8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com SHOP LEARN BLOG SUPPORT Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide CONTRIBUTORS: FAVORITE JIMBLOM, BBOYHO 0 Introduction Welcome to the world of Makey Makey! A world where everyday objects are much more than they appear. Bananas are more than just a curvy fruit --- they're keys to a virtual piano. Play-Doh isn't just a child's toy --- it's the controlling force behind Pacman's up/down/left/right.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Materials Required Makey Makey --- The star of the show! The kit should already include: Mini-USB Cable Alligator Clip Cables Tinned Tipped Wires A computer (Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux) with an Available USB Slot Software to Read Key Presses (e.g., Canabalt, Virtual Piano, Tetris, etc.) Button Material (e.g.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Each of those inputs as well as the very important “Earth bar” are available in the form of what I like to call “alligator-bait” connectors. You'll use the included alligator clip cables to clip right into the hole pairs. This will all be made much more clear in the next section. For now, let's keep summarizing your Makey Makey. If any key is activated with the "Earth Bar," an associated LED will light up next to the pad.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com The top header is an expansion/output header. They KEY OUT and MS OUT are connected to the LEDs on the back to indicate whether you're pressing a keyboard or mouse key, respectively. This can be used to connect lowpower LEDs and small motors. The RESET will reset the board when connected to ground. There are also pins for power through the 5V and GND. The last two pins (PGD and PGC) are used by the factory to program.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Touch the Earth bar to ground yourself. Connect Yourself Simultaneously touch the SPACE pad. The LED above the SPACE key should light up, and a space command should be sent to your computer. Now try leaving one finger on the Earth bar while quickly tapping the space button. Getting a feel for it? It should work just like your standard space key! Testing With a Text Editor Open up some sort of text editor (Notepad, Word, TextEdit, etc.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Looking for some fun games to test out the Makey Makey? Click on the link below to try out the online apps provided by JoyLabz! ONLINE APPS FOR MAKEY MAKEY Making Your First Key Makey Makey Key-Making Materials To make your "standard" key with the Makey Makey you need the following: A connection to a Makey Makey input. This can be done using alligator clips on the the hole pairs, or jumper wires on the black connector sockets.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Now, grab a second cable for the ground connection. Black is the classic "ground color", but set your own trend and pick whatever you want. Clip one end of one cable into the Earth bar and let the other end dangle for now. Open up some sort of text editor (Notepad, Word, TextEdit, etc.) on your computer. Or you can click between the words in the test box provided below.
/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Experimenting With Key Materials Don't have a banana? Try experimenting with different materials. Some materials conduct better than others. Certain materials can also be conductive over a period of time. Try it out! Below is an example of a hand-drawn key from a standard pencil. A dotted circle was drawn on two sides of a piece of paper and extended to the center.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com to connect an alligator cable to the free end of the jumper. Let's try it out. Insert one end of the tinned tipped wire fully into a socket. Connect the other end to a conductive material. You may need to use an alligator cable to extend and connect to the material. Repeat for the ground connection. The example below is similar to the hand-drawn button. Strips of copper tape were used for "Button 3" instead of a pencil.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com materials --- things like human skin, liquids, foods and frog legs --- are at least a little conductive. And that's really all the Makey Makey needs. If an object isn't conductive, it's an insulator. Common insulators include plastic, glass, ceramic and wood. You can usually tell just by looking at something whether it's an insulator or conductor. You'll have to watch out for objects like this, as they just won't work with the Makey Makey.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Heads up! When reprogramming the Makey Makey keys, you will need to have the browser window active. If you happen to click outside of the window, it will become dark. All you need to do is use your mouse and click back on the reprogramming window. The page will also time out if you take too long of a break. When this happens, you will need to start at the beginning. https://learn.sparkfun.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Once selected, the prompt will ask you to check and ensure that you have the correct Makey Makey version. On the back side with the black female headers, you will notice that the board has a version number printed as v.1.2 If you do not have that version, you will not be able to remap the keys with these instructions. If it is v.1.2, proceed by connecting the Mini-USB cable to the Makey Makey and clicking on the START button.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com With one hand, ground yourself by touching the exposed GND pads. With the other hand, touch the left or right keys to navigate to the key that you are interested in remapping. Note: You will only be able to use the Makey Makey to navigate. You will not be able to use your keyboard or mouse. The key that will be remapped will be highlighted yellow. Let's remap the left mouse "CLICK" on the Makey Makey.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com The key that is being remapped will be highlighted green. The replacement key will be highlighted yellow. At this point, you can select the replacement key located at the bottom of the browser. Navigate through the keys using the Makey Makey's arrow pads. Let's select the "enter" key by moving to its icon and touching the "CLICK" pad. The browser will have a nice animation and replace the old key with a new key.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com The settings will save and you will be greeted with a "SUCCESS!" Troubleshooting Not working as expected? Check out the Troubleshooting section for the Makey Makey v.1.
8/29/2019 Makey Makey Classic Hookup Guide - learn.sparkfun.com Guides --- Group activities Example Projects Sometimes following by example is the best way to learn. If you're not sure where to start with the Makey Makey, give these examples a look-over. I hope they inspire you! If you want your project added to this list, post it in the comments below, or send us an email! O Say Can You See (Lunch) j.
