The document describes a Keytar musical instrument project created using a Makey Makey invention kit. Students connected aluminum strips to a Makey Makey board to create touchpads that trigger different musical notes when touched. They programmed the project in Scratch so that notes play and a light attached to the Keytar glows in response to the sound. The project allows users to experiment combining a keyboard and guitar functionality but has limitations like the Makey Makey's restricted input options and need for conductive materials.
The document describes a Keytar musical instrument project created using a Makey Makey invention kit. Students connected aluminum strips to a Makey Makey board to create touchpads that trigger different musical notes when touched. They programmed the project in Scratch so that notes play and a light attached to the Keytar glows in response to the sound. The project allows users to experiment combining a keyboard and guitar functionality but has limitations like the Makey Makey's restricted input options and need for conductive materials.
The document describes a Keytar musical instrument project created using a Makey Makey invention kit. Students connected aluminum strips to a Makey Makey board to create touchpads that trigger different musical notes when touched. They programmed the project in Scratch so that notes play and a light attached to the Keytar glows in response to the sound. The project allows users to experiment combining a keyboard and guitar functionality but has limitations like the Makey Makey's restricted input options and need for conductive materials.
The document describes a Keytar musical instrument project created using a Makey Makey invention kit. Students connected aluminum strips to a Makey Makey board to create touchpads that trigger different musical notes when touched. They programmed the project in Scratch so that notes play and a light attached to the Keytar glows in response to the sound. The project allows users to experiment combining a keyboard and guitar functionality but has limitations like the Makey Makey's restricted input options and need for conductive materials.
Makey Makey Made by : Aditya, Daksh, Hrithik, Shreya Project Overview This project involves creating a musical instrument named "Keytar" by combining a keyboard and guitar using the Makey Makey invention kit. The user can play different musical notes by touching the aluminum strips, which are connected to the Makey Makey circuit board. The sound output is generated through the Scratch programming language, and a light attached to the Keytar glows in response to the sound.
Hardware Components Makey Makey kit Alligator clips Wires Cardboard Aluminum Foil Computer with Scratch installed and speakers Light strip Software Components Arduino software for mapping keys Scratch programming language for generating sound
Instructions 1. Connect the Makey Makey circuit board to the computer using the USB cable. 2. Connect the alligator clips to the aluminum strips. 3. Use the Arduino ide to map each touchpad to a specific key on the computer keyboard. 4. Use Scratch to create a project that plays musical notes when a specific key is pressed and controls the light strip to glow in response to the sound. 5. Connect the light strip to a power source 6. Play the Keytar by touching the touchpads with a conductive material (such as your hands or other objects) and listen to the sound output through the speakers. The light strip will glow in response to the sound.
Limitations The Makey Makey kit has limited input options (up, down, left, right, space, click), which may restrict the range of projects that can be created. The alligator clips can sometimes come loose, causing connectivity issues between the touchpads and the circuit board. The touchpads require a conductive material to work, which may limit the types of materials that can be used as touchpads. The Makey Makey kit is not suitable for advanced or complex projects that require more precise input options or advanced programming languages.
Difficulties faced while using it
Mapping the touchpads to specific keys using the Makey Makey software can be challenging, especially for complex projects with many touchpads. Ensuring that the touchpads have a reliable connection to the circuit board can be tricky, especially if the touchpads are not properly secured to the instrument. Troubleshooting connectivity issues can be time-consuming and frustrating. Programming the sound output in Scratch can be difficult for beginners with no prior experience in coding. Conclusion The Keytar project using the Makey Makey kit is a fun and creative way to combine the functionality of a keyboard and guitar. The project allows users to experiment with different conductive objects and explore different sound outputs through the Scratch programming language. However, the limitations of the Makey Makey kit, such as its limited input options and the requirement for conductive touchpads, may restrict the range of projects that can be created. Despite these limitations, the Keytar project is a great way to introduce beginners to the world of electronics and programming, and it can be a fun and rewarding experience for anyone interested in music and technology
