FP Proposal

MAIN CONCEPT : Wololo Soundboard

EDIT: *Maybe* Scratch the design below, I just got heckin' inspired. I'll rant more on Monday, but some notes are included/changed below.

Concept Statement:

A smaller, lightweight soundboard, the final project would feature six columns, 1 rows of sounds, and 1 row of background music that can be looped. In total, that means there would be 12 sounds in the prototype. Other features could include changing sounds via a graphic interface (SD Card(?)), hitting a button to toggle the soundboard to a completely different sound set (or play tones), and so forth.

The title itself is a reference to Age of Empires. While such a short, unassuming voice effect, the phrase itself has become so memorable that many players or people familiar with the series can recognize it in a completely unrelated forum. The phrase shows how impactful a sound can be in increasing immersion or meaningfully connecting a user to a product—a connection I want to study or attempt to create.

Material(s) List:

• COMPUTING
• 1x Arduino
• 1x Music Maker MP3 Shield from Adafruit
• CIRCUITRY
• 12x Circular RGB LEDs, or circular casings for RGB LEDs
• Similar to NeoPixel ring
• 1x SD Card (64Mb+)
• 1x Speaker for playback
• 1x Headphones set for testing purposes
• 1x Power Source (Wall Wart, Battery, 5v+)
• ??x A lot more jumper wires
• Estimate: 3x12[leds],2[V&Gr],2x12[buttons]
• INPUTS
• Version 1 // 1x Self-Made Membrane Switch (2ROW x 6COL)
• Requires 12 buttons/switches
• 2 layers, one for rows, one for columns
• When button pressed, connect row & column for input
• Version 2 // 12x buttons, each with own identity/pin
• DIGITAL ASSETS
• Any/All Related Libraries
• 6x MP3 or WAV sounds
• 6x MP3 or WAV songs
• DECOR
• 1x Non-conductive Enclosure
• Estimate: At least 4 x 10 inches, maybe 2 inches high
• 1x Silver or Gray Matte Spray Paint Can
• Either Word Labels or Symbolic Stickers (identify buttons)
• EXTRA FEATURES
• Can be cut if constraints get Rough
• If Toggle Added:
• Double songs/sounds
• Add extra button
• If Buttons Are Images:
• How can I display changing image?
• Is it worth over simple labeling?

Resource(s) List: (To Be Updated As Discoveries Are Made)

• Adafruit Music Maker Overview: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-music-maker-shield-vs1053-mp3-wav-wave-ogg-vorbis-player?view=all
• Music Maker MP3 Shield: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1788
• Examples:
• Example 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6pdVZBE2Wg
• Example 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cihEPJIO0js (Note: I like this one in particular because he made a mistake, but chose not to edit it out, and instead explained it and how to fix it.)
• Taking It Further: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YUvCqxPSs (Note: Coke Can Piano playing Daft Punk, rad)

Brief Project Plan:

• RESEARCH
• Experiment with Music Maker Shield to learn how to play mp3s
• Put Together / Solder Shield if necessary
• Choose / Gather all testing sounds & songs in folder
• Look at MP3 players, sound devices, sound boards
• What works?
• What doesn't?
• DESIGN
• Design Prototype
• What aesthetics inspire it?
• How should LED colors change?
• How should sounds function?
• Could a second set of sounds be added via toggle?
• What are some intuitive design aspects?
• How will user learn / engage with project?
• How many pins will be available with music shield?
• EDIT: Design ALT Prototype
• If I decide to radically change design, how do we make an interactive soundboard that looks nothing remotely like a soundboard but maintains switches, LEDs, and can be easily uninstalled/installed.
• After reading other class' Tangible Bits & listening to a totally unrelated retro tech-y song, I have half a mind to make the enclosure a very large D20 that you rotate, tap, and interact with to play/manipulate songs. Needless to say, this would change the materials list.
• Ex: See coke can resource example
• TEST LAYOUT
• Breadboard buttons to determine a working layout
• Breadboard RGB LEDs and add to layout
• Do I want them to function like in analog assignment?
• Can all pins fit without messing with D1,D2, & D13?
• Continually fix layout before/after coding to make sure everything is stable
• CODING
• Code All Pins for functionality tests
• Code Buttons
• Regardless of 0 or 1, make sure all register the same in Serial
• Code LEDs
• Code / Setup MP3 section
• Test sound/song list
• Code Responses
• Press Button -> Change Light & Play Sound
• Long Press Button (2-3sec) - > Loop Music
• ENCLOSURE
• Design & Sketch Ideas
• Build Prototypes (at least 3)
• Build Final Version
• Decorate Final Version
• FINAL TOUCHES
• Solder Elements
• Install in Enclosure
• Fix bugs that will definitely pop up after install
• Final testing / fixes
• Label Buttons / Finish Decorations
• Make FP Video (2-5min)
• Project being used
• Explaining how it works / Coding
• Talk about concept

ALTERNATE CONCEPTS


Concept : Digital Stamp

literally everyday, amirite

Going a bit in-depth with this one because this is the closest runner up, and I might still attempt this at another time or place when I gain the know-how.

Brief Statement: A servo/motor based machine that operates much like a spherebot, but for flat surfaces. By typing input and adjusting it via the arduino cloud app, a user can then use the device to print desirably clean text. Like stencils, but without that hoarding or the tracing hassle!

Audience: People like me who were kidnapped by chickens in their early years and thusly adopted the writing legibility of a rotten turnip. AKA: Bujo enthusiasts who still want to work with ink & paper, but also want the final product not to suffer due to personal handwriting limitations.

Inspired By: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB-a9g6yQhE

Concept : Vending Machine

What is this hardcore mullet action though?

Brief Statement: It's a vending machine. That's... pretty much it. This idea exists just to flex on the ones that don't work at UCF, to be quite honest.