Diy Rock Band Drum Kit

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My DIY Rock Band drum kit

I recently purchased the Rock Band game with drum kit. I didn't like the feel of the Rock Band Drum kit. The pads are to hard, to noisy and no rebound. I think the drums have to much of a slant to them and no way to adjust them. They were just no fun to play on. So I built my own mesh head Rock Band Drum kit.

When you decide you want to really learn how to play drums, This drum kit can also be connected to a drum module.

I cut out the bottom out of a leftover Fleet Farm bucket and then cut a 2" tall piece from the bottom of the bucket and riveted together. This will be a 10" diameter x 2" tall drum. You can make just about any size you like.

If you follow this tutorial the diameter of the bucket can be any size you like. If you choose not to make your own hoops and use real drum hoops make sure the real hoop fits over the size of the bucket you make.

I used a router and a homemade circle jig to cut the 3/4" oak Veneer fiber board paneling into hoops. (Or you can buy one of these) You need to cut the outside of circle first. You will need to measure and mark the inside diameter and cut the outside diameter so you will have a 7/8" wide rim. I cut the inside diameter of the hoops big enough so they will just fit over the top of the bucket. Tutorial here

I took some copper tubing and formed it to fit the 1/4" groove and cut to size.

Sewed on some window screen. The mesh screen head rim now fits perfectly in the groove. Tutorial here

Used a router to cut a circle for the bottom. I cut 1/8" deep groove for the bucket to fit down into.

I used a regular 10" drum hoop as a template to mark the holes.
Placed top hoop over the bottom circle and drilled 1/4" holes through the top hoop and bottom circle at the same time. After I drilled the first hole. I bolted the top and bottom together and then did the same with second hole to keep every thing aligned then drilled the remaining holes.

On the bottom of each hoop and bottom circle I labeled with a number 1 through 4 next to the hole. That way all holes will line up on their corresponding hoop/bottom.

Increased the size of the holes in the bottom circle to 11/32" to fit the 1/4" threaded insert. http://www.mcmaster.com/ part # 92105A675(Check the package for correct hole size for threaded inserts they may be different for different brands.)

T-nuts work well for this also http://www.mcmaster.com/ part # 90975A057

I will now add the mounting brackets tutorial here I placed the bracket on top the bottom circle making sure not to cover the groove for the bucket and drilled 1/4" holes through the bracket and bottom circle at the same time. I Increased the size of the holes in the bottom circle to 11/32" for the threaded inserts

Now I added a Terminal Strip and round wood spacer that will help get the foam block 1/8" above the drum rim.

Added a layer of 3-M double sided foam tape.

I'm using piezos I found here on EBay 10 for about $6.00 the price includes shipping.

I used a small screw driver to pry off the top cover. Used a dab of hot glue to secure the wires better so they wouldn't be accidently ripped off of the piezo.

Placed the piezo still in case on the 3M double sided tape. Added a circle the size of the ceramic of 3M double sided tape between the ceramic and 1"x1"x1-1/2" sanding foam block with the sanding surface removed. Connected piezo wires to one side of the terminal strip. Normally I would totally remove the piezos from the case. For the Rock Band game these piezos worked better in the case.

Installed the 1/4" jack and connected wires to other side of terminal strip. Also added a knob.

Put on the DIY Window screen mesh head and one more layer of screen overlapping about 1 1/2". That way you won't have to re-create the mesh head when the top layer wears out.

I placed a rubber band over the top layer and pulled the screen snug. It keeps the top layer nice and tight while tightening down the drum hoop. After you tighten down drum hoop you can trim the excess screen.