Arduino-Controlled Robotic Drum

For years I have been telling anyone who listens that I was going to build a robotic drum. Most people kind of shrugged indifferently. Even as I built it, most people kind of glanced over at it and conveyed doubtfulness. It seemed like no one but myself was convinced of just how awesome it was going to be.

I received a lot of snarky comments about how I was making a strange annoying noise maker. When I finally go it set up for the trial run, I quickly silenced the naysayers. This robotic drum blew everyone away. I was finally able to convey my vision and explain why someone would ever want to build a robotic drum.

The reason to build a robotic drum is because it is plain super-awesome. It keeps a beat like clockwork. You can slow down and speed up any drum beat with precision and ease. It can even play things a real human drummer could never do.

I intend to use mine for rocking out. The current plan is to program it with different drum beats and play guitar along with it.

I decided to use linear actuators (car door lock motors to be exact), and Arduinos with motor controller shields simply for ease of use and duplication. I am sure there are other more elegant ways to interface with the motors, but this is by far the easiest.

Step 1: Go get stuff

You will need:

(x1) Drum set (Amazon)
(x12) Drum sticks (Amazon)
(x12) Car door lock actuator motor (Amazon)
(x6) Arduino Uno (Radioshack #276-128)
(x6) Arduino Motor Shield (Radioshack #276-131)
(x1) 7" x 5" x 3" project enclosure (Radioshack #270-1807)
(x1) European-style terminal strip (Radioshack #274-680)
(x2) 24' spool 18 AWG speaker wire (Radioshack #42-2456)
(x3) Panel mount M-type power socket (Radioshack #274-1563)
(x1) 1/4" mono jack (Radioshack #274-252)
(x1) 1/4" mono plug (Radioshack #274-1536)
(x1) 4" zip tie (Radioshack #278-1632)
(x1) Stranded 22 AWG red and black wire spools (Radioshack #278-1224)
(x1) Assorted shrink tube (Radioshack #278-1611)
(x3) 9V 1.5A power adapters (M-type plugs) (Radioshack #273-356)
(x1) Power strip (Radioshack #61-056)
(x1) 7 socket USB hub (Radioshack #55053562)
(x6) 6' USB A to B cable (Radioshack #55010623)
(x1) 4' x 8' x 1/4" plywood sheet
(x4) 1/2" pipe mounting flange
(x1) 24" x 1/2" threaded pipe
(x1) 18" x 1/2" threaded pipe
(x8) 1/2" pipe L-bracket
(x2) 1/2" pipe T-bracket
(x2) 1" threaded pipe
(x4) 2" threaded pipe
(x4) 2-1/2" threaded pipe
(x2) 3" threaded pipe
(x2) Cymbal stands
(x3) 3/4" x 10' 22 gauge steel hanger strap
(x16) 8 - 1/2" wood screws
(x20) 1/4 x 5" bolts
(x4) 1/4 x 2" bolts
(x1) Box of 1/4 nuts
(x22) 6-32 x 2" nuts and bolts
(x4) 6-32 x 1" nuts and bolts
(x11) 1-1/2" binding posts
(x20) 1-1/2" (1/4" i.d.) spacers
(x18) 4-40 x 1-1.2" nuts and bolts
(x18) 1/4" (1/8" i.d.) spacers

You will also need to download the attached files and laser cut (or cut the old fashioned way) the following:

(x16) Drum brackets
(x6) Cymbal brackets
(x4) Cymbal bracket circle spacers
(x2) Kick drum brackets

Comments

[AntzyP]

found another robot band recently: Compressorhead! They are super awesome. Can't imagine the amount of effort that must have gone into making them..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBSkq-_St8

-Antzy

[noahw]

This is my favorite Staff project of 2012. Nice work Randy and congratulations upon receiving this honor.

[techbitar]

Love it!

[PotatoCoffee]

It can't play faster than Joey Jordison!

[bradsprojects]

Fantastic project - you've mixed two of my favourite hobbies!

[amandaghassaei]

thanks randy! this ible turned out awesome, plz bring the drum kit back to the office, I want to install vibration sensitive lights in it!

[jessyratfink]

bring it back or she'll die!

[amandaghassaei]

yes! if I don't express my beatboxing I might explode!

[tjesse]

"I think a drummer is a pain in the neck" NICE!
Nice project and a great video!

[PeckLauros]

Genius!

[mr. steinke]

http://vimeo.com/29007800

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/164911738/musical-robots-are-ready-for-the-next-octant-relea

[ridiculously.awesome]

Awesome. I've had a dream for a long time to build a robotic system for playing Spanish guitar. I have this on my instructable todo list and may have to promote this one to the top.

[mamybaei]

Bah Bah
Behtarin Instructable :)))))

[Lindie]

Awesome! I hope the neighbors like it! :-)

[janw]

Great build! I like the mounts you made for the drusticks and the electronics.

[WrshpMzshn]

Very, very cool!

[AntzyP]

Awesome!!! Combine it with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eNLXYuqPRSc#!

Detailed info at http://hackaday.com/2012/05/21/player-guitar-sounds-wonderful-makes-us-drool-because-of-the-complexity/

-Antzy

[burnok100]

Very Genius Instructable...!
I hope i have the time to construct this awesome kit.
I hope you also put a "hi-hat open-close" motor, and another stick/motor to the snare (for rim shots)...