On the first Tuesday, the Creative Makers group recorded a number of sounds using Audacity with the intention of playing them back in interesting ways the following week. In the meantime, we fabricated a soundboard to demonstrate fast integration of audio using Fab Lab tools. This was a Monday speed project, zipping from inception through design, fabrication, wiring, audio fiddling, and final assembly in a single day, with Zach on structure and Janet on electronics.

above, the Creative Makers Soundboard on display, showing the ten flexural buttons that trigger ten sounds recorded and modified during the previous workshop. The USB cable provides power, while the speaker (partially out-of-frame) hooks up on the left side of the apparatus.

above, the Creative Makers Soundboard on display, showing the ten flexural buttons that trigger ten sounds recorded and modified during the previous workshop. The USB cable provides power, while the speaker (partially out-of-frame) hooks up on the left side of the apparatus.

The ten paddles are each laser-engraved with an icon from the free Material Design Travel section. Each includes a flexure that allows it to travel down a few millimeters, actuating a snap-action switch using a design similar to the Beat Flower. All the parts were designed in Onshape, laser cut with a slight interference fit out of 3 mm plywood, and assembled with a rubber mallet.

above, testing the hamburger paddle and demonstrating the switch action. Note that the sound board doesn’t respond nearly this quickly, but it’s still fun to press the paddle as fast as possible. Click click click clickclickclickclickclickclickclick

above, testing the hamburger paddle and demonstrating the switch action. Note that the sound board doesn’t respond nearly this quickly, but it’s still fun to press the paddle as fast as possible. Click click click clickclickclickclickclickclickclick

This project uses a wonderful Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board to store and serve up the recorded clips. Unlike the H.W.M.A., which uses the same board, the Creative Makers Soundboard keeps the speaker and battery offboard, so it can be easily hooked up to various power and audio systems. Note that if the board is powered from a USB port and enumerates, the audio output won’t work; it’s best to use a portable USB power pack or a wall wart. Don’t forget to remove both cables before moving or storing the Creative Makers Soundboard to avoid over-stressing the connectors.

The switches are wired using 34 AWG solid copper wire with clear polyurethane insulation. This wire, which runs around $20/mile, is small enough to tuck easily into tiny holes and twist around obstacles, but large enough to avoid too much unnecessary breakage. Best of all, the insulation is simple to remove by dunking the end in the molten solder ball on the end of a hot iron. If you buy a roll, be sure to avoid the polyimide-insulated stuff which must be mechanically stripped. Before installation, the wire was twisted into pairs using an electric drill.

above, the wired sound board after wire-de-chaosing, soldering, and permanent installation to the plywood support using slightly thicker wire at the corners.

above, the wired sound board after wire-de-chaosing, soldering, and permanent installation to the plywood support using slightly thicker wire at the corners.