Push buttons may appear to be a component. They play a vital role, in capturing actions in different electronic projects. Just imagine being able to press a button and make something happen – it's a powerful concept. These buttons have applications from controlling keyboards to hacking mice. In this guide we'll explore a twist on buttons; using them for audio input and output. So, if you're interested in connecting a push button, this step-by-step guide is tailor made for you.

Step 1: Gathering Your Components

Before commencing this project, you have to pick the following items from your local electronics store.

1. Push Button: For this guide we'll be using a push button that has an on/off locking switch. However, there are options you can choose one with a toggle switch without any lock mechanism or even go for a foot switch.

2. Twin Cable: Depending on your requirements using loudspeaker cable could be a choice. Make sure the cable length aligns, with the purpose of your project. To set up your output and input you'll need two 3.5mm mono plugs; one, for output and another, for audio input.

Step 2: Gathering Necessary Tools

After ensuring you have all the components it's time to collect the tools required for this project. These tools are commonly found at accessory stores. Should be readily available. Here is the toolkit you'll require;

• Soldering Iron
• Solder
• Multimeter
• Wire Strippers
• Solder Sucker
• Nippers
• Helping Hands

Step 3: Preparing the Cable

Cut one side of your cable from the center and strip it. Most cables have a marking on one side, which makes this task easier.

Step 4: Connect Your Push Button

For the middle part of the wire, how about you try to fix your push button in place? Make sure that you twist the bare ends of the wires together before soldering so that they cannot expand.

Step 5: Solder the Plugs

After that, attach your plugs onto either end of the wire by soldering them. Just confirm that the center part of the plugs is where you connect the side with a button on a cord. Remember to put back your plug cover on top of your cord before starting soldering and twist its tail end to prevent it from expanding, and these will then be followed by plugging it firmly after all.

Step 6: Quality Testing

Once through with all this, you will have yourself three sets of plugs; cable and switch. In order for us to ascertain everything is okay at this juncture, test resistance between our two plugs using a multimeter. The ground (lower side) should show zero, while tips (upper side) indicate infinity.

Step 7: Connection to Audio Input and Output

Finally, take both ends of the plug, following their assembly and thorough functionality check, and link them to audio input as well as output.

Step 8: Software Implementation

The next step to take in this experiment is to integrate software. To start with, open any programming environment that can handle audio input output like Flash, MaxMSP or Super Collider. Start with the following:

Choose a particular tone for your audio output, such as a sine wave at frequency of 10kHz.

Adjust the calculator volume for audio input and include a standard receiver for calculating thresholds.

Step 9: Final Connection but Important

It’s now time for you to connect push button with audio input and output. Play the audio, push the button. If it’s not perfect you may have to adjust it to your satisfaction.

FAQs

1.   What are some basic applications for a pushbutton?

There is plenty of use for push buttons but one would be within remote controls.

1.     Are there any other modifications or improvements I can make to my push button?

Yes, you get buttons in different shapes so depending on your specific needs, you can explore options like using two push buttons with triple cables and 3.5mm stereo plugs. If you require more push buttons, extending with standard external audio interfaces is a viable solution, but ensure you use the appropriate plugs for the audio interface port.

Wrap Up

This guide’s aim was to impart you with knowledge in regard to your electronic projects. If you haven’t found the right push button, head on straight to APIELE and see what we have in store for you.