Jukebox with volume

Step 1: Make it

What is it?

This project adds a volume control to a micro:bit jukebox. It plays different tunes if you press button A or B, and you can also adjust the volume by tilting your micro:bit left or right.

How it works

• If you're using a real micro:bit, connect it to headphones like this:

• The current volume is stored in a variable called volume.
• micro:bit volume numbers can go from 0 to 255, so at the start of the program we set the volume somewhere in the middle, to 128.
• The accelerometer detects when you tilt your micro:bit left and right.
• If you tilt it left, the volume variable is reduced by 32. (We picked 32 rather than 1 so you can hear the change when you tilt it once.)
• When you tilt it right, the volume variable is increased by 32.
• We use if... then blocks to stop the volume variable going below 0 or above 255 as the micro:bit's volume can't go below 0 or above 255.
• A forever block keeps updating the micro:bit's actual volume from changes you make to the volume variable when you tilt it. It also updates the bar graph so you can see a visual representation of the current volume setting.

What you need

• micro:bit (or MakeCode simulator)
• if using a real micro:bit, a pair of headphone and two crocodile clip leads

Step 2: Code it

Step 3: Improve it

• Program your own melodies.
• Add a mute function when you press A+B buttons together.
• Modify the volume control so it's controlled by other gestures like shake.