#birthdaytower — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #birthdaytower, aggregated by home.social.
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@castaway Y'know, I've been thinking of making a pinned post that lists them all. Haven't gotten around to it yet. When I want to append to one, I either use its hashtag like #BirthdayTower or #BlackLackStackHack or else I search my image history for a photo from the thread.
I try to tag them with #BuildThread, but I don't do it consistently. I also try to give them sequence numbers like 🧵 42/N.
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@castaway Y'know, I've been thinking of making a pinned post that lists them all. Haven't gotten around to it yet. When I want to append to one, I either use its hashtag like #BirthdayTower or #BlackLackStackHack or else I search my image history for a photo from the thread.
I try to tag them with #BuildThread, but I don't do it consistently. I also try to give them sequence numbers like 🧵 42/N.
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The good news is, if they're breaking it, they're playing with it. Their little sister is 15 months old, and she's interested in the button, too.
🧵 31/∞
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The good news is, if they're breaking it, they're playing with it. Their little sister is 15 months old, and she's interested in the button, too.
🧵 31/∞
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No project is ever really finished, is it?
The boys broke the cord between the Birthday Tower and its button box. I had used a mains power cable with JST-SL connectors. I thought SL would be big and strong enough. I was wrong. So last night I printed some strain reliefs. We'll see how these do.
In retrospect, I should have used USB. (a) I could have put a micro controller in the button box, and (b) USB cables are not handmade.
🧵 30/∞
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No project is ever really finished, is it?
The boys broke the cord between the Birthday Tower and its button box. I had used a mains power cable with JST-SL connectors. I thought SL would be big and strong enough. I was wrong. So last night I printed some strain reliefs. We'll see how these do.
In retrospect, I should have used USB. (a) I could have put a micro controller in the button box, and (b) USB cables are not handmade.
🧵 30/∞
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I put the Birthday Tower firmware up on Github tonight. One person has asked to see the code, and maybe others will want to see it too.
https://github.com/kbob/birthday-tower
🧵 29/∞
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I put the Birthday Tower firmware up on Github tonight. One person has asked to see the code, and maybe others will want to see it too.
https://github.com/kbob/birthday-tower
🧵 29/∞
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The boys didn't figure out the sound at all; they whacked the button really loud and often. A couple of adults did check out the audio later, though.
The boys will have weeks/months/years to figure it out, though.
I didn't expect them to try to grab the lights. An hour later they'd stopped doing that, but I wish I'd given it some kind of tactile output. (No idea what that would be.)
🧵 28/∞
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The boys didn't figure out the sound at all; they whacked the button really loud and often. A couple of adults did check out the audio later, though.
The boys will have weeks/months/years to figure it out, though.
I didn't expect them to try to grab the lights. An hour later they'd stopped doing that, but I wish I'd given it some kind of tactile output. (No idea what that would be.)
🧵 28/∞
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Yesterday was the big day. The family got together, and the boys met their birthday gift. (Spoiler: they liked it.)
The birthday party was August 11th. We missed the deadline by a few days, and September 29th was the earliest 8 busy adults could all get together again.
https://makertube.net/w/atun5uU2oPJZBbM2US9FgJ
🧵 27/∞
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Yesterday was the big day. The family got together, and the boys met their birthday gift. (Spoiler: they liked it.)
The birthday party was August 11th. We missed the deadline by a few days, and September 29th was the earliest 8 busy adults could all get together again.
https://makertube.net/w/atun5uU2oPJZBbM2US9FgJ
🧵 27/∞
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Here are some Birthday Tower photos with the lights on.
🧵 26/∞ -
Here are some Birthday Tower photos with the lights on.
🧵 26/∞ -
Today I got together with my project partner and we assembled the Birthday Tower. Here's some video in a darkened room.
I should have used a quieter button.
🧵 25/∞
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Today I got together with my project partner and we assembled the Birthday Tower. Here's some video in a darkened room.
I should have used a quieter button.
