The Scratchbox!

The Art of Scratchboxing: A DIY Project for Music Experimentation

In an era where technology has advanced exponentially, it's refreshing to see artists and musicians experimenting with old technology to create new sounds. One such project is the scratchbox, a DIY instrument that combines vintage cassette deck playback head with modern components to produce unique scratching sounds. The author of this article will guide you through the process of creating your own scratchbox using readily available materials.

The first step in creating a scratchbox is to gather the necessary components. You'll need a mono phone jack, a small momentary switch that's normally open, something to put it all in (such as an Altoid-style tin), and a playback head from an old cassette deck. The author has already found a suitable candidate for this project - a portable cassette deck that records and plays. The device was previously used but now the buttons don't work, making it perfect for disassembly.

The author disassembled the cassette deck to reveal its internal components. There are two heads: a record head and a playback head. You'll want to remove the playback head, which is usually located at the center of the unit. This requires removing a couple of screws, followed by a snip to cut the cable. With the playback head removed, you can now focus on preparing it for use in your scratchbox.

To prepare the playback head, place it into the tin and secure it with a small drill bit as a pilot hole. The larger bit will be used to create the final hole, allowing the phone jack to fit snugly inside the tin. Repeat this process on the other end of the box for the switch, starting with a small drill bit as a pilot hole before finishing it off with a larger bit.

Next, the author turned their attention to cleaning the playback head. This is an essential step, as built-up tape oxide can affect its performance. A small and soft pencil eraser was used to remove some of the oxidation, while also using a Q-tip and some alcohol to clean out any remaining debris. The tape guides on the playback head were then bent back into place using needlenose pliers to make them flush with the head.

With all the components prepared, it's time to wire them together. Standard wire was used for this purpose, with one contact made from the switch to the playback head, followed by a connection from the phone jack to the other connection on the playback head. Finally, there is a connection from the phone jack back to the switch. This circuit may seem straightforward, but it's essential to ensure that all connections are secure and functional.

With the wiring complete, the author moved on to securing the components in place. The phone jack was fastened with the nut, while the switch was secured with another nut. These were tightened down firmly to prevent any movement or malfunction.

The final step is to assemble the scratchbox itself. The playback head was placed outside of the tin and secured using hot glue. This provides a sturdy base for the device, ensuring that it will hold its shape over time.

With the scratchbox complete, it's now essential to create music with this new instrument. The author used an ordinary credit card as a makeshift microphone, rubbing its magnetic strip back and forth to generate strange and fascinating sounds. These scratches were then amplified using a mixer, producing a unique sound that's perfect for experimentation.

In conclusion, the scratchbox is a DIY project that combines vintage technology with modern materials to produce unusual sounds. By following these steps, you can create your own instrument and explore new possibilities in music creation. Whether you're an artist or musician looking for new inspiration or simply someone interested in exploring alternative sounds, this project is sure to fascinate.