Tactile Audio logo, a hand cupping an audio waveform.

TactileAudio Project

Touch. Listen. Feel. Accessible technology for artists and designers.

OBSOLETE VERSION ... CLICK HERE for instructions for the newer hardware.
Only use these instructions if you have a PC board from the earlier version of the TactileAudio system.

Materials List

Electronic Parts

Most of the parts and tools for the project are available from AdaFruit.com. This link will take you to the AdaFruit “TactileAudio Project” where you can quickly add them to a shopping cart. This video explains what all the parts are in the project.

Required for all projects:

    • PJRC Teensy 4.1 Development Board
    • PJRC Teensy Audio Board (info and specs)
    • Adafruit Gemma-M0 Miniature wearable electronic platform
    • Terminal Blocks (spring or screw type)
    • Male Headers
    • Female Headers – standard
    • Female Headers – stacking (extra long pins)
    • Wire: black, red, and yellow

For projects that include vibrators:

    • Motor vibrators (see below for linear vibrators)
    • L293D motor drivers

Optional:

    • Alligator clips
    • Heat-shrink tubing
    • Lithium-ion battery
    • JST-PH battery connector
    • USB cable

Tools:

    • Soldering iron
    • Solder
    • Diagonal pliers
    • Wire strippers

Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

CONTACT US if you only need one PCB. We purchase these in larger lots which saves money. Or you can purchase the PC Board directly from OSHPark. MINUMUM ORDER FROM OSHPark IS THREE BOARDS. These are manufactured on-demand, so your PCB may take 7-14 days for delivery.

FOR AUDIO-ONLY PROJECTS
OSH Park: TactileAudio Basic V1.1

FOR PROJECTS WITH VIBRATORS
OSH Park: TactileAudio V1.1

 Micro SD Card

 

This high-performance micro-SD card is optimized for simultaneous multi-track audio playback. Other SD cards may boast high performance, but may be optimized for single-file streaming (such as video), and won’t work well for multi-track use by the TactileAudio application.

For linear vibrators, we recommend these from Mouser Electronics. They produce a vigorous signal, suitable for gluing to project surfaces (tables, boxes, small tree branches, etc.). Other linear vibrators may also work. The TactileAudio device supplies a 5V signal using power directly from the battery or USB (approximately 500 mA, spread across all devices), and can be programmed to provide 40Hz to 400Hz signals.

    (Note: Motor vibrators are listed in the AdaFruit TactileAudio Shopping List; see the link above.)

     

    Battery (optional)

     

    If you need portable power (not plugged in to the wall), there are a variety of options. This Miadi battery works well.

    AdaFruit has a good article on battery options.

    Electrically Conductive Art Materials

    The touch sensors in your project, whether clothing, paintings, or other objects, must be made of electrically conductive materials:

     

    There are many choices; pick one that suits your need for size and volume.

    These are suggestions; the first is a speaker, the second is a BlueTooth transmitter that will broadcast from you TactileAudio device to your speaker.