<How To Make an Instrument>
My Arduino project combines an ultrasonic distance measurement sensor, a switch button, and a buzzer to create an interactive instrument. The ultrasonic sensor, consisting of a trig pin (connected to pin 10) and an echo pin (connected to pin 11), is utilized to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. The setup initializes the pins and sets up serial communication. In the loop function, the sensor is triggered to emit ultrasonic waves, and the duration of the wave’s round trip is measured. The distance is then calculated in centimeters based on the speed of sound. Additionally, a switch button connected to analog pin A0 turns on the music when I press the switch button.
int trig = 10;
int echo = 11;
long duration;
long distance;
int switch;
void setup() {
pinMode(echo, INPUT);
pinMode(trig, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(trig, LOW); //triggers on/off and then reads data
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trig, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trig, LOW);
duration = pulseIn(echo, HIGH);
distance = (duration / 2) * .0344; //344 m/s = speed of sound. We're converting into cm
int notes[7] = {261, 294, 329, 349, 392, 440, 494}; //Putting several notes in an array
// mid C D E F G A B
switch = analogRead(A0); //defining switch as digital button
if (distance < 0 || distance > 50 || force < 100) { //if not presed and not in front
noTone(12); //dont play music
}
else if ((force > 100)) { //if pressed
int sound = map(distance, 0, 50, 0, 6); //map distance to the array of notes
tone(12, notes[sound]); //call a certain note depending on distance
}
}
The musical aspect of the project involves an array of seven notes, representing the musical scale from mid-C to B. When the conditions are met (distance within a certain range and sufficient force applied), the distance is mapped to an index in the notes array. The corresponding note is then played using the tone function on pin 12. The project incorporates conditional statements to determine when to play a note and when to remain silent, providing an interactive experience where the user can generate musical tones by manipulating the distance and switch parameters.
I used this video to learn about the distance sensor and the tips to make a code for the music notes. To enhance my project, consider implementing error handling for the distance measurements, such as checking for valid sensor readings or outliers. I believe that adding comments to clarify the purpose of specific code sections can improve code readability, making it easier for others to understand the logic behind each step. Additionally, I want to incorporate debounce mechanisms for the switch button to prevent false triggers. Experimenting with different musical scales or incorporating dynamic melodies based on changing sensor inputs could add depth and creativity to the musical aspect of my project.