Project -WATCHING YOUR BACK- backing track player

[Tim Curtis]

You ask what makes dangerous.  I think I qualified when on my first day in a new job I did something like this:

Code:

idiot@host:> pwd
/opt/bin
idiot@host:> ls /var/log
file1 file2 file3

Ah that's all garbage I thought, next thing:

Code:

idiot@host:> rm -rf

Oh dear....

Oops. You'd have to earn a top of attaboys to make up for that one if it was a shared system 


If it was a solo system you might get away with claiming a corrupt file system forced you to reformat the disk. That wasn't an uncommon event in the good old days.

Regards,
Kent

Thankfully it was a cluster, so I managed to copy it back from another node...

For sure rm -rf is the most deadly Linux command. It's super convenient, used all the time and all it takes is a brief lapse in brain function or distraction by the resident house cat to do massive damage :-O

[Dorffen]

You ask what makes dangerous.  I think I qualified when on my first day in a new job I did something like this:

Code:

idiot@host:> pwd
/opt/bin
idiot@host:> ls /var/log
file1 file2 file3

Ah that's all garbage I thought, next thing:

Code:

idiot@host:> rm -rf

Oh dear....

Oh.. cool 1st day maneuver
Lucky you were able to revert it afterwards!

All i’ve messed up so far is some py’s, but nothing inrevertable tho.

Kind regards
Rock

[Dorffen]

Update.

Thought it was time for an update, though it’s a minor one.

I haven’t had much time tinkering with the player lately, as i’ve been busy writing midi files for drumtracks, which will end up on the Rpi-moOde player when finished.
I have, however, added a little but mandatory immature and childish touch to the player.

I’ve decided to add a shutdown button (script is already made and tested - the childish part), which is in the mail atm together with rubber feet for the enclosure and a WD purple SD card (recommended by Tim).

Next update will be the finished backing track player and hopefully sooner than later.

Kind regards
Rock

Edit 29. Jun: I realized once again that the project is a bigger mouthful than first thought. I had to dig deep into my memory to find technical drawing knowledge that I haven't messed with in over a decade and learn new drawing software. But alas, the 3D printer is now busy with the OLED bezel.
In the meantime i’ve also managed to wipe my laptop in a moment of frustration and impatience… ofcause without any backup… end of story is, that it’s now running Debian xfce.

Edit 1. Jul: encountered yet another challenge, i lost my customized 3D print profiles too when i wiped my laptop… it seems i did manage to tweak some settings to get usable prints tho, after some trial and error.

Yesterday i used the player in our reharsal room for drums backing. I had to control it with iPad as the player isn’t assembled yet, but it worked flawless!

[Dorffen]

Update - this should’ve been my finished player with a little demo…

The player is finished… almost, that is…
The enclosure is finished (not painted yet due to indicision), everything is mounted, software and scripts work, wireless filetransfer etc work and everything is soldered to a GPIO connector which is ‘filled’ with hotglue on the top to prevent the pins to bend and thus short-circuit.

Then why only almost finished and no demo!?

Well, well… being my first time prototype tinkering on this level i’ve learned how often a feature or ‘solution’ raise an issue. - Then my trusty old soldering iron died, i need a magnifying glass to be able to see what i’m doing and latest i’ve learned about interference inside a closed cabinet = Strange switch behavure (worked flawless on breadboard). Yup maybe i should’ve seen that coming…

Next up:
- new GPIO connector, fortunately a still have a few.
- Connect 40mm ventilator to 3.3V instead of 5V as it’s unnecessary much ventilation. I don’t need to cool my fingers on the enclosure.
- desolder all switches and change wires to shielded. I have several spare TRS cables laying around, they might do it.

Hopefully I’ll manage to make it work sooner rather than later as i’ve other projects on my list eg virtual pinball.


Kind regards
Rock

Edit 13. Jul: i won Linux load failure and ofcause before i cloned the sd, wee… I haven’t dug into it as i already had a better sd laying for the player. Started from a fresh image on a WD purple sd (as suggested by Mr Curtis). I noticed that this time i actually knew some of the things going on, anyway it’s up and running again ready for the shielded cables.

[Dorffen]

Update!

Been a while… been busy setting up a virtual pinball game, mostly of parts i already had, atm it’s just a working mockup. Need to fix the car before making the cab.

The Rpi moOde player tho, is fully assembled with shielded cables on the switches and now working!
I have done some testing and haven’t experienced any strange behaviour yet. The fan is now connected to 3.3V, it’s much more quiet and still keeps the enclosure cool.
I haven’t decided anything regarding paint yet so the raw alu will do for now.

Will soon add a little demo in the first post.

   

[TheOldPresbyope]

Nice!

Can’t wait to hear it survived a live gig.

Regards,
Kent

[Dorffen]

Nice!

Can’t wait to hear it survived a live gig.

Regards,
Kent

Thanks Kent

In best case scenario it’ll never see a gig, because that would mean our drummer lost it on his way there. It will however be a mandatory part of my gear - just in case. It might be used for some other backing stuff down the road tho. It’s also great for practise at home.

Btw, I’m already in the thought process of my next Rpi moOde audio project. My mother-in-law is running a small massage clinique where she uses MusiCure by Niels Eje during the massage. Atm she use a small sonos with a phone and i would like to make her a more integrated audio setup with a touchscreen on the wall and maybe built in ceiling speakers or similar ‘invisible’ stereo setup.

Kind regards
Rock

[Tim Curtis]

This touch screen is really nice and works out-of-the-box (no config.txt settings needed). I wouldn't go any smaller than 10" and definitely only a Pi4 or Pi5.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QPWRCB1?ref...tails&th=1

[Dorffen]

This touch screen is really nice and works out-of-the-box (no config.txt settings needed). I wouldn't go any smaller than 10" and definitely only a Pi4 or Pi5.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QPWRCB1?ref...tails&th=1

Thanks for the suggestion Tim.
Agree that ~10” is a good size, not too big but big enough to easily hit the right ‘buttons’. 
I thought about using an Rpi 4B 4gb, which i use in my backing track player too but just saw that i can pick up a 5’er for just about same price atm 

Kind regards
Rock