Uno randomly decided to stop communicating with serial mp3 player, now I cannot get any uno to communicate with any YX5300 mp3 player

Using Arduino Audio
1

(edit, as I posted early without diagrams)

Hi everyone

I'm controlling sounds and scares in an escape room using an uno. A few days ago, it just stopped playing the soundbites. (There is a diagram at the bottom of the previous setup)

Pretty much the entire setup stopped behaving properly, none of the inputs and outputs were being recognised by the code, I was grounding gpio 11 (for example) but was getting the result in the serial monitor from what I'd expect if I grounded gpio A3, just really random stuff.

So, I uploaded the code to another board, and just connected the mp3 module up, with a few jumpers to trigger the sounds. The serial monitor suggests that things are being properly triggered in the code, but I cannot for the life of me get the player to play the sounds. I'm not even getting the flashing red led on the module as if it's saying "I'm playing a sound". Here's a diagram (because I'm rushing, I made the VCC wire black and the gnd wire red, but they're connected correctly it's just the colour that's nonsensical)

image
image872Ă—755 104 KB

I have tried:

Swapping the uno out for a new one
Changing the SD card
Changing the mp3 player for a known working module
Changing the baud rate from 9600 to 19200 for the player (I don't even know if this makes a difference)

I'm not massively confident with arduino so I'm a bit limited on what I can do to troubleshoot the problem which is why I'm here. I've searched around and no one really has this issue, they're always using different pins than myself or a different kind of software serial so for someone who isn't that useful with programming, it's like apples and oranges

Here's the code I'm running. There's a lot of redundant stuff in it that I'm too anxious to remove in case it was holding the entire thing together!

#define DEBUG

// Scare control UNO

#include <AltSoftSerial.h> // Alt serial library, see library folder in dropbox
#include <Wire.h>
#include <MD_YX5300.h> // See library folder in dropbox
#include <Bounce2.h> // For debouncing button input. See https://github.com/thomasfredericks/Bounce2

// Tunable variables - These are so you can sync up sounds and scares easily

#define DEBUG

#ifdef DEBUG
int vaDelay = 5000; // violent attack delay. Debug 5000. Live 60000.
int cbDelay1 = 5000; // first crying delay. Debug 5000. Live 10000.
int cbDelay2 = 5000; // second cry delay. Debug 5000. Live  5000.

int FHdim = 1500; // Time for the spotlight to dim after the MP3 has been triggered
int FHrelay = 2500; // Time for relay to hit 
int BYdelay1 = 2000; // Time for first behind you after reed trigger
int BYdelay2 = 4000; // Time for second behind you after first behind you
int BYflicker1 = 2000; // Time for first flicker pulse
int BYflicker2 = 3000; // Time for second flicker pulse
int fadeAmount = 5;  // how many points to fade the spotlight by
int fadeinTime = 50; // how quickly to fade the spotlight up (this is slower)
int fadeoutTime = 20; // how quickly to fade the spotlight up (this is quick)
int postScareTime = 5000;
#endif

#ifndef DEBUG
int vaDelay = 60000; // violent attack delay. Debug 5000. Live 60000.
int cbDelay1 = 10000; // first crying delay. Debug 5000. Live 10000.
int cbDelay2 = 5000; // second cry delay. Debug 5000. Live  5000.

int FHdim = 1500; // Time for the spotlight to dim after the MP3 has been triggered
int FHrelay = 2500; // Time for relay to hit 
int BYdelay1 = 12000; // Time for first behind you after reed trigger
int BYdelay2 = 20000; // Time for second behind you after first behind you
int BYflicker1 = 2000; // Time for first flicker pulse
int BYflicker2 = 3000; // Time for second flicker pulse
int fadeAmount = 5;  // how many points to fade the spotlight by
int fadeinTime = 50; // how quickly to fade the spotlight up (this is slower)
int fadeoutTime = 20; // how quickly to fade the spotlight up (this is quick)
int postScareTime = 5000;
#endif

// Input pins

int hiss = 12;
int hissSelect; // Random number to select which hiss mp3 to select
int flicker = 8;
int exhale = 10;
int baby = 11;


// Output pins

int megaFlicker = A5; // THIS IS NOW ATTACHED TO AN LED
int megavolumeDown = 2;

// Input triggers

int circsqtriPin = A0; // CHANGED Trigger for 1612 and starts violet attack countdown
int circsqtriLev;
int rfidPin = A1; // CHANGED Trigger the facehugger sequence 
int rfidLev;
int jump7Pin= A2; // CHANGED Trigger the window opening sounds
int jump7Lev;
int reedPin = A3; // CHANGED Trigger any behind you sequence
int reedLev;
int plugPin = A4; // Trigger the scare
// int ultrasoundPin = 7;

int threshold = 800; // Threshold for detecting the LED flashes

// Pins for scare switch
int scareSwitch = 13; // This is pulled low when scares are being turned on.
int switchState; //
bool scaresOn = false; // bool to keep track of if scares are on 

