Anna Andres’s Work Log

Anna Andres’s Work Log

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  • Post last modified:October 14, 2024
  • Reading time:26 mins read
  • Post category:Work Logs

Electric Viola Pedalboard

10/13/2024

Work Complete:

  • I helped research enclosures for the MultiFX pedal, but we decided in the meeting that we should wait until the pedal design is done before ordering anything. For the end-of-semester deliverable, a prototype will be 3D printed.
  • We talked to Dr. Pinar and confirmed that he wanted stereo input and output, no touchscreen, and eight footswitches are plenty.
  • We decided during our Thursday meeting that it would be better to have three of us working on different plug-in codes rather than pairs of us, so I started researching distortion.

To-Do List:

  • Do more research on distortion plug-ins
  • Make a .vst file draft for a distortion plug-in
  • Make the corresponding config file that will run the plug-in on the Pi
  • Test plug-in and config once they are written

10/6/2024

Work Complete:

  • We met today to do our proof of concept test, which was successful. Using Xavier’s guitar and amplifier, we ran clean and reverb (called “freeverb”) plugins that were already on the Pi.
    Setup: Guitar input -> pi/hat -> amplifier
  • I researched carrying cases more and created a list to compare the dimensions and cost of the different options. The table I made has 5 options, but I highlighted the 2 I think would work best. We will decide which one of these we’ll want to order when we know the size of the MultiFX pedal, considering that we’ll need room for more pedals.
  • We discovered some aspects of the Pi OS were corrupted, so I reflashed the Pi with Elk.
  • We also started to discuss how we want to wire the switches and bypass and updated BOM accordingly.

To-Do List:

  • Research enclosures for the multiFX pedal.
  • Start writing reverb plug-in code on Juce.
  • Talk to Dr. Pinar (ask about mono/stereo input and output requirements, whether or not we should implement a touchscreen, and the number of foot switches we should set up)

9/29/2024

Device Operation Sketch:

Work Complete:

  • I researched briefly Juce vs other IDEs. I trust Dr. Pinar’s reasoning for why he chose Juce over alternatives but I wanted to learn more about it for myself.
  • I looked a little more into user-interface components. Xavier did most of the heavy lifting for this but it was interesting to learn how difficult it is to find displays that actually work for the Pi.
  • I worked with the team to create the CDR slides for tomorrow’s presentation.
  • I started looking into what kind of carrier case we’ll want for the pedalboard. We decided that a larger case would be better since next semester will have some pedal additions other than just the MultiFX pedal.
  • I got certified to 3D print with Georgia and Xavier.

To-Do List:

  • Figure out how to run a plug-in on the Pi and test it on an instrument.
  • Help the team come up with a list of what exactly needs to be bought and make sure everything is purchased very soon.
  • Once the pre-made plug-in proves to work as intended, start making a plug-in template file and plug-in for reverb. (This will definitely take longer than just this week.)
  • Continue to research carrier cases to use.

9/22/2024

Work Complete:

  • We met with Dr. Pinar and decided to go the MultiFX pedal route with the Raspberry Pi. He gave us a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, a HifiBerry ADC+DAC hat to improve audio signal quality, and some audio adapter cables.
  • I worked with the team to make a presentation regarding our progress for the weekly OSHE meeting. We also revised our Project Specification document since this semester’s goals changed drastically this week.
  • I researched different operating systems besides Elk Audio (the one Dr. Pinar recommended), though we just decided to go with Elk Audio.
  • We met up on Saturday and successfully flashed the Pi with the Elk Audio OS and also started looking more in detail at some user-interface options to potentially include in the project. We also made a document that gives instructions on how to flash the Pi, which will be useful for the report at the end of the semester.

To-Do List:

  • Research Juce and .vst versus other IDEs and file types.
  • Figure out how to run a plug-in on the Pi and test it on an instrument.
  • Look more into user-interface devices and components and list items we definitely want to order.

9/13/2024

Sketch:

To-Do List:

  • Make a circuit schematic draft for the reverb pedal with the intention of using an Arduino Zero.
  • Start making a script for the Arduino in Arduino IDE.
  • Meet with Dr. Pinar and the rest of the team to go over potentially using a Raspberry Pi instead and maybe having it be a MultiFX pedal.
  • Research audio effects pedals made with a Raspberry Pi.
  • Keep track of components that need to be ordered.

Concerns:

  • I’m concerned about the complexity and cost of using a Raspberry Pi instead of Arduinos, but we’ll see if that changes after meeting with everyone on Monday.

Electric Viola

4/20/2024

Work Complete:

  • I sanded the battery holder so that it could fit inside the viola’s body.
  • Once the metronome case was printed, I started mapping out what holes need to be drilled where, as well as where the components should be soldered. Since it’s not done yet, I’ll wait before posting the final product on this log until it’s done)

To-Do List:

  • Solder the circuit together on a perf board and mount the user-interface components to the case. (and post a picture of the final product here)
  • Complete the project report

4/13/2024

Work Complete:

  • I realized the metronome wasn’t outputting the intended tempo, so I fixed that problem.
  • I also was able to figure out how to get the display working.
  • I added a battery so the circuit doesn’t need to be connected to the laptop.
  • I added a switch so that the circuit can be turned off or on.
  • I updated the schematic with the new components on EasyEDA.

