I Am So Lost... Uber Noob

[dcho]

First off, let me say that dmitri, aquawicket and synthex have both done an amazing job. Thanks a ton for giving all of us such a wonderful opportunity. That being said, let me go on to my royal noobness. I have been wanting to build a megadrum for a while now, but have been restrained by the fact that all this electrical engineering is quite new to me. My plan is to use megadrum with EZdrummer. So, here are some issues I'm having:

1) I don't understand most, if not all, of the diagram components. How can I tell if things are supposed to be soldered together, wired, or is part of the PCB?

2) How many boards am I supposed to have? I'm thinking 2? Am I supposed to have one analogue AND one digital? And then there's the all in one 32 input board that synthex recently came up with. If I use that one, do I only use that single board and nothing else?

3) Are you guys working on the megadrum controller for the new 32 input all-in-one board synthex came up with?

4) I want to use the computer for all controls and leave out the LCD. Can I use the all-in-one board and simply not attach an LED? Will it still work fine?

5) Does my computer have decent specs to be running megadrum with low latency? 2.4 Ghz P4, 768MB RAM, Windows XP (I know the OS is fine), 160 GB hard drive with RAID 0.

Many thanks to everyone. Hopefully more people build the megadrum and we'll be able to help each other troubleshoot and learn for the sake of the entire megadrum community.

[Synthex]

First off, let me say that dmitri, aquawicket and synthex have both done an amazing job.

Thanks a lot.

1) I don't understand most, if not all, of the diagram components. How can I tell if things are supposed to be soldered together, wired, or is part of the PCB?
2) How many boards am I supposed to have? I'm thinking 2? Am I supposed to have one analogue AND one digital? And then there's the all in one 32 input board that synthex recently came up with. If I use that one, do I only use that single board and nothing else?

With my all in one 32 input board, you need only one board and nothing else.

3) Are you guys working on the megadrum controller for the new 32 input all-in-one board synthex came up with?

I hope Aquawicket will work on it soon. Otherwise it will be necessary that I make it myself

4) I want to use the computer for all controls and leave out the LCD. Can I use the all-in-one board and simply not attach an LED? Will it still work fine?

Yes, but not yet without megadrum controller.

5) Does my computer have decent specs to be running megadrum with low latency? 2.4 Ghz P4, 768MB RAM, Windows XP (I know the OS is fine), 160 GB hard drive with RAID 0.

Yes, you can run DFH or BFD smoothly. A little more RAM will be better

Many thanks to everyone. Hopefully more people build the megadrum and we'll be able to help each other troubleshoot and learn for the sake of the entire megadrum community.

Thanks

[dcho]

Thanks a bunch!

[dcho]

I forgot to ask a few more questions. Just double checking, but the inputs for all designs are capable of piezo/piezo (one on the head, one on the rim) AND it's also capable of piezo/switch (one piezo only with a switch) correct? Which means it is also compatible with chokeable cymbals, rite?

[dmitri]

I forgot to ask a few more questions. Just double checking, but the inputs for all designs are capable of piezo/piezo (one on the head, one on the rim) AND it's also capable of piezo/switch (one piezo only with a switch) correct? Which means it is also compatible with chokeable cymbals, rite?

Rrrite:)

[dcho]

More questions:

In the new all-in-one 32 input board, there is a crystal that is needed. It can be 16MHz or 20MHz. What's the difference? Will I need to use different firmware?

[dmitri]

Atmega32-16PU is rated for 16MHz but there is a good chance it will work at 20MHz. It's up to you decide what crystal to use. Firmware files are different for different crystals and the naming of the files is explained in the viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58

If you can get Atmega324p-20 or Atmega644-20 then you can use 20MHz crystal without any risk and can actually go up to 24MHz.

[dcho]

Thanks again dimitri! you've been amazing help. So, more noob questions:

Does it matter what type or resistors or capacitors I use? I see that there are different kinds like ceramic and other types. I was wondering if I needed to use any particular kind or can I use anything as long as the numbers match? For example, if I need a 100ohm resistor, I just need to use a 100ohm one regardless of what kind of resistor it is.

[dmitri]

I think you can use any resistors and capacitors with proper values and of appropriate size. I cannot test everything so I cannot guarantee everything will work as expected. I myself used ceramic capacitors and carbon resistors.

[dcho]

gotcha!

more questions. if you can't tell, i'm just askin as they come!

1) if megadrum now is plug-n-play with usb, why do we have midi out?
2) why are there 2 midi-out lines?

edit:
3) WAIT A SECOND! The 32 input all in one board... does it really have 32 inputs or does it actually have 16 inputs with dual piezo ability for all the inputs?? I can't tell because I can't really understand the schematics. In other words, if I use the 32 input all-in-one board that synthex is selling, how many dual piezo pads will i be able to plug in??