Firmware Updates for the MP3 Trigger V2

by robertsonics

If you purchased an MP3 Trigger V2 before May 1, 2010, please update your firmware to version 2.10 below. This update addresses an issue with the serial control port baud rate. Please note that I’ve provided three different downloads: One for the standard serial baud rate of 38.4 kbaud, as well as one each for 9600 baud and 2400 baud.

NOTE: These files are only for MP3 Trigger V2, not for the older original model, which does not require an update.

MP3 Trigger V2 Firmware v2.10 38.4k baud
MP3 Trigger V2 Firmware v2.10 9600 baud
MP3 Trigger V2 Firmware v2.10 2400 baud

Instructions on how to update your V2 firmware are in the datasheet, but here’s a quick review:

1) Download and unzip one of the files above.

2) Copy the resulting hex file to a microSD card and rename it to: “MP3TRIGR.HEX”. It does not need to be the only file on the card – it just needs to have that precise filename.

3) Insert the microSD card into your MP3 Trigger V2 and turn the power on while holding down the center navigation switch.

4) Wait for the Status LED to go solid, then cycle the power. You’re now running the new firmware.

Please refer to the datasheet for a more detailed description of the Status LED indications when running the bootloader.

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Motion Feedback Music Player

by robertsonics

I’m a little late on this one, but thought it certainly deserved mention here at MakerJam. Polymythic is one of the first hackers I know of to make use of the real-time volume control capability of the MP3 Trigger. This capability was the primary reason I developed the MP3 Trigger so it’s nice to see someone making good use of it.

Polymythic created a music player that detects motion and dynamically controls the volume  – you have to keep moving to hear the music. He posted step-by-step set of instructions over at Instructables.

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MP3 Trigger on the Late Late Show

by robertsonics

Mythbuster’s Grant Imahara accepted a challenge to build a robot sidekick for Craig Ferguson, and used the MP3 Trigger in combination with a Parallax Basic Stamp and a servo controller to create a rather simple robot – I assume he was working on a limited budget.

The picture below shows the simple control elements. The FAT16 microSD card in the MP3 Trigger allows Craig to easily replace the phrases each night. Gotta love those blue LED eyes…

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Version 2 of the MP3 Trigger Released

by robertsonics

The MP3 Trigger at SparkFun just got better. The new version now has 18 trigger inputs (the original had 7) and sports a resident bootloader that allows firmware to be updated directly from the microSD card without the need for a hardware programmer. Same size (slightly different footprint), same price.

With the introduction of the bootloader, it’s now possible to get firmware updates and custom version over the web without you needing to purchase a hardware programmer. Even more interesting is the possibility of using the MP3 Trigger as a development board and writing your own code for it. The board schematics are available at SparkFun and the PSoC Designer IDE is a free download from Cypress. I’ll be posting some instructions shortly on how to set up the development environment so you can write firmware compatible with the bootloader. How cool is that?

Buy it now here.

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Featured in a SparkFun print ad

by robertsonics

I am honored to be featured in a SparkFun print ad, running full page in the current issues of Make Magazine, Circuit Cellar, Nuts & Volts and Servo magazines – truly a collection of geek journals. The media gang from Boulder, Colorado came to Boston during the installation of Another Side of In at Boston Children’s Museum, and shot the photo in my Waltham Mills studio.

The associated page on the SparkFun website also has a video shot and edited by Chris Rojas of SparkFun, with me discussing the development of the MP3 Trigger product and intercut with behind-thescenes footage from the Children’s Museum install.

They were a pleasure to meet and work with, and I look forward to seeing some of them at Maker Faire next month.

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Updating the MP3 Trigger Firmware

by robertsonics

The MP3 Trigger is now shipping from SparkFun, and I’ve already been asked about support for different baud rates on the serial port. As shipped, the unit supports 38.4Kbps and is not user configurable. I chose this relatively high data rate because I needed to send updates as quickly as possible to avoid clicking and distortion when dynamically altering the volume – many small changes are better than a few big ones. I understand that not everyone needs this feature, and some may want to control the MP3 Trigger from devices that don’t support such a high baud rate.

For the time being, I’ve built alternate versions of the v1.01 firmware (the version that SparkFun is shipping at this date) for 2400 and 9600 baud.  Please do not ask SparkFun to modify the firmware before shipping – they are simply not able to do this on a case-by-case basis.

You can download the hex files here:

MP3 Trigger v1.01 38.4K baud firmware (as shipped)
MP3 Trigger v1.01 9600 baud firmware
MP3 Trigger v1.01 2400 baud firmware

In order to make use of the above hex files, you’ll need a way to utilize the in-circuit programming connector on the MP3 Trigger. The easiest solution is to get a Cypress MiniProg for around $25. Since there is no header installed for this on the MP3 Trigger, a 5-pin male header can be used for temporary connection.  The following picture shows the MiniProg and appropriate header.

The next picture shows the header inserted into the female connector of the MiniProg, then inserted into the connector on the under side of the MP3 Trigger and properly oriented.

I’ve created a forum dedicated to discussion and questions about the MP3 Trigger. If and when you get to the point of reprogramming your firmware and have questions, that’s a good place to go and it will help me get the forums going. You can also leave comments/questions here.  And I’ll do my best to monitor the SparkFun forum as well.

-Jamie

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Announcing a New Embedded MP3 Player

by robertsonics

Want to add music, dialog or sound effects to your next project? Introducing what may be the world’s most flexible, low-cost, low-power embedded MP3 Player – the MP3 Trigger.

During the development of “Another Side of In“, I purchased and tried out all of the inexpensive embedded MP3 players I could find that provide serial remote control. None of them, it turns out, support real-time volume updates at the rate I required for tracking position and producing smooth volume changes. So I ended up designing my own, which you can see in this video. I only needed a small number, so I cut corners on the PCB design and fab.

At Maker Faire this past April, I showed my player to Nathan Siedle from SparkFun, and we decided then and there to add some cool triggering features and turn it into real product, available through SparkFun.  Here are the main features:

• Plays MP3 files (up to 192Kbps stereo) from FAT formatted microSD card.
• Full-duplex serial port for complete control of transport, track selection and volume.
• Serial connector pin-compatible with SparkFun USB-to-serial converter for direct USB remote control (and power!)
• 7 digital inputs for direct triggering of specific tracks, compatible with both Arduino outputs and simple contact closures. (Wire up switches directly to the MP3 Trigger!)
• Trigger inputs can be jumpered to automatically sequence and loop from 1 to 7 tracks on power-up.
• On-board navigation switch and 1/8″ stereo line-level output jack.
• 4.5VDC to 12VDC power input at 80mA. Flexible power connection options.
• Not a kit: Completely assembled and tested at only $49.95

The first build is in, and we’re just waiting for the product to go live on the SparkFun website. I’ll post a direct link here as soon as one becomes available.

In the meantime, if you are going to Maker Faire, RI on Saturday, please stop by and see the MP3 Trigger in action.

Update Monday, Sept 21, 2009

Thanks to everyone that stopped by the table at Maker Faire, RI. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone.

As promised, here’s a link to the product page at SparkFun, where you’ll find both the schematic and user manual.

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