// Utility

int spotlight = 9; // PWM pin to control the brightness of the light
int spotlightDelay = 0; // Counter to keep track of the delay for the spotlight
int spotlightThreshold = 10000; // Threshold for when to turn on the spotlight
int brightness = 0;  // how bright the spotlight is
int lightRelay = 3; // Relay attached to light NO is floor NC is hand
int facehuggerRelay = 4; // Relay to release the facehugger scare

bool plugState = false; // Keeps the "waiting for plug" loop going

// GLOBALS

// Create an array of Bounce objects for each input button

//Bounce circsqtriSwitch = Bounce();
//Bounce reedSwitch = Bounce();
//Bounce rfidSwitch = Bounce();
//Bounce jump7Switch = Bounce();
Bounce plugSwitch = Bounce();
//Bounce ultrasoundSwitch = Bounce();

Bounce hissSwitch = Bounce();
Bounce exhaleSwitch = Bounce();
Bounce babySwitch = Bounce();
Bounce flickerSwitch = Bounce();

// Initialise a software serial interface on the approriate Rx/Tx pins (8/9)
AltSoftSerial altSerial;
// And create an MP3 object based on the serial connection
MD_YX5300 mp3(altSerial);

void setup() 
{
  delay (1000);
  
  // Initialise a serial connection (used for debugging only)
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println(__FILE__ __DATE__);
  Serial.println("Serial connection initialised");

  Serial.println ("Setup 2 begun, buffer initiated");
  delay (10000);
  Serial.println ("Buffer 2 complete");

  //reedSwitch.attach(reedPin, INPUT_PULLUP); // REED
  //rfidSwitch.attach(rfidPin, INPUT_PULLUP); // DOOR
  //circsqtriSwitch.attach(circsqtriPin, INPUT_PULLUP);// 16
  //jump7Switch.attach(jump7Pin, INPUT_PULLUP); // J7
  plugSwitch.attach(plugPin, INPUT_PULLUP);
  // ultrasoundSwitch.attach(ultrasoundPin, INPUT_PULLUP);

  // Changes adding the LDRs

  pinMode(reedPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(rfidPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(circsqtriPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(jump7Pin, INPUT);

  hissSwitch.attach(hiss, INPUT_PULLUP);
  flickerSwitch.attach(flicker, INPUT_PULLUP);
  exhaleSwitch.attach(exhale, INPUT_PULLUP);
  babySwitch.attach(baby, INPUT_PULLUP);

  Serial.println("Utility buttons initialised");

  // Scare mode?
  pinMode (scareSwitch, INPUT_PULLUP);
  switchState = digitalRead(scareSwitch);
  Serial.println(switchState);
  
  // Initialise pins and test

  pinMode(megaFlicker, OUTPUT); // Because this is the LED
  digitalWrite(megaFlicker, LOW); // Make sure it's not on
  pinMode(megavolumeDown, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(spotlight, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(facehuggerRelay, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(facehuggerRelay, LOW);
  pinMode(lightRelay, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite (lightRelay, LOW);

  // Test

  // Initialise the serial interface to the MP3 player
  altSerial.begin(9600);
  mp3.begin();
  mp3.volume(30);
  delay(1000);

  if (switchState == 0){
    scaresOn = true;
    Serial.print(switchState);
    mp3.playTrack(1); // "Horror mode is turned on"
    Serial.println ("Horror mode is turned ON");
  }
  else {
    scaresOn = false;
    Serial.print(switchState);
    mp3.playTrack(2); // "Horror mode is turned off"
    Serial.println ("Horror mode is turned OFF");
  }

  delay(1000);
  Serial.println("Setup complete");
}

void loop() 
{
  switchState = digitalRead(scareSwitch);
  
  if (switchState == 0){
    scaresOn = true;
    Serial.println("SPOOKY");
  }
  if (switchState != 0) {
    scaresOn = false;
    Serial.println("Safe");
  }

  // reedSwitch.update();
  // rfidSwitch.update();
  // circsqtriSwitch.update();
  // jump7Switch.update();
  // ultrasoundSwitch.update();

  // Read the light levels
  circsqtriLev = analogRead (circsqtriPin);
  rfidLev = analogRead (rfidPin);
  jump7Lev = analogRead (jump7Pin);
  reedLev = analogRead (reedPin);
  