🧵 25/∞
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The birthday party is today, BTW. The Birthday Tower is now actually the Some Near Future Date TBD Tower.
🧵 24/∞
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The birthday party is today, BTW. The Birthday Tower is now actually the Some Near Future Date TBD Tower.
🧵 24/∞
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My original intent was to make something like the sound of racket balls slapping around a court. I didn't get that, but I got something that I like.
Even before that, this was originally going to be just an LED project, and then I thought I should add a speaker. And then it spiraled out of control, and became a 90% audio project with LEDs.
🧵 23/∞
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My original intent was to make something like the sound of racket balls slapping around a court. I didn't get that, but I got something that I like.
Even before that, this was originally going to be just an LED project, and then I thought I should add a speaker. And then it spiraled out of control, and became a 90% audio project with LEDs.
🧵 23/∞
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I made a video. Here's the birthday tower in action, working firmware but no wood yet.
https://makertube.net/w/dCigionmHVjiZFjMUUqBmr
🧵 21/∞
#BirthdayTower #video #Teensy #SoundDesign #toys #LEDs #WS2812 #woodworking
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I made a video. Here's the birthday tower in action, working firmware but no wood yet.
https://makertube.net/w/dCigionmHVjiZFjMUUqBmr
🧵 21/∞
#BirthdayTower #video #Teensy #SoundDesign #toys #LEDs #WS2812 #woodworking
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Last night I started writing the firmware for the birthday tower, and about an hour ago I got the sound integrated with the lights. ZOMG! It's addictive. So many colors and rhythms from so few inputs! (Reminder, it has a single button.)
Tomorrow, I need to implement pitch changes and then start fine tuning the sound. Then maybe I can get some video together before the little boys get their gift.
🧵 19/∞
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Last night I started writing the firmware for the birthday tower, and about an hour ago I got the sound integrated with the lights. ZOMG! It's addictive. So many colors and rhythms from so few inputs! (Reminder, it has a single button.)
Tomorrow, I need to implement pitch changes and then start fine tuning the sound. Then maybe I can get some video together before the little boys get their gift.
🧵 19/∞
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Another progress photo. The color scheme is now gold and aquamarine. The scallop at the bottom will be removed. (I like it, but little boys won't get it.)
The wooden center section will be painted in 1 inch (25mm) black and white checks.
🧵 18/∞
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Another progress photo. The color scheme is now gold and aquamarine. The scallop at the bottom will be removed. (I like it, but little boys won't get it.)
The wooden center section will be painted in 1 inch (25mm) black and white checks.
🧵 18/∞
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Meanwhile, my partner in this project is making good project on the woodworking end. He's fabricated all the pieces and started the painting. He's sent me a bunch of photos of rulers next to the wood so I can make my pieces fit his pieces -- we'll see how well that works.
He lives about 60 miles away (100km), so we're working separately. Ideally, we'll only get together once for final assembly.
🧵 17/∞
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Meanwhile, my partner in this project is making good project on the woodworking end. He's fabricated all the pieces and started the painting. He's sent me a bunch of photos of rulers next to the wood so I can make my pieces fit his pieces -- we'll see how well that works.
He lives about 60 miles away (100km), so we're working separately. Ideally, we'll only get together once for final assembly.
🧵 17/∞
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The bottom end cap is only partially modeled, but I printed one to verify all the parts fit inside. Then I went ahead and fabricated as much of the wiring harness as I could. The speakers and the LEDs work.
I think this project is going to come together. I've been having my doubts.
🧵 16/∞
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The bottom end cap is only partially modeled, but I printed one to verify all the parts fit inside. Then I went ahead and fabricated as much of the wiring harness as I could. The speakers and the LEDs work.
I think this project is going to come together. I've been having my doubts.
🧵 16/∞
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The power distribution block came out nice and compact. I've never worked with WAGO connectors before; they're pretty slick!
One of these will be full of black wires for GND; the other will be full of red +5V wires. The LEDs could draw up to 12 amps(!)
I will integrate the holder into the wall of the enclosure seen in my last post.
