Summary of ROCK OUT WITH TOILET PAPER ROLLS
This article describes a unique musical instrument by [Max Björverud] that turns toilet paper rolls into generators of sound. Inspired by bicycle speedometers, the device uses magnets on 3D-printed extensions and Hall-effect sensors to detect roll movement. Data is processed by an Arduino Mega and sent to a Raspberry Pi Zero running Pure Data software to create audio, offering a humorous alternative to traditional instruments for singing in the bathroom.
Parts used in the Toilet Paper Musical Instrument:
- Toilet paper holders
- 3D-printed attachments housing magnets
- Hall-effect sensors
- Arduino Mega
- Raspberry Pi Zero
- Pure Data software
Singing in the shower is such a common phenomenon, rarely anyone ever bats an eye about it. Singing in the toilet on the other hand is probably going to raise an eyebrow or two, and it’s not for nothing that the Germans euphemistically call it “stilles Örtchen”, i.e. the little silent place. But who are we to judge what you do in the privacy of your home? So if you ever felt a lack of instrumental accompaniment, or forgot to bring your guitar, [Max Björverud] has just the perfect installation for you. (Video, embedded below.)
Inspired by the way bicycle computers determine your speed, [Max] took a set of toilet paper holders, extended each roll holding part with a 3D-printed attachment housing a magnet, and installed a Hall-effect sensor to determine the rolling activity. The rolls’ sensor data is then collected with an Arduino Mega and passed on to a Raspberry Pi Zero running Pure Data, creating the actual sounds. The sensor setup is briefly shown in another video.
Before you grab your pitchforks, [Max] started this project a little while back already, long before toilet paper became an object of abysmal desire. Being an artist in the field of interactive media, this also isn’t his first project of this kind, and you can find some more of his work on his website. So why of all things did we pick this one? Well, what can we say, we definitely have a weakness for strange and unusual musical instruments. And maybe there’s potential for some collaboration here?
Source: ROCK OUT WITH TOILET PAPER ROLLS
- How does the device determine rolling activity?
The system uses Hall-effect sensors to detect magnets housed in 3D-printed extensions attached to the toilet paper rolls. - What inspired the design of this instrument?
The project was inspired by the way bicycle computers determine speed. - Which microcontroller collects the sensor data?
An Arduino Mega is used to collect the sensor data from the setup. - What computer runs the software that creates the sounds?
A Raspberry Pi Zero running Pure Data generates the actual sounds based on the collected data. - Who created this interactive media project?
[Max Björverud], an artist in the field of interactive media, designed this installation. - Is this the creator's first project of this kind?
No, the creator has worked on other similar projects before starting this one. - Why did the authors choose to feature this specific project?
The selection was driven by a weakness for strange and unusual musical instruments. - Did the creator start this project during the toilet paper shortage?
No, the project began long before toilet paper became an object of high demand.
