Friday, 13 June 2025

2025 Moppyduino Project Reboot

After more than a decade, I’ve rebooted my original 2013 Moppyduino project with a fresh 2025 edition—packed with new features, refined aesthetics, and modern upgrades.

This latest version retains the nostalgic charm of floppy drive music but introduces a suite of enhancements to make the build sleeker, more functional, and fully standalone.

(Rendered 3D Concept Model)

Looking back:

  •  What’s New in the 2025 version

    •  Leather accents – Premium retro finish

    •  3D printed parts – Improved structure & cable management

    •  Custom IDE cables – Optimised/Cleaner,  34 pin to 10 pin IDC cables

    •  Rear acrylic back panel – Finished with a vinyl overlay

    •  Laser engraving – Personalized labels and visual flair

    •  Standalone Android app (by NoahR-ATC) – Control the system via USB OTG—no PC required!


The core remains the same—MIDI files driving stepper motors via Arduino—but the experience is now more refined, more portable, and cooler than ever.

Moppyduino is a musical floppy disk controller PCB based on the Arduino platform. The code is graciously provided by Sammy1Am and the android app using USB OTG (On The Go)  by NoahR-ATC

If you're unfamiliar with the concept of floppy drive music, here's a quick overview. The idea revolves around repurposing floppy disk drives to produce musical notes. This is achieved by running a Java-based IDE on the host computer, where MIDI files are loaded into a Java applet.

As the MIDI plays, the software sends instructions via a USB serial connection to the Arduino microcontroller on the Moppyduino. The Arduino translates this data into precise motion commands for the stepper motors inside the floppy drives. These movements create vibrations at varying frequencies—effectively turning the drives into musical instruments.

With Moppyduino, I chose a balanced setup using 6 channels (one duplicated =7), meaning it controls 6 floppy drives. However, depending on the microcontroller's available I/O pins, it's possible to connect and control up to 18 floppy drives!


History of the floppy disk


(FDD). Floppy disks were an almost universal data format from the 1970s into the 1990s, used for primary data storage as well as for backup and data transfers between computers.

In 1967, at an IBM facility in San Jose, California, work began on a drive that led to the world's first floppy disk and disk drive. It was introduced into the market in an 8-inch (20 cm) format in 1971. The more conveniently sized 5¼-inch disks were introduced in 1976, and became almost universal on dedicated word processing systems and personal computers.

This format was more slowly replaced by the 3½-inch format, first introduced in 1982. There was a significant period where both were popular. A number of other variant sizes were introduced over time, with limited market success.

Floppy disks remained a popular medium for nearly 40 years, but their use was declining by the mid- to late 1990s. After 2000, floppy disks were increasingly rare and used primarily with older hardware, especially with legacy industrial and musical equipment.

Sony manufactured its last new floppy disks in 2011. (Wikipedia)

For the uninitiated

While the floppy drive was once a data storage device, here it does none of that. Its stepper motor—normally used to position the read head—is now repurposed as a tone generator, completely controlled by the microcontroller on the PCB... think robot violinist!!!

The video below showcases the internals of the floppy disk organ, fanned out and performing the Game of Thrones theme. It's a perfect introduction for anyone new to the concept.



New parts to upgrade the original enclosure.






Construction of the leather carry handle and top cover.




Laser engraving the enclosure side panels.





The handle after installation, with 3D printed bolt mounts.





Each gap between the floppy drives was fitted with a 3D-printed mount and a leather inlay to create a more refined, finished appearance.





The 3D-printed leather inlay brackets mount using the existing mounting holes on the floppy drive





To make use of the gap at the bottom of the enclosure, a USB Type-C mount was 3D-printed and wrapped in leather for a cohesive look. The original USB-B port and power jack are still optionally available on the rear panel.

(Rendered 3D Concept Model)










The two USB Type-C ports support data transfer from a PC client or OTG functionality for an Android phone or tablet app. They also provide USB Power Delivery (PD) to supply the main 5V power to the enclosure.

(Realised)





The bottom front USB cover also conceals the main PCB mounted underneath. The LEDs show interaction of each floppy drive channel.

(Rendered 3D Concept Model)



(Realised)



Integrated into the leather top is a 3D-printed lip designed to hold a phone while using the Android application."

(Rendered 3D Concept Model)


(Realised)



Improved Cable Management

In the original 2013 build, cable management was a real challenge—full-width 34-pin IDE floppy cables ran from the PCB up to each drive, often resulting in clutter and limited routing options.

For the 2025 version, this was completely rethought. A custom IDE cable was created, using only the essential signal lines. It maintains compatibility with the standard 34-pin IDC connectors on the drives but reduces down to a 10-pin IDC at the PCB end. This dramatically improved flexibility and neatness.

To further streamline the layout, 3D printed cable clips were designed to secure the IDC ribbon cables. These run cleanly up the center channel, tucked into the side recesses of the enclosure on both sides —making the build not just functional, but visually satisfying too... as seen below.


(Rendered 3D Concept Model)


(Realised)



(Rendered 3D Concept Model)




(Realised)



(Rendered 3D Concept Model)


(Realised)





Final Thoughts:


This 2025 reboot merges retro hardware with modern maker tools—combining 3D printing, Laser engraving 7 cutting, mobile apps, and creative electronics into one compact musical showcase. Whether you're into nostalgic tech, MIDI wizardry, or Arduino hacking, Moppyduino is a perfect blend of old-school charm and new-school innovation.

Once tucked away in the loft, it now shines as a standout retrotech centerpiece that always sparks conversation. Thanks to NoahR-ATC’s Android app, firing up a demo is quick and effortless.