Home-made MP3 Player Modeled After the iPod
ESP32-S3 DIY Music Players: Reviving the Classic MP3 Experience
In the world of DIY electronics, the ESP32-S3 microcontroller is becoming a popular choice for creating portable music players reminiscent of classic MP3 devices. These projects, much like the JPL.mp3 portable music player, combine custom software, multimedia capabilities, and often additional features such as games or online radio.
The JPL.mp3 iPod-Inspired MP3 Player
The JPL.mp3, created by Justinas Petkauskas, is a prime example of this trend. This custom MP3 player features a PCM5102 DAC for high-quality audio, microSD storage, an IPS LCD, and a tactile mechanical click-wheel interface similar to classic iPods. The device's software is specifically tailored for classical music listening, with fields for composer/piece, conductor, orchestra, or performer. The final build, described as "chunky, but nevertheless functional," uses a custom four-layer PCB to connect its electronics.
Multifunctional ESP32-Based Media Devices
Other DIY projects, such as the ESP32 MP3 Player with Online Radio and Snake Game, take this concept further. This project uses the ESP32-S3 together with a 5-inch TFT touchscreen to build an MP3 player supporting SD card music playback, live internet radio streaming over WiFi (no SD card needed), and a simple Snake game. It provides a rich user experience with buttons, menus, volume controls, and background images.
WiFi Media Server
While not a dedicated music player, the ESP32-Based WiFi Media Server project demonstrates the versatility of the ESP32-S3. This project creates a WiFi hotspot serving media files via a captive portal with a web-based interface. It supports multiple concurrent users and streams audio from an SD card, making it a network-enabled multimedia device related to the ESP32-S3's audio and connectivity capabilities.
These projects share common attributes, leveraging the ESP32-S3's processing power and peripherals (like I2S DACs, SD cards, and displays), custom software for UI and media management, and portable form factors. The focus varies from tactile, dedicated music players with unique interfaces to multifunctional media devices with network streaming and gaming features.
Inspiration for DIY Projects
For those interested in hands-on builds, consider creating an ESP32-S3 MP3 player with touchscreen + SD card support with additional interactive elements. You could also add online radio streaming to your player to complement local playback, or incorporate simple games as UI demos to expand functionality. For a more personal touch, consider custom database or metadata handling software for organizing music collections based on your preferences, inspired by JPL.mp3’s classical music focus.
These resources, code, and inspiration for DIY ESP32-S3 based audio projects can be found in various online repositories[1][2][3][4]. The JPL.mp3 project, in particular, includes a micro SD card interface for music storage and a 3D printed case.
We encourage our readers to share their own DIY hardware projects and continue to innovate in the world of DIY electronics.
- The JPL.mp3 project, similar to the ESP32 MP3 Player with Online Radio and Snake Game, integrates various electronics components such as a PCM5102 DAC, microSD storage, an IPS LCD, and a tactile interface, showcasing the potential of technology in reviving the classic MP3 experience.
- The DIY ESP32-S3 based audio projects, like the WiFi Media Server, exhibits the versatility of the ESP32-S3, using it to build hardware gadgets like MP3 players, multifunctional media devices, and network-enabled multimedia devices, demonstrating the impact of technology and electronics on the revival of the classic MP3 experience.
