littleBits Wire/Logic Modules

The littleBits Bluetooth Low Energy Bit (marked "BLE" on your Bit) is the easiest way to control your inventions wirelessly, from any smart device (like a phone or tablet). All you need is the littleBits Invent app and this Bit to move motors on wireless vehicles, or trigger buzzers for pranks. You can also use your circuit to control functions on your device, like triggering the camera to take a picture.  

The Branch Bit gives you more options for connecting your littleBits: it lets you connect the output of a single Bit to as many as three others, oriented in different directions. Use it when you want to trigger light, sound and motion at the same time.

The codeBit levels up your littleBits circuits by allowing you to program how your Bits work. Using the littleBits Code Kit app you can command this Bit to create unique sounds, movements, and animations. The codeBit dongle allows you to wirelessly upload code from your computer to your codeBit. The USB cable brings power to your USB power Bit and rechargeable battery. It will also send information between certain Bits and your computer.

Integrate your Synth Kit with other analog synthesizers like modular synths or analog keyboards! Control littleBits module behaviours like the pitch of oscillators, the cutoff frequency of filters and more from your analog synth gear. Control analog synthesizers with littleBits modules, like a bend sensor, light sensor or any other input from the littleBits library to create new control interfaces for your synth. Sync your littleBits to other gear like Korg’s Volca series. CV stands for “control voltage” and is a widely used term in the realm of analog synthesizers. A control voltage is a variable voltage signal that is used to control module behaviors ranging from the pitch of oscillators to the cutoff setting of filters and more. The CV module can be used for both CV and Gate/Trigger type signals used in analog synthesizers. The module is suitable for interfacing with modular analog synths, analog keyboards, as well as groove boxes like the Korg Volca series. The “Sync” ports employed in the Volca series of synths can be used to make your littleBits modules play in sync with your Volcas or vice versa. The 3.5mm connection jacks should be used with mono 3.5mm plug phono cables. CV In The CV module can scale incoming voltages as high as 12V down to the 5V system the littleBits system employs. To use the CV module to control your other littleBits modules, connect the control device to the “CV In” jack. CV signals that come in through the "CV In" jack are routed to the output bitSnap™. The "CV In" jack is a switching jack so that any CVs coming in through the input bitSnap™ are not routed to the bitSnap output. When using the CV module as an input, you can control the pitch of oscillator modules, the cutoff of filter modules, trigger the envelope module, or control the speed of the micro sequencer module (put the micro sequencer into “Step” mode for this). CV Out To use the CV module to control your other CV enabled synthesizer equipment, connect the control device to the “CV Out” jack. CV signals received from littleBits modules at the input bitSnap™ are routed to the "CV Out" jack and the output bitSnap™.

The Double AND Bit is a logic gate with two inputs. Just like its name implies, it sends an ON signal from its output only when input one AND input two are both receiving an ON signal. The AND function can be demonstrated by thinking about a door with two locks. The only way to get through this door is to unlock lock 1 AND to unlock lock 2. Otherwise you will be stuck outside.

The Double OR Bit is a logic gate with two inputs. Just like its name, if input one OR input two is receiving an ON signal, then it sends an ON signal from its output. Picture a house that has a doorbell at the front door and a doorbell at the back door. Both doorbells are connected to the same buzzer inside the house. This buzzer will ring when EITHER OR BOTH of the doorbells are pressed.

The fork Bit gives you more options for connecting your Bits: it lets you connect the output of a single Bit to as many as three others. The additional Bits will be right next to each other. Use it when you want to trigger light, sound, and motion at the same time.

The littleBits inverter is a very contrary logic Bit. It sends out the opposite of whatever it receives: send it an ON signal, and the inverter changes it to an OFF signal, or vice versa. Try putting it between two lights after a button: clicking will make the LEDs blink back and forth, like the lights on top of a police car! The lights on top of a police car flash back and forth. A pulse sends a signal to both of the lights, but they flash opposite one another due to the inverter.

Use the littleBits latch to turn any momentary input, like a button or a trigger module, into an ON/OFF switch, like a toggle! If you place a button in front of the latch, pressing the button once will turn it ON, and pressing it again will turn it OFF again. Or for even more fun, place a sound trigger in front of the latch, and a light after it...then, just snap your fingers!

