Messing about with Micro:bits https://microbit.org/ to make tracker music, like back in the good old Amiga days. But with each Micro:bit playing a single track, and a conductor broadcasting radio signals to play patterns.

The python saved here is taken from the Makecode project https://makecode.microbit.org/S26000-11508-29408-02742 which I'm making in blocks so anyone can understand it. I'm just putting it here in GitHub for version control. OK it turns out that the Makecode site does that... kinda - I trust this more. Plus I can document and have multiple block projects collected here if I want.

To build manually in VSCode:

• check "from microbit import *" is at the start of main.py (I copy & paste over from MakeCode a lot abd forget...)
• use normal commands from the palatte like "Put-this-file" to send to Micro:bit

AI has been used in areas of this project, not for the code (beyond conversing with LLMs for advice), but for some of the musical and visual assets. I'm here to be creative with the code, and I've never meed able to make a good tracker tune :( Others are free to use this code or the idea to make their own music :)

Techno:bit controls

Playing Patterns

On startup the Techno:bit shows the current 'track' or instrument it's going to play.

Press the A button to cycle between the tracks/instruments:

• 1 = Drums 1
• 2 = Drums 2
• 3 = Bass
• 4 = Melody

Press the B button to select the track/instrument. Then the Techno:bit will show which pattern it's going to play.

Now press the A button to cycle between the patterns:

• A = normal pattern
• B = alt pattern

Now press the B button to play that pattern using that track/instrument.

While playing press the B button to stop playing.

Conducting via Radio

When in track/instrument selection, press the Micro:bit logo to enter Conductor mode. The track/instrument number will now show 0.

When you press the B button and select the track with B again, it will play a metronome track, but also broadcast to all Techno:bits to play that pattern using their currently selected track/instrument.

So with 5 Techno:bits... one conductor makes the other 4 play each of the tracks for that pattern!

Songs

When in pattern selection as the conductor, press the logo again and you'll flip to Song selection. When you press B to conduct this is will make all the Techno:bits play a series of pattens to make the song!

Cover LEDs to mute

The LEDs on the Micro:bit also have a light sensor. So if you cover the LEDs the ode will notice and mute that Micro:bit.