Well, the Hackaday Prize final deadline is tomorrow, and I think I've squeezed as much progress out of DrumKid as possible in that time! I thought it would be nice to reflect on how far the project has come since it began.

• February
  • Started exploring the idea of converting my DrumKid web app into a physical project
  • Got some good sounds from early breadboard prototype
• March
  • Experimented with voltage regulator chips
  • Designed V1 PCB
• April
  • Assembled V1 PCB (which worked, but was too quiet and had noise issues)
  • Designed and 3D-printed a case
  • Decided to increase number of potentiometers
• May
  • New stripboard prototype to diagnose problems more rapidly
  • Added filter circuit
  • Designed V2 PCB
  • Hackaday Prize mentoring session
• June
  • Rethinking the enclosure design
  • Designed V3 PCB
• July
  • Assembled V3 PCB, instantly found routing issue
  • Designed V4 PCB (minor revision)
  • Designed and 3D-printed front and rear panels, to be laser-cut in final version
  • Sourced test laser-cut pieces (success!)
  • Assembled V4 PCB (success!)
• August
  • Concentrating on coding
  • Added lots of features
  • Made demo video
• September
  • Found local laser cutter and obtained enough pieces for three new (identical) V4 prototypes
  • Did a "test run" of assembly, successfully built three new units
  • Distributed DrumKids to testers
  • Received feedback from testers
  • Started V5 PCB design

And that takes us up to today! I'm really pleased with where I've got to, and am excited to complete the V5 PCB design over the coming days. Good luck to all the other Hackaday Prize finalists, and if anyone wants to be kept updated about DrumKid's launch later this year, please go to mattbradshawdesign.com and sign up my mailing list.