Nigel Weiss has created the Circuit Sax, a mini electronic saxophone, made with mechanical switches, custom 3D-printed keycaps, and featuring breath input for a realistic saxophone feel.

A 3.5mm audio jack provides audio output, with MIDI available via USB. Motion detection enables vibrato, and a custom neck allows the use of any alto saxophone mouthpiece. A Teensy 4.1 and Audio Shield along with the Teensy Audio Library and Audio System Design Tool generate synthesized output, as well as applying filters and effects to create the desired sound, with pitch determined by keypress, and expression via the breath pressure sensor.

Extensive details, including source code, STL files for the 3D-printed parts, and demonstration videos, are available on the project’s GitHub repo.