Week 11- Our Musical Instrument

Project description:

This project involves using LEDs, buttons, a potentiometer, and a buzzer to create a fun and interactive experience. Below is a summary of how it works and what was learned.

Key Components:

• Breadboard and Arduino UNO: These are the main platforms where the components are set up.
• LEDs: Light up when a button is pressed to show visual feedback.
• Buttons: Each one is linked to a specific LED. Pressing a button lights up the LED and makes a sound.
• Potentiometer: Adjusts the sound’s pitch from the buzzer.
• Buzzer: Produces sounds that change tone based on button presses and the potentiometer setting.
• Resistors: Uses both 330-ohm and 10k ohm resistors to control the current.

Instrument:

https://youtube.com/shorts/6Bm-7NDI3RM?si=Vu55mtSy6QuivNm8

Code:

const int redLED = 6;
const int greenLED = 5;
const int yellowLED = 7;
const int redButton = 12;
const int greenButton = 11;
const int yellowButton = 13;
const int potPin = A2;
const int buzzerPin = 3;

void setup() {
  pinMode(redLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(greenLED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(yellowLED, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(redButton, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(greenButton, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(yellowButton, INPUT_PULLUP);

  // Initialize Serial for debugging
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  // Read potentiometer value
  int potValue = analogRead(potPin);
  // Map potentiometer value to a frequency range (e.g., 100 Hz to 2000 Hz)
  int frequency = map(potValue, 0, 1023, 100, 2000);

  // Check each button and activate the corresponding LED and buzzer
  if (digitalRead(redButton) == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(redLED, HIGH);
    tone(buzzerPin, frequency);  // Play buzzer at mapped frequency
    delay(100);  // delay
  } else {
    digitalWrite(redLED, LOW);
  }

  if (digitalRead(greenButton) == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(greenLED, HIGH);
    tone(buzzerPin, frequency + 100);  // Slightly higher pitch for green button
    delay(100);  // Debounce delay
  } else {
    digitalWrite(greenLED, LOW);
  }

  if (digitalRead(yellowButton) == LOW) {
    digitalWrite(yellowLED, HIGH);
    tone(buzzerPin, frequency + 200);  // Even higher pitch for yellow button
    delay(100);  // Debounce delay
  } else {
    digitalWrite(yellowLED, LOW);
  }
  delay(10);
}

 

Reflections:

Watching the LEDs light up and hearing the buzzer change pitch was very rewarding. It’s fascinating to see how basic parts and some coding can create a captivating interactive experience. Adjusting the buzzer’s pitch with the potentiometer was particularly enjoyable, as it required fine-tuning to get pleasant sounds and smooth transitions between pitches.

Challenges:

• Debouncing: Making sure the buttons only register a single press at a time was challenging. The project uses simple delays now, but could benefit from more advanced debouncing methods.
• Sound Complexity: Currently, the buzzer only creates basic tones. Using sound libraries like Mozzi might allow for more complex sounds.

Improvements:

• Light Patterns: Could add flashing or fading lights for more visual appeal.
• Multiple Tones/Melodies: Using libraries to generate more detailed sounds.
• Interactive Games: Creating games based on pressing buttons and keeping time.
• LCD Display: Adding a screen to display instructions or scores.