Building a TactileAudio System

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Background: What is TactileAudio? How do I build one?

Buy Materials

 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.

Build the TactileAudio System

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.

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".

Test and Troubleshoot Your System

Run several test apps that demonstrate that your system is working and help diagnose problems.

Your First Project

Use the "TactileAudio Configurator" to create your first customized "sketch" to run your system.

Haptics: Add Vibration

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.

Appendix: The Technology of TactileAudio