Introduction: How to Make a Simple Electronic Drum Kit With a Twist

In this instructable I will attempt to make an Xbox drum kit work without being plugged into an Xbox 360 or a computer. Instead I'm going to use a MakeyMakey to let me set what the drum pads do. I also want to mention that I made it at Omaha Maker Group (http://www.onahamakergroup.org). I'm very glad that I'm in a city with one of these. Ours is amazing. Anyway, I'll also see if I can make it pleasing to the eye.

Step 1: What You'll Need

  • Makey makey
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Childs toy (I used an Xbox Rock Band Drum Kit)
  • computer
  • some free time

link to put it all together.

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/2728243/

Step 2: Aluminum Foil

You'll need to tear the foil into smaller sheets to wrap it or tape it onto the pads.

I used two 8" x 12" sheets torn in half to cover the four drum faces.

I then took two very thin strips to wrap my sticks.

Step 3: Clipping on the Wires

Once you have the foil all in place the next step involves putting the aligator clips onto the foil and connecting the other ends to the MakeyMakey board. I chose to use the arrows for my four pads. One to each.

I then wired both sticks to "Earth" or ground.

Step 4: Make Some Music

I did a little bit of googling and found this MIT site that has a drum machine on it using Scratch.

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/2728243/

It was conveniently wired up already using the arrows and the spacebar. I didn't take pictures of it, but I also wrapped an empty butter tub to coincide the the cowbell on the site. You can always use more cowbell.

I hope you enjoyed my instructable and that you won't judge me too harshly, this is my first one.

I have some other plans for the Makey Makey so stick around to see those.