  // Print the light levels
  Serial.print(circsqtriLev);
  Serial.print("\t");
  Serial.print(rfidLev);
  Serial.print("\t");
  Serial.print(jump7Lev);
  Serial.print("\t");
  Serial.print(reedLev);
  Serial.println("\t");

  // Update the manual switches
  hissSwitch.update();
  flickerSwitch.update();
  exhaleSwitch.update();
  babySwitch.update();

  // Now run through the statements to detect changes

  //if(circsqtriSwitch.fell())
  if (circsqtriLev>threshold)
  {
    Serial.println("1612 complete");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Debug pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif
    violentAttack();
  }

  //if(rfidSwitch.fell())
  if (rfidLev>threshold)
  {
    Serial.println("rfid complete");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Debug pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif

    if (scaresOn == true)
    {
      Serial.println("SCARES ARE ON");
      jumpScare();
    }
    else
    {
      Serial.println("SCARES ARE OFF");
      noScare();
    }
  }

  //if(jump7Switch.fell())
  if (jump7Lev>threshold)
  {
    Serial.println("jump7 complete");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Debug pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif
    cryBabies();
  }

  //if(reedSwitch.fell())
  if (reedLev>threshold)
  {
    Serial.println("reed complete");
    
    behindYou();
  }

  if(flickerSwitch.fell())
  {
    Serial.println("flicker");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif
    {
      delay(5000);
      sendFlicker();
    }
  }

  if(babySwitch.fell())
  {
    Serial.println("baby");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Pause");
	      delay(5000);
    #endif

    if (scaresOn == true)
    {
      mp3.playTrack(10);
      delay(1000);
    }
  }

  if(hissSwitch.fell())
  {
    Serial.println("hiss");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif

    if (scaresOn == true)
    {
      whataHisser();
    }
  }

  if(exhaleSwitch.fell())
  {
    Serial.println("exhale");
    #ifdef DEBUG
	    Serial.println("Pause");
	    delay(5000);
    #endif
    
    if (scaresOn == true)
    {
      mp3.playTrack(11);
    }
  }
}

void violentAttack()
{
  Serial.println("in function violentAttack");
  #ifdef DEBUG
	  Serial.println("Debug pause");
	  delay(5000);
  #endif

  if (scaresOn == true)
  {
    Serial.println("playing violent attack");
    delay(vaDelay);
    mp3.playTrack(3);
  }
  return;
}

void jumpScare() // TO DO
{
  Serial.println("in jumpScare");
  digitalWrite(lightRelay, HIGH);   
  mp3.playTrack(7); // Containment cell access granted, warning eteenfeijnfei
  
  do 
  {
    plugSwitch.update();
    spotlightDelay ++;
    Serial.print("Spotlight delay is ");
    Serial.println(spotlightDelay);
    if (spotlightDelay == spotlightThreshold)
    {
      mp3.volume(20);
      mp3.playTrack(5); // Facehugger cry
      Serial.println ("Facehugger crying");
      mp3.volume(30);
      brightness = 0;
        
      do 
      {
        analogWrite(spotlight, brightness); // Set current brightness
        // Serial.println (brightness);
        brightness = brightness + fadeAmount; // Increase brightness
        delay(fadeinTime);
      }
    
      while (brightness <= 225); // Till brightness maxed
      analogWrite(spotlight,225);

          //digitalWrite(megavolumeDown, LOW); // Send volume down signal
          //delay(200);
          //digitalWrite(megavolumeDown, HIGH);
    }

    if(plugSwitch.fell())
    {
      Serial.println("plug connected");
      mp3.playTrack(9); // Facehugger strike begins
      delay(FHdim); // Delay a bit so people can react to the sound
      
      do 
      {
        analogWrite(spotlight, brightness); // Set current brightness
        //Serial.println (brightness);
        brightness = brightness - fadeAmount; // Decrease brightness
        delay(fadeoutTime);
      }
      while (brightness >= 0); // Till brightness at minimum

      analogWrite(spotlight, 0); 
      delay(FHrelay);
      digitalWrite (facehuggerRelay, HIGH);
      delay(200);
      digitalWrite(facehuggerRelay, LOW);
      plugState = true;
      delay(postScareTime);
      // digitalWrite(lightRelay, LOW);

      sendFlicker();
      