🧵 15/∞
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The power distribution block came out nice and compact. I've never worked with WAGO connectors before; they're pretty slick!
One of these will be full of black wires for GND; the other will be full of red +5V wires. The LEDs could draw up to 12 amps(!)
I will integrate the holder into the wall of the enclosure seen in my last post.
🧵 15/∞
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I am designing the Birthday Tower's bottom enclosure. It's gotten really crowded in here. I spent most of yesterday just trying to figure out how to make everything fit.
From the left:
- barrel jack
- audio amp
- speaker
- two Wago connectors
- Teensy audio board with Teensy 4.0 on top (not pictured)
- level shifter board
- JST SL jackComponent positions are approximate. The case dimensions are accurate for now.
🧵 14/∞
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I am designing the Birthday Tower's bottom enclosure. It's gotten really crowded in here. I spent most of yesterday just trying to figure out how to make everything fit.
From the left:
- barrel jack
- audio amp
- speaker
- two Wago connectors
- Teensy audio board with Teensy 4.0 on top (not pictured)
- level shifter board
- JST SL jackComponent positions are approximate. The case dimensions are accurate for now.
🧵 14/∞
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I got these 40mm speakers from Adafruit. I haven't heard them yet; no idea how tinny they'll sound. The mounting mechanism is simple and effective. The speaker slips right in, but is hard to get out. The edge slot is more than 180°, so the opening is narrowed.
While I'm kvetching about filament, that red print is Inland PLA+. Great stuff, kind of flexible, good layer adhesion.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3968
🧵 14/∞
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I got these 40mm speakers from Adafruit. I haven't heard them yet; no idea how tinny they'll sound. The mounting mechanism is simple and effective. The speaker slips right in, but is hard to get out. The edge slot is more than 180°, so the opening is narrowed.
While I'm kvetching about filament, that red print is Inland PLA+. Great stuff, kind of flexible, good layer adhesion.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3968
🧵 14/∞
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The PolyTerra limestone marble is a pain to work with. It's coarse. The filament on the spool feels grainy like whole wheat spaghetti. Adding fuzzy skin to the model was almost redundant.
The slate grey marble is much better. Smoother and better behaved. I made a bowl (not pictured) a couple of days ago in slate grey and it came out nice and smooth. I did have some issues with overhang, but that was the model, not the filament.
🧵 13/∞
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The PolyTerra limestone marble is a pain to work with. It's coarse. The filament on the spool feels grainy like whole wheat spaghetti. Adding fuzzy skin to the model was almost redundant.
The slate grey marble is much better. Smoother and better behaved. I made a bowl (not pictured) a couple of days ago in slate grey and it came out nice and smooth. I did have some issues with overhang, but that was the model, not the filament.
🧵 13/∞
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I'm working on the mechanical parts of the Birthday Tower now. The tower will be a 2 meter tall (6 ft. 8 in.) wooden beam with LEDs in front and speakers at top and bottom. This is the top cap attached to a cutoff end of the beam.
I had fun with textures here. Generic silk copper PLA at 0.05mm layer height and PolyMaker PolyTerra limestone marble PLA with fuzzy skin and 0.2mm layers. The back cover is PolyTerra slate grey marble.
🧵 12/∞
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I'm working on the mechanical parts of the Birthday Tower now. The tower will be a 2 meter tall (6 ft. 8 in.) wooden beam with LEDs in front and speakers at top and bottom. This is the top cap attached to a cutoff end of the beam.
I had fun with textures here. Generic silk copper PLA at 0.05mm layer height and PolyMaker PolyTerra limestone marble PLA with fuzzy skin and 0.2mm layers. The back cover is PolyTerra slate grey marble.
🧵 12/∞
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And just because it can, the Tkinter app automatically reconnects and resyncs the UI when the Teensy firmware changes.
🧵 11/∞
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And just because it can, the Tkinter app automatically reconnects and resyncs the UI when the Teensy firmware changes.
