My Home 2.0 is a bit too perky for my taste, but I have to admit that their latest how-to video is pretty hardcore.

They demonstrate how to use MidiTron with some infrared sensors to create a wall harp.

It’s a pretty straightforward MidiTron project. The sensors work like on/off switches to trigger various sounds when they are plugged into your computer’s music programs.

With the MidiTron you can use any type of analog or digital input device, from temperature sensors to regular switches, to trigger your sounds. So you could take the same basic premise described here and use any type of switch that you want.

My Home 2.0’s how-to guru Alison seems to have a twisted side. She recently hacked a animated teddy bear to read Twitter posts.

MATERIALS:

• Epoxy
• 8 – 10 Infrared Sensors
• MidiTron
• 22- 24 gauge wire in red, black, and yellow
• Needle nose pliers MIDI to USB converter
• Two 4 – 6′ aluminum u- channels
• Two 4 – 6′ of 2 x 4 wood
• Large SPST On/Off Switch
• Wood Screws
• Drill
• Stepper drill bit for drilling through metal
• Zip ties (small)
• Zip tie mounts
• Wire Butt Connectors (small 26 – 24)
• Crimper for the connectors
• Multimeter for testing connections
• 9V 300mA power supply with connector
• Solderless Breadboard
• Box of jumper wires
• Jewelry screwdriver set

SOFTWARE:

• Music software like Garage Band
• MidiTron Software
• USB Driver software

The USB software driver should come with the MIDI to USB converter.