# Make a Sound Machine Make a Sound Machine that can play a rhythm, music or just noise! ![Maker – Make a Sound Machine Main Image](/static/lessons/make-a-sound-machine/lego-maker-sound-machine-1.jpg) ## Connect Music is made up of a combination of sounds, notes and rhythm. A rhythm is a regular movement or repeated pattern of movements that can be used in many different ways. In mechanical machines, a rhythm can help keep a machine running smoothly. It can also be used to generate different sounds in music. ![Sound Machine 3 Stock Footage Images](/static/lessons/make-a-sound-machine/three-stock.jpg) Look at the photos and think about: * What do you see? * Can you see any new design opportunities? * What problems can you see? * How could you make use of the LEGO bricks, the EV3 Programmable Brick, motors, and sensors? ### Things You’ll Need * [@boardname@ Core Set](https://education.lego.com/enus/products/legomindstormseducationev3coreset/5003400) Additional materials to add to your Sound Machine: * Small musical instruments, such as chimes, bells, and small drums * Arts and crafts materials such as: >* Cardboard >* Construction paper >* Pipe cleaners >* Plastic or paper cups >* Recycled materials >* Rubber bands >* Wire ### Prior Knowledge This activity uses motor rotations and sensor inputs. You may want to try the [Use](/getting-started/use) or [Object Detection](/coding/object-detection) activity before this one. Or, you can start out with this activity and tinker with coding motor and sensor inputs on your own. ## Contemplate Follow the steps of the _Maker Design Process_ for this lesson: * Define the Problem * Brainstorming * Define the Design Criteria * Go Make * Review and Revise Your Solution * Communicate Your Solution ### Defining the Problem 1. What problems did you imagine? 2. Pick one problem and explain it to a partner. ### Brainstorm Now that you have defined a problem, start to generate ideas for solving it. ### ~hint Some things to do while brainstorming: * Use the bricks from the LEGO set to help you brainstorm or sketch your ideas on paper. * The goal of brainstorming is to explore as many solutions as possible. You can use the tinkering examples in the Sample Solutions section below as inspiration for getting started. * Share your ideas and get some feedback. It may lead to more ideas! ### ~ ### Define the Design Criteria * You should have generated a number of ideas. Now select the best one to make. * Write out two or three specific design criteria your design must meet. ### Go Make It is time to start making! * Use the components from the @boardname@ Core Set and additional materials to make your chosen solution. * Test and analyze your design as you go and record any improvements that you make. ### Review and Revise Your Solution * Have you managed to solve the problem that you defined? * Look back at your design criteria. How well does your solution work? * How can you improve your design? ### Communicate Your Solution Now that you have finished you can: * Make a sketch or take a photo or video of your model. * Label the three most important parts and explain how they work. * Share your work with others. ## Continue ### Rhythm Maker - Sample Solution This example program combined with the small model will make a beat and rhythm on any surface when the program is run. ![Sound Machine Tinkering Example](/static/lessons/make-a-sound-machine/lego-maker-sound-machine.jpg) #### Programming 1. Drag a run ``||motors:large motor A||`` block inside the ``||loops:forever||`` loop. 2. Press the **(+)**. 3. Change the rotations to `2`. 4. Drag a ``||loops:pause||`` block and place it under the motor block. 5. Change the duration to ``200`` ms. 6. Drag a ``||run large motor A||`` block inside the ``||loops:forever||`` loop. 7. Press the **(+)**. 8. Change the power to `100`. 9. Change the rotations to `1`. ```blocks forever(function () { motors.largeA.run(50, 2, MoveUnit.Rotations) pause(200) motors.largeA.run(100, 1, MoveUnit.Rotations) }) ``` Click **Download** and follow the instructions to get your code onto your EV3 Brick. Press the ``center`` button on the EV3 Brick to run the program. ### Color Sensor Sounds - Sample Solution You can also tinker with the use of sensors. ![Sound Machine Color Sensor](/static/lessons/make-a-sound-machine/lego-maker-sound-machine-color-sensor.jpg) #### Programming 1. Drag an ``||logic:if else||`` Logic block and place it inside the ``||loops:forever||`` loop. 2. Drag a ``||sensors:pause color sensor||`` block and place it inside the ``||logic:if true then||`` block. 3. Change the color to ``blue``. 4. Drag a ``||music:play tone||`` block and place under the sensor block. 5. Change the tone to ``Middle G`` (392 Hz). 6. Drag a ``||sensors:pause color sensor||`` block and place it inside the ``||logic:else||`` block. 7. Change the color to ``red``. 8. Drag a ``||music:play tone||`` block and place under the new sensor block. 9. Change the tone to ``High C`` (523 Hz). 10. Press the **(+)**. 11. Drag a ``||sensors:pause color sensor||`` block and place it inside the ``||logic:else if||`` block. 12. Change the color to ``green``. 13. Drag a ``||music:play tone||`` block and place under the new sensor block. 14. Change the tone to ``High D`` (587 Hz). ```blocks forever(function () { if (true) { sensors.color3.pauseUntilColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Blue) music.playTone(392, music.beat(BeatFraction.Whole)) } else if (false) { sensors.color3.pauseUntilColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Red) music.playTone(523, music.beat(BeatFraction.Half)) } else { sensors.color3.pauseUntilColorDetected(ColorSensorColor.Green) music.playTone(587, music.beat(BeatFraction.Half)) } }) ``` Click **Download** and follow the instructions to get your code onto your EV3 Brick. Press the ``center`` button on the EV3 Brick to run the program.