Tic Tac Tunes - Now with Tic Tac Beat Box

Step 1 Parts and Tools Required

As well as standard workbench tools and soldering equipment, you will need :-

1 x PicAxe 08M or 08M2 microcontroller chip - see below
2 x 10K resistors - all are 1/4 or 1/8 W
1 x 330R resistor
1 x 22K resistor
1 x 560K resistor
1 x red LED
1 x 10K linear dual gang slide potentiometer (60mm).
2 x 1N4148 or similar diodes. Just about any small diode will do
1 x 0.1 uF capacitor (10V or more)
1 x 28mm x 4mm piezo sounder. This MUST be a low profile type or it won't fit
1 x PX28A 6V keyfob battery (4LR44 PX28A A544 L1325 equivalents)
1 x stereo 3.5mm jack socket
1 x jack plug for probe. This can be 2.5 or 3.5mm, mono or stereo
1 x stripboard 22 x 12 holes
1 x spring from a retractable pen
1 packet of TicTacs. Your choice of flavour

You'll also need a few bits of link wire and something to decorate it. I used the old Blue Peter favourite - sticky back plastic.

If you need to brush up on your soldering technique, there's an excellent guide HERE.

Most of my parts came from Maplin (UK), but Mouser or your friendly local on-line electronics store will have these in other parts of the globe. All the parts (including Tic Tacs and battery) shouldn't come to more that 10 pounds (16 dollars), but that may vary depending on where you are, and doesn't include p+p, or the programming lead (see below).

I've used a PicAxe 08M microcontroller which comes as a blank chip and needs to be programmed. To do this, you will need a programming lead and the free programming editor software. Both the PicAxe chip and the lead are available from Tech Supplies in the UK or see HERE for other countries.  The 08m has been superseded by the 08m2 - Either will work.
Once you have the lead, you only need a PicAxe, two resistors and whatever sensors and output devices you choose to have a full PicAxe development kit which can program any of the PicAxe range, so you can design your own projects. I have an Instructable planned which will get you well on the way.

Comments

[gada888]

I found the picaxi 08M and pic12f683 out in market.are they the same thing?

[jwoo2023]

no, PICAXE is pre programmed so that you can 'program' in BASIC unlike PIC which is different

[amanihoot]

where did you get the supplies?

[AndyGadget]

Step 1 tells you where to get the bits, although any good electronics supplier will have everything but the PicAxe; that comes from one of the suppliers linked in the text.

[shawntherobot]

would radio shack have the supplys and how much did it cost all together to make it

[jeff-o]

What is the center frequency of the piezo element?

[ikestarm17]

what is a 330R resistor? I don't get the R

[unigamer]

330 ohm resistor. Nothing fancy and very easy to find as they are commonly used as current limiting resistors just as it's being used here.

[ikestarm17]

k,thnx

[grundisimo]

how much you get computer for?

[grundisimo]

and where?

[AndyGadget]

Just under 300 pounds from Amazon - I'm in the UK.
It came with XP Home which I replaced with Windows 7 as soon as I got it.
Win7 is great - It took a lot to get me away from XP (Pro) but this has done it. Fast too - at least as fast as XP and I'm running the Aero interface on the NC10, and soooo sweet to use once you realise what it has to offer (libraries, enhanced taskbar etc) It's what Vista should have been if the marketing guys hadn't forced them to push it out early.
I never thought I'd be one to enthuse about a Microsoft product, but it IS good.

[Kiteman]

(I think he was asking about the picAXE chip)

[AndyGadget]

He did say 'computer'. However, just in case . . . Grundisimo, Step 1 (Parts and Materials) gives a link to Tech Supplies (in te U.K ,where I get mine) and a link to a site which gives suppliers in other countries. If you don't already have one, you will need a PicAxe programming lead. These come in 2 flavours; A cheaper serial lead (for which you need a COM port on your computer) or a more expensive lead which will plug into any USB port. These are available from the PicAxe supplier. Once you have that, and the free software, you have the full development kit for any PicAxe.

[Kiteman]

I suspect Grundisimo's first language is not English - translation software or a poor dictionary could be to blame.

[grundisimo]

Jeg er virkelig kede lige nu.

[AndyGadget]

Is that Danish? My Son is in Denmark at the moment at the Bla Sommer Scouting event.

[grundisimo]

yes that is danish. (want me to start speaking in swedish)

[grundisimo]

oh sorry stupid translater stopped working for a minute. that says i am bored right now.

[Kiteman]

Does that mean I'm right?

[grundisimo]

depends....... i wasn't really paying attention to the comment above.