Just as our previous Nerd Club blog would often jump around between topics and ideas, so - it seems - this one is destined to do the same!
You see, we're still working on our Full Title electronic jousting game.
We've got some re-scaled minis (80% of full-scale from Highland Miniatures) that look much better on our jousting arena, and some different sized complete-loop timing belts (840mm and 920mm) which help improve the look and feel of things.
But the butterfly mind strikes again. And we're focussed on something completely different! (but a much simpler, smaller, self-contained project).
For many years, a few of us have been attending the Blue Sky Music Open Mic nights, in and around Worthing. They're run by a smashing guy called Beany (and his wife Beth) and they're fantastic fun. And it's a true open-mic; not just singing, but performing, spoken word, poetry and even.... magic.
I always fancied having a go at performing some magic and have been watching a few performances from comedy magician Craig Petty. I really like his style, and love the way he goes into great depth with not just his tricks, but his performance advice too. When I invite others up to play when it's my turn to play a few songs, most open-mic jam sessions end up slightly chaotic, but we all have a bit of a laugh. So I thought I'd try something similar with a magic routine.
This one - called "Oddest Ball" - looks like a great "opener"
I love the comedy effect - and everyone immediately "gets" the gag. The only downside is that at over a hundred quid for a one-off laugh, it's a bit pricey! (I know that professional magicians "price in" how many times they get to use a prop and may come to a different conclusion).
But the hardware behind this seems pretty simple. And there's probably even a way we could improve of this - as well as produce it for a fraction of the £100+ price tag. I'm thinking of even having some kind of bluetooth-aware app running for the performance - so use the app to play some spooky "magic music" though the same P.A. system running the walk-around microphones. Then, when the appropriate ball is lifted, have the app play a loud siren/klaxon sound through the P.A. (rather than have to provide and power a built-in klaxon device).
In truth, we'll probably incorporate both.
But that's the basic idea - some hardware that can detect when a ball is lifted from above a sensor (LDR immediately springs to mind) that then triggers a super-loud klaxon sound. Nice and simple......
.... now where did I put those Arduino Mini boards that have been hanging around for the last five years or so...?
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