Remote Triggered Sound Effect for Props?

[Astyanax]

Hello!

When showing my collection, there are a couple props that I would like to point to, reach into my pocket, push a button and have it make a cool sound.

So I am trying to figure out the simplest way to trigger a sound effect from my props on-demand, kind of like those remote-triggered fart machines or prank sound effects boxes. The problem is, I want to use my own sound files OR voice recordings.

I did tons of searching first.
While there are plenty such recordable devices with pushbutton capability...



...I can't find one that's remote controlled. And the ones that are remote controlled...



...can't use custom sounds!

I know there are complicated Arduino, Adafruit, Raspberry Pi, etc. ways to do this, but it seems to me that an "out-of-the-box" solution should be out there! Why should this be so complicated?

Alternatively, there are very cheap Bluetooth speakers out there...if someone knows a way to trigger on-demand sound effects from my phone to a bluetooth speaker, that might be workable. But that's getting complicated again.

Does anyone have any thoughts about a device that might do this?

 

[Astyanax]

I think I've answered my own question: I need a wireless doorbell that accepts MP3 files.

I've ordered 3 different kinds to test, and will report back with results!

 

[DN12742]

If your electronics skills are strong, you can easily use jdy-40 radio modules. This is the best and easiest tool for this kind of crafts, I use them myself in my projects.

These modules are notable for the fact that the operation of the outputs of the receiving module can be configured differently. Well, then, an opto-relay and a couple of transistors or other technical methods of communication with your sound-producing devices, as in the pictures that you provided.

 

[Robot Monster]

Thanks looking forward to the update.

 

[greenmachines]

Seriously bro, do you need to wear the wookie suit every time you show me new stuff? And why you always playing with that bandoleer? I don't remember you being so fidgety...

 

[Astyanax]

If your electronics skills are strong, you can easily use jdy-40 radio modules. This is the best and easiest tool for this kind of crafts, I use them myself in my projects.

These modules are notable for the fact that the operation of the outputs of the receiving module can be configured differently. Well, then, an opto-relay and a couple of transistors or other technical methods of communication with your sound-producing devices, as in the pictures that you provided.

I have no electronics skills whatsoever, and can't solder to save my life. I need something a bit more accessible!

 

[Astyanax]

Seriously bro, do you need to wear the wookie suit every time you show me new stuff? And why you always playing with that bandoleer? I don't remember you being so fidgety...

View attachment 1895330

But that's the idea, right?

I'm working on my Severance speaker, and I want Mark or "the Board" to speak up on demand.

 

[Astyanax]

Okay, the first doorbell arrived, and it was bad, bad, bad:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WS1GC9X

At only twelve bucks, I thought it was worth a try, but it's not worth even that.

• The sound box is nice and small-ish, and that's about the only good thing I can say.
  
  
• It wasn't clear in the Amazon ad, but it needs to be directly plugged in to the wall. That's too much voltage to be playing with something this sketchy.
  
  
• The handheld button makes a VERY LOUD click when I press it. So much for hiding it in my pocket.
  
  
• The so-called "USB port" is hidden behind a blue sticker, and has no electronics! That's right, it's a MicroUSB "hole" with no port. That's just plain fraudulent!

I did not test this doorbell. I'm too scared to. It's being returned, with prejudice.

But good news in the next post!

 

[Astyanax]

At $34, the second doorbell was almost triple the cost of the first. That's worth it to me, if it works:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQZYHN4

• The sound box is soooo big. Too big! But that's the only bad thing I have to say, and easily remedied!
• The handheld remote needs two AAA batteries. Not a big deal.
• Although the sound box wants power from four C batteries, there's a working USB cable that supplies it with power!
• I plugged the cable into my PC, and boom, there's a drive letter with three MP3 filers on it, waiting for more! I uploaded a couple, unplugged it, plugged it into a power USB port, and it works great!
• There is a switch to enable/disable the flashing lights, or turn it off entirely.
• One button on the back is a sound clip selector, the other is volume control!
• I did have to make sure I was plugging the USB cable into a data port to transfer MP3s, and a power-only port to power it. It can't be powered from a USB data connection.

Thinking I could remove the bulky housing and slim it down for props, I removed a screw and pried it open:



Seems pretty straightforward. I unscrewed the board, clipped the battery wires, and freed the USB cable from the white plastic housing using my dremel. Then, I carefully peeled off the speaker cover, which was lightly glued onto the speaker.



