Exposi'Son

Additional information

A few demonstrations of what you can do with it:

• A listening station with a vintage Socotel S63 or U43 telephone, at low cost
• An audio kiosk with 1 to 4 headphones (such as this one or this one + a splitter) and up to 14 buttons
• An electronic "moo box"
• My "real waterfall"
• A sound sign for a museum or gallery
• A user's sound sign
• A sound night light
• Adding sound to an artwork
• And billions of other things...

All kinds of projects are possible. Need advice (feasibility, choice of version, build, suggestions, questions...)? Contact me.

Museums, local authorities and businesses

I provide quotes and invoices on request, with submission through Chorus Pro for French public bodies, and payment by bank transfer (VAT not applicable, article 293 B of the French General Tax Code). As each module is made by hand, write to me for a bulk order: we will agree on the lead time together.

In detail

Warning

The module is sold without a case. A case is recommended to avoid any contact with conductive objects (including the metal of a speaker). Risk of short circuit and destruction of the module. This applies to all similar boards, such as Bare Conductive's "Touch Board", the "Teensy Audio Shield" or Adafruit's "Audio FX Sound Board", for example.

Power supply

The module can be powered with 3.2 to 5 volts, but a 5 V supply is recommended to get the maximum audio power of 3 W.

Beware of power banks: the Exposi'Son draws very little current (10 to 20 mA). Most so-called "smart" power banks cut their output when the current draw is too low, and there's a high risk they will switch off after a few seconds, especially with headphones or at low volume. Choose an "always-on" power bank (often sold with a "low current mode", for connected devices).

USB, rechargeable or disposable batteries

For the best autonomy, I recommend USB power. Otherwise, rechargeable batteries. For ecological and economic reasons, I never recommend alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries. They are cheaper, but disposable...

Speaker or exciter?

Everyone knows speakers. An exciter, however, is a kind of speaker that must be glued to a solid surface (glass, wood, cardboard, plastic, etc.), which it makes vibrate. That surface then acts as the membrane. It's an ideal way to play sound without showing a speaker.

Connecting an amplifier

In the jack version, you can connect the Exposi'Son to an external amplifier. If the module and the amplifier share the same power supply, a hum almost always appears: add a Transmi'Son in between, which removes it and also lets you control the amplifier's volume.

Expandable

The module has two screw terminals marked "1" and "2" on the board: these are "AdKey1" and "AdKey2". You can connect many push buttons to them to control it. To make things simple, I created the "Exten'Son" module, which lets you build this setup without any particular knowledge.

How many boards, on which terminal, and which button plays which file? Tell me how many sounds you want and the wiring table builds itself, station by station.

However, the Expan'Son is not compatible with the Exposi'Son: it is controlled through the I2C bus, which requires a microcontroller. To go beyond 14 buttons, or to control LEDs, relays or other devices, choose the Ambi'Son.

And also

I designed the device entirely myself: from drawing the circuit board to soldering the components. It is made with my own hands.

So if you have a problem, questions, or need changes for your project, contact me.

Technical specifications

• Choose your version and set it up, in a few questions
• Full manual (in French)
• Power supply, your choice:
  • USB-C, recommended (adapter and cable, sold separately)
  • Micro-USB
  • Battery box for AA or AAA batteries (batteries not included)
  • Box for one 18650 battery (battery not included)
• Battery life (estimate):
  • USB-C: unlimited
  • Rechargeable batteries: about 14 to 35 hours on the jack output / about 2 to 5 hours on the 3W speaker or exciter output
  • Alkaline batteries: about 21 to 50 hours on the jack output / about 3 to 7 hours on the 3W speaker or exciter output
  • 18650 battery: about 44 hours on the jack output / about 6 hours on the 3W speaker or exciter output
• Audio player: genuine DFPlayer Mini by DFRobot.
• Storage: microSD card (sold separately), up to 32 GB, formatted in FAT16 or FAT32.
• Formats: .mp3 (preferably) and/or .wav (max 48 kHz / 16-bit)
• Channels: mono (left and right mixed)
• Playback, with the push button:
  • All files in order, looped
  • The first file, once
  • The first file, looped
• Power and impedance:
  • Amplified, 3 watts into 4 Ω, when ordered with a speaker or exciter.
  • DAC output (not amplified) when ordered with a jack socket. Perfect for connecting headphones (such as this one or this one), an amplifier (with a Transmi'Son if the power supply is shared), or up to 5 headphones (with a splitter).
• Volume: analog, adjustable with a screwdriver.
• Audio outputs, your choice:
  • 3.5 mm jack.
  • or 3-watt speaker (included).
  • or 3-watt exciter (included).
• Power consumption: between 10 mA and 20 mA.
• Dimensions: 40 mm diameter, 20 mm thick. Drilling details: see the last image.
• Sensitive to humidity and rain: for indoor use, or well protected.
• Handmade by me.

Sold separately (optional)

• "Exten'Son" module, to add buttons, on the ADKey inputs
• Transmi'Son, to connect an external amplifier without hum when it shares the module's power supply, and/or to control its volume
• USB-C adapter and cable, to power it
• microSD card, to store your files
• AA (formerly LR06), AAA (formerly LR03) and 18650 batteries
• A jack splitter, to connect up to 5 headphones.

Exposi'Son or Ambi'Son?

In any case

• If you're "hopeless" at electronics, I can install the extra buttons of your choice for you. Let's talk!
• If you're looking for a "smarter" or stereo device, or one expandable with the Expan'Son, take a look at my "Ambi'Son" module.
• Need help choosing between the two?
• If you have any questions at all, contact me!

Photos, videos, components, colors, version, etc.: non-contractual.