VMusic2 MP3 Player

Using it with a BASIC Stamp 1 or Prop-1

(most of the pictures can be clicked on for a larger image)

  
 

There are a couple of things we need to note before using the VMusic2 with a BASIC Stamp 1 or Prop-1 controller:

  • The VMusic2 has a default baud rate of 9600 bps while the BS1/Prop-1 has a maximum baud of 2400 bps. (Don't worry, you don't need to understand baud, which is the speed at which two items communicate, just realize that they need to be at the same speed.) I've included a firmware update that will allow you to set the VMusic2 to the proper baud rate.
  • The output pins on the VMusic2 have a 2mm spacing while most of what we do as home builders use items (including the Prop-1) with 0.1" spacing. The VMusic2 comes with a short jumper cable and you can cut off one connector to adapt it to the project you're working on. If you purchase the VMusic2 from Surplus Gizmos, they throw in a little adapter board that makes it easier to work with. The picture at right is my solution. I built an interconnect that attaches directly to the VMusic2 on one end and has a 2 row, 6 conductor connector at the other that will hook directly to a Prop-1 or any standard 0.1" spacing header. Part numbers for the connectors and pins are:
  • 8 conductor, 2mm spacing connector
  • Molex 51065-0800
  • Newark p/n 28M9439
  • Crimp socket for 2mm connector
  • Molex 50212-8000
  • Newark p/n 95H9710
  • 6 conductor, 2 row 0.1" connector
  • Molex 22-55-2061
  • Newark p/n 38C9187
  • Crimp socket for 0.1" connector
  • Molex 16-02-0102
  • Newark p/n 55H2482

The drawing to the left shows the pinouts for the VMusic2.

The pins we'll be using are 1 GND, 3 5V0, 4 RXD, 5 TXD and 6 CTS#

The upper pins are for left and right audio output channels if you'd like to use those instead of the jack on the front.

The lower pins come with a jumper installed. For our purposes, be sure the jumper is on the outside pins as shown right.
 

Here's a basic schematic for hooking up a BASIC Stamp 1 to the VMusic2. Information on wiring the Stamp for programming can be found on the Parallax website.

 

 
 
 
Here's a diagram on wiring the VMusic2 to a Prop-1 controller. Note that the VMusic2 gets its power from the Prop-1 (the Prop-1 needs to be powered as usual). We're using pin 0 (P0) on the Prop-1 to send commands to the VMusic2 and pin 1 (P1) to receive from the VMusic2. You'll only need this second connection if you want the VMusic2 to tell the Prop-1 when a selection has finished playing. Pin 6 (CTS#) on the VMusic2 goes to ground.
 

As I noted earlier, you'll need to change the baud rate on the VMusic2 to make it compatible with the BASIC Stamp 1/Prop-1. To do this, download the following .ftd file and copy it onto your USB flash memory device. IMPORTANT NOTE: This file is currently called "ftrfb_2400.ftd" for identification purposes. Once you download it, you must change the name to: ftrfb.ftd in order for it to work properly.

Download ftd file

This file also gives you the latest firmware revision (3.66 as of 1/09) and changes the VMusic2 to the "extended command set" which I feel is a more user friendly command set.

Now that you've got the file named ftrfb.ftd on your USB flash device, insert it into the socket on the VMusic2 and power it up. Within about 30 seconds, the firmware will update automatically and the baud rate on the VMusic2 should now be 2400. You can now delete the ftrfb.ftd file from the flash drive or leave it on, it doesn't matter.
   

OK, we're getting close to trying the VMusic2 out. The download to the left is a program for the BS1/Prop-1 that will allow you to test the VMusic2 and give you an idea how to use the various commands. Download the program, open it with the BASIC Stamp Editor and then load it onto the BS1/Prop-1 as you normally would.

For this demo program, you'll need to load some MP3 files onto your USB flash drive. Note that the file names can be no longer than eight characters plus extension (8.3 format). For example, "wolf_sfx.mp3" will work but "wolf_sound.mp3" will not. Load one MP3 track and give it the name "test.mp3" (or you can change the program to reflect the real file name). Load another track and name it "test2.mp3" Load at least one more MP3 file (name is not important) then plug your USB flash drive into the VMusic2. Plug an amplified speaker (like a computer speaker) into the front jack on the VMusic2. Turn on the power to the controller and the VMuisc2 and within a few seconds you should hear this sequence which will demonstrate various commands:

  • "test.mp3" file should play for 5 seconds.
  • This track will pause for 3 seconds and then resume playing.
  • After another 5 seconds, the volume will drop for 5 seconds and then go back to normal
  • A few seconds later, this track will stop playing and another will start and play for 5 seconds.
  • Another track will play for 5 seconds and then start over again, play for 5 seconds then stop.
  • "test2.MP3" will then start playing and play all the way to then end (assuming you've made the connection between P1 and TXD, if not, you can "comment out" that section of the program).
  • This sequence will start over again.

For details, see the notes contained in the BS1 program.

Troubleshooting page

  
  That should be enough to get you going. If you've got questions or comments on what I've presented here, please contact me and I'll try to help out.  
 
Back to VMusic2 main page

last revised 1/09