Banjo Synth
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“BanjoSynth” is a one-stringed, automated musical instrument with major components installed inside a laser-cut cribbage board. A motorized toy drum provides accompaniment. It’s a combination of musical, mechanical, and electronic components.
The entire system is driven by two coupled ESP32 microprocessors responsible for the timing, motor actuation, and visual indicators. An online app allows bluetooth control of all features (except, of course, for actually physically playing tunes on the string).
The fret layout and computer-generated drone background notes use the mountain dulcimer’s classic tuning system. The frets are arranged as a diatonic, whole-note scale. It’s great to be able to improvise knowing that playing a sour note is almost impossible. The rhythm section is a toy drum, about a foot across, beat with five 3D-printed drumsticks, actuated by servo motors, controlled by the app. LED lights embedded around the circumference of the drum and inside the banjo’s box can flash in synchronization with the musical output. The video concludes with photos detailing the stages of the instrument’s development.