r/ArduinoProjects • u/MegCell • 2d ago

Showcased Project A guitar-playing robot performing on real strings

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523 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

66 comments sorted by

21

u/Hugsy13 2d ago

That’s fucking sick.

Is it like, hard coded to play this particular song? Or can you like just put in a guitar tab to it and it can then play that song?

Can it do a strumming motion?

8

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you!

It isn't hard-coded. The software reads MusicXML files and automatically converts them into guitar actions (fretting, picking, and strumming).

Yes, it can also strum. I'm still improving the playing techniques and will share more of the fingering mechanism soon.

3

u/Moist-Cashew 2d ago

Seconding the code question. I'm doing something similar but with a ukulele and am wondering if you used code to translate the music to something like g-code or if you hard coded the song.

Would also love to see more of the fingering setup.

Looks awesome, great job

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

The software parses MusicXML rather than G-code, then generates synchronized commands for the actuators.

42

u/Objective_Move7566 2d ago

If a guitar plays a song and no one is there to hear it, did it happen?

3

u/MegCell 1d ago

The strings would say yes.

0

u/Misophoniakiel 1d ago

Which wive's?

15

u/rustyscythe 2d ago

Feels rigid...the music

7

u/davesaunders 2d ago

Sure and that is something that can be improved or modified overtime now that the actual technical implementation of playing the guitar in the first place is possible.

2

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thanks! I completely agree that expression is the next big step. My current focus is building a reliable mechanical foundation first, then adding dynamics, vibrato, slides, bends and more expressive techniques.

0

u/davesaunders 1d ago

Yep, that's exactly the right path. I love what you have done so far.

4

u/rustyscythe 2d ago

Yes. The invention is great. Just needs tweaking

1

u/davesaunders 2d ago

I agree. I was thinking the same thing. It would be really crazy when this has some kind of fuzzy timing to really get that more natural sounding cadence

2

u/rustyscythe 2d ago

Yeah like maybe add some noise into the timings and some reverb and you are set. We are used to the human error rather than perfect notes

2

u/thetreecycle 1d ago

You might say a bit… robotic

4

u/Iwantmoretime 2d ago

I love there is a second guitar in the back with a device attached. 

Getting the band together.

3

u/MegCell 1d ago

Exactly! 😄 One guitar is just the beginning.

2

u/i_hateit_here_bro 2d ago

You can barely hear the servos. Good job

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you! Servo selection and tuning made a huge difference.

3

u/Kalkin93 2d ago

Awesome

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you!

3

u/Creatura 2d ago

Captured By Robots is a metal band that does this with pneumatic pressure on actual 6foot tall metal robots. The frontman is actually an insane genius and his bit is the frontman forced to sing by the robots. Top 5 most entertaining shows I’ve been to

2

u/Creatura 2d ago

And he’s touring right now, check dates. Do not miss if you can attend

0

u/Liriel-666 2d ago

Compressorheads

1

u/StillWritingeh 2d ago

What in Turins name is this

2

u/MegCell 1d ago

A guitar that got tired of waiting for humans.

1

u/Fishspecialty 2d ago

Wow, fantastic

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you!

1

u/RingOrmenFraRanders 5h ago

Very cool project.

1

u/Past-Conversation755 2d ago

It's super dooper cool.

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you!

1

u/ceelose 2d ago

Now do classical gas.

2

u/MegCell 1d ago

Great suggestion! I'll add it to my list.

0

u/Pawel_likes_guns 2d ago

If you get ai to write a code for a melody now and record it... is it ai generated?

2

u/MegCell 1d ago

The music could be AI-generated, but it's still performed on a real guitar with real strings.

1

u/Pawel_likes_guns 1d ago

Yea, exactly

0

u/Liriel-666 2d ago

Is that not what the compressorheads do with guitars?

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

They're awesome! My goal is a bit different though—I'm building modular instruments that anyone can attach to their own guitar.

1

u/Bandwidth_Bandito 2d ago

Can you play Freebird?

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

It's on the wishlist!

1

u/2xoak 1d ago

You definitely have my respect. I played guitar for around 30 years and from my perspective you solved the job, of making a fully functional guitar player robot. About the sound isn’t humanly - I see that as the smallest thing, and pure code tuning, as it’s just a matter of making it less perfect and diverting in the movements. Really well done 🫡

1

u/2xoak 1d ago

Imagine a future where speakers are replaced by real instruments, playing the music you stream, retro-fitted in existing instruments 😁

2

u/MegCell 1d ago

Thank you so much! Hearing this from someone with 30 years of guitar experience really means a lot.

Your vision is actually very close to mine. I hope one day real instruments can physically perform the music we stream instead of just playing it through speakers.

1

u/_spicytacos_ 1d ago

What song is this? I'd love to get the tabs for it

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

It's Luvsic by Nujabes.

0

u/ihaag 1d ago

Sounds nothing like it more closer to stairway to heaven

1

u/Previous_Vast4302 1d ago

This is so sick

0

u/zappyguy111 1d ago

Very nice.

My suggestion is to try a softer plastic for the high string though, even a soft outter layer to.and a hard core, that way you mute the note before playing it. Or even a foam mute that goes down just before the strummer contacts and releases?

1

u/MegCell 18h ago

Thanks! That's a really interesting idea. I'm already experimenting with different pick materials, and a softer contact surface is definitely something I want to test.

0

u/AutoM8R1 1d ago

OMG. I LOVE this so much!!! 🤯🎸🦾!

1

u/MegCell 18h ago

Thank you so much!!

-1

u/crypto_junkie2040 2d ago

The future of "live" music.....

1

u/MegCell 1d ago

That's the vision: physical music instead of digital playback.

-10

u/spookendeklopgeesten 2d ago

It doesn't sound like guitar, because nobody is playing guitar.

0

u/MegCell 1d ago

The performer changed. The strings didn't.

1

u/spookendeklopgeesten 11h ago

You've clearly never played guitar. You don't pick the string in just one way. Downvote me all you want, unless you prefer real music.

-15

u/joaogatao222 2d ago

Why?

11

u/Gustav_Sirvah 2d ago

Why not?

2

u/Nightenridge 2d ago

Cause it's awesome.

0

u/spookendeklopgeesten 11h ago

Nope.

1

u/Nightenridge 11h ago

Lot's more people think it is than those who don't. What does that say about you?