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Imagine an organ keyboard triggering a chorus of 45 Furby dolls. That is the Furby Organ, an electronic instrument associated with musician and inventor Sam Battle, known as Look Mum No Computer. In a 2018 report, Make: described how microcontrollers coordinated the dolls’ actions and sounds.
What is the Furby Organ?
It is a musical instrument built around Furby dolls rather than conventional organ voices. Gareth Branwyn’s Make: article calls it an “instrument of sheer sonic terror”—the author’s vivid description, not a quote attributed to Battle.
The project’s unusual effect comes from making the dolls themselves part of the sound-producing setup: an organ keyboard triggers their sounds, while attached controllers coordinate what they do.
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How was it reported to work?
The keyboard triggers the dolls
Make: reported that the instrument used 45 Furby dolls and an organ keyboard to trigger them. The article does not identify the keyboard’s make or model.
#1 Best Overall
- HEY BESTIE, MEET FURBY: Give kids a friend who's always ready for BFF time with this incredibly interactive toy for girls and boys that moves, talks, sings, lights up, and even responds to speech
- YOUR VOICE UNLOCKS 5 MODES: Press the voice activated Furby toy's heart gem and say "Hey Furby!" to make Furby listen, then say a command to explore each mode (does not connect to the internet)
- OVER 600 RESPONSES: Chat, sing, and laugh together with this talking toy that's full of adorable, hilarious, and sometimes sassy surprises. Speaks both English and Furbish
- COOL LIGHTS AND SWEET DANCE MOVES: Furby is also a dancing toy with amazing blinking eyes and a light up color changing toy whose ears glow with different light effects
- FURBY TALKS TO OTHER FURBY FRIENDS: When you have 2 Furby friends together, pair them up and watch them interact! Each Furby sold separately.
Separate controllers handle sequencing and sound
According to the report, each Furby had two Arduino microcontrollers attached. One was used to sequence actions; the other generated and controlled sounds. This division gives a broad picture of the design, but the report does not provide board models, wiring diagrams, firmware, or a complete parts list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known—and not known—about the project?
Make: published its report on February 12, 2018; the page also displays December 7, 2020. Its figures describe the project as reported in that article, not independently corroborated measurements or a current inventory. The report does not establish the instrument’s present configuration, whether it still works, where it is now, or whether it can be bought or seen in person.
Rank #2
- SUPER SNUGGLY BEST FRIEND FOR KIDS 6 AND UP: From upbeat jams and hilarious games, to chill beats and lights, kids choose the vibe with this extra long Furby toy and its soft, huggable plushie body
- CREATE 1000+ PLAY COMBOS WITH 5 MODES: Create custom music, remix and hear Furby songs (they're such a bop), play games, chill with breathing and yoga moves, and more. Speaks English and Furbish
- UNLOCK GAMES, SONGS, AND MORE: Discover over 20 more games, songs, and activities as kids keep playing with this weird and wonderful electronic toy. Some games are also multiplayer!
- TOUCH ACTIVATED MULTICOLOR BELLY LIGHTS: Tap or swipe the 4 color changing lights on the belly for sensory play with different light effects and interactions
- TURN THE VOLUME UP (OR DOWN, OR OFF): Sometimes the Furby talking toy might need to quiet down a little. This one also has a quick power off option (requires 4 AA batteries, not included)
For someone exploring a related electronics project, an Arduino microcontroller board is a relevant general component category because the report identifies Arduino controllers in the setup. It does not name a board version or establish that any particular board would reproduce the original instrument.
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Best Value
- GALACTIC LITTLE BESTIE: Furblets play dress up with this officially licensed 3 inch Furby Grogu plushie (includes 3 button cell A76/LR44 batteries)
- OVER 45 SOUND EFFECTS: Press the top of the head, mouth, and heart gem to activate a variety of sound effects
- 3 WAYS TO ACTIVATE STAR WARS SOUNDS: Explore the buttons for Force sound effects, adorable Grogu babble, and eating sounds
- KEYCHAIN CLIP FOR ON THE GO: It's a great travel toy with a removable keychain clip for backpack decorations
- PEEKABOO EARS POP OPEN: Fold one or both ears down and press the head to make them pop back up
Rank #4
- A WACKY AND WONDERFUL BESTIE: With a stretchy body, fun sounds, and a quirky personality, this stretchy mini Furby friend isn’t your typical electronic pet or plush toy
- STRETCH FOR SILLY SOUND EFFECTS: Stretch the body to start a song or make a song hilariously speed up while it’s playing for silly sensory play (includes 3 button cell A76/LR44 batteries)
- PLAYS MUSIC AND SPEAKS FURBISH: This singing and talking toy plays fun tunes when you press the heart gem on its forehead. It also says phrases in the Furbish language (doesn’t speak human languages)
- KEYCHAIN CLIP FOR ON THE GO: DJ Furblets also make great travel toys for kids to clip to a bag and bring along on their next adventure. The clip is removable
- WORKS WITH OTHER FURBY FRIENDS (SOLD SEPARATELY): Interacts with its fellow DJ Furblets and Furblets toys plus the larger DJ Furby and 2023 Furby toys (each sold separately, subject to availability)
Rank #3
- A FUNNY FUZZY FRIEND: Furby is a great friend for anytime, rain or shine! They even speak their own Furbish language and love to be pet, brushed, and fed
- ALWAYS AN ORIGINAL: The adorably big ears and eyes, soft fur, and outrageous personality are just a few of the reasons Furby has remained an un-fur-gettable pop culture icon
- DOES NOT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET (BUT DOES SHUT OFF): Furby doesn't connect to the internet or other devices for a screen-free experience. Even better, Furby can power down when the fun is done for the day
- FURBY TALKS TO OTHER FURBY FRIENDS: When you have 2 Furby friends together, pair them up and watch them interact! Furby also reacts to the Furblets mini friends. All Furby friends each sold separately.
- GIVE THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP: Standing over 6 inches/15 cm tall, Furby is a great gift for girls and boys to take on the go or bring joy to their room. Find your own Furby and give a kids gift to remember
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