Maker Music Festival: MIDI-controlled Japanese Taiko drum robots with "MU-4"

The "MIDI / USB Switch Translator MU-4" can control up to four USB Type-A devices via MIDI. Familiar USB devices will also be fun instruments using MIDI!

Sakura-Sakura with the rhythm of Japanese festivals

We have released this product "MIDI / USB Switch Translator MU-4" for those who are not accustomed to handling MIDI or electronic work or who have no experience at all.

We have created robots that play Japanese Taiko drums as an example to let everyone know that the fun of MIDI control with the "MU-4" and that making your own musical instruments is easier than you think.

The actuator for moving the arms of the robots is Takaha Kiko's "DC5V solenoid".
（ https://www.takaha-japan.com/product-category/dc5v-solenoid/ )

This solenoid has a board with a switch and can be operated by MIDI control immediately by connecting the microUSB type-B to the "MU-4" with a USB Type-A cable.

In the second half of the video, we briefly explained how to use MIDI instruments and MIDI sequencers with our product "MU-4".

If you use "MU-4", you can turn on / off the familiar USB lights and USB fans with a MIDI keyboard or MIDI sequencer, just like the Japanese Taiko drum robots.

Imagine ... the blades of a fan that rotates to the music, your figure enjoying an ensemble with a USB fan ...

Make new music with your familiar USB device, your own instrument, and MIDI control!

What inspired you to do this?

The Japanese Taiko drums played by these robots are commercially available as capsule toys. Many capsule toys made in Japan are of high quality. I was surprised to hear a very good sound when I bought this, and came up with the idea of making a robot that plays this little Japanese Taiko drum.

How long did it take to make it?

I made two Japanese Taiko drum robots in a week. Not only did the robot want to be able to beat the drums, but I also tried various ideas to make the action look like the robot was alive.

How long have you been doing things like this?

I showed off my product and work for the first time at Maker Faire Tokyo 2018. From that time on, my activity as a maker began.

How much did this cost to do?

The production cost for two Japanese Taiko drum robots is about 10,000 yen in Japanese yen.

Have you done other things like this?

We also manufacture and sell MIDI controller boards for beginners to professionals and modules for M5Stack.

What did you wish you knew before you started this?

I had no knowledge of electronic work at all, so I had a lot of trouble at first. Since I met Arduino, I was able to quickly absorb a lot of knowledge.

Are there plans available to make this? Do you sell this?

Please read here for our products such as MIDI mechanical system. https://necobit.com/denshi/all-products/

Please contact us for overseas shipping. https://necobit.com/denshi/faq/

What’s next?

First and foremost, I want more people to know the joy of MIDI control.
For that purpose, we would like to increase the number of MIDI-controlled musical instruments by using various actuators such as motors, servos, and lights, in addition to those operated by such solenoids.

Resoures?

The information in various books and websites was very helpful. Many followers on social media have given us their knowledge.

When I was a kid, I thought in programming that I wanted to control not only what is displayed on the computer screen but also what is outside. 30 years later, it became the control board for my product "MIDI Mechanical System".

The MIDI-controlled auto-playing instruments that appear in our performances are based on acoustic musical instruments. It would be great if you could feel the enthusiasm of human beings from the musical instruments played by the machines.

How I can help you:
"MIDI / USB Switch Translator MU-4" is on sale at our online shop.
https://necobit.base.shop/items/26570265

Please contact us for overseas shipping.
https://necobit.com/denshi/faq/

How you can help me:
Are you more interested in necobit products and works? On Twitter @necobitter and Instagram necobit_ , which are SNS of "necobit", we also send out information about our products, works, exhibitions and the state of production.