Rock Band with Electronic Drums (HOWTO)

[Blanko]

Can't wait to get this mod going. It's annoying having a real electric kit and a dinky toy both consuming my small condo.

However I'm not looking forward to testing my soldering skills - which are essentially non-existent.

Just a few questions:

1) I have a htpc setup near my drums - so I'll be using that instead of breadboard. But besides this pc, is there anything else I need to use between the rb-drum-controller and the xbox? After soldering the connection, how does the rb-drum-controller connect to the pc?

2) Will the pc method still work if I use my midi-to-usb adapter? (I've never had any missed notes)

3) For the less inclined, can you video be more explicit with the soldering part of the project? And/or would you be able to build this part for me - for a fee of course?


Amazing work all around.
David

[Aelius27]

Sorry I didn't get this up this weekend. My internet connection was unavailable for a few hours right when I wanted to be doing this. Sucked.

There is a full description of everything I'm using currently for the PC method in the first 2 posts. Yes, there are opto-isolators between the RB drums and the PC.

I'd probably be willing to do some parts of the hacks for a fee. You'll be happier in the long run if you do it yourself though...

[zolon]

I'm trying to figure out how to relay from midi to LPT. As I mentioned before, I am not a programmer, so I have no clue how to go about this.

[Blanko]

I'd love to do it myself. I'm just concerned about ruining my kit. The only experience I have soldering is from a dinky light-organ I made in school almost 10 years ago. Anyway, I guess we'll see how confident I am after you document that process (with video hopefully).

Is this soldering tool appropriate?
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/78cf/

Is this a good reference for the opto-isolator?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opto-isolator

So, as I understand it here's the pc mod process:
1) soldier wires to rb-drum-controller circuit board
2) run (each of?) those wires to an opto-isolator
3) connect a serial cable via cut wires to the opto-isolator
4) connect the serial cable to the pc
5) connect vdrums to pc (midi)
6) run software to interpret midi signals (I'll gladly pay you for this, regardless of any other help I need). Any time frame on this - so I can begin testing?
7) software sends signals via serial cable to opto-isolator(s)
8) opto-isolator(s) trigger the corresponding rb-drum-controller circuits

Forgive my ignorance if I'm way off

Thanks again for all you've done.
David

[rworne]

Dayum. I want to do this so bad.

So I'm looking for a kit. Low priced ones are ION, Alesis, and the Yamaha DTXplorer.

I've read many people griping about the crappy MIDI implementation on the ION, but I don't know about the other two. Though I just assume Yamaha knows what they are doing.

I don't play the drums, but I am interested in trying to learn. RB is the best motivator I could find.

[zolon]

I can't afford the midi-relay box solution, so now I am just sitting here banging my head against code that I have no clue about.

Any word about release of your software Aelius27?

[zturn]

WOW that would be so cool to have! but i could never be able to pull something like that off and would it work with the PS3 version??

[zolon]

Well, I have been banging my head against the wall for a few days on how to send pulses to LPT pins based on MIDI events, and yeah. This is WAY above me.

Windows XP aparently won't allow direct access to the LPT, so any option will require special drivers right there.

I have found a few USB UART/FIFO options that would require some codeing still, but they come with the special drivers that allow single pin operation.

Aelius27, can we at least get some pointers in how you went about the software development?

I also possibly found another solution that doesn't require any programming.

http://highlyliquid.com/kits/msa-r/

I have emailed the company asking advice on which one of the MIDI Decoders should be used in such a project. As soon as I have more information, I will follow up here.

[Blanko]

Excellent sleuthing. I didn't even know such a diy midi decoder existed.

D

[zolon]

I got a response from Highly Liquid and it appears either the MSA-R and the MSA-P will work.

The outputs (relay contacts) of the MSA-R and MSA-P are isolated from
the rest of the MSA board, so backfeed should not be a problem, as long
as you stay within the limits of the MSA specifications.

The MSA-R outputs act as any mechanical switch would--so if you can get
the control to "trigger" using a switch or just a piece of wire, the
MSA-R should work just as well.

The MSA-P outputs are similar. They act, roughly, as a switch with a
22-ohm resistor in series.

Friday I will be ordering the MSA-P as it has a faster response. When it comes in I will start the mod and report with pictures of the whole process.