MegaDrum
As a MIDI drum trigger MegaDrum does not have any built-in sounds. Its main purpose is to convert signals from commercial and do-it-yourself electronic drum pads into MIDI messages which are then fed to a drum machine/sampler or a PC.
The openness of the project allowed for community contributions. Among notable ones are a hardware design upgrade (courtesy of Synthex) which added plug-and-play USB support and a multiplatform Java application to control MegaDrum from a PC — Megadrum Config Tool, written by Raúl Muñoz Benavente. The MegaDrum logo was made by forum member duje07.
Although MegaDrum is an open DIY-project, its firmware is not open-source. Commercial use (e.g. building a MegaDrum module and offering it for sale) requires Dmitri's explicit permission.
Contents
Features
As a MIDI drum trigger MegaDrum offers the following features:
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As a do-it-yourself module:
- Based on ATmega microcontroller. Currently supported are ATmega 32/324P/644 running at 16, 20 and 24 MHz;
- Uses widely available and mostly inexpensive components;
- Potentiometer-free design;
- ATmega/PIC chips can be programmed with simple programming cables/programmers.[1]
Building MegaDrum
You have the following options for building MegaDrum:
- Build it yourself. Additionally you will have to order a chip from Dmitri;
- Order a Synthex kit — using a kit greatly simplifies the assembly process;
- Ask Dmitri to build the module for you.
Note that there are also other people who have Dmitri's permission to build and sell MegaDrum modules. See the forums for more information.
If you choose to build the module yourself you will need the following:
- At least basic soldering/general electronics skills;
- You have to know how to read a schematic;
- You have to be able to tell one electronic part from another;
- Tools are required to build MegaDrum, among them: a good soldering iron, pliers, wirecutters, a multimeter and so forth;
- You need to know how to operate the aforementioned tools;
- In case of making printed circuit boards at home using the toner transfer method you will need a good laser printer with quality toner, some photopaper and an etchant.
It should be noted that MegaDrum is not a beginner's project and thus if you strongly feel that you're not up for the task of building it from scratch it is most likely so. Of course, if you're not afraid to learn and obtain the necessary DIY skills, you are probably capable of building MegaDrum. Otherwise, you might consider ordering a kit (it comes with quality PCB's) or simply buying the assembled module.
Updating MegaDrum firmware
Once you've built MegaDrum and received the ATmega chip from Dmitri it is time to program its firmware. This is done by means of a PC: MegaDrum can be updated either via USB or via MIDI I/O. There are several options for different platforms. See the main article for details.
MegaDrum Configuration
MegaDrum MIDI SySex support
MegaDrum supports MIDI SySex messages. This allows to control/configure MegaDrum from a PC and load/store practically unlimited number of custom MegaDrum configs in addition to configs stored in built-in non-volatile memory.
Legal issues
In spring 2010 it was discovered that a person was building and selling MegaDrum modules without Dmitri's consent. Unfortunately, it was not possible to convince the person to cease his activities. It was then decided to encrypt future firmware releases to prevent abusive commercial use. This is why since June 2010 all new firmware files are encrypted. Updating MegaDrum with encrypted firmware requires a special type of secure bootloader which can only be programmed into the ATmega chip by Dmitri. There are two choices for obtaining a programmed chip:
- Send Dmitri a compatible ATmega for programming;
- Order a new chip from Dmitri.
See ordering ATmega for details.
See also
- What is MegaDrum about? forum post
