Digital Toy Counter

Cinnamon Hill Art
DigiTal Toy Counter™
Model EDTC
Photo #1: The Cinnamon Hill Art DigiTal Toy Counter™ mounted on an Allen MDS-317 Theater organ.
Photo #2: The Cinnamon Hill Art DigiTal Toy Counter™ close-up with walnut pushbutton consoles.
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Special Feature of the Cinnamon Hill Art DigiTal Toy Counter™: Master Volume
Control
The master volume control can be used during performances to control the sound level of
the sound files.
MP3 Technical Specification:
Media: SDSC SDHC Micro SD Flash Card, 1GB (1000MB)
File System used:FAT16 or FAT32
Playback: 192kbps Stereo
Tracks available: up to 255
Number of sound files included: over 90
Number of megabytes used for these sound files: 10
Remaining capacity: 990MB
Features:
-“Highest quality sound Digital Toy Counter available” (Walt Strony)
-Professionally made walnut pushbutton console
-18 pushbutton-controlled sound clips available at a push of a button.
-A library of over 90 sound clips to choose from is included in the Micro SD Flash Memory.
-User expandable library to a total of 255 sound clips.
-Easy pushbutton assignment using your computer.
-Master volume control.
-Installation kit includes everything needed for a professional installation
-Unit may be mounted under the music rack or under the lower keyboard.
-Only two cables are used: audio and power.
-Plug-in power supply (wall wart) is included with an additional 6 foot DC extension cord.
Photo #3: The DigiTal Toy Counter™ mounted under the music rack of an Allen
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MDS317 Theater Organ.
Installation Requirements:
Stereo audio amplifier input.
Size: 15-5/8” long (not including volume knob) x 2” high x 3-5/16” deep.
Is there room for the DigiTal Toy Counter™ in my organ console?
See fig.1, Side View (last page). Print out this page and cut to make a template.
Important Notes:
1-The DigiTal Toy Counter™ is a static electricity sensitive device. Prevent any problems by
grounding yourself to discharge any static electricity before touching any of the interior components.
2-The unit has been fully tested before packing. Careful handling especially towards the prevention
of static discharge will give you the results you desire.
3-Also: disconnect all power from the organ and from the DigiTal Toy Counter™ before plugging in
or removing the SD memory Card or the audio lines.
4-When powered up, the unit needs time to examine and organize the sound files. This takes about 8
seconds for about 90 files. If you add more files (up to 255 maximum) the “warm-up” period will
take proportionally longer. The green “Status” led on the red printed circuit board will flash 3 times
when it has finished examining and organizing the files.
5-Do not power up the unit by plugging the wall wart cable into the circuit board. Multiple
connections with the contacts can not be helped when this is done and the unit will try to do multiple
start-ups. This will put the unit into a “stall” mode. The proper way to power up this unit is to
connect all the cables with the power off, and then plug in the wall wart into an AC outlet.
Parts included in the installation kit:
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18-pushbutton console with SD memory card installed.
DC power supply. Rating: 5v @500ma, regulated.
6 ft. DC extension cord.
6 ft. stereo audio cables.
USB to SD flash memory card adapter
Mating Velcro strips for mounting.
Cable clamps (3) and wood screws (3).
Wood screws for alternate mounting of pushbutton console (2).
Packing list and Sound Clip list
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Photo #4: Complete installation kit.
Mounting Instructions
Routing of the cables:
Photo #5
1- Plug the DC extension cord into the red circuit board (left side of board as shown in Photo #5.
2- Route the power cable along the pushbutton circuit board and then use the left cable strap to
secure the cable. Bend the strap around the cable.
3- Plug the audio cable into the yellow RCA jacks on the right as shown in Photo #5.
4- Route the audio cable along the pushbutton circuit board and then secure the cable with the
right cable strap.
Photo #5: The rear of the DigiTal Toy Counter™ showing the routing of the audio and power cables.