      // digitalWrite(megavolumeDown, LOW); // Send volume up signal
      // delay(200);
      // digitalWrite(megavolumeDown, HIGH);    
    }
  }
  while (plugState == false);
}

void noScare()
{
  Serial.println ("in noScare");
  mp3.playTrack(8);
  return;
}

void cryBabies ()
{
  if (scaresOn == true)
  {
    delay(cbDelay1);
    mp3.playTrack(5);
    delay(cbDelay2);
    mp3.playTrack(4);
  }

  else
  {
    return;
  }
}

void behindYou()
{
  if(scaresOn == true)
  {
    mp3.volume(25);
    delay (BYdelay1);
    mp3.playTrack(12);
    delay (BYdelay2);
    sendFlicker();
    delay (BYflicker1);
    mp3.playTrack(13);
    delay (BYflicker2);
    sendFlicker();
  }
  else
  {
    return;
  }
}

void spotlightOff()
{
  do 
  {
    analogWrite(spotlight, brightness); // Set current brightness
    // Serial.println (brightness);
    brightness = brightness - fadeAmount; // Decrease brightness
    delay(fadeoutTime);

  }
  while (brightness >= 0); // Till brightness at minimum

  analogWrite(spotlight, 0); 
  return; 
}

void whataHisser()
{
  hissSelect = random(3);
  Serial.println (hissSelect);
  
  #ifdef DEBUG
	  Serial.println("Debug pause");
	  delay(5000);
  #endif

  if (hissSelect == 0)
  {
    mp3.playTrack(14);
  }
  else if (hissSelect == 1)
  {
    mp3.playTrack(15);
  }
  else if (hissSelect == 2)
  {
    mp3.playTrack(16);
  }
}

void sendFlicker()
{
  if (scaresOn == true)
  {
    digitalWrite(megaFlicker, HIGH);
    delay(200);
    digitalWrite(megaFlicker, LOW);
    mp3.playTrack(18);
  }
}

Diagram of what I want to eventually end up with (edit, I know this is really hard to read and zoomed out sorry about that, it's a work in progress and a bit of a draft where I'm jotting down as I go along, it looks a lot like what it looked like before everything died)

image
image1576Ă—802 181 KB

2

Can you use the example code for the sound module to make it just play a single sound?

3

My approach to trouble shoot this would be to remove as much hardware as possible (and comment out code) that still allows me to know if the UNO is working or not. My bet is it is a hardware issue so divide and conquer.

4

I would start by using an external 5V power source for the player, that requires about 200mA which is more then the Uno can comfortably supply. The fact that it worked is pure luck. The odds are high you fried your Arduino.

Here's a helpful table from the Atmega328 datasheet [3].

Here is some good reading: ElectricRCAircraftGuy.com--RC, Arduino, Programming, & Electronics: Arduino Power, Current, and Voltage Limitations

1 Like
5

So, originally I didn't work even when I tried it with the PlayHelloWorld example, but then I wanted to swap the mp3 board and noticed it was unaturally hot

I thought, best format the SD card and see if I can start from scratch but my card reader was having none of that particular micro SD card and wouldn't even format it.

So I opened a fresh one, added this code (below) and it is properly playing the sounds. it didn't originally but then I flipped Rx and Tx which was suggested by some research I was doing and it started playing the sounds!

I'm not 100% confident that the SD card going kaput was the problem as it seems odd, but this seems like a step in the right direction, I'm going to see if I can apply a new card to the old circuit and see if I get the same issue

/******************************************************************************
  Simple SerialMP3Player "Hello World" example of YX5300 chip.

  Copy the "hello.mp3" file to an empty SD card
  Connect the Serial MP3 Player to the Arduino board
    GND → GND
    VCC → 5V
    TX → pin 11
    RX → pin 10

  After compile and upload the code you must hear “Hello world” over and over.


  This example code is in the public domain.

  https://github.com/salvadorrueda/ArduinoSerialMP3Player

  by Salvador Rueda
 *******************************************************************************/

#include "SerialMP3Player.h"

// WARNING, RX and TX in this test code are sometimes reversed, if it doens't work, flip the jumpers!
#define TX 11
#define RX 10

SerialMP3Player mp3(RX,TX);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);     // start serial interface
  mp3.begin(9600);        // start mp3-communication
  delay(500);             // wait for init

  mp3.sendCommand(CMD_SEL_DEV, 0, 2);   //select sd-card
  delay(500);             // wait for init
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  Serial.println("Starting play loop");
  mp3.play(1); // Play candle flicker
  delay(3000);
  mp3.play(2); // Play wind sound
  delay(5000);
  mp3.play(3); // Play unlocking lock
  delay (5000);
  Serial.println ("Done playing, looping");
}
6

When I rebuild, there will be a 5v supply nearby that i can piggyback, I will see if this helps. Yes 200mA is a lot for the board to handle!

1 Like
7

That is a bad idea as they power sources are not designed to share the load. Power the player separately but be sure to connect the grounds.

9

I mean I have a 5v supply that runs around the space that is separate to any microcontrollers for this reason