Louis T
I started testing some alternative MP3 Sound Modules, my goal to get similar functions but at 50% less than the cost of MP3 Trigger ($50 + s/h). This could help people with low budget that want to get into robotics or just wanted to build a low cost robot. I choose these two modules in theory from reading their data sheet should work with EZ-B thru very simple sendserial command already built into ARC:
This MP3 module im testing and is working very well with EZ-B, it supports 40 MP3 files, 6 outputs:
This MP3 module supports 199 MP3 files and 8 outputs but I can't get it to work because it required baud rate of 4800 which ARC doesn't support but i would like to have it working because it supports 199 MP3 files and have better features than the above module:
However both modules needs an audio amplifier but for the price you can't beat for small to large robot projects that don't need a lot of sound files.
I have already got it working well with my Wall-E project, there is just one problem because the volume reset once power is disconnected so i found a way around that by using a init script at connection to change to max volume and a start up sound. All costs less than half price of MP3 Trigger
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Here is a rough wired pic using Wall-E own speaker, MP3 module, and a dual 3W amplifier. I will post more details soon but still i would like to be able to use the 199 mp3 module, nice thing is both module output stereo sound and you are not limited to small speakers, just use bigger amp for bigger speakers and blue color matching EZ-B board
More details on wiring and custom scripting coming soon...might make a demo video if i have some free time.
@robotmaker
The AP-16+ has a 3 pin header for serial input control from a digital i/o port. The board was obviously desgned for the special effects market but, it has a lot of useful functionality for robot builders. It is available from Parallax. It's more expensive than the Sparkfun MP3 but, it fit my application perfectly.
Jim
my favorate is the one that uses I2C commands it free's UP DIGITAL PINS on EZB but the onethats post here can work on some designs looking to get 5 of them
@ Louis T
That would be ideal if you could add only as many buttons as you needed and you could label the buttons with a descriptive name. I hope DJ is listening.
Jim Milan
i see 40mp3 is $16.95 and at 10 it drops to $12.95, so will buy 10 of them i do have many robots and might need spares,i did get I2C at a better price when i bought many
DJ, i found this open source MP3 module, it has schematic and firmware if you want to manufacture them, looks to be great addition for EZ-Robot. It has virtually unlimited # of track "65,536" songs/tracks
and use microSD up to 16GB, has lot of configurable manual inputs/outputs, baudrate support: 1,200, 2,400, 9,600 (default), 19,200 and 115,200 bps.
www.open-electronics.org/embedded-mp3-module/
most open source you cant manufacture,many because it open to anyone who wants to make the board and not for resale,thats the reason of open source projects
looks very good the design,but very hard for robot builders to make,its surface mount parts
also looking at the design of the circuit the main chip VS1011 IS HIGH COST sparkfun does make a breakout board for $19.95 ,a i see the sell the 48 pin surface mount chip for $19.95,something must be wrong other micro chip can through hole chip,then need a sd card holder looking at may be $60 total in parts and pcb can get a much lower price on parts from china ,since most chips are cheap there ,but need to buy a lot of them
Louis,
My sound boards came in today.
I'll be tinkering around with them tomorrow night. The wiring looks to be pretty basic.
Still not sure on the whole Input/Output ports.
I understand we can set I/O 1-6 high/low via serial command.
I want to be able to wire a button (or whatever) that when depressed plays a certain sound track. So not quite sure, would the input need to be pulled to ground? Then have a script to monitor the inputs for high/low and play the audio file accordingly?
I'll tinker with it, no biggie If it won't do that. It's still perfect for cheap audio for my Omnibots.
Hey Lumpy,
Yes, the I/O port only support input over serial command, it acts like a digital switch so you can turn LED on/off, you can connect low current device like LED directly to each port but not buttons. Looking on the bright side you get 6 extra digital on/off switches that don't take up EZ-B digital ports
The other MP3 module i shown does have direct play mode for up to 8 tracks with push buttons, that's why i wanted to get that working, with DJ latest release to support 4800 baudrate, i will do some testing when i get the time.