We have control!

While I wait for all my parts to come in, I've built a prototype controller based on an arduino to test out controlling the sound-chip of the gameboy:

In the video above, there are 3 inputs:

• Push button - for playing a note

• Potentiometer - for changing the pitch of a note

• Ultrasonic sensor - for changing the duty cycle of the square wave

This project is all based around MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - I'm planning to build four instruments that use MIDI to control the sound-chip of the gameboy - a lead, chord, bass and drum instrument hence '8-bit band'.  I have to say many thanks to Sprites mods for the link cable to midi design without this, the project wouldn't be possible: http://spritesmods.com/?art=gbamidi&page=2

The first of these instruments I'm working on is a bass instrument. You play the note on a pressure sensitive softpot touch strip and alter the sound with a joystick and by tilting the instrument.

my rough sketch for bass instrument inputs

I'm using the parts from a wii nunchuk for the accelerometer and joystick (keeping the instrument styling game themed!) As the nunchuck has arrived, that's what I'm working on next.