hello from the Heart of Boredom

[kingart4]

Greetings! Okay, I'm not your standard cosplayer/BSG reinactor. I do mainly medieval stuff. I am both in the SCA in Des Moines, Iowa, (called "Coeur d'Ennui" in the SCA which means 'the heart of boredom' - our 'device' is a ring of boars (a 'boar-ring')... get it.. lol) and a jouster in a Joust stunt team. I also make armour.

So, we have a bog event in a month. I just built my first helm about 3 months ago and have made 5 so far. Well, #5 is done waiting a big, fancy steel, dragon crest. But my ADD kicked in and I have started a new helm for this big event next month in Mississippi to see how many have a sense of geeky humor.

The project is a medieval-style, Cylon Raider helm. The helm itself should be finished by this weekend. I have ordered a Larson Scanner Electronic Soldering Kit to add the 'eye' to it. Now I need a voice. I don't need some fancy translator that will get smashed on the field when we fight. I just want some little device that when you press a button will say the classic "by your command." I know the Build-a-Bear workshops have something like that you can record voice onto and stuff in their bears, but there aren't any of those near.

Any ideas?

Arthur
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=542023151

[GoldCylon]

Hey Arther welcome on board. Those photos over on your facebook page are pretty cool. As for a Cylon push button device wearing gloves makes it pretty hard to push anything unless you use over sized buttons. I would say if you something quick simple, and basically copy and paste sound file from the TV show is your best bet. Get a audio play back device and a battery operated amp. I did two of them. One with the eye sound effect, and then one with random comments or dub in the sounds you like, and loop it, and your good to go, but as for a even close to sounding device a cheap or Halloween sound effect toy is your best best. Sorry no Build-a-Cylon voice pac release yet.
Welcome on board.

[Cylon-Knight]

Hello kingart4, and welcome! All the stuff you sounds so cool... be sure to post up your Cylon-ish helm. Do you have any concept art/drawings of it yet? Will it be plastic/metal/a mix?

For a voice... that is really the "Holy Grail" of Cylon building. A modern, on-the-fly version that has a true sound has yet to be created (sounds crazy, but it is true). There are a few close options but they can cost quite a bit. Skullbeast's Cylon build thread has some samples of a Hyperdyne Labs voice unit (if I remember the brand right) - very nice, but $$$. I think for your "canned phrase" needs GoldCylon had a good idea. Capture the clips to an iPod, or even some super cheap mp3 player and get an amp and speakers. Have the mp3 loop or randomize the clips, maybe motion trigger with a bit more electrical work - if it was to be a display or something.

Another option for on-the-fly is a Halloween voice changer... not accurate sound at all, but way cheap. Could probably get one online still that does a "robot" voice. Or there is a build a bear not too far from me (and others probably) you might get a pal to help secure/send you one, etc.

OH - Des Moines, cool. You win the "closest to me" award now I do believe!


P.S. 'boar-ring' - I LOVE IT!

[kingart4]

Found we do have a uild-A-Bear workshop like store called The Bear Mill. Found the voice recorder there for under $10. Hel is finished! Video at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150567675383152 Or here is a pic

[GoldCylon]

That is a copy of a sound file, or new and original. Love the look of the helmet. Great job. Metal. or plastic?

[Cylon-Knight]

Love the helm! Great work.

[kingart4]

Its a sound file recorded to a gadget used to add personal recordings to Teddy Bears.

The helmet is made from a combination of 14g and 16g steel. Weighs a ton but I am in the SCA and can fight in it.

[Big Al]

Welcome and it sounds like you are use to being a toster already!....LOL