EngineeringDesignReport

JamboxII
HighTechHighChulaVista
Fall2013

December12
th
,2013

TeamMembers
AustinStavenga

Instructor
Mr.Poole

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EXECUTIVESUMMARY
This report is a result of a six week project where, as a class, we created three controllers that are
connected to form a social music creation device known as a Jambox. The title of this project is
officially Jambox II as this is the second year this project has been done at High Tech High Chula Vista.
The class was broken into three groups of 78 students. Each group was assigned a specific type of
MIDI controller (Master Controller, Drum Machine, or Step Sequencer). We were responsible for
researching what our controller does and what controls are essential to the specific device. Eventually,
we were given the controls that were going to be included. As a result, it was our task to design an
intuitive layout of these controls to fulfil the design specifications that were created by our group. Each
individual person in the group brainstormed layouts for the device. We then collaborated as a group and
shared our various ideas. This resulted in a refined thinking and the creation of a prototype by each
person. All eight prototypes in our group were different. Eventually, these were critiqued and refined to
final designs. Each person had their own final design. As a class, we voted as to which design for each
type of controller (one of each, three in total) would represent the group. My design was selected for
the master controller. My final design fulfilled all of the design specifications and was overall a pleasing
layout. As with any project, there is room for improvement, this is elaborated on in the Design
Evaluationsectionofthisreport.

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

ExecutiveSummary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Background......................................................................................................................................4
DesignSpecifications.......................................................................................................................4
DesignEvolution..............................................................................................................................5
FinalDesignDescriptionandFabricationPlan.................................................................................8
DesignEvaluation............................................................................................................................9
DiscussionandConclusions...........................................................................................................10
AppendixAPughChart...............................................................................................................11

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INTRODUCTION
In this project we were given the challenge of designing and building a Jambox. A Jambox is a social
music creation device that allows multiple users to manipulate and create music at the same time no even
if the user has no musical past. In order to accomplish this, three MIDI controllers (one step sequencer,
one drum machine, and one master controller) were created by each class. Each individual student
designed their own MIDI controller and then collaborated with a group of seven other students to build
a final design. As the end result, these three MIDI controllers are connected together to create the
Jambox.

BACKGROUND
MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is a technical standard (language)
that electronic devices and instruments use to connect with each other and with software programs.
MIDI controllers do not create sound by themselves, but rather control specially designed computer
software to create and manipulate music. MIDI controllers are designed to serve different purposes.
Some controllers are used to recreate a turntable for a DJ. Others look and feel like keyboards but are
used to play a synthesizer or another virtual instrument. Music producers even use MIDI controllers as a
drum machine or a step sequencer. All MIDI controllers have one thing in common, they use a
combination of buttons, knobs, sliders, and touchpads to signal the computer software. Applications for
mobile devices have also been created to turn that device into a MIDI controller. For this project I am
responsible for designing a master controller. The master controller should have the ability to alter the
output of the entire Jambox while still creating music itself. Loops and effects should be included in this
device.

DESIGNSPECIFICATIONS
VisuallyAppealing(9)
The device must look nice, clean, and professional. The design should be inviting. We assigned this
criterion a value of nine due to the importance of attracting the user. If a user does not find the device
appealing,theywillnotwanttoapproachit.
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Organized(9)
All controls on the device should be placed in a logical order. The user should be able to know what
each control does. We assigned this criterion a value of nine due to the importance of the users ability to
understand what they are doing. If the user is not knowledgeable of what they are doing, the purpose of
theJamboxhasbeenlost.

Playful(10)
The device should be playful. While the user is at the controller, they should want to continue using it.
We assigned this criterion a value of ten due to the importance of the user enjoying what they are doing.
Iftheuserleavesthedeviceafterafewseconds,thiscriterionhasnotbeenaccomplished.

Ergonomic(9)
The device should be laid out so that the user is comfortable after an extended period of use. All
buttons/knobs/sliders should be conviently located for the user. We assigned this criterion a value of
nine due to the fact that if the user is not comfortable while using the device, they will be unable to enjoy
theexperiencewhichisJambox.

DESIGNEVOLUTION
Brainstorming
After developing the criteria for success, we completed a series of six brainstorms. In this phase, it is
very important to let all of your ideas flow into the brainstorms, this is the time to gain inspiration and get
a good idea as to what you want in the design. Exhibits one, two, and three showcase three of my
brainstorms. Exhibit one is very linear and is consolidated into specific groups. Exhibit two is more
mixed and has the volume slider separated from all of the other controls. Exhibit three contains a mix of
exhibitsoneandtwolinear,yetstillmixed.

