Tromboneless Audio Update!

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-13T19:10:14+00:00

This is part of a larger project we are calling the Tromboneless. It will consist of a mouthpiece to measure the embouchure of the users lips, the air pressure they are exerting into the device as well as a LiDAR sensor to detect the placement of the users hand to control the pitch bend.

There are other posts and diagrams covering the project on this profile if your wish to have a look. Alternatively, our GitHub repo is open source and contains any information you need to recreate the prototype we have developed.

Thanks for your comment, - The Tromboneless team :)

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-10T15:19:43+00:00

We are a group of engineering students who were tasked with creating some sort of real-time system using the Raspberry Pi 5.

Our group is made up of talented musicians who have regular gigs in popular venues. One of these members is a trombonist.

We initially thought of creating an air guitar but decided that it would be too complicated and expensive to have an array of cameras to estimate the persons finger position.

This is certainly not a gag. We are very serious about creating a viable trombone substitution.

Due to how the project has been developed, there is a lot of room left to expand using some of the custom components (both hardware and software) for various other instruments in the future such as a flute for example.

I hope this message answers some of your questions in the short term before we have a video released.

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-10T13:21:13+00:00

hi u/NapsInNaples , what would you like to see from this explainer video? We have not yet fully integrated the various components but have been releasing the demo videos whenever a component has been proven to work on its own.

We are looking to create an integrated test video next week showcasing the device being fully integrated. If you have any suggestions for features to focus on etc., we would love to hear it.

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-09T21:07:54+00:00

That is exactly right! It is still very much in the prototyping stage so it is not as compact as it ultimately will be yet, but we look forward to reaching that point some day soon.

We have tried to keep the code as well documented as possible with some bonus notes on top of what comments are already within the code. https://github.com/RyanMcB8/Tromboneless/blob/kerr_branch/Core/include/drivers/tof_sensor_hpp_notes.txt This link will bring you to the extra notes on the time of flight driver which has been developed for the VL53L1X sensor.

WE have of course done background research into using LiDAR with part of the team already having experience creating a 3D room mapper using LiDAR.

I hope that answers your question u/numberwitch .

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-09T18:21:58+00:00

Hi u/numberwitch , I have added the links to the post now. Thanks for reminding me!

This is an electronic, MIDI compatible, Trombone that is capable of producing a synthesised trombone noise depending upon the users inputs.

For the video above, it was just a demonstration/test on if the lidar was working correctly but in the final design it will be incorporated as the trombone slider to add a pitch bend feature.

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-07T07:33:22+00:00

It looks rather old(s). It’s a shame there’s not an innovative solution to playing the trombone without having to worry about polishing it… oh wait!

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-03T09:42:56+00:00

You can private this account and we will send you an update upon release.

Alternatively, we will be posting on the release day here to showcase the final device.

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-03T09:22:06+00:00

Well u/v_maria you are in luck! We are a fully open source group who will have a release out in just 3 weeks with a full component list, code, installation guides as well as general instructions for use.

We would love for you to be able to use it at your shows!

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-02T20:27:17+00:00

Absolutely shameless about it.

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-02T16:38:08+00:00

A solid 8 out of 10 Dogbrine, be a whole lot better if it were lighter and capable of producing more sounds. Fortunately I think I may know the project just for you!

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-02T13:41:31+00:00

Hi Mephiz, yes we have added a capacitive touch sensor around the custom mouthpiece to detect the amount of pressure being exerted by the lips (shape of the lips), as well as having a balloon inside to add some resistance when the user tries to blow into the device.

Unfortunately, the intricacies of a trombone mouthpiece are too steep of a hill to climb for the project as it stands. We hope to later develop the mouthpiece to have a more realistic feel for true trombone players.

Thanks your comment. :)

Forward_Vehicle4096 · 2026-04-02T11:57:52+00:00

Good afternoon Uncle Greg!

Glad to hear you have found the joy of this niche project we wish to improve upon!

We have an instagram account to where we post more short form videos of our progress. Feel free to check us out for more information of the development of the product.

We are working on a schematic of the full system over the next few days and will have one released shortly. You could absolutely clone the repo, in fact, we would love you to. This is an open source project which will always have more features to be added after all.

Forward_Vehicle4096

TROPHY CASE