MIDI Arduino Drums

I've always wanted to learn how to play a drum kit, but my parents never let me because 'it takes up too much space' and 'it makes too much noise'.

So now, many years and some electrical knowledge later, I've decided to make my own electronic drum kit!

This project is pretty easy to make and you do not really need any special knowlegde or skills.

Step 1: What You'll Need

Here's what you'll need to make 4 drums:

- 4x Piezo

- 4x CD

- Mouse pads (enough to cut 8 circles as big as the CD)

- Arduino + USB cable

- 4x 1M Ohm resistor

- PCB or breadboard

- some wire

Optional:

- 4x 3.5mm plug

- 4x 3.5mm socket

Step 2: Soldering Piezos

The first step is to solder long wires to the piezos.

My piezos came with a little metal cap and short wires. You can cut the metal cap of and simply solder longer wires to those short little wires.

If you chose to use plugs and sockets, you obviously have to solder your plug to the other side of your wire.

Step 3: Breadboard/PCB

After you soldered wires to your piezos it's time to connect everything.

Connect the resistor to the wires of the piezo as shown in the diagram above. Then connect the GND wire of the piezo to GND on Arduino. Connect the other wire of the piezo to an analog pin on your Arduino. (If you're using plugs and sockets, you obviously use the wires of the socket and not the wires of the piezo)

When you're not using all of the analog pins, you should connect the 'empty' pins with GND. Otherwise you might get false values because of noise.

You can either connect everything on a breadboard as shown in the diagram. Or you can solder everything on a piece of PCB like I did.

Step 4: The Drum Pads

Now that everything is soldered, it's time to make the drum pads.

Take your CD and put it on the mouse pad. Draw a circle around the CD and then cut it out. Next stick the piezo to the CD with a piece of tape.Once that's done you'll need to glue the mousepads to the CD. I used a tiny bit of super glue. Make sure the glue doesn't get on the piezo! It'll ruin your piezo. I had to learn that the hard way.

ruined piezo

Use a bit of glue on the edges of the CD and stick the plastic part of the mouse pad to it. Do the same for the other side. The foam sides of the mouse pad have to be on the outside.

Use some extra glue around the part where the wires stick out of the drum pad to close it nicely.

Step 5: Connect With PC

That's pretty much it. Everything has now been put together and the only step left is to connect everything with the computer.

There are a few possible ways to connect. After some research and trying different programs I found Ardrumo (Mac OS X only) the easiest to work with. Simply load the sketch to your Arduino and then open Ardrumo and Garageband.You can choose different drums in Ardumo as you can see in the video in the first step.

But like I said, this is not the only possible way to connect. There are a lot of other ways, for example using Hairless as explained in this Instructable. Just play around a bit and find a method that suits your needs :)

This is the code for Ardrumo. Download Ardrumo by clicking here.

/*
 * Ardrumo sketch
 *
 * Use with the Ardrumo software here:
 * <a href="http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/" rel="nofollow"> <a href="http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/"> <a href="http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/"> <a href="http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/" rel="nofollow"> <a href="http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/" rel="nofollow"> http://code.google.com/p/ardrumo/
</a>
</a>
</a>
</a>
</a>
 * This is designed to let an Arduino act as a drum machine
 * in GarageBand (sorry, Mac OS X only).
 */

#define LEDPIN     13     // status LED pin
#define PIEZOTHRESHOLD 5  // analog threshold for piezo sensing
#define PADNUM 6          // number of pads

int val;

void setup() {
  pinMode(LEDPIN, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(57600);   // set serial output rate
}

void loop() {

  // Loop through each piezo and send data
  // on the serial output if the force exceeds
  // the piezo threshold
  for(int i = 0; i < PADNUM; i++) {
    val = analogRead(i);
    if( val >= PIEZOTHRESHOLD ) {
      digitalWrite(LEDPIN,HIGH);  // indicate we're sending MIDI data
      Serial.print(i);
      Serial.print(",");
      Serial.print(val);
      Serial.println();
      digitalWrite(LEDPIN,LOW);
    }
  }
}

This is the code for Hairless. The code is from an Arduino Xylophone Instructable.