Mounting the DigiTal Toy Counter™ under the music rack:
Preparing Velcro strips:
Cut three Velcro strips: 2”, 2” and 10” and mount as shown.
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Photo #6: How the Velcro strips are positioned. Mating strips are positioned the same way under music
rack.
Photo #7: The placement of the Velcro strips under the music rack. If you are mounting under the lower
keyboard then use the same pattern.
Photo # 8: DigiTal Toy Counter™ mounted with Velcro. Notice that the cables are not routed yet.
Alternative Mounting method:
Drill two holes about 12” apart on the top of the DigiTal Toy Counter™ console. Using the two screws
provided for the alternative mounting, screw the Toy Counter into the bottom of the music rack.
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Routing the cables:
The audio cables are routed to the organ’s audio input. Lay the cables into the right side groove of the
organ’s lid (Photo #9).
Photo #9: Laying audio and power cables in groove of lid (MDS-317).
The cable clamps and screws are used to neatly route the cable (Photo #10). The audio output of the
DigiTal Toy Counter™ is connected to the Cinnamon Hill Art mixer circuit board.
Photo # 10: Routing the audio and power cables under organ lid using the supplied cable clamps and wood
screws.
It would be advisable to notch the stop board to allow the cables to freely pass (Photo #11 and 12).
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Photo #11: Notching the stop board ¾” x ¼” deep. Notice the towels to prevent sawdust from falling on
keyboard or stop mechanisms.
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Photo #12: Notched stopboard to allow for audio and power cable to enter console.
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How to find an input to your organ’s amplifier, 5 methods:
NOTE:Before inserting or removing any audio cables do the following:
1-shut off power to organ and DigiTal Toy Counter™.
2-Ground yourself to discharge any static electricity
Method #1:
There are several ways to connect the line level audio output of the DigiTal Toy Counter™ to an Allen
MDS-317 or any other organ. The Allen MDS-317 organ has only one stereo line level input. It is located
on the right side of the console just below the lid (Photo #13). So, method #1 would be to connect the
DigiTal Toy Counter™ output directly into this supplied input. If this input is already in use then review
the other remaining methods.
Photo #13: Method #1. The Allen Organ MDS-317 audio input box located on the right side of the console
(when viewed from the front of the organ).
Method #2:
On my MDS 317 I have two unused inputs on the Allen Organ Mixer board. See Photo #14. If your organ
has the same mixer board and you have any unused inputs, then you are in luck. Just connect the output of
the DigiTal Toy Counter to the input on the mixer board (Photo #15). You can detect an unused input by
the presence of a “shorting” RCA plug. This is a plug with not cable attached. (Photo #14 and 15).
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Photo #14: Method #2. The Allen Organ MDS 317 Mixer Board with two unused inputs.
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Photo #15: Method #2. Connecting the output from the DigiTal Toy Counter™ to the unused input on the
Allen Organ Mixer board.
Method #3:
If your organ has an Allen Expander unit then the Expander already has used the supplied input. So,
method #3 would be to locate an unused “Aux/Tape-in” input on the computer chassis (Photo #16). On an
Allen computer organ there will be one of these P944 inputs available.
Photo #16: Method #3. Using the organ computer “Aux/Tape-in” input
Cinnamon Hill Art has designed a 6 foot cable assembly (Photo #17) which connects to the organ’s
Aux/Tape-in input and terminates with stereo RCA jacks.
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Photo #17: Method #3 continued. The Cinnamon Hill Art P944 Connector cable assembly.
Method #4:
The MDS-317 shown here in all the photos has several added audio units (MT-32 Percussion Controller,
Allen Expander, and the DigiTal Toy Counter™) that must be sent to the organ’s amplifier system. Since
the organ has only one line level stereo input as shown in Photo #13, a mixer can be used to expand the
number of inputs available (Photo #18).
The Cinnamon Hill Art 3-channel Stereo Mixer has three stereo line level inputs which are mixed and
amplified and sent out as line level outputs.
