We set ourselves the task to develop a project that could be easy to make while remaining fun and challenging for a novice in electronics, programming and the maker movement.

What a better way to do it than with music!

We have developed a nice Mini Buzzer Piano, which can be used with any development platform such as Arduino.

This project involves the development of the following skills:

3D Printing
Electronic conecting
Basics of electronic Soldering
Flow Control in programming
Sound Frequencies
Modelling (optional)

Without further ado, let's begin!

The .stl are available here

The code is available here

Step 1: Get Your Components

Grab a buzzer, and 12 switches, this will be the actual keys!

If you can't find an specific part, you could modify the box model provided in this guide to fit different parts, it's all up to you!

Step 2: Ready and Print the Container Box

With the provided .stl, in a 3d printing software (such as Autodesk's Print Studio) ready the printing process.

This particular model will take a considerable amount of hours, so plan ahead!

Remember to compensate for contraction! This current .stl is corrected for .3mm of contraction.

Step 3: Ready and Print the Key Sheet

Just like with the past model, set it up for your printer and print away!

Step 4: Setup the Resistors

This specific build requires a step-up architecture, so get those resistors ready.

We are soldering the pieces, but feel free to use a prototype board if you want to.

Step 5: Connect Ground to the Resistors and Setup the Switches Cables.

Be careful when soldering, it doesn't have to be pretty, but you need to focus on not causing any contact between different parts of the circuit

Step 6: Get the Switches Ready

Connect the switches, depending on which switches you got the configuration may be different, in our case, one end of the switch was connected to power via pull-up, the second one was connected to ground and the electronic board. The ground end in the wswitch is optional for this build

Step 7: Connect Everything to the Board

It doesn't matter if its an arduino, an edison, or a freescale freedom. As long as you have physical interfaces, your up for this project.

Step 8: Program Your Script

Get your code ready, our example is in c++, but feel free to code it anyway you want it. As long as the order of ideas remains the same.

Remember, our code is here

Step 9: Assemble the Electronics in the Box

Most development platforms fit inside the box plus the soldering sheet. Put the switches in their corresponding holes, and glue them with a bit of silicone.

Step 10: Paste the Keys to the Box

To do this pasting effectively, saw the surfaces that will be glued together, mix some epoxy, apply it and clamp it for the required set time.

Step 11: [OPTIONAL] Give It a Nice Finish on the Window Space

We have purposely left a fine window space on the front of the build, this not only helps at the moment of assembly, but also allow the maker to showcase the beautiful (hopefully) cable management done. Believe me, it's a complex art.

Here's a free space for you to let your maker soul shine. If we may, we recommend you to use something cool with transparent vinyl and some back-lighting to create a nice display of your electronics, you could also cover it with a 3d printed lid, or even you could just let it be as is. It's up to you!

Introduction: Mini Buzzer Keyboard