Making Sound Effects with Arduino

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Made by bitsandbots

About the project

Using an Arduino Nano on an expansion board with push-buttons, one to play a sound and the other to select a sound effect from a WT588D

Project info

Difficulty: Moderate

Estimated time: 1 hour

License: Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0)

Items used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Uno - R3 Arduino Uno - R3 x 1

Hand tools and fabrication machines

soldering iron soldering iron x 1

Story

Sound and Voice Effects

Sound plays an important role in the user experience by adding another layer of depth; making for a more realistic experience.  http://www.robotoid.com/sound/soundingoff-sounds.html

SoundFX Lightshow

Using an Arduino Nano on an expansion board with push-buttons, one to play a sound and the other to select a sound effect from a WT588D through a speaker.

For this project, I’ve selected a low-cost option, internal memory, and reasonable sound quality – WT588D-U, this model includes a built-in mini USB port for power and direct programming.  Sound output is amplified by the module and produced by a standard 0.5w 8-ohm speaker or can be connected to an amplified speaker system. The down-side with this module is that it can be difficult to get the programming software and drivers installed and configured.

Using the WT588D voice module connected to a basic speaker, the project can deliver cellular phone quality sound.

More information and tutorials specific to the WT588D:

There are several options for triggering a sound clip to play.  Examining the documentation for this module including the schematic…The sound module has a few modes to select from when working with it.  If there are only a few sounds that need to be triggered then the direct button mode would work without a microcontroller. However, if there are several sound clips, it takes just as many wires to connect to a microcontroller using the following 3-wire configuration:

Three Line Mode=

I’ve taken the time to download sound clips, modify, and organize a few themes.

WT588D Software 2

WT588D Software

Other themes online:

Alien Invasion Slot Machine uses the WT588D board for sound effects.

Parts:

Arduino and piezo ~ dual purpose can make sound or be used as a vibration sensor

Low-cost option – WT588D ~ $5

Other options include the Adafruit Audio sound board $20 and mini computer systems on a board, such as Raspberry Pi or similar $30+.  These devices also need an SD card to provide memory space, more sensitive to vibrations and use more power.

https://www.instructables.com/id/WT588D-Standalone-Arduino-sound-player/

http://www.ars-informatica.ca/eclectic/programming-the-wt588d-sound-module-part-1/

https://www.instructables.com/id/Getting-the-Most-Out-of-a-WT588D-Sound-Module/

Games – sound effects for the mechanics and the animation, GLaDoS voices from the Portal video game

Spooky – selection of spooky sounds for Halloween projects.

LCARS – Star Trek computer phrases and sounds.

Zelda: Link To The Past – sounds from the video game.

Star Wars Lightsaber sounds

Talking Clock

Arduino Nano

Expansion Board

USB to mini USB ~ 5ft. cord

AC/DC Outlet Power Adapter

Project Box

WT588D Sound Module

8 x 7-segment Display module

(1-4) strips of 10 RGB 12mm LEDs.

(2) push-buttons

photocell

microphone

PIR sensor

WT588D with wiring harness and speaker

(1-4) strips of 10 RGB 12mm LEDs.

8 x 7-segment Display Module

(2) push-buttons

photocell

microphone

PIR sensor

HOLE 1: side

USB to mini USB ~ 5ft. cord

Optionally, AC/DC Outlet Power Adapter

HOLE 2:  cover push-button

HOLE 3:  cover push-button

top front side

HOLE 4:  (1-4) strips of 10 RGB 12mm LEDs

HOLE 5:  speaker connector

HOLE 6:  side

microphone, PIR sensor

Steps:

Prepare the following for wiring and connect to the expansion board:

Connect the push-buttons to the expansion board and upload test code.

Connect strips of 10 RGB 12mm LEDs to the expansion board and upload test code.

Connect the 8×7 segment display module to the expansion board and upload test code.

Connect the WT588D with wiring harness and speaker and upload test code.

Any sensor can be used to trigger specific or random sounds and going even further, a basic neural network could make decisions using multiple sensor inputs.

Connect the photocell to the expansion board and upload test code.

Connect the Microphone to the expansion board and upload test code.

Connect the PIR sensor to the expansion board and upload test code.

Completed SoundFXLightshow Project

Insert Arduino Nano into Expansion Board and plan to provide power using USB to mini USB cord.  Optionally, AC/DC Outlet Power Adapter.

Enclosing the project

Drill 7/16” – 1/2” holes into the project box:

Arduino Pro-Mini directly connected to WT588D

Stay Tuned

Using Arduino to Make Motion Coming Soon!

Please follow me and learn much more at http://www.hydroMazing.com

Schematics, diagrams and documents

WT588D Schematics

WT588D Schematics

Code

Custom WT588D Library

Custom WT588D Library

Github

https://github.com/ACDCLabs/WT588D

Github

https://github.com/rydepier/Arduino-talking-clock-with-WT588D---U-32M

Credits

Photo of bitsandbots

bitsandbots

I'm a maker / inventor who enjoys helping others develop their projects.

   

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