Each of the individual inputs is adjustable as are the stereo output levels.
Photo #18 Method #4: Connecting the DigiTal Toy Counter™ audio output to a single stereo Allen organ
input using a 3-channel stereo mixer.
Method #5:
If none of the above Methods are right for your installation then you can use an outboard audio system (i.e.
your stereo system) to amplify the DigiTal Toy Counter™.
Method #6?:
One method not tested is to use the P943 Rhythm Input shown at the top of Photo #16. According to the
Allen Organ Company “W5-AP Internal Audio Flow Circuit Block Diagram”, to activate these inputs
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jumpers LK1-LK4 must be removed. If you can find the jumpers , you have a” -1 version assembly”,
according to the diagram. I can’t find them on my organ so when I tried using these inputs they did not
work. But there is the possibility that they are a viable alternative with some detective work.
If you do find the jumpers LK1-LK4, let me know where they are so that I can revise this manual and show
their location.
How to organize your sound files:
Note:Before removing or inserting the SD memory card do the following:
1-Shut off any power to the organ and to the DigiTal Toy Counter™.
2-Ground yourself to discharge any static electricity.
If you desire to add or reorganize the sound files that are activated by the pushbuttons you must remove the
SD card from the red printed circuit board. This is done by first loosening the metal clip (Photo #17a),
moving the clip out of the way (Photo #17b), then pushing the card in slightly and letting it release from the
holder. The SD Memory Card clip is used to prevent the card from popping out and getting lost.
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Photo #17a: Rear of DigiTal Toy Counter™ showing the location of the SD Memory card and the clip that
keeps the card from popping out and getting lost.
Photo #17b: Rear of DigiTal Toy Counter™ showing the SD Memory card removed by loosening the
screw holding the SD clip and turning the clip around to the rear. Now the card can be removed.
Insert the SD memory card into the USB Adapter and plug it into your computer’s USB port. (Photo #18)
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Photo #18: The USB SD Micro Memory Card adapter. The larger adapter (right top of photo) supplied
with the SD card is not used.
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The window will open with the sound files listed. It might look somewhat similar to this:
001 Ahooga.mp3
002 Bell Glissando long2.mp3
003 Acme Siren.mp3
004 Cop Whistle.mp3
005 Crash Cymbal2.mp3
006 Cymbal Roll and Crash.mp3
007 Factory Whistle.mp3
008 Glass Bell.mp3
009 Harp Glissando Up Down.mp3
010 Klaxon Horn.mp3
011 Mallet Cymbal.mp3
012 Old Car Bulb Horn.mp3
013 Open Triangle2.mp3
014 Jingle Bells.mp3
015 SteamTrain & whistle 7 sec.mp3
016 Snare Drum Roll1.mp3
017 Rain Wind Thunder 33 sec.mp3
018 Zymbelstern 1min 30 sec.mp3
AC 100 inch Blower.mp3
Applause short.mp3
Barge Horn.mp3
Birds.mp3
BottleBlow.mp3
CowMoo.mp3
Fire Bell.mp3
Etc.
Now would be a good time to copy the entire SD memory card to a file on your computer.
The numbers correspond to the pushbutton that will activate the sound clip. Notice that they are in
sequential order. The “library” sound files (sound files with no numbers in front of them) will follow the
numbered files in alphabetical order. For clarity, not all of these files are shown in this example (see the
“etc.” above).
Pushbutton #1 will activate the Ahooga sound clip, pushbutton #2 will activate the Bell Glissando, and
pushbutton #3 will activate the Acme Siren and so on.
You may change any of the pushbutton assignments by simply inserting a three digit number (leading zero
is necessary) to any of the sound clips in the “library”. The sound clips which do not have numbers in front
of them are ignored by the DigiTal Toy Counter™. They will be considered to be a library of sounds that
you can assign to any of the pushbuttons.
