Music projects for Arduino :: Learn by doing : Learn to make - and modify - a music box a drum machine a Theremin a sequencer a synth and more.

This book has a little bit of theory but the main premise is “learn by doing” From the first project you will be able to learn how a traffic light works in 2 aspects: hardware and software. And you can use it for toy race cars or decoration, so it also has a practical use.

Below you can find the complete list of projects contained in this book:

Micro Piano: any Arduino, a buzzer and some buttons is enough to create a mini piano, capable of playing notes and arpegios. The sound is not great but this is just the starting point to understand basic notions of notes, frequencies and button detection.

Music box: with almost the same hardware as the previous project we will create a micro music box. In this case melody is stored in the code and playback is started with a switch. Ideal for gifts. Melodies can be changed.

Synthesizer: in this project, we will start to work with Mozzi, a powerful music library, to create synth sounds that can be changed with 3 potentiometers.

Jukebox: now we know how to play sounds with Arduino and a buzzer and we also know how to use Mozzi. Then it’s time to learn how to play MP3s. You can use the same principles to trigger sample sounds or drum tracks.

Dancing head: this is the only project that does not generates music but it will “hear it” with a sound detection module. An animatronic head will move to the beat. You can use the same principles to react to certain sounds.

Drum machine: we are getting serious now with a complete drum machine. You can configure BPMs and assign sounds to each beat using potentiometers. You can even add your own sounds and every step is clearly explained.

Sequencer: using same theory as previous project we now add the ability to sequence sounds in every beat played with a button. You can use a retro joystick instead of a potentiometer.

Power Theremin: you know the Theremin, one of the first electronic instruments. With Arduino and some parts you can make your own Theremin with scales and effects.

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