Three-sound drum
Split hit strength into quiet, medium, and hard zones. Trigger a hi-hat, snare, and kick—or replace them with animals, lasers, voices, or ridiculous noises.
< 20 · 20–50 · > 50Mission 03 // Follow the signal
Make vibration control something.
The computer can estimate how hard you hit—not only whether you hit. Turn that signal strength into different sounds, notes, effects, character movement, or a whole game controller.
Core idea
Read it. Find the peak. Map it.
- Display microphone volume.Try a tiny, medium, and hard tap. Watch the number change.
- Capture the strongest reading.For a short moment, keep replacing “maximum” whenever the new reading is larger.
- Use that number.Map the peak to sound, pitch, volume, filter, jump height, or another action.
Four starting projects
Choose what the signal becomes.
Vibration synth
Map a 0–100 vibration reading to a frequency, such as 100–1000 Hz. Then experiment with pitch, wave shape, echo, and sensitivity.
vibration → frequencyPixel Jump
Save the peak vibration level from each hit. A small tap makes a tiny jump. A medium tap goes higher. A huge hit launches the character.
jump height = peak × scaleVibration Flappy Bird
Plug two instruments into a stereo input. Left controls Player 1, right controls Player 2, and each player adds a different synth voice to the soundtrack.
left + right vibration → two-player flightThere is no correct instrument
Change one variable.
Repeat the experiment and compare the signal. You are investigating how vibration travels through the world.
MaterialWood · metal · plastic · cardboard
SizeBig object · small object
Sensor positionMiddle · edge · near · far
How you playTap · pluck · scratch · rub · bend