The Two Week Electronic Instrument Challenge

I’m making the second iteration of the drum machine for steering wheels.  

I’m just waiting on the parts to come in the mail to start. This time around, I’ll be specifically focusing on the design and integration of the instrument.

Instead of attaching a board to the steering wheel this time, I plan on using a steering wheel cover and installing pressure sensors into it and putting other components away, under the steering wheel. Also, I’m going to integrate a small mixer so that people can play the drum machine at the same time as their ipod, etc.

As a side note, I’ve been busy all summer working on with an Arduino for Disabilities project. It’s been really great and I might post some of the projects I’ve been working on with them here too. The website from last years project can be found here: http://arduinofordisabilities.wordpress.com/

Thanks for following!

Instrument #2: A drum machine for car steering wheels. 

I’m really really excited about this one! You know how everyone likes to drum on their steering wheels when they’re driving in their cars? Well, I decided that within the next two weeks I’m going to make a prototype drum machine that attaches to steering wheels.

The instrument design is going to be a lot smaller and simpler than last time. However, there are a lot of different challenges I have to overcome this time.

First of all, I will be programming the instrument in Arduino and Processing languages instead of in Max5 like last time.

Secondly, I want to have the instrument be self contained - meaning, I don’t want it to have to plug into a computer to be used. I just bought a Wave Shield for my arduino, which can store .wav soundfiles on it. I have to figure out how to assemble it and get it working. But when there’s a will, there’s a way. And there’s also Google.

Thirdly, I’m in the middle of finals so I’m super busy as it is. But I don’t care. I’m going to make this, and it’s going to rock!

I’ve been working on getting the basics running all day, so I’ll be posting some videos shortly.