🧵 11/∞
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Now I have a working app. The table in the first screen capture is compiled into the Teensy. A Tkinter app on my Mac reads it and generates the UI in the second screen capture. All the controls change the sound in real time.
I can make several good drum sounds, and it's just a matter of tweaking them. The reverb sounds like a walkie-talkie in a bucket, though. I may have introduced a bug...
🧵 10/∞
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Now I have a working app. The table in the first screen capture is compiled into the Teensy. A Tkinter app on my Mac reads it and generates the UI in the second screen capture. All the controls change the sound in real time.
I can make several good drum sounds, and it's just a matter of tweaking them. The reverb sounds like a walkie-talkie in a bucket, though. I may have introduced a bug...
🧵 10/∞
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I didn't find anything that would make it easy, so I started writing a UI from scratch. I spent a few hours in tkinter and knocked out a sketch of what I'm thinking of.
tkinter is weird. But it's mature and reasonably well documented.
Now I'll need to write a little bidirectional serial protocol so the Teensy can tell me what actual parameters it has and this UI can tell the Teensy when to change them.
🧵 9/∞
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I didn't find anything that would make it easy, so I started writing a UI from scratch. I spent a few hours in tkinter and knocked out a sketch of what I'm thinking of.
tkinter is weird. But it's mature and reasonably well documented.
Now I'll need to write a little bidirectional serial protocol so the Teensy can tell me what actual parameters it has and this UI can tell the Teensy when to change them.
🧵 9/∞
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I've got a big space of sonic possibilities to explore. I'd like to hook up some sliders or knobs and vary some parameters in real time. Is there any toolkit for hooking up a GUI on a PC (Mac or Linux) to an Arduino?
Thanks.
🧵 7/∞
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I've got a big space of sonic possibilities to explore. I'd like to hook up some sliders or knobs and vary some parameters in real time. Is there any toolkit for hooking up a GUI on a PC (Mac or Linux) to an Arduino?
Thanks.
🧵 7/∞
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The Teensy is kind of memory constrained for reverb at 1 megabyte of RAM. (Most of that will be available. 200 LEDs won't use much RAM.) The Teensy Audio Adapter has a space to solder on a SPI RAM chip, but I'm hoping I won't need that complication. So I'm probably making something that's more of a delay than a reverb.
🧵 6/∞
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The Teensy is kind of memory constrained for reverb at 1 megabyte of RAM. (Most of that will be available. 200 LEDs won't use much RAM.) The Teensy Audio Adapter has a space to solder on a SPI RAM chip, but I'm hoping I won't need that complication. So I'm probably making something that's more of a delay than a reverb.
🧵 6/∞
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I'll be reusing the code from my old drum machine (which in turn reuses Mutable Instruments' Peaks module) for the impact sounds.
https://kbob.github.io/2016/06/27/i-made-this-drum-machine
I'll be learning about delay and reverb soon.
🧵 5/∞
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I'll be reusing the code from my old drum machine (which in turn reuses Mutable Instruments' Peaks module) for the impact sounds.
https://kbob.github.io/2016/06/27/i-made-this-drum-machine
I'll be learning about delay and reverb soon.
🧵 5/∞
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Electronics hardware. We've got two meters of 100/meter WS2812 LED strips, a power supply, a Teensy 4.0 and Teensy Audio Adapter, a pair of Adafruit I2S amplifiers, a pair of Adafruit 40mm speakers, and a level shifter for the LEDs. And some wires and some connectors.
Wood: TBD. The uncle is going to the lumberyard next weekend.
We also have some aluminum channels for the LEDs.
🧵 4/∞
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Electronics hardware. We've got two meters of 100/meter WS2812 LED strips, a power supply, a Teensy 4.0 and Teensy Audio Adapter, a pair of Adafruit I2S amplifiers, a pair of Adafruit 40mm speakers, and a level shifter for the LEDs. And some wires and some connectors.
Wood: TBD. The uncle is going to the lumberyard next weekend.
We also have some aluminum channels for the LEDs.
🧵 4/∞