Multimedia Exercise 2: Speakers

Created by: Madeleine McMillan, Simi Badwal, Brandon Seichter

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When tumblr goes down the day your project is due

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OUR CONCLUSION

So, this project required a lot more planning than we initially thought; however, after 5 attempts, we think we’ve managed to figure out the basis of what makes a good DIY speaker.

 Most of the difficulties we faced as a group were directly related to the materials we used to create the speakers. Overall, we conducted 5 attempts; 3 out of the 5 of them included using plastic. Plastic = big fat mistake.

 Not to say plastic doesn’t work, it just isn’t the best material when conducting sound. Our third attempt is when we started to include different materials into our speakers. Although we still used plastic, we included aluminum foil, which was predicted to amplify sound more efficiently. In the end, the sound quality still wasn’t what we were looking for.

 We utilized the problem solving process, which is demonstrated through our fourth and final attempt. Instead of using plastic this time around, which created a mediocre quality of sound, we opted to switch to a ceramic bowl. This change in material led to our most audible speaker.

 In some ways, our first three attempts seem to be relatively similar. If we had the chance to rebuild the speakers, we’d include completely different materials in each of our different attempts. This way, we wouldn’t make the same mistake as we currently did, by trying to make something that doesn’t work, work.

 Overall, this group task was a great experience. It encouraged us to work together as a team, as well as utilizing our problem solving skills. Documenting our progress was also very helpful in creating an efficient speaker, as we had the tools available for us to look back on what went wrong, and what didn’t, therefore allowing us to move forward with our DIY invention. 

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DONE SON.

Everybody dance!!!

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Fifth Attempt

Uploaded the good old fashioned way

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Fifth Attempt (and final)

Have to admit, although the tape job is pretty vulgar, the affect was amazing!

What was changed: Used a ceramic bowl to bounce the sound off of and amplify (AKA the speaker), as well as switched the shoebox upside down (although that was more to do with the added weight of the ceramic than anything else).

Money spent over the course of this adventure: NOTHING.

Song: The Come by Robert Jones

Was it better than the previous attempts?

YES.

Was it as constructive?

NO.

Which is why the second attempt would have to be the best in terms of build+ sound production.

YAY! We have a winner!

Looks like we posted our progress just in time for tomorrow's deadline! HUFFAH!

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Fourth Attempt

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Fourth Attempt

Materials Used: Another Monster energy drink box, aluminum foil, hot glue gun, pop can, headphones, scissors

Changes: THis time we used a different approach. We cut two holes on each side of the box instead of one. We cut the pop can in half and then a small hole in the bottom half (where the headphones go). We then glued it inside one of the holes. After that we glued some aluminum foil over the other whole and poked some wholes in it. We were hoping this idea would condense the sound and potentially amplify louder music if it was coming from smaller holes.

Cost: Once again, 0 bucks!!! 

Where we went wrong: It's hard to say if our idea worked... The sound it produced was slightly louder, but it was identical to our other speakers.

Song: Babel by Mumford and Sons

Video will follow

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Third Attempt!

This time it isn't directly uploaded-- trying out youtube!

WOOOO

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Third Attempt

Went back to the shoebox and plastic-- adjusted the plastic cone shape to a slightly more shallow version. 

Changes in materials otherwise: Introduced aluminum foil (so as to amplify the sound)

Cost: Stuck at $0. Talk about chincy.

Where we went wrong: the prediction that the sound would increase from the first attempt by introducing the foil was true, but in comparison to the Second Attempt, it just wasn't the best.

Plan of Action: return to the Second Attempt and go from there, AS WELL as pursue a change of material entirely for the cone (i.e. tin/metal or ceramic)

WE REALLY WANT THIS SOUND TO BOUNCE.

Video soon to follow.

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Second Attempt

Materials used in second attempt: plastic pop bottle, hot glue gun, empty energy drink box, headphones, scissors

Benefits: all materials that were used can be found around the house

Money Spent: $0!!!!!

Where it went wrong: The speakers did work, but only to a certain extent. The sound that it produced was slightly louder, but the quality of the sound was not ideal. It seemed to give a muffled sound, and that is not something you want to hear.It's hard to say what exactly is the problem, but it could be the plastic bottle. We seemed to run into this problem with our previous attempt. Maybe we should find a different material! 

Sound: The sound is loud enough for it to be considered an "effective" speaker, but the quality was a downer.

Song used for testing: Country Girl (Shake It For Me) by Luke Bryan

Video will follow

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Attempt numero uno process pics

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First Attempt

Initial Materials: Wood, Hot Glue, Glue gun, Tupperware bowl, headphones, scissors, Tongue Depressors

Materials Used in Attempt: Shoebox, plastic Tupperware bowl, headphones, scissors

(Although originally starting out with wood, idea was scrapped because shoebox is much more accessible and easy to manipulate)

Benefits: No glue/tape was required, pressure was what kept pieces together

Money Spent: All of $0-- everything was found around the house (best part so far)

Where it went wrong: It seems as though the sound only improved by the smallest of fractions--- the loss of sound could be potentially due to depth within the box (i.e. the depth of the bowl). Also, the material used (plastic) could have been absorbing some of the sound (for the same reason rubber and wood are being avoided to make the cone shape to release the sound in higher waves)

What we do now: Let’s keep the box, because it works fantastically as a stand and doesn’t impede on the sound, but change the cone shape. New potential materials to test: plastic covered in aluminum foil, ceramic, tin/metal. However, we will first attempt the plastic again, but at a more shallow depth.

Sound: full volume on computer as well as iTunes.

Song used for testing: Americanarama by Hollerado

Pictures shall soon follow!

Best of luck to us for next time

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Been a while...

Well well well,

back to this.

Midterms and confusion have finally wound down, so now it's time to post the majority of the project (AKA construction process! YAY)

Over the next four days, this blog is going to go INSANE.

So let's turn up the music and see where it takes us!

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Sketch of initial blueprint for speaker

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So, this is the song we're gonna be blasting!

Muse- Uprising