Introduction: Micro:bit Musical Tuner/Metronome

I have created a simple music assistant device that can tune, keep tempo, and play simple scales. All of this code can be easily changed to accommodate your specific instrument.

Supplies

Materials:

  • Micro:bit (and accessories)
  • Micro:bit 37-in-one expansion
  • Laptop
  • USB-Cord

Step 1: Creating the First Code

For this project I used the block code at Micro:bit.org to help it be easily understandable. I started this code by creating an LED screen that flashed from a saxophone (the instrument that it is tuned to, can be easily changed) to a quarter note. After finishing the display I created some different easy music. First I created "The Licc" and the the F concert scale, one of the most commonly used. After finishing music I created a simple 8-count metronome, and tempo changes (going up and down by 5 BPM). I then set the volume and finished the first part of the code.

Step 2: Creating the Second Code

For the second part of the code I made a drone tuner. Keep in mind these two pieces of code(first and second part) are separate projects and must be downloaded onto the micro:bit separately. To create this tuner I had the screen display the note (in Eb) and then play the pitch for up to four beats for you to tune by ear. I also added a tuning scale, concert F#.

Step 3: Downloading the Code

To download the code onto you micro:bit plug the USB port into your laptop and the other end into the micro:bit. You can then press download on the site to download the code you created onto the micro:bit.

Step 4: Putting Everything Together

The final step is putting everything together, first you plug the battery pack into the micro:bit, then put the micro:bit into the sensor shield. After that you can use the pin cords to plug in the speaker, and your micro:bit is finished. You can add extra expansions on and always add extra code, but those are the basics and a simple but helpful device.