The pressure sensor is a touch-activated module; give its pad a little squeeze to activate it. The more pressure you apply, the more signal it sends out. Put it in front of a vibration motor to control how much it shakes!

The oscillator is the main sound source in the Synth Kit and is capable of creating audio tones that will be used in almost every sound experiment you create. It features a "pitch" knob to adjust its output tone and a "tune" dial for adjusting the tuning when using with the keyboard. It also features a mode switch that selects between "square" and "saw" waveforms. The "square" waveform has a rich, powerful character, and the "saw" waveform has a more mellow, rounder character. [You'll often use it after the Keyboard or Micro Sequencer Bits modules, but you can have lots of fun by just twisting the pitch knob and "sweeping" through all the frequencies from high to low pitches.]

The littleBits mp3 Player allows you to play your very own mp3 files using littleBits. Sending a signal to the mp3 player can make it work as a media player, sampler, or looper. Just load the mp3 files you want onto the provided SD card and you'll have music and sound effects in your next littleBits project in no time. The mp3 player reads mp3 files off of the SD card that is underneath the bit. To choose the order that files are played in simply rename the mp3 file so that it has a number in front of the file name. The mp3 player will then play your mp3 tracks in numerical order. Use the 'back' and 'forward' buttons to switch between tracks on the mp3 player. If you are in the middle of a song then double click the 'back' button to go to the previous track. Playback is started by sending a pulse or latch through the input signal line to the bit. The behaviour of playback thereafter depends on which of the four modes is selected. ONCE MODE: Once mode behaves much like a retrigger sampler. It will play only the current selected track. Begin playback by giving an input signal pulse to the bit. After a track is finished playback will stop. Subsequent triggers will repeat the same track. If a pulse is sent during playback it will start playback of the track from the beginning. LOOP MODE: Loop mode continuously plays the same track repeatedly. An input pulse or latch will start playback of the looped track. A subsequent pulse or latch stops playback of the track. NEXT MODE: Next mode plays a track and then upon subsequent input pulses will automatically start playback of the next track in the queue. Once a track finishes playing playback will stop. ALL MODE: All mode behaves most like a traditional mp3 player. Playback is started and it will play all songs loaded on the SD card in order, without interruption. Input pulses or latches will stop and resume playback. VOLUME CHANGE: If you find the maximum volume of the mp3 player is not suitably loud enough, you can add 12dB of gain by simultaneously pressing the back and forward buttons at the same time. To remove the extra boost, press the two buttons again to switch back to normal mode. HEADPHONE/BITSNAP OUT: You can either send the audio signal out through the headphones or through the output bitsnap. When headphones are connected to the bit audio will not be carried through the output bitsnap.  UNDER THE HOOD An Atmega168 is used to read data from the SD card. It also handles all playback options that are selectable on the card. MP3 decoding is done through the VLSI1053 IC. The VLSI handles the playback of all audio and makes requests to the Atmega168 when it needs more data to process. The VLSI then outputs the left and right channel data to the headphone jack. When headphones are not connected the two signals are mixed and amplified so that both channels are merged onto a single line so the audio can be passed to the bitsnap out.

The motion trigger is similar to the sensor on an automatic door: when someone is moving nearby, it sends an ON signal to the following Bits. It's very sensitive, so don't breathe unless you want to be detected! Try it with some LEDs to create a security light!

The littleBits mix module allows you to combine two inputs and send them to a single output. It also has a volume control for each of its inputs - that's where the 'mixing' comes in. Use it to play two oscillators on a single speaker!

The microphone Bits module translates sound into the electronic language of littleBits. You can use it to turn sounds into light or motion, or use it with the speaker Bits module like a small megaphone! Make sure the switch is set to “sound” when you're using it with the speaker, and “other” for all your other modules, like LEDs and motors. The microphone Bits module also has a 3.5 mm input jack so you can plug in your computer or mp3 player.

The littleBits micro sequencer sends out voltages based on the position of each of the four “step” knobs. Connect it to an oscillator and it will step through the "sequence" consecutively to make a melody (The LEDs tell you which step is active). Turn a knob all the way counter-clockwise to make the step silent. Use it in "speed" mode to set the speed using the dial, or flip the switch to “step” mode to use an input module like a pulse or button for control. In addition to its main output, it also has a trigger output, which you can send to any of your other Bits modules.

The littleBits light sensor measures how much light is shining on it. It has two modes: “light” and “dark”. In “light” mode, the more light shines on the sensor, the higher the signal it sends out. In “dark” mode, it's just the opposite – the signal increases the darker it gets. You can use a screwdriver to adjust the sensitivity. Use a bargraph to see how it's working!

The keyboard lets you play melodies- it features 13 switches that make up an entire octave of notes. It has two modes: "press" (which only produces output when you press a switch) and "hold" (which will hold the last note you played). It also features an octave control which changes the playable range. In addition to its main output, which is great for controlling our oscillators, it also has a "trigger out", which you can send to the "trigger in" of envelope or other littleBits modules.

The littleBits filter has the most effect on the sound’s character or “timbre”. It affects the timbre by changing the relative volume of certain frequencies in the sound. Use it to give the impression that a sound is “brighter" (more high frequencies) or “darker” (more low frequencies.) The "cutoff" knob sets the frequency to be emphasized, and the other controls 'peak,' or intensity of the filter. If the peak is turned up all the way, the filter turns into an oscillator! [This is great for shaping all of the sounds you can make with the Synth Kit, but it's especially good with a noise input.]

The littleBits envelope modifies the loudness contour of a sound. It takes a sound input and shapes it into something you'd hear from an acoustic musical instrument, like a piano or saxophone. This envelope has two controls: "attack", which is how long it takes to ramp up to maximum volume, and "decay", which is how long it takes to go down to silence again. You can use its third bitSnap[TM] to trigger the envelope from different sources, like the keyboard. [Try it putting the envelope after an oscillator being controlled by a micro sequencer.]

Our dimmer Bit lets you control your creations with a simple knob. Turn it clockwise to send more signal to the following Bits. Try using it to control how much your vibration motor is buzzing and bouncing around.

The littleBits delay module takes incoming audio and repeats it, like an echo. It has two knobs: "time", which sets the delay length between a sound and its repetition, and "feedback", which controls how many times the sound repeats. Delays can be long and spacey, like shouting into the Grand Canyon, or loud and crazy. This Bits module will play forever if you turn up the Feedback knob all the way. [You can also shift the pitch of a sound by turning the "time" control while a sound is repeating.]

The button Bit is a classic: big, round and springy for comfortable pressing! Push to turn your creation on, and release to turn it off. Snap a buzzer in place after your button to sound out signals in morse code! The button module will make or break the signal path between two modules. When the button is pressed, the output of the module is directly connected to the signal line input. When not pressed the output of the module is weakly pulled low through a 1meg resistor.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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!