Video: DIY Lego Drum Machine NXT-606

In 1998 Lego introduced the MINDSTORMS product line. The NXT is a brick-shaped computer that can take in sensory input, control motors and most importantly in this case, play back sounds. The NXT-606 drum machine is based on this unit and I must say it sounds pretty good. You can even get a set yourself and build your own.

You can get more information and the free software here.

Features:

• Monophonic sample based drum machine
• 24 percussion and Fx sounds
• Sampling rate: 8Khz
• memory: 96 measures
• control: 2 rotation sensor +NXT buttons
• hacked loud speaker to mono output: jack 6,35mm
• Editor: NXT-G
• Real time operation

Main page:

• Mode: edit/loop4/loop8/…/loop96
• Play: play/stop
• Save and copy
• Measure: 1 to 96
• Tempo: 20 to 200
• Swing: 0 to 9
• Humanisation: not achieved

Edit page:

• Graphic pattern editor
• Selected step: 1 to 16
• Sound: 1 to 24
• Velocity: 0/25/50/100%

[via Synthtopia]