Group Members: Alex Kinley, Connor Miholovich, Kyle Mitchell, Kevin Neidhart
MU 2801, A-term 2020
Using traditional guitar elements such as picks, acoustic strings and guitar pickups, S.I.M.P. utilizes traditional constructions of a guitar and welcomes technology. Using a potentiometer-controlled tuning wheel and automated plucking mechanism the S.I.M.P is able to play songs at the touch of a button. Using only a single string S.I.M.P. is able play a harmonic range of A2 to C4 and can play at a maximum BPM of 150-180, depending on the notes being played. The songs can be can be uploaded to S.I.M.P. by a .mid file and the microcontroller will convert the .mid file to a C file. Notes were configured by analog outputs from the potentiometer, the potentiometer is coupled to the stepper motor. The stepper motor applies or releases tension to the string based off the output from the potentiometer, the analog outputs have been configured and tuned precisely so the potentiometer “tells” the stepper motor which note it is playing.
S.I.M.P. features a toggle option (the button) which allows players to cue up loaded songs (.mid files), the songs are indicated by the LED’s on the breadboard. The guitar pickup is connected to an amp, the sound from the stepper motors was overbearing the sound of the string without the pickup. The pickup is positioned far away from either end of the string so it would only pickup the guitar strings motion.The figure above shows the tensioning mechanism which allows S.I.M.P. to change pitches which is driven by a servo motor. The tensioning mechanism allows for a range of A2 to C4.The figure above shows the electronics for S.I.M.P., which include the guitar pickup, toggle button, motor controllers, microprocessors and LED’s. Currently S.I.M.P. features four loaded tracks, but many more could be programmed on.The plucking mechanism is positioned directly over the string and is controlled by a stepper motor, the pick length can be adjusted by loosening the screws on the plucking wheel.
