The Adafruit Grand Central is arguably one of the most feature-rich boards Adafruit produces. Adafruit is planning some great tutorials to showcase using the Grand Central in many ways. But what about a simple “I just got my board and want to do a quick demo to kick the tires?”
Rather than code some “blink the LED” or “Hello World” project, here is a quick project only using a few parts which will have you building a fully functional soundboard in about ten minutes.
The ability to do this partially lays with the powerful processor on the Grand Central but has everything to do with being able to run CircuitPython. This easy to use yet powerful code is loaded onto the board by saving a file onto the flash drive, which shows up when you plug the Grand Central into your PC / Mac / Linux / Chromebook via a USB cable. It is that easy, no software framework to set up, no compiling, no compatibility issues. It really allows you to plug, copy, and go!
This project will get you started with the code and eight public domain/creative commons sound files and you can make this project your own by changing things up.
Are you excited about using the Adafruit Grand Central board? If so, leave us a comment below about what you’re looking to do.
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
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Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: CircuitPython 9.2.1, What is DMA, PyConUS 2025 and More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey
I’m putting an Aeroponics system (spraying nutrient rich water on the roots of food bearing plants suspended in air) using Grand Central and other processors. My first design will deploy in a couple of stages. Toward the end, before simplification, it should use high pressure (up to 120 PSI) water pumps, around 15 digital high pressure electric water control valves, about 10 analog pressure sensors, digital temperature sensors, relays, temperature controlled water reservoir, growing tubs for the plants. I’m also measuring water conductivity (in parts per million), pH, and other qualities of the water. That’s until I get the variables worked out.
I’m doing this to create solar power based healthy food for my family.
I’m putting an Aeroponics system (spraying nutrient rich water on the roots of food bearing plants suspended in air) using Grand Central and other processors. My first design will deploy in a couple of stages. Toward the end, before simplification, it should use high pressure (up to 120 PSI) water pumps, around 15 digital high pressure electric water control valves, about 10 analog pressure sensors, digital temperature sensors, relays, temperature controlled water reservoir, growing tubs for the plants. I’m also measuring water conductivity (in parts per million), pH, and other qualities of the water. That’s until I get the variables worked out.
I’m doing this to create solar power based healthy food for my family.