Introduction: Sound Amplifier

Sound Amplifier is an instrument to make any sound louder and replace the quietness in the surroundings. This can be used to educate or announce to a legion of people  about something so they are able to hear the speaker and, music can be played louder during events.

icrosoft Makecode is a browser-based coding platform for creating interactive and engaging programming experiences for those new to the world of programming. The platform provides the foundation for a tailored coding experience to create and run user programs on actual hardware (microbit in this case) or in a simulated target.

In this Instructable, we'll develop a simplified version of coding a random music piece and test the buzzer with a prototype build with lego pieces to experiment what structure can amplify sound. 

Please note that I'll be testing the music in the MakeCode simulator as well as with microbit. You can test/play your programs in the simulator if you do not have any micro:bit. 




Supplies

  1. Lego pieces
  2. Microbit, buzzer, battery, battery holder and wires
  3. Makecode program (Software)
  4. Ruler to measure the prototype.


Step 1:

We research and view a few past prototype examples that use materials like paper cups and cut out milk bottles that can allow sound to amplify.

Step 2:

We experiment using lego pieces that I think reflect a sustainable building which can allow a buzzer to amplify sound. A buzzer about 1.5cm x 1.5 cm which is small enough to be slot inside the prototype. You can build your own design. But must have some hollows for sound particle to vibrate and travel out.



Step 3:

We go to the coding website and take out the following code to download to microbit.

Step 4:

We tested the amplifying effect by putting the buzzer within the prototype. 

This model that I tried, I did not make room for an internal slot for micro:bit. 

Hope you have one creating your own melody and your own sound amplifier.


There are supporting music code blocks at Makecode platform which we tested to code a melody to play. 

The code can be tested on makecode microbit simulator on any laptop or a physical microbit with buzzer connected to PIN 0.

We make use of science concepts we learnt in school how sounds travels to build up this prototype.