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MIDI 16-Way Drum Controller

 

16-Way MIDI DRUMS

 

Have you got rhythm? Do you want to transfer that  rhythm to your computer or hardware sequencer?  Probably the easiest way of achieving this is to  use MIDI drum pads that can be hit with  drumsticks, and the data can be stored in real time with any errors corrected afterwards.

 

I have designed a 16-way MIDI drum pad system with the velocity byte fixed at maximum for 10 input drum switches and a 6-way velocity sensitive circuit, providing a full (0-127) velocity range using piezo sensors.

  

It provides MIDI data which has to be sent to a drum/synthesiser or sound module. The velocity byte is dependent on how hard the piezo transducer is hit.  The drum choices, and the MIDI transmit channel are selectable in the  program. However, normally the drum sounds are assigned to MIDI channel 10.

 

 

midi_boarduino_midi_OUT_only.jpg (242530 bytes)

*Click to Enlarge*

 

 

 

16 MIDI DRUMS

ITEM#: 16MIDIDRUMS

PRICE:  €38.00


 

 



 

The 16-Way drum inputs to MIDI Output unit utilizes:

  • An Arduino board including a suitable pre-programmed Atmega microcontroller,
  • A 2.1mm power socket, and associated LED, 
  • 6 inputs are velocity sensitive, providing a full (0-127) velocity range,
  • A MIDI 5-pin DIN output socket,
  • Each input (1-16) is pre-selectable on programming to a particular MIDI drum selection ,
  • The circuit consists of the MIDI drum interface.
 

 

 

The 16-Way drum inputs to MIDI Output unit requires:

  • A 9v battery or equivalent DC power source,
  • Suitable external 6  piezo-electric transducers,
  • 6 1M Ohm Pre-set potentiometers,
  • Suitable 10 push-to-make switches

 

Circuit Schematic:

A circuit schematic of the MIDI drum interface shows the Input/Output connections.

 

MIDI Wiring:

The MIDI IN and OUT connections use 5-Pin 180 degree DIN sockets. Note that the MIDI Out socket is polarised and the correct pins should be used.

         

Download:

Open the  source code file and copy and paste it into the Arduino programme and save it as a .PDE file.

 

Power Supply:

External power can come either from an AC-to-DC adapter or battery. The adapter can be connected by plugging a 2.1mm center-positive plug into the board's power jack. Leads from a battery can be inserted in the Gnd and Vin pin headers of the POWER connector. A low dropout regulator provides improved energy efficiency.

 

The board can operate on an external supply of 7 to 20 volts. If supplied with less than 7V, however, the 5V pin may supply less than five volts and the board may be unstable. If using more than 12V, the voltage regulator may overheat and damage the board. The recommended range is 7 to 12 volts.

 

Note that with the Arduino Duemilanove or Mega the power input selection (USB/EXT.) is automatically selected.