Build a PiPod and Listen to Your Entire Music Collection Without Internet

Once upon a time, listening to your music collection was as simple as tossing some vinyl on a turntable or popping a cassette tape into a…

Cameron Coward
6 years agoMusic

Once upon a time, listening to your music collection was as simple as tossing some vinyl on a turntable or popping a cassette tape into a Walkman. The downside, of course, was that all of that physical media took up a lot of space. Then iPods and MP3 players hit Circuit City shelves like a gift from the heavens, and music lovers could carry their entire collections in their pockets. While the rising popularity of streaming music has caused them to fall out of favor, they’re still useful. That’s why Bram designed this Raspberry Pi Zero music player called PiPod.

PiPod was inspired by necessity. Bram wanted a portable music player that could store his collection locally and didn’t require internet, but the options currently on the market are either pricey or lack storage capacity. PiPod costs approximately $120 to build with 64GB of storage, and that’s expandable up to the size of the largest micro SDHC you can find. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack output from an I2S DAC, so the sound quality should be good.

To build the PiPod, you’ll need to order the custom PCB, which will be your biggest expense at $75 plus another $25 for shipping to the US. You’ll need to supply your own Raspberry Pi Zero, SD card, and battery. After installing the software and loading up all of your music, the only thing left to do is 3D print the case. You can either print Bram’s design, or modify his Fusion 360 design files to create your own. If you miss the days of pocket MP3 players that didn’t need internet connections or subscriptions, PiPod may be for you.

Cameron Coward
Writer for Hackster News. Proud husband and dog dad. Maker and serial hobbyist.
Latest articles
Sponsored articles
Related articles
Latest articles
Read more
Related articles