Introduction: The Steampunk MP3 Music Player

Dear Steampunkers, dear followers and friends

There is nothing more special than to undertake an expedition in Steampunk style and to sleep in the tents out in the forest. And when you sit together by candle light and a camp fire may you would like to listen to some Steampunk tunes. That's why I built the Steampunk Audiophone. It's an unique MP3 player which consumes not much energy - so it's ideal for field trips.

As usual most of the used parts are from the junk yard, only the small MP3 module was bought from a friend. May you don't find the same parts and fittings, but be creative - there is always a way to go and to build something really unique!

Step 1: The Materials I Used for This Creation

As I wrote before most of the used parts are from the junk yard. The horn is a part from an old brass flower vase, old vacuum tubes, speakers from an old radio, a wooden box from a Tea Company, some brass fittings in different sizes, an antique radio meter (voltmeter) to check the voltage of the battery... and some more small things like cables and screws...

The radio meter I had to fix first, but I could buy it very cheap because it was broken... and it looks great for this machine...

Step 2: Some Inspirations How to Build Such a Machine

The simple MP3 module is working with 5V and supports SD cards and has an USB plug for memory sticks. I used a power switch for ON/OFF and only two pins for PLAY/STOP/SKIP FW/SKIP BW/VOLUME UP/VOLUME DOWN. See picture 4 to refer how I created the function of this two pins.
The cable with the solid metal front is the neutral pin. If you touch one of the two brass screws the machine reacts to skip forwards or backwards, or to change the volume of the speakers, and so on. Feel free to ask if you want to know more details.

The Audiophone is powered by an USB cable and plug, so I'm completly free which power source I use, as long it supports USB 5V. It can be a power tank for cell phones or even a small solar charger with an USB outlet. I even built two solar panels to power this small machine. To be sure to have enough battery the small voltmeter, the radio meter, is a great and functional detail.

Step 3: The Steampunk Audiophone

So, I hope I could give you some ideas how to build something "steampunky". More ideas and creations you find on my website www.thechocolatist.com. News and projects on https://www.facebook.com/TheChocolatist

Sincerely yours

The Chocolatist

STEAMPUNK ART & CHOCOLATE