Music, Voice and Sound interface kits: What you need to know. When it comes learning Unix and Linux systems and language, there are a lot of applications you can apply your skills to. One of them is sound interfaces.

We find that when developers and aspiring developers spend time learning something, there is often a desire to apply it to something practical that can be used in everyday life. Here we aim to share a couple of examples of this type of hands-on kit and give you the information you need to decide if this is the right kit for you as a techy music enthusiast.

ReSpeaker Core v2.0 ($99)

Tech Spec Details:
This kit allows you to create great sounding voice and sound interfaces. The board can be used as a base to create smart assistant capable speakers and is highly flexible. The core runs Debian OS, features a Rockchip RK3229 Quad-Core Cortex-A, and is powered by a high-performance Axol Core module.

Potential applications for the product are smart speakers, intelligent voice assistants, voice recorders, voice conferencing systems, voice interacting robots and car voice assistants to name a few.

Specs

• Dimensions: 100mm x 96mm x 18mm
• Weight: 180 g
• ARM Quad-Core Corex-A7 up to 1.5GHz / ARM Mail-400MP2 GPU
• 1 GB RAM DDR3
• Microphone: 8 Channel ADC for 6 Microphone Array and 2 Loopbacks
• Headset connector: 3.5mm Audio Headset Connector
• Speaker connector: JST 2.0 Output Connector for 8 Ohm Speakers
• Video output: HDMI 2.0 (driver not yet available)
• WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Flash: 4GB eMMC on-board
• SD card slot
• 3 USB hosts/OTG
• 1 USB power
• 1 Grove socket, support I2C and digital port
• 6 GPIO
• 1 Debug UART
• 12 programmable LEDs

Features

• Debian-Based Linux System
• SDK for Speech Algorithms with Full Documents
• C++ SDK and Python Wrapper
• Speech Algorithms and Features
• Keyword Spotting (Wake-Up)
• BF (Beamforming)
• DoA (Direction of Arrival)
• NS (Noise Suppression)
• AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) and AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
• All-in-One Solution with High-Performance SoC
• 8 Channel ADC for 6 Microphone Array and 2 Loopbacks (Hardware Loopback)

If you’re looking for something similar to the above but not 100% sure if its got everything you want, then have a look at the VoCore2 Mini Linux Computer + Ultimate Dock. This tiny computer is versatile and can be used as a VPN gateway to secure your network, a private cloud to store your data or an airplay music streaming station.

It’s currently 14% off at $42.99. You can even enhance the functions by writing code for the VoCore 2 in C, Java, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, and more.The VoCore2 Mini Linux Computer + Ultimate Dock has 58 reviews and a 4.5 star rating.

We have plenty of deals you can snap up on Hack Ware News, and we hope you find what you’re looking for. We are selective about what we offer so that we can consistently offer the products we believe our customers would enjoy and get benefit from.

Great Techy Gear and Gadgets: Series 3

In this series, we look at some great techy gear and gadgets so you can put your skills to the test and have some fun along the way. We tailor pick gadgets and gear that we think adds a new way of experiencing or learning an area of tech, to help you get your head out of the textbooks and into some hands-on, but fun, learning. If you’ve just joined us, you can find part one of the series here or part two here.

MagicKey 3-in-1  DIY MIDI Gamepad Keyboard ($32.99)

Another fun and entertaining gadget by SunFounder here! This is a multi-function controller based on the Atmel ATmega32U4. You just need to connect this controller to a Raspberry Pi or PC and you can create a gamepad! You can then use this gamepad to play games, type, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Just a reminder that this product requires Raspberry Pi or PC in order to work, these are not included.

In a nutshell:

• Combines gamepad, keyboard, & MIDI functionality in one
• Uses anything conductive as the keys for your creative works
• Change the keys’ value for your creations using the Raspberry Pi visual programming language software
• Multiple connections let you use buttons on board, alligator clips, or pin headers as inputs
• Can connect to the computer via mini USB cable for further keyboard & gamepad use

Click here for more information on this product

TinyTesla Musical Coil Kit ($197)

This product by OneTesla is a SSTC mini-musical Tesla coil with USB technology. This fun and amusing gadget is accessible for techies of all levels, the kit comes with all the electronic and hardware components you need to build your own singing Tesla coil. All you need to do is plug it into your laptop or PC and you’re ready. Everyone likes a bit of sparks flying, but only when its safe of course as it is with this kit!

In a nutshell:

• Completed kit shoots sparks up to 4 inches long
• USB interrupter allows you to control your Tesla coil from a laptop
• Play MIDI files & make music using the sparks themselves
• Small size & low component count makes it easy to assemble
• Ideal for newcomers to the Tesla coiling hobby, as well as seasoned DIY electronics enthusiasts

Click here for more information on this product.

Kinkajou Bottle Cutting and Candle Making Kit ($59.99)

This versatile and entertaining kit by Bottle Cutting allows you to cut bottles into impressive glassware to impress your friends and also make some fancy candles. This kit allows you to take your favourite bottles and shape them into glassware to keep, the added bonus of the candle maker means you can fill your new glasses with homemade soy candles. This kit is perfect for techies who also have a creative flair and want to try their hand at some art & design glassware, as well as getting hands-on with assembly.

In a nutshell:

• Includes Bottle Cutting & Candle Making Kits
• Designed to cut round bottles from 43 to 102mm
• Creates soy candles
• Make great gifts
• Perfect for creating custom drinking glass sets

Click here for more information on this product.

