Programmable microprocessor project

[sponge008]

After seeing this video, once I stopped laughing, I got the uncontrollable urge to make some sound-effect shoes. Essentially, upon stepping on the shoe, it emits a sound. I have yet to figure out the technical specifics, but either preprogrammed or switchable sound effects are both options.

Anyways, I have no idea where to get started. I'm good with electronic hardware as well as software, but I've never done something like this - the closest thing has been putting together robot kits where the instructions tell you where to solder what capacitor, transistor, etc, and the microprocessor comes preprogrammed.

I'm guessing I'll need to get a programmable microprocessor chip, pressure sensor, speaker, and other miscellaneous parts and get the whole thing together. The question is, am I about right, and if I am, what's the best way to get this done cheaply?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Eureka]

I would imagine you could do this complete with analog. Have some kind of piezoelectric component that you can calibrate/divide to emit a certain voltage, have that voltage drive a speaker. Of course it won't be as fancy or as flexible as having a microprocessor.

 

[sponge008]

Well, if it works as well and is a lot cheaper and/or simpler, it could be worth a shot. Do you have any links to tutorials or overviews of that kind of stuff?

 

[Modelworks]

Sensor - http://www.sparkfun.com/commer...o.php?products_id=9196
Microcontroller ready to use -http://www.atmel.com/dyn/produ..._card.asp?tool_id=3146
About $30 total but can do a lot more than just that one project.

Once you learn that micro you could put the circuit together for about $10 including sensor.

 

[sponge008]

Wow, has it really been two weeks since I last posted? Time's really flown. Anyways, if I get the Butterfly from here
http://www.mouser.com/Search/P...CyNbWb%2fpW7IERZjls%3d
and a sensor, am I also going to need a serial cable (and possibly USB adapter) and leads? It looks like the parts don't come with anything.

 

[Modelworks]

You will need a serial cable or usb adapter if you don't have a serial port. It only comes with the butterfly itself.
Read the user guide here:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resou..._documents/doc4271.pdf

 

[sponge008]

Oh wow, I've been taking a look at various things having to do with the Butterfly, and I'm quite possibly more confused than I was when I started. I think I have the serial cable idea more or less down - am I going to have to solder one together with wires and a connector, or can I find one prefabricated? Also, it looks like I'm going to need an external power source - what kind of pin configurations am I going to need there if I use a 2AA cradle with +/- leads? Finally, it looks like the Butterfly can play tunes but not sounds that aren't notes (is this right?), so I'd probably need to connect a speaker as well as some sort of a switch. What's the procedure for connecting peripherals, and what kind of hardware do I need there?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the cluelessness.