I just posted an upgrade. It now includes 10 bits instead of 8, one for each finger. Users can now set the duration, amplitude and frequency for each individual bit. I think after another pass or two, I’ll be ready to create a stand-alone application for all to use.

As for the tones, another idea could be to leave it as is — one note per count — but use 8 octaves instead. Those parallel the powers of two nicely, doubling the frequency at each bit.

This sounds like something I should talk about on my blog.

I look forward to the Windows app.

Thanks!

It only plays one note per count. The original idea, which I may still do, was to create binary tones based on the harmonic series. So if the value was 21 and the base frequency was 100, that tone would consist of a 100 Hz, 400 Hz and a 1600 Hz tone. 00000000 is silent.

What I have considered, and have decided to do is create a stand-alone app with a more user friendly interface so that people can play with it themselves, including the ability to change the tempo. I’ll be able to do with for OS X, but I’ll need to find someone who can create the app for Windows.

Keep an eye out over the next couple days, as it shouldn’t take me too long to do.

How many notes is it playing on each count? It sounds like more than 1 but less than all of them (for instance, 127 does not sound like 7 notes). I assume the first beat is silent (00000000).

Have you considered releasing a (much) slowed down version to count along with more easily? I think this would be great for teaching the patterns in binary numbers.