//Xylophone
//Adapted for an ArduinoMega 
//from Jenna deBoisblanc and Spiekenzie Labs initial code

//*******************************************************************************************************************
// User settable variables
//*******************************************************************************************************************

int pinRead;
char pinAssignments[16] ={
  'A0','A1','A2','A3','A4','A5','A6','A7','A8','A9','A10','A11'};
byte PadNote[16] = {
  57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72};         // MIDI notes from 0 to 127 (Mid C = 60)
int PadCutOff[16] = 
{
  400,400,200,800,400,400,400,400,400,400,400,400,400,400,400,400};           // Minimum Analog value to cause a drum hit
int MaxPlayTime[16] = {
  90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90,90};               // Cycles before a 2nd hit is allowed
#define  midichannel 1;                              // MIDI channel from 0 to 15 (+1 in "real world")
boolean VelocityFlag  = true;                           // Velocity ON (true) or OFF (false)

//*******************************************************************************************************************
// Internal Use Variables
//*******************************************************************************************************************
boolean activePad[16] = {
  0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};                   // Array of flags of pad currently playing
int PinPlayTime[16] = {
  0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0};                     // Counter since pad started to play
byte status1;

int pin = 0;     
int hitavg = 0;
//*******************************************************************************************************************
// Setup
//*******************************************************************************************************************
void setup() 
{
  Serial.begin(57600);                                  // SET HAIRLESS TO THE SAME BAUD RATE IN THE SETTINGS

}
//*******************************************************************************************************************
// Main Program
//*******************************************************************************************************************
void loop() 
{
  for(int pin=0; pin < 16; pin++)                          //
  {
    //int pin = 3;
    //   for (pinRead=0; pinRead < 16, pin++){
    hitavg = analogRead(pinAssignments[pin]);  
    //Serial.println(hitavg);   
    // read the input pin

    if((hitavg > PadCutOff[pin]))
    {
      if((activePad[pin] == false))
      {
        if(VelocityFlag == true)
        {
          //          hitavg = 127 / ((1023 - PadCutOff[pin]) / (hitavg - PadCutOff[pin]));    // With full range (Too sensitive ?)
          hitavg = (hitavg / 8) -1 ;                                                 // Upper range
        }
        else
        {
          hitavg = 127;
        }
        MIDI_TX(144,PadNote[pin],hitavg); //note on

        PinPlayTime[pin] = 0;
        activePad[pin] = true;
      }
      else
      {
        PinPlayTime[pin] = PinPlayTime[pin] + 1;
      }
    }
    else if((activePad[pin] == true))
    {
      PinPlayTime[pin] = PinPlayTime[pin] + 1;
      if(PinPlayTime[pin] > MaxPlayTime[pin])
      {
        activePad[pin] = false;
        MIDI_TX(144,PadNote[pin],0); 
      }
    }
  } 
}

//*******************************************************************************************************************
// Transmit MIDI Message
//*******************************************************************************************************************
void MIDI_TX(byte MESSAGE, byte PITCH, byte VELOCITY) 
{
  status1 = MESSAGE + midichannel;
  Serial.write(status1);
  Serial.write(PITCH);
  Serial.write(VELOCITY);

}

Step 6: Have Fun!

That's it!

Everything is now connected and put together.

Have fun and annoy your parents with your new drum kit! :)

Comments

[ayaisdone]

would it be possible to see the video please?

[jashuvad28]

Hello sir ,can you share the code and procedure for 9 pads ,please do this sir .

[indula8785]

Hi,
I just finished creating the circuit but the midi to serial bridge softwares are not working for my MacBook air m1 (Mac OS big Sur 11.5.2) I tried Ardrumo, Hairless and other softwares but none of them are working.

Can you recommend me an alternative for this? Thank you!! By the way this looks like a great project.

[SuchdeepJ]

Can i connect more piezos and create other sounds with it?

[riddletom]

I guess no. Is limited by "ardrumo", that means, 6 channels only (6 piezos).

[ejesus1]

Yes you can add more by using a multiplexer, but also you need to modify the sketch code.

[maitresinh]

the arduino code with Hairless seems to have 12 pads, as it have been made from a xylophone. Bu you would need Annother kind of Arduino (Mega for exemple, with 16 analog pins)

[maitresinh]

great project. We've just done it with my soon, but :

- Only one pad is responding
- according to hairless, is sending data on channel 7 (while arduino code is set on "1")

Any idea?

[maitresinh]

Everything is fine now.Except A0 and A1 that don't transmit any date. No idea why.

[maitresinh]

it's alive !

So now, i'd want to use it with a Volca Drum, where each of the 6 drum is on a different midi channel

This is the code changes i'm planning. Not tested yet....
---------------
// Mod for Volca Drums, where each drum is assigned on one different channel

byte midichannel [6] = {
0,1,2,3,4,5}; // assigning 1 channel to each pad

// you will have to erase this line : #define midichannel 1; // MIDI channel from 0 to 15 (+1 in "real
// world"). Also check the Transmit Midi Message alternative below



//*******************************************************************************************************************
// Transmit MIDI Message
//*******************************************************************************************************************
void MIDI_TX(byte MESSAGE, byte PITCH, byte VELOCITY)
{
status1 = MESSAGE + midichannel;
Serial.write(status1);
Serial.write(PITCH);
Serial.write(VELOCITY);
}

// Use this one instead for the volca drum
// void MIDI_TX(byte midichannel, byte PITCH, byte VELOCITY)
// {
//
// Serial.write(midichannel);
// Serial.write(PITCH);
// Serial.write(VELOCITY);
// }

[roni2468]

where is the tinkercad code?

