Musicians, makers, and electronic enthusiasts who have a few old Pringles crisp tubs lying around may be interested in a new project for the weekend, which can transform them into an awesome MIDI drum set. This innovative project not only recycles those empty Pringles cans but also provides a fun and educational way to delve into the world of electronic music and DIY electronics.
Building Your MIDI Drum Kit
Watch the video below where Instructables user TheSpodShed shows how they were built and can help you create your very own MIDI drum kit using a little Arduino hardware and programming. The video provides a step-by-step guide, making it accessible even for beginners who might be new to Arduino or MIDI technology.
Ever wanted to unleash your inner rock god, but couldn’t find the space to put a drum kit? Frustrated at trying to play GarageBand with fat fingers? Or just someone who can’t stop eating crisps? Whichever it is, this is the project for you!
This Instructable will show how to make a set of mini drum pads using Pringles tins, an Arduino, and some piezo sensors, which will trigger any MIDI device or computer drum synth. The pads are velocity-sensitive and as easy to play as drumming your fingers. Let the fun begin…
Materials and Components
To get started on this project, you will need a few key materials and components. Here’s a list to help you gather everything you need:
– Pringles cans: These will serve as the drum pads. The cylindrical shape and sturdy material make them perfect for this purpose.
– Arduino board: This microcontroller will be the brain of your MIDI drum kit. An Arduino Uno is a popular choice.
– Piezo sensors: These sensors will detect the vibrations when you hit the Pringles cans and convert them into electrical signals.
– Wires and connectors: Essential for connecting the piezo sensors to the Arduino board.
– MIDI interface: To connect your Arduino to a MIDI device or computer.
– Software: Arduino IDE for programming the Arduino board and a MIDI software or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to interpret the signals.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pringles cans: Clean out the cans and remove any remaining chips or crumbs. Cut out the bottom of each can to create an open-ended cylinder.
2. Attach the piezo sensors: Secure a piezo sensor to the inside of each can’s lid. This will allow the sensor to pick up vibrations when the can is struck.
3. Connect the sensors to the Arduino: Use wires to connect each piezo sensor to the Arduino board. You will need to connect the positive lead of the sensor to an analog input pin on the Arduino and the negative lead to the ground.
4. Program the Arduino: Write a program using the Arduino IDE that reads the signals from the piezo sensors and converts them into MIDI messages. There are many example codes available online that you can use as a starting point.
5. Set up the MIDI interface: Connect your Arduino to a MIDI interface, which will then connect to your computer or MIDI device.
6. Test and calibrate: Once everything is connected, test your setup by hitting the Pringles cans and checking if the signals are correctly interpreted by your MIDI software. You may need to adjust the sensitivity of the piezo sensors in your Arduino code.
Expanding Your Drum Kit
Once you have the basic setup working, you can expand your MIDI drum kit by adding more Pringles cans or other objects as drum pads. You can also experiment with different types of sensors or even add LEDs to create a visual effect when you hit the drums. The possibilities are endless, and this project can be a great way to learn more about electronics, programming, and music production.
For full instructions and details, jump over to the Instructables website via the link below.
Source: Instructables
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