Ready to incorporate a carrot, your sunglasses, or great-grandma into your littleBits creations? Now you can use everyday objects to trigger your Bits and control cursors on your computer’s keyboard, or even control your computer with Bits. Make a touchpad out of ANYTHING by attaching alligator clips (4 are included!) to the Makey Makey Bit. For example: you and a banana. When you touch the banana, you complete the connection, and the Makey Makey Bit sends a signal to either your computer (move cursor left or right) or to your bits (flash an LED or turn a motor). You can make 3 awesome interactions: Touch to Bit: Trigger your Bits with any conductive object. Touch a banana to turn on an LED, splash water to move a servo motor, or turn a watermelon into a bass drum! Bit to computer: Use regular Bits, like sensors and triggers, to control the cursors on your computer. Make a whimsical photobooth with your computer by using the sound trigger. Take pictures with a clap, sneeze-anything that makes sound. Touch to computer: Use any object that can hold electricity, like oranges, foil, or people, to control the cursors on your computer. The module connects to a computer through a micro USB cable and has three MaKey MaKey inputs which are mapped to left arrow, right arrow, and space bar/mouse click. Each one of these key inputs can be controlled by littleBits modules like motion triggers or light sensors.

Take learning & inventing further with the littleBits micro:bit Adapter The littleBits micro:bit Adapter connects micro:bit and littleBits enabling new learning experiences and creative inventions in a less-intimidating way. Enhance your learning with micro:bit by adding coding to your littleBits using platforms like the free Microsoft MakeCode or Python editor. It works by connecting the signals from the littleBits input and output bitsnaps to pins on the micro:bit edge connectors. No special coding libraries are needed. * micro:bit is required for use & sold separately Coding Capabilities Microsoft MakeCode  Microsoft MakeCode is a free, open source platform for creating engaging computer science learning experiences that support a progression path into real-world programming.  Students new to coding can start with coloured blocks that they can drag and drop onto their workspace to construct their programs.  Python Editor for micro:bit  micro:bit Python editor is designed with teachers and learners in mind: you can easily enlarge the text size for sharing on a large screen or whiteboard, download projects as Python text files or .HEX files ready to flash onto a micro:bit. It also works with micro:bit classroom.  Featured Activities micro:bit Countdown Create your very own micro:bit countdown clock using your favourite littleBits and some help from MakeCode. micro:bit Sunflower Create a micro:bit powered sunflower to seek out the best and brightest spots in and around the room. micro:bit Obstacles Create your very own autonomous robot using a micro:bit, your favorite littleBits, and a Sphero RVR. See if you can program RVR through a maze or an obstacle course without it ever hitting a wall or object.

Now you can control your Synth Kit from MIDI-enabled instruments and computer software! Module can both send and receive MIDI messages Create your own MIDI controller with other modules like the keyboard, microsequencer, light sensor, and more! Control Synth modules with software like Ableton Live, Logic, and Pro Tools Includes: MIDI module, MIDI adapter cable micro USB cable Geek Speak The w5 MIDI module functions by acting as a MIDI-to-voltage converter (“MIDI in” mode) and a voltage-to-MIDI converter (“MIDI out” mode). The w5 MIDI module will show up in your DAW as a MIDI device. The note range of the w5 MIDI module is from C2 to C6. MIDI note C2 generates an output CV of 0.2V. Thereafter, the output CV increases by 1V/oct up to C6. Similar to the i30 keyboard and i36 micro sequencer modules, the w5 MIDI module has two outputs: A main bitSnap™ output that sends control voltages to other modules (for instance, an i31 oscillator) depending on which key is pressed and a “trigger out” output that sends a 5V, HIGH signal out to modules (for instance, an i33 envelope) when any MIDI note message is sent. Like with the i30 keyboard module, the i31 oscillators will need to be tuned to play the correct pitches. See the “Tuning” project in the Synth Kit booklet for more information. To help with tuning, standard digital instrument tuners can be used and there are many tuner Apps available for smartphones.  