Example: To replace one of the numbered sound clips with one in the “library”. The “Fire Bell.mp3”
will be used as the file you would like to replace “011 Mallet Cymbal.mp3”.
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To add the “Fire Bell” key in the number “011” in front of the alphabetical listing for the “Fire Bell.mp3”.
Here is a partial section of the list before altering:
Cymbal Hit.mp3
Fanfare.mp3
Fart.mp3
Fire Bell.mp3
Fog Horn1.mp3
Fog Horn2.mp3
This is what it would look like after keying in the number “011”.
Cymbal Hit.mp3
Fanfare.mp3
Fart.mp3
011 Fire Bell.mp3
Fog Horn1.mp3
Fog Horn2.mp3
The result will be “011 Fire Bell.mp3”. Now you have two sound files with the same number. The “011”
in front of the Mallet Cymbal must be removed.
Set your cursor immediately to the left of the “M” in the “011 Mallet Cymbal.mp3” listing. Then back
space 4 times until the “011” is eliminated. Caution: Be careful NOT to delete the name of the file (i.e.
Mallet Cymbal.mp3).
The “011 Fire Bell.mp3” will be in the middle of the alphabetical listing and the “Mallet Cymbal.mp3” will
be in the middle of the numerical listing. To reorganize the list so that the numbers will all be contiguous
click on the BACK arrow in the window and then return to the list by clicking on the right-facing arrow.
Your computer will put the files in numerical order and then alphabetical order. This is the result:
001 Ahooga.mp3
002 Bell Glissando long2.mp3
003 Acme Siren.mp3
004 Cop Whistle.mp3
005 Crash Cymbal2.mp3
006 Cymbal Roll and Crash.mp3
007 Factory Whistle.mp3
008 Glass Bell.mp3
009 Harp Glissando Up Down.mp3
010 Klaxon Horn.mp3
011 Fire Bell.mp3
012 Old Car Bulb Horn.mp3
013 Open Triangle2.mp3
014 Jingle Bells.mp3
015 SteamTrain & whistle 7
sec.mp3
016 Snare Drum Roll1.mp3
017 Rain Wind Thunder 33 sec.mp3
018 Zymbelstern 1min 30 sec.mp3
Notice that the Fire Bell sound clip is #011. The “Mallet Cymbal.mp3” will take its place in the
alphabetical listing.
When you are finished revising the list, review it to see that no numbers are duplicated.
Check the next listing and see if you can find the errors.
001 Ahooga.mp3
002 Bell Glissando long2.mp3
003 Acme Siren.mp3
004 Cop Whistle
005 Crash Cymbal2.mp3
006 Cymbal Roll and Crash.mp3
007 Factory Whistle.mp3
008 Glass Bell.mp3
009 Harp Glissando Up Down.mp3
010 Klaxon Horn.mp3
011 Fire Bell.mp3
012 Old Car Bulb Horn.mp3
013 Open Triangle2.mp3
013 Jingle Bells.mp3
015 SteamTrain & whistle 7 sec.mp3
016 Snare Drum Roll1.mp3
017 Rain Wind Thunder 33 sec.mp3
018 Zymbelstern 1min 30 sec.mp3
Did you notice that there are two number 013’s? This must be repaired. Change the “013 Jingle
Bells.mp3” to “014 Jingle Bells.mp3”.
The other error is in sound clip #004. The “.mp3” was left out.
Important considerations when adding sound files:
1- A three digit number is required so a leading zero is necessary. (Example: 001 to 018).
2- If you add a sound clip it must be a mp3 file.
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3- Be sure the “.mp3” is at the end of the file.
4- It is advisable to add about .5 to 1.0 seconds to the end of your new sound clip to prevent
“clipping” of the sound when the DigiTal Toy Counter™ plays it. This can be done in a
program such as Audacity (free, it can be found on the internet at:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/).