It works really great! A bit pricey, but a real winner!

 

[DN12742]

The second call option is actually good.

 

[Astyanax]

This is the third option; it cost $19:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC4FVLTV



Sadly, contrary to the description, it has no ability to play custom MP3s as a doorbell ring.

That's all that's worth saying here. Back it goes!

 

[greenmachines]

Not good enough is fine but "doesn't actually meet basic advertised features", makes my blood boil.

 

[Astyanax]

Finally integrated the MP3 doorbell with my Severance speaker:

 

[PropFX]

You could use some (cheap) ESP32 modules and a DFPlayer (for audio)

The ESP32 boards are (more or less) advanced Arduino boards (with wifi and bluetooth built in).. one in packet can communicate to one in prop that is connected to the DFPlayer (audio) board to trigger whatever .wav or .mp3 files you want.

 

[Astyanax]

You could use some (cheap) ESP32 modules and a DFPlayer (for audio)

The ESP32 boards are (more or less) advanced Arduino boards (with wifi and bluetooth built in).. one in packet can communicate to one in prop that is connected to the DFPlayer (audio) board to trigger whatever .wav or .mp3 files you want.

Sounds difficult...the doorbell was a little pricey ($40), but super easy!

 

[PropFX]

Being new.. I understand how it sounds 'hard/difficult'.. but most code/everything out there, so it mostly just copy paste.

But if things working the way you need, then sweet! (was just a suggestion/offer to help)

ESP32 boards cost $5.00 (Amazon) $2.50 (Aliexpress)
DFPlayer board, is like $5.00 or so.

 

[Astyanax]

Being new.. I understand how it sounds 'hard/difficult'.. but most code/everything out there, so it mostly just copy paste.

But if things working the way you need, then sweet! (was just a suggestion/offer to help)

ESP32 boards cost $5.00 (Amazon) $2.50 (Aliexpress)
DFPlayer board, is like $5.00 or so.

I've never worked with any of those items...can you recommend a place to read where I can get my feet wet?

Thanks!

 

[PropFX]

I would suggest working with a basic Arduino (any cheap clone off Amazon with work... however for starter I would recommend the Arduino UNO board) <--- it made to help prototyping/initial set-up/testing much easier. once code/testing is done.. you can usually buy a smaller Arduino board to fit into the prop of choice.

* Arduino UNO
* Download the Arduino IDE (the interface where you type/paste code, and it uploads it to the Arduino/ESP boards)
* Walk through the initial tutorials in the IDE

This will give you a nice basic understanding of:
* How to interact with your physical boards/upload code
* Give you the basic understanding of simple code where pressing a button, will turn on/off an LED...etc (as well some other basics, like timed blinking..etc)

https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/

https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/starting-guide/getting-started-arduino/?_gl=1*11fpqxv*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTA3MDEyMDc3MC4xNzM4NTEzMjU4*_ga_NEXN8H46L5*MTczODUxMzI1My4xLjAuMTczODUxMzI1My4wLjAuMTg0NTk0MTUwNg..

Download IDE:

https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/starting-guide/the-arduino-software-ide/?_gl=1*19d9fam*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTA3MDEyMDc3MC4xNzM4NTEzMjU4*_ga_NEXN8H46L5*MTczODUxMzI1My4xLjEuMTczODUxMzI3MC4wLjAuMTg0NTk0MTUwNg..

Opens up a whole new world, and really expands ALL projects to being more that just static/solid props.

 

[Astyanax]

Wow, thanks for the info, much appreciated! I've been wanting to dive in but didn't know where to start.

 

[PropFX]

Anytime! Been doing/using these for years, feel free to reach out at anytime. Can walk ya through whatever.. help answer questions (maybe) haha..
Feel free to reach out whenever.

once you get the basics (button pressing, and led stuff.. then more advanced led stuff) you'll be able to accomplish a lot! Then servo/stepper motor stuff...etc. Its a HUGE community out there so anything you wanna do has probably already been done, and easy to see example/get feedback..etc.

There are many pre-made 'kits' available too... (come with some leds, resistors...temp sensors.....etc..etc other parts to play around with)...

If you find yourself liking things, might spend a little more $$ on extra parts to help you prototype your projects out easier. (makes it easier to use breadboards as temp testing instead of soldering things permanently) Not very expensive at first (until you get addicted and buy more and more stuff!) LOL.