A recent fun project over at Brown Dog Gadgets is this automated xylophone controlled with a micro:bit… Check out the build guide.
Full instructions including code and some helpful tips on choosing a (toy) xylophone that will work for this project. (There’s maths and angles involved.) We’re basically controlling two servos to move a mallet left and right and then down (and back up) to strike a bar.
You can control it by playing it like a keyboard, just press the buttons, or you can program and store songs for automated playback later.
The (toy) xylophone isn’t really tuned very well, so we may be working on a larger project that uses a larger instrument. Also of note is the fact that the micro:bit out of the box can only handle three servos (without extra hardware) so we might switch to another board for the next iteration.
As usual, and since we’re using LEGO compatible servos, there are LEGO bits involved, which made building things quick and easy. (And don’t worry if you don’t have the needed LEGO parts on-hand, we’ve listed the parts we used and linked to where you can get them for cheap.)
Here are a few slightly out of tune songs…
We picked up a xylophone for less than $10USD and with our Bit Board, @microbit_edu and two LEGO compatible servos got out button activated xyl working! (Also, Happy Birthday!?)
Bit Board: https://t.co/SBD2mlR9RC#microbit #maker #makerspace #diy #STEAM #STEM #LEGO #teacher pic.twitter.com/h3gOsiIfW0
— Brown Dog Gadgets (@BrownDogGadgets) October 6, 2020
Won't you take me (and my xylophone) to Funkytown?#microbit #maker #MakerEd #makersgonnamake #makerspace #diy #circuits #STEAM #STEM #STEMed #STEMeducation #teacher #teachertwitter #LEGO@dailystem @instructables @Hacksterio @helenleigh @microbit_edu @GeekMomProjects pic.twitter.com/g2gy1YqAJm
— Brown Dog Gadgets (@BrownDogGadgets) October 7, 2020
Van Halen’s “Jump” on our automated xylophone.
R.I.P. Eddie ?? ?#microbit #LEGO #maker #MakerEd #makersgonnamake #makerspace #diy #circuits #STEAM #STEM #STEMed #STEMeducation #teacher #teachertwitter #sound #audio #LEDs #makertape pic.twitter.com/iRjTtI1BXO
— Brown Dog Gadgets (@BrownDogGadgets) October 8, 2020