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YOU CAN BUILD A TRAVEL SAXOPHONE THAT FINGERS EXACTLY LIKE A REAL ONE

A Raspberry Pi saxophone you can practise on a train—with the exact same fingering as your real horn.

by Javier Cardona

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

AudioOpen-hardware

difficulty
●●●○○
time
a weekend
license
NOASSERTION
repo
repo ACTIVE672 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
  • Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
  • Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware

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COMPAREE VERDICT

This is for saxophonists who want a portable practice instrument that keeps their muscle memory intact. The entire design revolves around one idea: mechanical key switches placed exactly where a saxophone's keys sit, so the fingering is identical. That means hours on a train or in a hotel room translate directly to your real horn. A pressure sensor in the mouthpiece reads breath intensity, so the feel is closer to a wind instrument than a keyboard. The Rust driver turns key presses and breath into MIDI-like note events for a software synthesiser, and the onboard amplifier means it works even on a Raspberry Pi Zero. The stated cost goal is under one hundred dollars, though that is based on prototype quantities and your location will shift it. The maker is refreshingly honest that this will never match a real saxophone's expressiveness—it is a practice tool, not a replacement. The repository has no recognised licence, so commercial use is legally undefined. The single biggest obstacle is not the board or the code: it is sourcing the mouthpiece pressure sensor and building an enclosure, because neither is sold as a kit. If you are comfortable with that level of DIY and want a travel sax that fingers like the real thing, this is exactly what it claims to be.

NOT IN THE REPO

  • —Hardware design (KiCad), software (Rust driver), BOM with estimated prices, and step-by-step assembly instructions are all in the repository.
  • —The repository does not carry a recognised SPDX licence identifier—it is marked NOASSERTION. The project presents itself as open, but the legal terms are unclear.
  • —The maker states outright that it will not match the expressiveness of a real saxophone.
  • —The under-$100 figure is the project's target cost based on prototype-quantity estimates, not a guaranteed final price.
  • —Works with any Raspberry Pi, including the Pi Zero, because the board carries its own audio amplifier.
  • —No official enclosure design is provided—you will need to design or improvise your own case.

Can I build this?

PrintNo 3D-printed parts are provided—you will need to design or improvise an enclosure.
BuyRaspberry Pi (Zero or higher), custom PCB (order from Gerbers), mechanical key switches, pressure sensor (e.g. MPXV7002DP or similar), mouthpiece (sourced separately or adapted), audio amplifier components (per BOM), and standard electronics parts (resistors, capacitors, headers).
ToolsSoldering iron, basic electronics tools, PCB assembly skills, and a computer to flash the Raspberry Pi and run the software. Access to a PCB fabrication service (e.g. JLCPCB, PCBWay) to manufacture the board.
SkillsIntermediate electronics: PCB assembly with through-hole and surface-mount components, soldering, and basic Linux/Raspberry Pi setup. The Rust driver is provided, so you do not need to write code, but you do need to compile and run it. Sourcing the mouthpiece and pressure sensor may require improvisation.
TimeA weekend if you have the board and parts ready. Add a week if you are ordering the PCB and waiting for delivery, and more if you are designing an enclosure.
Cost$$ — the project targets under $100, but that assumes bulk component pricing and does not include the enclosure. Expect closer to $120–150 depending on your location and whether you already own a Raspberry Pi.
SafetyNone beyond ordinary electronics care. Low-voltage DC, no mains, no lithium cells, no moving blades.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

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See how it prints

Gallery

https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the repository README and assembly instructions (Start with the documentation to understand the bill of materials, PCB design, and software requirements before ordering anything.)
  2. 2.Order the custom PCB from the provided Gerber files(Use a PCB fabrication service (JLCPCB, PCBWay, or similar) to manufacture the board. Budget a week for delivery.)
  3. 3.Source the pressure sensor and mouthpiece(The BOM suggests an MPXV7002DP or similar differential pressure sensor. The mouthpiece is not sold as part of a kit—you will need to source or adapt one yourself.)
  4. 4.Assemble the board and flash the Raspberry Pi(Solder the components per the assembly instructions, then compile and run the Rust driver on the Pi. Instructions are in the software repository.)

KNOWN ISSUES

  • The repository does not carry a recognised licence—commercial use or redistribution may not be legally clear. If you plan to sell builds or derivatives, clarify terms with the maker first.
  • The mouthpiece and pressure sensor are not sold as a kit. You will need to source the sensor separately and adapt or fabricate a mouthpiece, which is the most ambiguous part of the build.
  • No enclosure design is provided. You will need to design your own case or leave the electronics exposed, which is fine for a prototype but not for travel.
  • The under-$100 cost is a target based on prototype quantities. Your actual cost will depend on your location, whether you already own a Raspberry Pi, and whether you order components in bulk or one-offs.
  • The maker is explicit that this will never match a real saxophone's expressiveness. If you are expecting studio-quality tone or full dynamic range, this is not that instrument.
  • The Rust driver requires compilation and Linux familiarity. The code is provided, but you will need to be comfortable with command-line tools and Raspberry Pi setup.

Does it sound like a real saxophone?

No—the maker states outright that it will not match the expressiveness of a real saxophone. It uses a software synthesiser, so the tone depends on the synth you choose. The goal is realistic fingering for practice, not realistic tone.

What Raspberry Pi do I need?

Any Raspberry Pi works, including the Pi Zero, because the board has its own audio amplifier. The Pi Zero is the cheapest option and is explicitly supported.

Is the fingering exactly the same as a real saxophone?

Yes—that is the entire point of the project. The mechanical key switches are placed in the same positions as a saxophone's keys, so muscle memory transfers directly.

Can I use this commercially?

The repository does not carry a recognised licence, so commercial use is legally undefined. Contact the maker if you plan to sell builds or derivatives.

Where do I get the mouthpiece?

The mouthpiece is not sold as part of a kit. You will need to source or adapt one yourself. The BOM lists a pressure sensor (MPXV7002DP or similar), but integrating it into a mouthpiece is left to the builder.

How long does it take to build?

A weekend if you have the PCB and parts ready. Add a week for PCB delivery and more time if you are designing an enclosure or sourcing the mouthpiece.

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Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

The maker says outright it will never match a real saxophone's expressiveness, but the fingering is identical so your muscle memory carries over. Would you use this for silent practice on a train, or does a travel sax need to sound convincing too?

CompareeTEAM13d ago

Practical notes from our verification: the repository is marked NOASSERTION for licence, so legal terms are unclear—do not assume it is MIT or GPL just because the design is published. The under-$100 target is based on prototype-quantity pricing and does not include an enclosure, which is not provided. The single biggest variable is the mouthpiece: the BOM lists a pressure sensor, but integrating it into a playable mouthpiece is left entirely to the builder. If you have never worked with differential pressure sensors or adapted wind instrument parts, budget extra time for that step. The Rust driver is provided and works, but you will need to compile it yourself—no prebuilt binaries are supplied.

Javier Cardona

Javier Cardona built the haxophone as a portable practice instrument for saxophonists. The design focuses on one goal: keeping the fingering identical to a real saxophone so muscle memory transfers directly, even on a device small enough to fit in a bag.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

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GitHub repo