Morse code is an ancient tongue spoken by the hooded figures who worship a terrifying obsidian pillar in the sunken city of – oh, wait. Sorry! Wrong blog.
We’ve briefly looked over producing Morse code and making music. What if we’re receiving Morse code now? Today, we’ll be teaching the Arduino to translate Morse code back into English and use a microphone at the same time.
What you see in the picture above is a piezoelectric speaker – a tiny, electrically controlled diaphragm. On the back is a small crystal. When there is power flowing through the crystal, the size changes, bending the diaphragm. The change in the diaphragm is what causes sound and music as we know it. Today, let’s go through how we can make music with a piezo and Arduino.
Patrick is an artist of some renown, and on his way to Transmediale in Berlin he shared on his blog the secret of the unique Makelangelo coloring scheme he invented for his pictures of random internet cats.
Patrick! Should we build “Litchy style” right into the Makelangelo?
If you ever get sick of modern computers, you can always restart from scratch and build your own CPU. There’s even a group of enthusiasts online who do that just for fun. They’re so fond of old tech they still have a web ring. Hello, 1995! You make me feel young again.
I think my favorite part of Steve’s incredible work is this quote from his project goals: “Keep the hardware complexity to a minimum. I’m not an electrical engineer.” Which is funny, because the voices in my head say “I couldn’t do that even if I was an electrical engineer.” and then “Not with that attitude.” Steve is a great example of willpower put into action, my friends. On a long enough timeline that’s all it takes, like Andy Dufrane digging that tunnel in <i>The Shawshank Redemption</i> or going to the moon.
For all the schematics, design plans, and encouragement check out The Big Mess Of Wires.
Ingo with Modell Technik Hausl in Germany built this drool-worthy quad walker. I wonder if it’s made with parts from 1:14 scale RC construction vehicles?
All I know is I want to take apart six of those construction backhoes and use the digging arms to make a hydraulic crab walker.
