This first project was very challenging; I was so excited to collect from all the students their sounds and places that I didn’t even consider how hard it can be.
After reading a little bit online and with Daniel Rozin suggestion, I realized that in order for me to play all different songs I need to use Sd card module so I can play mp3 sounds. I managed to get the Sd card but unfortunately I didn’t know that I needed an amplifier too. Maybe it is a little bit hard for me to play mp3 files now, so I decided to keep this idea for later on in the semester.
I wanted to use the globe so each country would have a different sound. First, I needed to see if my code works with multiple buttons connecting to the 8-ohm speaker.
Then, I wanted to create a basic soldering circuit to gather all the wires that goes to VCC and GND together
First time soldering and it was very fun
Once the circuit I built was ready I connected it to the breadboard and ran the code but for some reason it did not work, I checked the serial monitor to see what was happening, but nothing appeared – when I pressed the buttons K was 0.
I want back and forward to realize what is wrong and of course I blamed the Arduino Nano, I had an old Arduino mega so I decided to use him to see if the problem is in the code or not. But, it worked …
Going over the Arduino pinout I saw that I connected the VCC point in the wrong place and instead of using the 3.3V I used the 5V, so I changed the location.
And then like magic it finally created a sound once I pressed the buttons
Connecting all the circuits with the breadboard to the globe was not easy, it was very delicate and the wires were all over the globe and for me it was very un-aesthetically pleasing. I realized that because the globe has a transparent plastic layer covering it I can use my desk lamp underneath it and turn off the light to make the globe shine.
I feel very ambivalent about this project, because I did enjoy working on it but I also was very frustrated for not being able to make it as perfect as I imagine it to be. The lack of knowledge I had was a big factor in this one. I hope going forward I will not only play my mp3 sounds I will also use Bluetooth buttons so no wires will be seen around the globe. I am keeping in mind that small progress is still a progress.
In the end, just for fun, I used a scarf I knitted over the weekend to cover all of the wires that bothered me.
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