TactileAudio Project
Touch. Listen. Feel. Accessible technology for artists and designers.
TactileAudio Project is a technology and approach to an embodied sensorial listening experience. Create tactile, sonic and haptic interfaces that connect users and listeners to stories and soundscapes. The simple DYI electronics and coding are designed for easy fabrication, inclusive design and simple programming by anyone who imagines transformative touching and listening.
Building a TactileAudio System
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Background: What is TactileAudio? How do I build one?
Materials List
Materials for the TactileAudio project cost about $120 USD for electronic and $50 USD for tools. The Materials List has instructions and links for everything you need to buy.
Install Software
Install the Arduino app and TactileAudio "software library" on your computer, and ensure that it can communicate with your Teensy 4.1 system.
Assemble Teensy and Audio Board
This is the core of the project: assemble and solder the electronics of your system.
Wire and Program Gemma-M0 Devices
Add wiring to the Gemma-M0 devices, install the capacitive-sensing software, and test that they're working.
Test and Troubleshoot Your System
Run several test apps that demonstrate that your system is working and help diagnose problems.
Prepare Audio Tracks
Create audio tracks that will be played when someone touches one of your sensors, copy them to the micro-SD card, and install it on the Teensy "audio shield".
Your First Project
Use the "TactileAudio Configurator" to create your first customized "sketch" to run your system.
Haptics: Adding Vibrators
For projects that use haptics, add the electronics and terminals to power the vibrators.
Sensor Design
Materials, designs, and environmental considerations for making effective touch-sensitive projects.
Light Sensors
Using light-sensitive phototransistors (instead of or alongside capacitive touch) to play audio tracks.
Videos
Videos from the various chapters are listed here for quick reference.
Here is a YouTube Playlist of All Videos
Background
- Introduction to TactileAudio
- Parts and tools
- How to solder a circuit board*
Teensy/Audio system
Gemma-M0
Vibrators
- Solder wires to a motor vibrator
- Solder wires to a linear vibrator
- Connecting vibrators to the TactileAudio system
Configure Your System
*Video is Coming Soon