Flexbot Hexacopter Kit ($89.99)

This DIY helicopter kit by FlexBot includes all the materials you need to create your own flying helicopter that you can play take to the great outdoors! The kit is accessible to techies of all levels since it includes simple, focused and straightforward instructions to put together the helicopter. We know technology enthusiasts are always looking for ways to learn new things in a hands-on way, advance your skills but also step away from the screen, this kit helps you do just that. An added bonus is that the kit looks stylish with an orange and white colour scheme.

In a nutshell:

• Control the Flexbot using the gravity sensors in your smartphone or tablet
• Personalize your flying experience w/ any design you like
• Customize your Flexbot further by 3D printing your own additions at home
• Add new modules using the Arduino compatibility
• Lower flying noise, remove signals, & more by coding it yourself

Click here to find out more about this product.

That completes series 3 of our Great Techy Gear and Gadgets where we aim to bring you fun and educational techy products so you can continue to impress your friends! We try to hand pick gadgets based on what we think our techies want. We know when you’re learning new technical skills such as programming languages or electronics, sometimes the material can be a little dry, and you get little time to get your head out of the books and into something hands on but also fun, that’s what we’ve considered in this series. We’ll be back soon with part 4.

Great Techy Gear and Gadgets: Series 1

In this series we’ll look at some great techy gear and gadgets so you can put your skills to the test and have some fun along the way.

The Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle ($89.99) 

The Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle

Arduino is the open-source electronics platform that lets you create digital devices and interactive objects in the physical and digital world. Arduino consists of a programmable circuit board (the hardware) and a piece of software that you can run on your computer to write and upload code to the board. This course allows you to delve into the specifics of the platform, as a beginner and emerge knowing about various boards, how to run programs and even get you kick started on your first hands-on project.

This course includes:

• Access 289 lectures & 30 hours of content 24/7
• Explore the Arduino platform & learn about boards and software
• Dive into control statements, sketching, variables & other Arduino concepts
• Learn by doing w/ an Arduino project
• Walk through programming LEDs & creating a motion sensor

Arduino has become increasingly popular with people delving into electronics because of its simplicity and ease of use compared to other electronics starter kits.

Force Flyers DIY Building Block Drone ($42.99)

This spaceship themed drone allows you to put your DIY skills to the test, whilst having fun at the same time. The building of the drone uses several Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) principles, and at the end you get your own flying and spying drone. Explore aerodynamics and weight distribution as you engineer the perfect design; then, get airborne and weave through tight spaces with a 6-axis gyro that makes for even smoother flying.

With this kit you get to:

• Build & customize your drone w/ fun building blocks
• Learn about key STEM concepts, like aerodynamics & weight distribution
• Compatible w/ all major building blocks for extra versatility
• Zip through tight spaces w/ the digital proportional control & a 6-axis gyro
• Pull off impressive 360° stunt flips
• Easily control your drone w/ auto-stabilization

Specs

• Style: space
• Dimensions: 4″H x 6″L x 6″W
• Compatible with all major toy building blocks
• 7v 600mAh Lipo battery
• 6-axis gyro
• 360-degree stunt flip
• Auto flight stabilization
• 4G long-range control
• Crash-resistant ABS plastic
• Flight time: 10 to 12 minutes
• Range: 160 to 240 feet
• Recharge time: about 60 minutes
• For indoor or outdoor use

DIY Robot Tissue Box Holder ($24.99)

This fun kit allows you to make your own DIY tissue box, adding a bit of quirk to your room. The tissue box is made out of durable Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and can sport multiple expressions so you can get just the right amount of villainy on your desk, coffee table, or wherever else you’re in need of a tissue.

This kit allows you to:

• Build your own creative tissue holder
• Adjust the arms for multiple poses/configurations
• Polish & paint the surface to match any room’s decor
• Place anywhere thanks to durable MDF material

This may not be the most technically complex kit, but it is an excellent way to gain a quirky gadget in a hands-on way.

DIY Game Console Kit V2 ($17.99)

This kit is perfect for those of you who have always fancied building your own games console but been at a loss with where to start. This complete kit sets it all out for you and includes everything you need. The kit includes all the parts, the code, and also four retro games: Tetris, Snake, Racing and Shooting. You can then add additional games by modifying the code. This kit is a great way to learn the basics of electronics and console building.

More details on this kit:

• New upgraded version
• New design is easier to play & battery can be hidden inside
• Code & schematic provided
• Modify the code to add any games you’d like
• Comes w/ four retro games: Tetris, Snake, Racing, Shooting
• Easy to assemble: simple soldering & installation required
• Can run using a USB power supply or via the battery
• Size: 5.59 x 3.82 x 1.26 inch
• Power: DC4.5-5.5V 60mA, Computer USB power, mini USB Interface or 3x AAA battery
• Color: Black
• Controls:
  • Arrow Key Buttom: Direction control, choose game
  • Red Button: Switch on/off
  • Return Button: Return to Menu
  • OK Button: Enter/ Start
• Tools You May Need:
  • Pro32 Soldering Iron
  • ES120 Screwdriver
• Includes:
  • DIY Game Kit V2 (Battery not included)
  • Clear Shell

We hope you enjoyed series 1 of our Gear and Gadgets products, we’ll be back for series 2 to bring you more top techy picks.