5- Do not have two different sound clips with the same number. Before transferring the sound
clips to the flash memory, check to see that the numbers are sequential. To make the numbers
sequential just back out of the folder once and then go back into it. Your computer will
automatically organize the sound file numbers sequentially and the rest of the files will be
organized alphabetically.
6- Make a backup copy of the SD memory contents before you do anything to it and place it in a
folder in your computer or on a jump drive.
7- When power is applied to the DigiTal Toy Counter™, the unit will scan all the sound
files and get them ready to play. With 90 stored sound clips, this takes about 8 seconds.
If you add more sound clips then it will take longer for the DigiTal Toy Counter™ to
“warm up”.
How to review a sound clip:
When the SD Flash Memory window is open, double click on the desired sound. Your computer should
have the capability of playing that sound.
NOTE: The SD flash memory holder in your DigiTal Toy Counter™ is very delicate. Use care when
inserting and removing the memory card. The clip in front of the card prevents the card from flying out if
the holder becomes worn. The card is very easy to lose if it pops out.
The card is a 1Gbyte card. The sound files use only about 10Mbytes.That’s one one-hundredth of the
card’s capacity.
Sound Clips Included with the DigiTal Toy Counter™ (83
clips):
Note: This list will increase and perhaps change as new sound files become available. The customer will
be supplied with a list of the sound files included in the SD Flash Memory card.
This list of 83 sounds is for information only. (The sound files are now up to 93, as of
7/17/12)
Acme Siren
Ahooga Horn
Barge Horn
Bell Glissando long
Bell Glissando short
Bicycle Bell
Bicycle Horn
Bird Singing
Birds
Boing
Bubbles 7 seconds
Bubbles 22 seconds
Bugle Charge
Bundt Bell Aluminum
Church Chimes down
Coffee Perk
Cop Whistle
Crash Cymbal Roll
Crash Cymbal1
Crash Cymbal2
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Curly Joe
Cymbal Hit
Cymbal Roll and Crash
Factory Whistle
Fanfare
Fart
Fire Bell
Fog Horn1
Fog Horn2
Fog Horn 3 Low
Fog Horn 4 Low
Footsteps
Glass Bell
Gong 1
Gong BIG 12 second
Gong Roll
Gong
Harp Glissando Up Down
Horse Whinny
Klaxon Horn
Laughing Man
Lion Roar
Long Gong
Mallet Cymbal
Old Car Blub Horn
Open Triangle 1
Open Triangle 2
Party Noisemaker
Rain Wind Thunder 33 s
Rooster Crow
Schoolbell
Screaming Woman
Short Gong
Sleigh Bells short
Jingle Bells
Slide Whistle Down Up
Small train Whistle
Snare Drum Hit
Snare Drum Roll 1
Snare Drum Roll 2
Snare Drum Roll 3
SteamTrain w/whistle 7s
Strong Cymbal
Tambourine Hit
Tambourine Shake
Telephone Bell old
Thunder1
Thunder2
Train Bell 1 time
Train Bell 4 times
Train Whistle aluminum
Train Whistle2
Triangle Dinner Call
Tubular Chime Large
Tubular Chime Small
Up Scale whistle
Wind 5 seconds
Wind 6 seconds
Wind 20 seconds
Wolf Call Whistle
Wolf Whistle
Zymbelstern 1 min 30 s
Zymbelstern 15 second
Sound Clips assigned to pushbuttons #1 to 18:
Note: This list is preliminary and may change. Your list may be different. The numbered sound files are included
for your convenience so that you may operate the DigiTal Toy Counter™ as soon as you remove it from its shipping
box. The important fact is that you may change the list to your liking.
