Lately I've been playing with ESP32-S3 devices and HX710b Pressure Sensors in order to make unusual musical instruments.

SWOMHÖRN is a synthesizer that mimics the sound of individual cicadas and then allows the performer to control the energy of a swarm.

From a synth perspective, I treat a cicada as a percussion instrument, like a tube or block struck by a mallet. Swarms are simulated using the Kuramoto model which allows individual performances to fall into synchronous performance.

For extra fun the LEDs light up whenever the swarm "Beats" together.

From a hardware perspective I'm using Waveshare Smart Speaker ESP32-S3 kit, a small lithium pouch battery and an HX710b Air Pressure Sensor. This was easy to integrate and build a toy out of but lacks punch... I'm looking forward to adding some punch :)

I find myself doing more projects like these as a matter of self-care. Its nice to have a project where I don't have to think about economics or scale or anything dreary.

Hope you like it!