[rlasure]

Looks good but I can't get it to run on Catalina. Cry's for 64 bit?

[jashuvad28]

I've made drum set with 12 piezos can anyone post the code for 12 drums

[bhrendun]

Confused about the part with GarageBand and Ardumo. How do these sync with the Arudino sketch code?

Do I simply run the Arduino code and then leave GarageBand and Ardumo open? Are there any other settings or configuration I need to make between these programs? Thanks!

[riddletom]

Create a new project, and then you need to add a "drum track", then you just need to choose with "drum set" you want.

[RAFALAMAO]

Hi dude :D

Can did you can do it works or need help? :)

[bmazzini]

Hey, loved your project, iv done something similar by basically taking apart a pc keyboard, soldering the contacts to “pad like “ giant buttons wich i made with 2 cardboard discs with aluminum foil in one side so when they touch the computer thinks its a keystroke, so its like playing drums on a keyboard but with the pads. The problem is that it does not sense how strong im hitting, since its a simple switch. Does your model and programing code sense how strong hits are?

[riddletom]

Actually, yes. The program read analog signals, the piezo transforms the hit into voltage. So, the stronger you hit, more voltage, and the sound is louder.

[RAFALAMAO]

Thank you very much dude! :D

I made my own :3, and i used Xylophone code for only 5 piezo.

This is the Arduino's code :D

//Xylophone

//Adapted for an ArduinoMega

//from Jenna deBoisblanc and Spiekenzie Labs initial code

//*******************************************************************************************************************

// User settable variables

//*******************************************************************************************************************

int pinRead;

char pinAssignments[5] ={'A0','A1','A2','A3','A4'};

byte PadNote[5] = {53,69,11,57,36}; // MIDI notes from 0 to 127 (Mid C = 60)

//53 Campana

//69 Tarola

//11 Hithat cerrado

//57 Crash

//36 Bombo

int PadCutOff[5] = {500,200,350,300,400}; // Minimum Analog value to cause a drum hit

int MaxPlayTime[5] = {90,90,90,90,90}; // Cycles before a 2nd hit is allowed

#define midichannel 1; // MIDI channel from 0 to 15 (+1 in "real world")

boolean VelocityFlag = true; // Velocity ON (true) or OFF (false)

//*******************************************************************************************************************

// Internal Use Variables

//*******************************************************************************************************************

boolean activePad[5] = {0,0,0,0,0}; // Array of flags of pad currently playing

int PinPlayTime[5] = {0,0,0,0,0}; // Counter since pad started to play

byte status1;

int pin = 0;

int hitavg = 0;

//*******************************************************************************************************************

// Setup

//*******************************************************************************************************************

void setup()

{

Serial.begin(57600); // SET HAIRLESS TO THE SAME BAUD RATE IN THE SETTING

}

//*******************************************************************************************************************

// Main Program

//*******************************************************************************************************************

void loop()

{

for(int pin=0; pin < 5; pin++) //

{

//int pin = 3;

// for (pinRead=0; pinRead < 16, pin++){

hitavg = analogRead(pinAssignments[pin]);

//Serial.println(hitavg);

// read the input pin

if((hitavg > PadCutOff[pin]))

{

if((activePad[pin] == false))

{

if(VelocityFlag == true)

{

hitavg=127;

//hitavg = 127 / ((1023 - PadCutOff[pin]) / (hitavg - PadCutOff[pin])); // With full range (Too sensitive ?)

//hitavg = (hitavg / 8) -1 ; //8 // Upper range

}

else

{

hitavg = 127;

}

MIDI_TX(144,PadNote[pin],hitavg); //note on

PinPlayTime[pin] = 0;

activePad[pin] = true;

}

else

{

PinPlayTime[pin] = PinPlayTime[pin] + 1;

}

}

else if((activePad[pin] == true))

{

PinPlayTime[pin] = PinPlayTime[pin] + 1;

if(PinPlayTime[pin] > MaxPlayTime[pin])

{

activePad[pin] = false;

MIDI_TX(144,PadNote[pin],0);

}

}

}

}

//*******************************************************************************************************************

// Transmit MIDI Message

//*******************************************************************************************************************

void MIDI_TX(byte MESSAGE, byte PITCH, byte VELOCITY)

{

status1 = MESSAGE + midichannel;

Serial.write(status1);

Serial.write(PITCH);

Serial.write(VELOCITY);

}

Regards :D

[Senior Waffles]

Hi I tried the project with an arduino uno and a music program called addictive drums 2 but I think there is a mistake in the schematic so I can't get the two piezos from the left of the schematic to work.Could you help me?