001 Ahooga
002 Bell Glissando long
003 Acme Siren
004 Cop Whistle
005 Crash Cymbal2
006 Cymbal Roll and Crash
007 Factory Whistle
008 Glass Bell
009 Harp Glissando Up Down
010 Klaxon Horn
011 Mallet Cymbal
012 Old Car Blub Horn
013 Open Triangle2
014 Jingle Bells
015 Steam Train and whistle 7
sec
016 Snare Drum Roll1
017 Rain Wind Thunder 33 sec
018 Zymbelstern 1 min 30 sec
NOTE: Cinnamon Hill Art reserves the right to change design or function in order to improve this product. This
includes the addition or removal of sound files to the library and the arrangement and selection of the numbered
sound files.
Tricks of the trade:
How to end a sound clip before it is completed:
The operation of the DigiTal Toy Counter™ is such that if a sound clip is playing and another pushbutton is
depressed, the new sound clip will immediately play, canceling out the previous sound clip. This mode of operation
can be used to your advantage if you want to cancel a playing sound clip.
Suppose you are playing “Silent Night” and use the 1-1/2 minute long Zymbelstern for effect. If the tune ends and
the Zymbelstern is still playing then you will want to end the Zymbelstern. This can be done by NOT assigning a
certain pushbutton number to a file. For example, do not assign pushbutton #18 to a sound file. So the result would
be that there will be no “018 {Sound File Name}.mp3”.
When this pushbutton is depressed it will silence the previous sound file and not play a sound file of its own. So if
the Zymbelstern is playing and you want to stop it, just press pushbutton #18 and the Zymbelstern will stop.
How to insert your own sound files:
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The internet is full of sound clips that you might want to use. When you download a sound clip, play it into
Audacity while recording. Then make adjustments such as:
1-Make the clip begin immediately by cutting the silence at the beginning of the sound clip.
2-Adjust the volume level by highlighting the sound clip and “amplifying” until the waveform almost
touches the top or bottom limits.
3-Use the “fade-out” or “fade-in” function if necessary at the beginning or end of the sound clip.
4-Add about 1 second of silence to the end of the sound clip especially if it has no fade-out and ends
abruptly.
5-Save the sound clip in an Audacity sound clip folder so that you will be able to tweak it again if
necessary.
6-Save it also as a “wav” file so you can convert it to a mp3 (Audacity does NOT save as a mp3 – at least
in the version that I have).
7-Convert it to a .mp3 file using a program called Daniusoft. You can find it at www.daniusoft.com
8-After the conversion, double click on the file and listen to it. Check for startup time, distortion, and
premature cutoff.
a-If it takes a moment for the sound file to start up then you need to cut out the silence at the
beginning of the sound file.NOTE:Whenever one converts to MP3, a .025 second of silence is added to the
beginning of the sound file. This can cause a short delay before the sound begins. It can not be eliminated from my
experience. If you find a way to eliminate it then please let me know how to do it.
b-If you have distortion then you might have amplified the sound too much. You can not fix this
so you must go back to the source of the sound file and record it again, this time being careful that you do not
exceed the recording limits.
c-If the sound cuts off prematurely then you need to add more time to the end of the clip. This is
particularly noticable with sounds that end abruptly like the Klaxon Horn, etc. Sounds that fade out like the Chime
usually do not give this problem.
Have fun. I know I do. I love the Atlantic City 100” wind pressure blower start-up. Everyone (those non-organ
playing friends) thinks I have a real pipe organ in my home (not really)!
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Length of the DigiTal Toy Counter™ = 15-5/8”
For Alternative Installations:
Print this page, cut out the template, and use the template to see where
you might be able to install the DigiTal Toy Counter™.
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Addendum
Add-on board:
The above photo show the insertion of the Optical Coupler add-on board, OC-1, where you can
wire in up to 8 remote pushbuttons or toe studs using the supplied 9 feet of ribbon cable. The
optical couplers in the board allows the use of such a long cable. Without this board, wiring in
such a length of cable will give all sorts of unwanted results. Note that the board give the user
the option to solder in wires instead of using the ribbon cable connector.
This is what is received when ordering the Add-on board.
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How to wire in add-on Optical Coupler board for remote pushbuttons or toe studs.
R5d 9/9/12
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