Meeting Notes & Agendas

12/4/17 Meeting Agenda

Performances on the schedule for next semester
- Robotics Club demo at YMCA Maker Space date TBD
- Perform at SCS Day on Friday, March 2nd
Discuss plans for next semester
- RobOrchestra Python library
- Music generation algorithm ideas
  - RobOrchestra with live performers?
  - Google Magenta API?
- Redesign of percussion robots, adding a hi-hat
- Wireless communication
- Strumming arm for UkuleleBot
Finishing existing projects
- Solder distance sensor circuit
- Chord detection
- Phrase generation
- Ukulele clamp

Part Arrivals!
- Ultrasonic sensors arrived, they are on the RobOrchestra shelf
Share Updates/Current state of projects
- Integrating phrases with markov chain mode
- Chord detection (fixing issues with minor and 7th chords)
- Distance sensor Xylobot
- Ukulele clamp
- New music generation algorithms
To Do
- Laser cut ukulele clamp, drill holes, test
- Using a proto board (you can ask an officer for one) solder a permanent circuit for the distance sensor Arduino instrument
- Finish distance sensor code(please comment it!) if needed, and push to GitHub
- Continue work on current software projects
Pending tasks (email Sara if you want to work on one of these this week and need help getting started)
- Make extension wires for ukulelebot: this would involve learning how to crimp wires
- Design a strumming arm for Ukulelebot: some basic SolidWorks knowledge or willingness to learn is necessary for this
- Research and test potential Python MIDI libraries: so we can write a RobOrchestra Python library
- Use Google’s Magenta API to create new music generation algorithms
- Write your own music generation algorithm or expand upon one of our existing ones
What else do you want to make??
- If nothing above strikes you as interesting, feel free to come up with your own RobOrchestra subproject
- Email Sara if you need any parts for this, we have lots of unallocated money in our budget!

Thank you to all who came to help out with Late Night!
Discuss CMU 50th Anniversary Celebration
- RobOrchestra accepted as a submission to Student Exhibition!
- Will need help with exhibition and setup on November 10th
- Written descriptions of algorithms for poster
GitHub Etiquette
Share Updates
- Markov chains
- Interactive interface
- Distance sensor instrument
- Ukulele clamp
Assign people to work on Ukulele strumming arm
Work on things!
- Music generation algorithms
- Distance sensor testing
- Strumming arm
- Crimping cables for UkuleleBot

If you're working on software, make sure you send me your GitHub username so you can get write access
Club shelves have been redone, RobOrchestra right by shop door
RoboClub Late Night
- This Friday the 27th at 10pm, UC black chairs area
- RobOrchestra will be DJing!
- Come help with set up!
Software
- Markov chain progress
- Interactive interface progress
UkuleleBot clamp
- Parts lasercut, will test today
Distance sensor instrument
- Work on implementing direct digital synthesis
- Use sensor to control Xylobot

Submitted RobOrchestra to 50th Anniversary showcase
- November 10th 11:30am-2:30pm
- Setup starts at 9am
RoboHub
- Overarching club project aiming to have ready-to-go demos in the club
- Run RobOrchestra off of a dragon 410c board
- Start a RobOrchestra demo with just the press of a button
UkuleleBot Updates
- Circuit and Arduino code pretty much ready to go
- Clamp underway
- Need some people to start working on the strumming arm
Software
- Update from last week?
- Add drums to Markov chains, and chords
Interactive algorithms
- Updates from last week?
New instrument
- Lets start getting a new instrument underway!
- Perhaps something interactive, or involving sound synthesis?

More scales and other interactive features
Markov chains
- Generic Markov chain class done
- Discuss what kinds of states we want to use
- Create MIDI reader
- Eventually combine these into one system
Any mechanical/electrical projects people are working on

Project Updates
- Clamp parts arrived!
- What has everyone gotten done??
- Address any issues that are arising
- Next steps for each task?
Mechanical and electrical work together to test circuit and clasping structure
- Clamp finger plate to Ukulele
- Hot glue pins to finger plate
- Use electrical tape to secure circuit connections
- Run Ukulele Arduino test code
Set up Xylobot for testing new generation algorithms
- Markov chains
- Interactive scales
No meeting next week (October 9th)

Overview of RobOrchestra data flow
- How are all the instruments connected?
- How are MIDI messages handled?
- How can new instruments fit into the system?
Go over structure of what meetings will be like form here on out
- Focus on updates and assigning tasks instead of working
- Work on project outside of meetings or after
Introductions and task assignments
- Add more scales and modes to interactive music generation algorithm
- Create music using markov chains from existing music (In progress)
- Develop a new music generation algorithm
- Design/build a clamp to secure fingering plate to Ukulelebot
- Drill holes for thicker Ukulelebot finger plate (requires shop training)
- Solder new MIDI shield
- Write Arduino test scripts to test functionality of Ukulelebot and Xylobot
- Wire up Ukulelebot circuit to new Arduino and MIDI shield
- Begin planning and designing a new instrument (possibly interactive?)
Sara will go over how to set up and operate RobOrchestra for those interested

Everyone should have their computer set up at this point
- Everyone should have installed GitHub Desktop and downloaded our repo
- Those interested in electrical should have the Arduino IDE installed
- Those interested in software should have Processing installed and (hopefully) playing sound
- Those interested in mechanical should have signed up for shop training!
Overview of MIDI standard
- What is it?
- Why is it useful?
- How do we use it in RobOrchestra?
Split up into subgroups
- Electrical
  - Practice soldering and making connectors (led by Manu and Tito)
  - Practice writing and uploading Arduino code to tomBot (led by Wendy)
  - Check connections on UkuleleBot circuit and remake broken ones
- Software
  - David will go over some techniques we used last year for music generation
  - Practice writing simple music generation algorithms and test with Xylobot
- Mechanical
  - Sara will go over UkuleleBot design and how to use GrabCAD & McMaster
  - Install new finger plate for Ukulelebot
  - Take measurements for new lasercut strumming arm
  - Discuss design ideas for Ukulelebot clamp and new instrument
Sara will go over how to set up and operate RobOrchestra