The littleBits NAND module is a logic gate with two inputs. Think of it as “not and.” The NAND module will always send an on signal unless both input one and input two are receiving an on signal. It’s the exact opposite of the AND module. Think of a car with two doors. When the doors are closed, they activate inputs. Inside the car, a light shines if the either or both of the doors are open. The light goes off when both doors are closed. Fun Fact The first lunar landing module computer was made up entirely of thousands of NAND gates! 

The littleBits NOR module is a logic gate with two inputs. As its name suggests, it sends an ON signal only when neither input is receiving an ON signal. In other words, it’s the exact opposite of the OR module. The NOR module is good for projects in which you want the output to be on unless one or both of its inputs are triggered. A washing machine has two sensors. One to check if the washing machine lid is open and the other to sense whether the water in the washing tub is filled to minimum level. If either or both of these inputs are activated, the washing machine will stop.

The littleBits perf module is a quick and easy way to prototype a circuit for the littleBits library. It's a standard 0.1" perfboard with a vcc and ground bus connected to our bitSnap connectors. Use it to quickly prototype with different sensors and components by soldering directly to the perf module.

If there is a littleBits module that doesn’t exist, you now have the power to make it. The proto module is what littleBits engineers use to build and prototype new modules. Hack into existing modules or invent a brand new one by connecting to printed circuit boards or solderless breadboards. With the proto module, you have direct access to power, ground and signal lines needed to take measurements and connect to other instruments.

The littleBits split module sends a single input to two wired outputs. It's great for connecting one output to two inputs, like using a keyboard to control two oscillators. But keep in mind that it can be used just like a wire module if you ignore one of its outputs.

Now you can record digital audio directly into your computer, or play digital audio from your computer through littleBits modules! Remix music from any audio software (like iTunes, Spotify and GarageBand) Integrate your Synth Kit with common audio workstations (Ableton, ProTools, Audacity, Traktor, Max/MSP) The w27 USB I/O module features 44.1K / 12-bit audio conversion for high quality sound. It is also “DC coupled”, which means that in addition to sending and receiving signals like music, it can also send and receive control voltages. This allows you to use software programs like Max, PD, and CV Toolkit with w27 USB I/O to control littleBits modules by creating “virtual” littleBits modules like sequencers, low frequency oscillators, and much more. You can also control the aforementioned programs with littleBits modules to create hardware controls for your software. The w27 USB I/O module will appear to your computer as an audio interface and its input and output routing can be selected as with any other audio interface. The module can only be selected as either an input or output device at a given time but multiple USB I/O modules can be used at once.

The wire Bit is just what it sounds like - it allows you to physically separate your Bits. Try it whenever you need to break up your chain of Bits, like when you need to put a light at the top of a model building! You'll find many situations where you want a wire Bit.

You will need a wireless receiver and a transmitter to use littleBits wirelessly. You can purchase additional receivers and transmitters. The wireless receiver module receives a signal from your wireless transmitter and activates your littleBits circuit remotely! The three channels (labeled 1, 2, and 3) on the transmitter and receiver correspond to each other and can be used simultaneously. The module can receive a signal at a distance of about 100 feet indoors. Multiple wireless receivers can be used with a single wireless transmitter, but only one wireless transmitter can be used in proximity to another wireless transmitter.

You will need a wireless receiver and a transmitter to use littleBits wirelessly. You can purchase additional receivers and transmitters. The wireless transmitter sends a signal to your wireless receiver and activates your littleBits circuit remotely! The three channels (labeled 1, 2, and 3) on the transmitter and receiver correspond to each other and can be used simultaneously. The module can transmit its signal to a distance of about 100 feet indoors. Multiple wireless receivers can be used with a single wireless transmitter, but only one wireless transmitter can be used in proximity to another wireless transmitter.

The littleBits XOR module is a logic gate with two inputs. Think of it as “exclusive or,” meaning that it sends an on signal when it’s receiving an on signal exclusively from one input or the other, but not both. The XOR is great for projects in which the activation requires alternation. Because the output is only true when one input is true, this circuit can be used to make sure that only one event happens at a time. The XOR also works well in scenarios in which you want one button to start an action, and the other button to stop it.