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Build Your Own Drum-Playing Robot

Posted by michael on from the rimshot dept.

libertynews writes "Here is a project called P.E.A.R.T. where EE students constructed a drum playing robot using USB controlled pneumatic actuators and MIDI files."

7 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Help Bender get into the Robot Hall of Fame by Tibe · · Score: 2, Informative

    C-3PO was just inducted into The Robot hall of fame.

    I wanna see bender get inducted.

  2. cache of the "How It Works" page by nack107 · · Score: 3, Informative

    http://216.109.117.135/search/cache?p=robotic+drum +machine+midi+%22how+it+works%22&ei=UTF-8&fl=0&vst =0&vs=www.graffagnino.net&u=www.graffagnino.net/ww wpeart/howitworks.htm&w=robotic+drum+machine+midi+ %22how+it+works%22&d=CCDC61028E&icp=1&.intl=us

  3. Re:Ha Ha its dead. by Zardus · · Score: 3, Informative

    *robot-played drumroll*

    Introducing.... MirrorDot!

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    You can mod your friends, you can mod your nose, but you can't mod your friend's nose.
  4. Re:Yes, but... by sploo22 · · Score: 3, Informative

    For those who don't get the joke, TCP/IP via bongo drums.

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  5. That should be... by Biogenesis · · Score: 2, Informative

    cat /dev/random > /dev/drum

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    ...just so Google finds it.
  6. Good drummers are hard to find... by Lerxst+Pratt · · Score: 2, Informative
    In this case, percussionist is the correct word. If the namesake is truly Neil Peart, "drummer" is a woefully inadequate descriptor. He is much more accomplished than a mere drummer and this project may wish to aspire to such great heights.

    Some people are missing the point and think that this project was invented just to play MIDI drum sounds through a speaker. Although I cannot reach the website because of the slashdotting, I can infer from the original post that this is a real robot playing real drums. This is an admirable feat at the very least.

    Having a synthetic Neil Peart would be phenomenal. I'm happy that these students have taken it upon themselves to usher MIDI to the next level by melding it with very real robotic triggers to make the drums sound more realistic. Also, I'm elated that one of the most spectacular and accomplished drummers of our time is being recognized by name with a project such as this.

    If you want to check out some real Neil Peart, here's an excellent site for some bootlegs. Just do a search on 'Rush' for the ultimate in percussive listening pleasure!!! IMHCO, a mechanical drummer will never sound this good. If you're sufficiently impressed, go buy the studio albums. You won't regret it.

  7. Re:Cute by Keith+Russell · · Score: 2, Informative

    The rap in "Roll The Bones" was a pitch-altered Geddy, not Neil. IIRC, Neil's only vocal contributions over the years are "Subdivisions" and "Attention all planets of the Solar Federation... We have assumed control."

    And if you need something to expunge the memory of attempted Canadian hip-hop, I highly recommend Vapor Trails. Geddy may have screwed up the engineering, but he accidentally got them in touch with their inner garage band.

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