HVT Lab recently built a custom portable music player using an ESP32 microcontroller, combining local music playback, rotary encoder controls, and Bluetooth connectivity in a compact retro-inspired design. The project allows users to load their favorite songs onto a microSD card and play them through a 3.5 mm headphone jack. An OLED display provides a simple interface, while a rotary encoder makes it easy to navigate, control playback and adjust the volume.
For the enclosure, the maker used SpeakCAD, an AI-powered 3D CAD platform that generates models from text descriptions and allows changes through conversational prompts. After creating an initial design, the maker 3D-printed a test version to check the component fit before producing a more refined enclosure using a CNC machine. The final design features an aluminum body and a custom brass rotary encoder knob, giving the device a premium finish. The electronics include an ESP32 development board, a PCM5102A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for audio output, a microSD card module, a 0.96-inch OLED display, and a rechargeable lithium polymer battery with a charging module. The maker also added a power switch and a battery-level monitoring circuit.
Once the components were assembled and connected, the maker uploaded the firmware to the ESP32 and tested the player’s functions. In addition to playing music from the microSD card through wired headphones, the device supports a Bluetooth mode that lets users connect a phone and control it using the rotary encoder. This feature is particularly useful for people who want to continue using wired headphones with phones that lack a 3.5 mm headphone jack. By combining readily available electronics, custom fabrication, and AI-assisted enclosure design, the project demonstrates how makers can build a personalized music player with both practical features and a polished, retro-inspired appearance.
Add a comment
No account needed. Your comment appears once a moderator has reviewed it.