is as good a time as any! And thus yy search began for a properly yellowed plastic telephone (with no cracks!!). Once acquired, I scoured the internet for a digestible “how to” on the matter (circuits scare me) and came across both this short from the legendary Sylvia Massy and this feature length (youtube standards) video from The Crafsman Steady Craftin, unparalleled in their warmth.

As for my results, I opted to go with the simpler passive circuit which utilizes the speaker rather than the carbon button mic. I think this better mimics how you would perceive the sound during a phone call too!

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The Doohickey Addendum

I made another contraption… but this time it plays sound! I picked up a pair of Califone 2924AV headphones and yet another handset. The goal for this project was to create a one handed (can even use no hands!) cue monitor for DJing.