Handmade Digital Saxophone

Music

In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

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May 9th, 2012

Brian Wang of Cornell’s ECE 476 class built this digital saxophone. The player blows into a cone that’s fitted with a microphone. The microphone is sent through an opamp and then a Atmel644 microcontroller. The user controls pitch with buttons mounted in the same arrangement as saxophone keys, outputting digital notes.