# Echo 2-XL ## Overview https://youtu.be/d1l0GF_5I0Y This project repurposes an old toy trivia game robot named **2-XL** as a new face and voice for the Amazon **Echo Dot**.  Vintage 2-XL units can be found used in thrift stores/ebay/etc - but the main idea here could easily be applied to other retro robot toys and similar items. We'll replace 2-XL's innards with a **Metro** Arduino-compatible board, a **Wave Shield** for generating audio, and an Adafruit **Proto Shield** to accommodate a simple audio input amplifier. The project uses code from Phil B's excellent [Voice Changer guide](../../../../wave-shield-voice-changer/special-considerations-for-costumes?view=all). # How it works ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/045/727/medium800/projects_block-diagram2.jpg?1503590825) ### **Audio** The audio signal is sent from the Echo to the amplifier, and then from the amplifier to the Analog input of the Metro.  The Metro then applies a pitch shift effect to the audio signal and outputs it via the Wave Shield's built-in DAC.  The signal is then sent from the Wave Shield to the preexisting speaker in 2-XL's chassis. ### **LEDs** Both LED eyes are controlled by a single pin on the Metro which allows them to be synchronized with the audio output. ### **Buttons** The four buttons on 2-XL's front panel are wired to digital pins on the Metro, which allows them to trigger playback of audio samples stored on the Wave Shield's SD card. ### **Power** Power is sourced from 2-XL's front panel jack and is turned on/off using the switch built into the preexisting volume pot. The volume potentiometer is not used in this guide but audio output could be wired through it if you prefer. ### **Caveats** Worth noting: - Echo's mics are unable to here new commands while it's voice is being output through the voice effects generated by the Metro. - Mounting the Echo inside 2-XL would have been preferable - but because of its built-in near-field microphones, the Echo needs to be mounted on the outside of the 2-XL enclosure. # What you'll need - [2-XL](http://www.2xlrobot.com/) - Amazon Echo Dot - [Adafruit Metro](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488) - [Adafruit Proto Shield](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2077) - LM386 audio amplifier IC - [SD Card](https://www.adafruit.com/product/102) for audio samples - solid core and stranded wire - 2 x [3mm red LEDs](https://www.adafruit.com/product/777) (for 2-XL replacement eyes) - panel mount 3.5mm jack - capacitors - 100uF x 3, 10uF x 2, 47nF, 0.1uF - resistors - 20KΩ, 470Ω, 10Ω, 2.2KΩ, 150Ω, 56Ω - [3.5mm audio cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2698) - adhesive velcro strips (for mounting Echo on 2-XL) - [soldering iron](https://www.adafruit.com/product/180) & [solder](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1886) - [clippers / flush cutter tool](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) - [desoldering pump](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1597) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/echo-2-xl/disassembly.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Proto Shield for Arduino Unassembled Kit - Stackable [Adafruit Proto Shield for Arduino Unassembled Kit - Stackable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2077) This prototyping shield is the best out there (well, we think so, at least), and now is even better with **Version R3** - updated for the most compatibility with just about all the Arduinos! It works with UNO, Mega, Leonardo, NG, Diecimila, Duemilanove, and compatible... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2077) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2077/guides) ### Adafruit METRO 328 - Arduino Compatible - with Headers [Adafruit METRO 328 - Arduino Compatible - with Headers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488) This is the  **Adafruit METRO Arduino-Compatible - with headers. ** It's a fully assembled and tested microcontroller and physical computing board with through-hole headers attached.  If you don't want a Metro with the headers attached for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2488) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2488/guides) ### Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit [Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/94) Adding quality audio to an electronic project is surprisingly difficult. Here is a shield for Arduino 328's that solves this problem. It can play up to 22KHz 12bit uncompressed audio files of any length. It's low cost, available as an easy-to-make kit. It has an onboard DAC, filter and... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/94) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/94/guides) ### Breadboard-Friendly 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack [Breadboard-Friendly 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1699) Pipe audio in or out of your project with this very handy breadboard-friendly audio jack. It's a stereo jack with disconnect-switches on Left and Right channels as well as a center ground pin. You can use any 3.5mm stereo cable with this jack. The pins are on 0.1" spacing so it plugs... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1699) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1699/guides) ### 3.5mm Male/Male Stereo Cable [3.5mm Male/Male Stereo Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2698) Seamlessly transmit high-quality stereo audio with this  **3.5mm Male/Male Stereo Cable. ** Ideal for "passing the AUX cord," or connecting audio devices such as smartphones, tablets, MP3 players, car stereos, portable speakers or any other... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2698) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2698/guides) ### SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC) [SD/MicroSD Memory Card (8 GB SDHC)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294) Add mega-storage in a jiffy using this 8 GB class 4 micro-SD card. It comes with a SD adapter so you can use it with any of our shields or adapters. Preformatted to FAT so it works out of the box with our projects. Tested and works great with our Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1294) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1294/guides) ## Related Guides - [Ladyada's Learn Arduino - Lesson #2](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-2.md) - [How to Build a Testing Jig](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-build-a-testing-fixture.md) - [Internet of Things Printer](https://learn.adafruit.com/internet-of-things-printer.md) - [Halloween Pumpkin](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-pumpkin.md) - [Ladyada's Learn Arduino - Lesson #0](https://learn.adafruit.com/ladyadas-learn-arduino-lesson-number-0.md) - [Motorized Camera Slider MK3 ](https://learn.adafruit.com/motorized-camera-slider-mk3.md) - [Arduin-o-Phone](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduin-o-phone-arduino-powered-diy-cellphone.md) - [Bluefruit LE Connect for iOS and Android](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluefruit-le-connect.md) - [Adafruit BMP388 and BMP390 - Precision Barometric Pressure and Altimeter](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-bmp388-bmp390-bmp3xx.md) - [Fake TV Light for Engineers](https://learn.adafruit.com/fake-tv-light-for-engineers.md) - [Arduino GPS Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-clock.md) - [Adafruit Proto Shield for Arduino](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-proto-shield-arduino.md) - [RGB LED Matrix Basics](https://learn.adafruit.com/32x16-32x32-rgb-led-matrix.md) - [A Z80 CP/M emulator for the SAMD51](https://learn.adafruit.com/z80-cpm-emulator-for-the-samd51-grand-central.md) - [Affordable HAL 9000 Replica](https://learn.adafruit.com/hal-9000-replica.md)