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EXHIBIT1

EXHIBIT2

EXHIBIT3

FocusingDesign(PughChart)
In order to determine what design to purse from the brainstorming process, we used a pugh chart
(Appendix A). From this pugh chart we assigned a value for how effectively the design fulfils the criteria
for success. These values were then weighted based on the value we placed on each of the criterion.
After going through this process, the design featured in exhibit three was selected to pursue. This design
wasverystronginplayfulnessandalsoinorganization.

PrototypeI
After deciding on pursuing the design featured in Exhibit three, I created an initial prototype drawing of
the design (Exhibit four). This design contains some of the features from Exhibit three while including a
few changes to the arrangement of the controls. This prototype was created in pencil to a 1:1 scale with
exactmeasurements.

EXHIBIT4
PrototypeI
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CritiqueandRevisions
After creating this initial prototype, the design was critiqued by classmates. Their feedback was mostly
positive stating that the layout was very logical and organized. Some cool feedback focused on the lack
ofdesignsonthislayout,theentireboardappearedtobeplainandempty.

PrototypeII
Once the first critique process was completed, the design was refined to what is shown in Exhibit 5. The
layout of the buttons and knobs did not change due to the mostly positive feedback on the layout.
Designs were added to the board to represent what this projects goal is. Arrows are surrounding the
loop controls, a volume symbol was added next to the volume slider, and two titles were added: the
name of the project, and the name of the controller. This prototype was created to a 1:1 scale on paper
inpencil.

EXHIBIT5
PrototypeII

CritiqueandRevisions
After this second prototype was completed, the design was critiqued by classmates. Almost all of the
feedback was positive, enjoying the addition of the designs. One specific piece of cool feedback was
thattherearetoomanywordsonthedesign.
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FINALDESIGNDESCRIPTIONANDFABRICATIONPLAN
A final prototype can be seen in Exhibit 6 as modeled in solidworks. It is one solid plate of acrylic
0.125 thick, three button holes, five knobs, one threeway selector, 11 LEDs, and one slider. This
design does not contain as many words as in Exhibit 5 and the arrows were taken away due to
structuralstrengthrestraints.

EXHIBIT6
FinalPrototype(SolidworksModel)

This design was chosen by the class to be the master controller design. The next step was to cut the
design out on a laser cutter. In order to do this, the solidworks file was converted to an Adobe
Illustrator document and then send to the laser cutter. All of the words were etched onto the surface and
all holes were cut all the way through the acrylic. After the piece was cut, assembly began on the piece.
All controls were then wired together and connected to the MIDI input device. This process was
completed by soldering each wire to the control, then soldering wires to connect each control to a
ribbon wire which then plugged into the MIDI input device. In total, this design has six controls using 5
volts of power, ten controls that are grounded, and sixteen inputs into the MIDI device. A final picture
ofthecompletedprototypecanbeviewedinExhibit7.
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EXHIBIT7
CompletedPrototype

DESIGNEVALUATION
VisuallyAppealing
The device is very clean and professional. I believe that by keeping the design simple and not
outrageous, this device appears very professional. Due to the fact that clear acrylic was used, you are
able to view all of the wires and how they are connected which makes this design very inviting. In future
models of this design, I would use a stronger material that would allow for more designs on the piece of
acrylic.

Organized
This device is very organized. All of the controls on the device are placed in a logical order that makes
sense for the specific duties of the controller. Any user will be able to look at the design and be able to
know what each control does due to the labels throughout. To improve the organization of this device, I
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wouldattempttouselesswiringinordertomaketheinnerworkingslookmoreorganized.

Playful
I believe that this design is very playful. The user will want to continue using the controller, especially
once they understand what each control does. This device is capable of controlling many different
pieces of the Jambox which invites creativity and continued playing. In future iterations of this design, I
would include some sort of instruction pane to allow the user to be more knowledgeable of what they
aredoingandhopefullymakethedevicemoreplayful.

Ergonomic
The design of this device is very ergonomic. All of the controls are laid out in a way that makes the user
comfortable using it for an extended period of time. The user can reach all of the loop controls with their
right hand and the volume, tempo, and effects controls with their left hand. To make this design more
ergonomic, I would offset the volume slider and the effects knobs to make the left side more convenient
andcomfortable.

DISCUSSIONANDCONCLUSIONS
Overall, I am very satisfied with my final design. This device will prove to be a playful and comfortable
device for all users to understand and enjoy. This was the goal of Jambox II, to teach everyday users
about the experience that is live electronic music. My design fulfills all of the design specifications with
adequate results. As stated in the Design Evaluations section, there is room for improvement in each
criterion. The multitude of controls that are given to the user will immerse them in the fun experience
while still teaching them about MIDI controllers and that a lot can be done with a few buttons and
knobs.

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APPENDIXA

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