Sine Tone Generation Help!

Hello! I randomly stumbled on this site looking for answers, and you guys seem pretty smart ^_^.

I'm wondering, is there a cheap an effective way to generate sine tones (or close to) using small electronic components?

I had a look at using 555 ICs, but it seems they generate square waves =/. I don't need to have perfect sine waves, but I need a rather pure sound! I know that turning those square waves closer to sine waves is possible, but at that point the circuit starts getting bulky, and unfortunately size/space is an issue.

Specifically, I need several stand alone circuits that each produce a different pitch. I intend to use a 19-tone equally spaced music scale, so being free to specify any pitch between 100hz and 500hz is very important, but they don't need to be adjustable. The pitch each circuit produces doesn't need to change, so ideally each circuit need only be [Component(s) generating specified pitch + battery + speaker].

I've had a look around, and I've found some things that might be suitable, but are very expensive! I am but a poor student, with dreams of creating annoying noises =(. My electronics skills are limited, but just a point in the right direction for component(s) that would be most suitable would be more than enough to get me started!

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you =D.

 

Electrobrains: looks like I'll have to investigate op amps a bit further =). Thanks for your help!

BobK: I'm afraid I certainly do want sine waves! And in fact, I need to produce 83 of these circuits, to be spread around a room. They need to be rather small and portable; the speaker I am using is about the same size as an earphone (but considerably louder!) A signal generator, as has been proposed to me numerous times, is just not a viable option =/. As for more about what I'm doing, that's it really! Sounds like nonsense, definitely, but to elaborate further would deviate from the subject into the world of abstraction lol. You mentioned better ways of creating this - I'd really like to hear them =). Thanks for your reply!

CocaCola: I must admit to being guilty of the crime of audiophillia haha =P. Perhaps you are right though - I may have to concede defeat to the square wave! Thanks for your reply! =).

 

Davenn: Thanks for the welcome =D. Unfortunately, I need 83 of these circuits, and they are all playing simultaneously D=. When I say that I'm a poor student, I mean hat I can't afford to spend more than £2 per circuit on the component(s) I need. Capacitors, resistors, wires, batteries and such are negligible =). Thanks for your reply!

 

CocaCola: I'm afraid you've lost me there with the analogue and digital comparisons. I certainly don't think I'm unique when I say that I can tell the difference between a sine wave and a square wave. The production of either sine or square waves would have to be digitally produced, in any case, as they are not exactly commonly occurring! ^_^. Thanks for your insight =).

Sage: thank you! I will look them up now =)

 

I can't say I've ever encountered that haha. I should mention that I am rather unique in,that I have perfect pitch to a 36 tone scale (most perfect pitch possessors follow the twelve tone scale of western music); I have a rather good ear for sound! I concede defeat to you - what I hear and what others hear are probably quite different! I would very much have liked to have used sine waves though =(. It's all well and good if the general public can hear it the way I meant it, but its a little disappointing that I won't! I thank you for all your help =).

Ah, I just saw the attached image! I understand what you mean, but I think to try and build an electronic circuit capable of doing that would get a little complex; I've gotta build 83 of these! =P. Thank you for your help =D.

 

I do apologise, I missed the attachment, and misunderstood what we were discussing! You are correct, of course, but I cannot see the connection between your points and my circuitry needs. I need 83 of these circuits, each of them as a stand-alone unit. Otherwise, I'd simply write a piece of software to do the job!

 

I see indeed! I'm afraid 83 micros might be a little out of my budget though =P. I shall investigate further =). Thanks for all your assistance ^_^.

 

Hmm... I'll have to do some research into this... Maybe my project is a bit much=/. I'm the only girl in my lectures, so I kinda feel like I need to prove myself hahaha. Well, I thank you very much for your help! I'll be sure to post my progress =D.