To-Do List:

  • Solder the circuit together on a perf board (not including the user-interface components like the display and potentiometer) while I’m waiting on the housing for the circuit.
  • Drill the necessary holes in the housing and mount the user-interface components on it before soldering them to the board.

4/6/2024

Work Complete:

  • I fixed the driver problem with Arduino IDE, so I can now upload code to the Nano
  • I got the Arduino code to compile on the Arduino IDE, but something was wrong with the drivers or ports.
  • I updated the schematic with the Arduino Nano instead of an Uno.

To-Do List:

  • The metronome part of the circuit functions properly, but I need to figure out how to get the display to show the current tempo.
  • Try to use a different type of display to see if there are any other results. (and update schematic as needed)
  • Add in a switch to the circuit so the metronome isn’t constantly on.
  • Solder the circuit together on a perf board and check functionality when the display works.

3/30/2024

Work Complete:

  • I wired the circuit together on the breadboard.
  • I got the Arduino code to compile on the Arduino IDE, but something was wrong with the drivers or ports.

To-Do List:

  • Figure out the Arduino IDE driver problem.
  • Code the Arduino on the breadboard and ensure the circuit functions properly.
  • Solder the circuit together on a perf board and check functionality.
  • Fix the schematic on EasyEDA so with the updated parts.

3/23/2024

Work Complete:

  • I completed the bill of materials for the metronome and saw what exactly we had in the lab.
  • I met with Georgia to talk about what needs to be ordered for the metronome as well as the tuner since we’ll order the parts together. The order is expected to arrive Tuesday.

To-Do List:

  • Finish the first draft of the Arduino code while I wait for the parts to arrive.
  • Breadboard the circuit as soon as it arrives and test it to see if the circuit and code work.

3/16/2024

Work Complete:

  • I discussed with Georgia and Lauren what metronome option we should go with and decided together.
  • I created a first draft for the metronome circuit using EasyEDA (pictured below).

To-Do List:

  • Finish the Bill of Materials before the end of the weekend. This includes finding components already in the lab to find what we already have access to.
  • Meet with the group early next week to discuss the Bill of Materials before making purchases.
  • Start writing the Arduino code.

3/9/2024

Work Complete:

  • I talked to Dr. Shane about options to create CAD models for the fingerboard and bridge.
  • Georgia, Joey, and I presented the OSHE lab to girl scouts and discussed a couple of projects.

To-Do List:

  • Make a 3D model for the bridge using Inkscape (or some other scanning software).
  • Meet with Dr. Shane to use the 3D scanner to make a 3D model of the fingerboard.
  • Compile a list of ideas to do for the metronome in a more organized fashion. Discuss with the group what ideas I come up with for the metronome.

Concerns:

  • Shane brought up that the fingerboard’s color may absorb the light from the scanner so it may not work. I will brainstorm ideas to overcome this hurdle before I meet with him.

2/24/2024

Work Complete:

  • I did a bit of preparation for CDR and I helped out with Enterprise Day setup.
  • Presented the piezo configuration and placement (shown in the images below) in CDR and no major flaws were brought up, which finalizes our design until testing with the actual electric viola.

To-Do List:

  • Work with Georgia to make the more permanent piezo connections on the electric viola if she needs assistance.
  • Compile a list of ideas to do for the metronome in a more organized fashion.
  • Research ways we can power the module(s).
  • Discuss with the group what ideas I come up with for the metronome.

2/17/2024

Work Complete:

  • I wired/soldered two different types of connections with the pickups to the audio jack. One was with three piezos in series and the other one was three piezos in parallel.
  • I met with Georgia to test the above configurations to see which one worked better and where we will want to place the piezos on the actual electric viola. The test conducted was trying out the piezos on her non-electric viola and hooking it up to an amplifier. The test was successful and we determined that will want a total of four piezos in series, two on each side of the bridge.

To-Do List:

  • Work with Georgia to make the more permanent piezo connections on the electric viola.
  • Get ready for Critical Design Review.
  • Research more ideas and possible connections for the metronome.

2/10/2024

Work Complete:

  • I researched some options we could do for the metronome.

To-Do List:

  • Everything we ordered showed up so I will wire the pickups and solder connections from the pickups to the standard mono audio jack.
  • Research more ideas and possible connections for the metronome.

2/3/2024

Work Complete:

  • I researched pickup options and decided with the group what we want to try first. The current plan is to wire the pickups straight to the audio jack and test it with three pickups located on and in front of the bridge.
  • I helped make the shopping list with the group.

To-Do List:

  • Wire the pickups when they arrive.
  • Solder connections from the pickups to the standard mono audio jack.
  • Research ideas for the metronome while we wait for parts to arrive.

Concerns:

  • We might need to create and install a preamp circuit in between the pickups and the audio jack depending on the sound quality.

1/27/2024

To-Do List:

  • Get more comfortable with modeling in freeCAD
  • Research options for pick-ups
  • Research connection options from pick-ups to standard audio output
  • Compile a shopping list with the team