Melodies of the Nile:
The Egyptian Music Box

This project was completed as part of the Computer Science Independent Work Seminar, Reimagining Robotics Through Art, taught and advised by Professor Radhika Nagpal. The seminar challenged students to approach robotics and computational design with an artistic lens, encouraging innovative intersections between technology and artistic and cultural expression.

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Project Overview

Objective:

Motivation & Goal:

This project aims to explore the intersection of robotics, computational design, and cultural expression by creating a programmable music box. The design draws inspiration from traditional Egyptian art and melodies, blending modern technology with cultural heritage to create an interactive, multi-sensory experience.

The project is rooted in a desire to use robotics and technology as tools for preserving and celebrating cultural identity. By incorporating traditional Egyptian music and art into a programmable system, it bridges the gap between heritage and innovation, showcasing how computational creativity can breathe new life into age-old traditions.

Approach

Audio
Playback

LED
Integration

Box
Design

Music
Curation

Survey &
Evaluation

Audio Playback

The audio system of the music box is powered by an Arduino microcontroller and a DFPlayer Mini module, which decodes and plays preloaded audio tracks with high quality. Initially, I used an LM386 low-voltage amplifier to boost the Arduino's limited audio output, but it caused issues like distortion when combined with other features like LED animations. After testing and research, I switched to the DFPlayer Mini, which provided a more stable solution by independently handling audio decoding and amplification. The system ensures smooth transitions between tracks for a seamless listening experience. To improve usability, tactile buttons and rotary knobs were added, allowing users to easily control audio selection and volume. Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure sound quality and reliability, meeting the initial technical goals of the project.

Schematic overview of the Arduino-based Egyptian Music Box showcasing the integration of audio, lighting, and control components.

LED Integration

The project integrated an Adafruit NeoPixel 16 LED Ring into a pyramid-shaped light display, offering customizable RGB lighting synchronized with music playback. Each LED was individually addressable, enabling dynamic patterns that adapted in real-time to the music's volume and tempo. A sound sensor placed near the speaker captured audio signals, which were processed using the Arduino's Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and analyzed through the FastLED library. This setup allowed sound data to be mapped to specific lighting behaviors, with louder sounds producing vibrant, expansive effects and softer sounds resulting in subtler patterns.

The calibration process was essential to ensure the LEDs responded accurately to the audio's intensity and rhythm. Sensitivity thresholds, such as AVG_NOISE_LVL and MAX_NOISE_LVL, were defined and iteratively refined to align the LED reactions with the music's dynamics. Extensive testing and adjustments were conducted to achieve seamless synchronization, where the LEDs not only responded to sound but captured the nuances of the music, from tempo shifts to subtle tonal variations.

The final result was a responsive audio-visual system that dynamically connected lighting effects to music, enhancing the immersive experience and creating an engaging interaction between sound and visuals.

Box Design

The music box was designed to combine functionality with cultural significance. Using 1/16th-inch laser-cut wood and Adobe Illustrator, I created a traditional box with a hinged lid, inspired by classic music boxes. The exterior featured patterns based on Egyptian art, while the interior included a small wooden pyramid with hexagram cutouts to house the NeoPixel LED ring, which synced lights with the music. A hidden shelf with strategically placed holes kept the electronics organized and allowed sound from the speaker to travel upward, ensuring a clean and efficient design. Precisely cut holes provided access to buttons and a power adapter. A magnetic reed switch in the lid triggered the music and lights automatically when opened, creating an engaging user experience. This design balanced practical needs with cultural storytelling, resulting in a functional and visually meaningful product.

Top (Lid)

Base

Front Side

Back Side

Left Side

Right Side

Exterior design of the Egyptian Music Box, incorporating traditional Egyptian geometric patterns, reflecting the cultural narrative embodied in the project.

Etching on Lid

Shelf

Interior design elements of the music box, including the etched Arabic phrase and eagle emblem (left), and the multi-purpose shelf (right).

Side A

Side B

Design and layout of the wooden pyramid structure with hexagrams for the LED light display.

Music Curation

Eight tracks were carefully selected to showcase a mix of traditional Egyptian melodies and contemporary compositions and stored on a microSD card. Each track was analyzed for its rhythm and harmony to create matching light patterns that highlighted key elements of the music. This ensured the sound and light worked together to create a cohesive and engaging experience.

Survey & Evaluation

To gauge the effectiveness and impact of the music box, a post-completion user survey was conducted. This survey aimed to gather feedback on how well the music box achieved its educational and cultural objectives, as well as to identify areas for improvement. Participants were asked to rate their familiarity with contemporary Egyptian music, provide qualitative feedback on their experience, and assess their perceptions of the music box's ability to challenge stereotypes and foster cultural appreciation.

Key Findings

Increased Familiarity: Average familiarity with contemporary Egyptian music rose from 2.5/10 pre-interaction to 7/10 post-interaction, showcasing the music box’s educational impact.

Correlation with Familiarity: Users with lower initial familiarity experienced greater shifts in perception, making the music box particularly impactful for those less exposed.

Challenging Stereotypes: Participants, expecting traditional music, rated their surprise at the modernity of tracks at 8/10, successfully broadening their cultural perspectives.

Perception Shift: 80% of users reported improved perceptions of Egyptian music, appreciating its complexity and the immersive LED synchronization.

Correlation with Familiarity: Users with lower initial familiarity experienced greater shifts in perception, making the music box particularly impactful for those less exposed.

High Recommendation Rate: 90% of users would recommend the music box, reflecting overall satisfaction and strong engagement.

Melodies of the Nile: The Egyptian Music Box