MegaDrum - Revision history

Firelord at 16:07, 2 August 2010

2010-08-02T16:07:23Z

Firelord: /* Updating MegaDrum firmware */

2010-08-02T16:06:35Z

‎Updating MegaDrum firmware

Firelord at 10:18, 22 July 2010

2010-07-22T10:18:01Z

Dmitriwiki at 23:50, 16 July 2010

2010-07-16T23:50:34Z

Firelord at 20:57, 16 July 2010

2010-07-16T20:57:08Z

Dmitriwiki at 20:01, 16 July 2010

2010-07-16T20:01:24Z

Dmitriwiki at 19:02, 16 July 2010

2010-07-16T19:02:27Z

Firelord: Created page with 'An assembled MegaDrum module'''MegaDrum''' is a feature-rich MIDI drum trigger module developed by Dmitri Skachkov. It w…'

2010-07-16T13:26:44Z

Created page with 'An assembled MegaDrum module'''MegaDrum''' is a feature-rich MIDI drum trigger module developed by Dmitri Skachkov. It w…'

New page

[[File:ExampleAssembledMegaDrum.jpg|250px|thumb|An assembled MegaDrum module]]'''MegaDrum''' is a feature-rich [[MIDI drum trigger]] module developed by [[Dmitri Skachkov]]. It was made public as a [[wikipedia:Do_it_yourself|do-it-yourself]] project in the Internet on August 1st, 2007. Since then it has gained recognition from various drummers all over the world, from amateurs and hobbyists to professional drummers. Because of constant firmware and hardware improvement, MegaDrum has acquired support for a wide variety of drumpads from different manufacturers.

As a [[wikipedia:MIDI|MIDI]] drum trigger MegaDrum does not have any built-in sounds. Its main purpose is to convert signals from commercial and do-it-yourself [[wikipedia:Electronic_drum|electronic drum pads]] into MIDI messages which are then fed to a [[wikipedia:Drum_machine|drum machine]]/[[wikipedia:Sampler_(musical_instrument)|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 [[wikipedia:USB|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 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=97 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.

== Features ==
{{#ev:youtube|T8DWjfIUVbA|250|right|MegaDrum in action (courtesy of <a href="http://www.megadrum.info/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=800">hchriste</a>)}}
As a MIDI drum trigger MegaDrum offers the following features:

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td>
* 20/22/32/40/48/56 velocity-sensitive input channels;
* 9 levels of input gain;
* 10 different velocity curves and 4 custom adjustable curves;
* Multilevel crosstalk suppression with 4 individual groups;
* Threshold and retrigger settings;
* Automatic high-level adjustment;
* Velocity curves compression and shifting;
* Positional sensing;
* Support for simple switched and variable hi-hat controllers;
</td>
<td style="padding-left: 20px;">
* Support for for dual zone piezo-switch pads;
* Support for 3 zone Roland style cymbals;
* Support for 3 zone Yamaha style cymbals;
* Firmware is software upgradable;
* MIDI I/O with SysEx support;
* USB powered with plug-n-play support and MIDI over USB;
* Easy menu navigation and easy group settings adjustments;
* 16x2 LCD with VU meters;
* CC Choke support on every Dual Zone piezo/switch pad or 3 zone cymbals.
</td>
</tr>
</table><br />

As a do-it-yourself module:

* Based on [[wikipedia:Atmel_AVR|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.<ref>Initial programming of ATMega is now done by Dmitri, see [[#Legal_issues|why]].</ref>

== Building MegaDrum ==
{{Main|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 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/ forums] for more information.

If you choose to build the module yourself you will need the following:
* At least basic [[wikipedia:soldering|soldering]]/general [[wikipedia:electronics|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 [[wikipedia:Printed_circuit_board|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.

== Legal issues ==
In spring 2010 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1245 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.

== Notes ==
<references />

@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 == Updating MegaDrum firmware ==
 {{Main|Updating MegaDrum firmware}}
 == MegaDrum Configuration ==

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 See [[ordering ATmega]] for details.
 == See also ==
 * [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=502 What is MegaDrum about?] forum post

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:50, 16 July 2010
Line 63:		Line 63:

	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.		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 ==
		+	{{Main\|Updating MegaDrum firmware}}
		+
		+	== MegaDrum Configuration ==
		+	{{Main\|MegaDrum Configuration}}
		+
		+	== MegaDrum MIDI SySex support ==
		+	{{Main\|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 ==		== Legal issues ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 16 July 2010
Line 73:		Line 73:
	== Notes ==		== Notes ==
	<references />		<references />
		+
		+	== See also ==
		+	* [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=502 What is MegaDrum about?] forum post

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 As a [[wikipedia:MIDI|MIDI]] drum trigger MegaDrum does not have any built-in sounds. Its main purpose is to convert signals from commercial and do-it-yourself [[wikipedia:Electronic_drum|electronic drum pads]] into MIDI messages which are then fed to a [[wikipedia:Drum_machine|drum machine]]/[[wikipedia:Sampler_(musical_instrument)|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 [[wikipedia:USB|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 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=97 duje07].
+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 [[wikipedia:USB|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 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=97 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.

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 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;
+* Order a [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1139 Synthex kit] — using a kit greatly simplifies the assembly process;
-* Ask Dmitri to build the module for you.
+* [http://www.megadrum.info/content/i-can-build-it-you 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 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/ forums] for more information.

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 As a do-it-yourself module:
-* Based on [[wikipedia:Atmel_AVR|ATMega]] microcontroller. Currently supported are ATMega 32/324P/644 running at 16, 20 and 24 MHz;
+* Based on [[wikipedia:Atmel_AVR|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.<ref>Initial programming of ATMega is now done by Dmitri, see [[#Legal_issues|why]].</ref>
+* ATmega/PIC chips can be programmed with simple programming cables/programmers.<ref>Initial programming of ATmega is now done by Dmitri, see [[#Legal_issues|why]].</ref>
 == Building MegaDrum ==
@@ Line 65: / Line 65: @@
 == Legal issues ==
-In spring 2010 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1245 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:
+In spring 2010 [http://www.megadrum.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1245 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;
+* Send Dmitri a compatible ATmega for programming;
 * Order a new chip from Dmitri.
-See [[ordering ATMega]] for details.
+See [[ordering ATmega]] for details.
 == Notes ==
 <references />