# MIDI Drum Pad Buttons

**URL:** <https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268>\
**Category:** Finding Parts\
**Created:** [21 February 2024 03:54 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268 "2024-02-21T03:54:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Isaac251544](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Isaac251544](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Isaac251544)\
**Post date:** [21 February 2024 03:54 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268/1 "2024-02-21T03:54:59Z")

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Hi there,  
I am looking at prototyping and customising drum pad buttons that can read pressure and velocity. What are the components that I would require?

Can I utilise my existing PCB which has traces printed and silicone buttons which have conductive rings? Or will I need to redesign those also?

Thanks,

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**Author:** ![Pixmusix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/pixmusix/32/9719_2.png) [@Pixmusix](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Pixmusix)\
**Post date:** [21 February 2024 04:37 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268/2 "2024-02-21T04:37:08Z")

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Hi @Isaac251544

Welcome; cool idea!!

Do we need to digitize the output of these pads for use with a computer or drum machine?  
Will you be using Standard Midi as the protocol?

If I were designing this, I think I would use Piezoelectric Sensors.  
Big button press make big force.  
Big force make big pressure.

> **[Piezo Element](https://core-electronics.com.au/piezo-element.html)**
>
> Piezo elements come in handy when you need to detect vibration or a knock. You can use these for tap or knock sensors pretty easily by reading the voltage on the output. They can also be used for a very small audio transducer such as a buzzer.

I have seen some drum machines use the Hall Effect to detect the speed of the button.  
This just means attaching a magnet to the base of the pad and measuring it’s speed as the user presses the button. Big force equal big acceleration.

> **[A1102 Hall Effect Sensor](https://core-electronics.com.au/a1102-hall-effect-sensor.html)**
>
> The A1101 Hall-effect switches include the following on a single silicon chip: voltage regulator, Hall-voltage generator, small-signal amplifier, Schmitt trigger, and NMOS output transistor. The integrated voltage regulator permits operation from 3.8...

I bet there are a lot of ways to solve this problem. 🙂  
Maybe someone else has thoughts.

> [@Isaac251544](#):
>
> Can I utilise my existing PCB which has traces printed and silicone buttons which have conductive rings? Or will I need to redesign those also?

Still haven’t made it to PCBs in my journey (although I’ve been told by some nerds that it’s in my future), Maybe those nerds can weigh in? They’d probably want to see a picture?

Good luck! (And keep me updated, super keen to see this come to life).  
Pix ❣

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Isaac251544](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Isaac251544](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Isaac251544)\
**Post date:** [21 February 2024 04:42 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268/3 "2024-02-21T04:42:34Z")

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Thanks,  
I have attached photo of an example of a product that utilises FSR, just wondering how and where to source materials / design requirements.

![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/8/8da8e45f9eca2cee3f04b35304af2c0ac53f7dcc.jpeg)

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/7/702a84e91e6f5f0c196c7754a9b68c8bd9b77832.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Michael](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/michael/32/3545_2.png) [@Michael](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Michael)\
**Post date:** [21 February 2024 06:03 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/midi-drum-pad-buttons/19268/4 "2024-02-21T06:03:54Z")

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FSRs can be made from [velostat](https://learn.bela.io/tutorials/pure-data/sensors/diy-pressure-sensor/#:~:text=To%20make%20an%20FSR%2C%20sandwich,the%20side%20with%20the%20resistor.). That guide is a good survey on the practice.

If you want to get started, we have some available [here](https://core-electronics.com.au/pressure-sensitive-conductive-sheet-velostat-linqstat.html). Also check out the [guide](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/HandcraftingSensors_11541046317.pdf) attached to the product page.