B.B.B

Concept:

My initial inspiration for this project was the idea of improvisational music; the idea of being able to have immediate control of a recording. A guitar loop pedal does this; I wanted to create a similar device for acoustic drums/ percussion Due to the analog nature of drums, this project would require a mechanical, rather than digital approach.

These are examples of instant gratification in a device that plays back recordings:

http://andyhuntington.co.uk/2004/taptap/

http://www.extraversion.co.uk/?p=188

The device is as simple as possible, completely self-contained and requiring the minimum amount of memory. Similarly, I wanted my product to be simplistic, user friendly and possibly a prototype for something that would ultimately end up on the shelves and that could be useful to practicing drummers. This product could be applied to performance, teaching, and perhaps even studio. The goal would be to have the product on every element of the kit, ultimately combining them into a customizable, real-time recorder that could then be compiled into a single groove. The utility would be in the ability to play as two drummers at once; simultaneously playing true to the instrument and being able to play what is physically impossible.

Materials:

For the project I knew I would need solenoids, wood, plexiglass, and Arduino, relay shield, a BXX, drum triggers, and MAX MSP.

The case would be made with wood and plexi, laser cut in layers so that it could be taken apart easily. Solenoids are an electromagnetic device, similar to a DC motor. These would be used to hit the drum in the right rythm. The relay shield would be for detonating and resetting the solenoids. MAX was used to program the Arduino, transferring the data from the drum triggers to the solenoids.

Process:

I started by experimenting with the solenoids, using Arduino. I sent a simple on/off signal to the solenoids to see what I would need to work with them.

Then I started to think about the recording chain; how I would pick up the drum signals and put it into my computer so that the data could be stored.

I looked at examples of how MAX could be used for the project. I found that MAX could use trigger data and transcribe it to MIDI. I then had to find a way to store the MIDI data and play it back. The MIDI data would have to be transferred to the solenoids via the relay shield.

Examples of experimentation in MAX:

Screen Shot 2015-12-10 at 10.04.37 AM

 

Then the only challenge was the case and wiring.

The original design was only going to be plexiglass, but I chose to use wood instead for the aesthetics and for the function. Wood would be easier to manipulate and longer lasting.

Designs and mock ups of case:

 

 

Orignianl desing Drumorg

 

Process:

 

20151204_172226 20151204_172233

IMG-20151206-WA0005 IMG-20151206-WA0009 IMG-20151206-WA0012Lazer cut

Final Product:

 

20151206_210928 IMG_0307

Video:

 

 

 

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