# From toy to drum machine! **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [February 26, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044 "2021-02-26T22:35:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/1 "2021-02-26T22:35:06Z")
The executor effects key chain is a frequently used toy for circuit bending ! But I have this sickness where i want to add a midi port to everything… I added some 2n222 resistors to every button so i can control those buttons with a micro controller. And i used a LDR and led combo to control the pitch with that micro controller. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/0/0acae8e33cacec5a89c03b0f8fc29e1329c1385b.jpeg) In this video i explain a bit more on what I did so far! [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/b/5/b5499c8eb7e582941379521b8a5b711b9fd6db1e.jpeg "FROM TOY TO DRUM MACHINE - making your own music gear: #1") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XltNQmsPsVo) The next step would be to solder all of the electronic onto a prototyping board and add physical midi port instead of the USB midi i used till now. After that i will design and 3D print a sexy case for this instrument. ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ Feel free to leave a message here if you are thinking of a fun or weird design! ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2021, 4:26pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/2 "2021-02-27T16:26:24Z")
Repeat for each transistor: I think it is wise to add a series resistor of say 1kOhm between the teensy output and the transistor base. ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/3 "2021-02-28T11:01:09Z")
Cool thanks for the advice! You have a great eye for that 😉 i was just testing it fast. ![20210227_174425](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/2X/1/19a0a467543b0d376866bc120855c87f1aa9ecd8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Jos](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jos/32/151_2.png) [@Jos](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Jos)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/4 "2021-02-28T12:34:41Z")
I see you decided to go for an arduino. I would have done the same because a teensy is relatively expensive and much more powerful, so that would have been a bit of a waste. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 1:16pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/5 "2021-02-28T13:16:23Z")
Gaah, the narrow spacing TO-92 footprints! I used those once or twice and then said never again… And @fredrik will look [askance](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/module-requests/39/62) at that 6N138… ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/6 "2021-02-28T13:30:37Z")
Yes i really like those arduino’s! At first the teensy had some advantages, but i didn’t made use of those any more. Thats why i just use the cheaper option. I was testing to use one of those analog output on the teensy but i din’t used it in the final experiments Naming a midi usb device is very easy with the teensy library’s its doable with a 32u4 type arduino like the pro micro in the picture but a bit of a hassle to be onest. Those teensy midi librarys are really epic! And very nice for some fast experiments. The usb Midi and midi port are now working with this arduino. ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 1:34pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/7 "2021-02-28T13:34:53Z")
Hehe living on the edge! Thanks for that topic! ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 1:42pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/8 "2021-02-28T13:42:04Z")
I guess I didn’t know the Arduino Pro Micro was USB host capable. I know the Nano isn’t. Interesting. The SparkFun version isn’t that much less than a Teensy, but yours obviously is from another source… got a link? ---
**Author:** ![fredrik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/fredrik/32/682_2.png) [@fredrik](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/fredrik)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 1:47pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/9 "2021-02-28T13:47:46Z")
Pro Micro clones are ~$4 on aliexpress and ebay. Haven’t tested any (I’m a Nano person), so no idea about quality. ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2021, 2:03pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/10 "2021-02-28T14:03:35Z")
i buy them from aliexpress just don’t buy the blue ones with a micro usb because most of the time they use a usb smd part instead of true hole part. because those USB micro things break without any force. The ones that i recommend are these: Choose the one with the usb B mini! > **[US $3.64 19% OFF|Pro Micro Met De Bootloader Blauw Mini ATmega32U4 5V/16Mhz...](https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005001622051348.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6093aac5cBhC22&algo_pvid=edfb7e1f-fef0-4288-8f4a-62612d39e5bb&algo_expid=edfb7e1f-fef0-4288-8f4a-62612d39e5bb-0&btsid=2100bdf116145210015135227ef577&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com Or if you want a pro micro with a tougher usb micro that isn’t just a smd part i some times choose these > **[US $3.78 26% OFF|ATmega32U4 5V 16Mhz Module Pro Micro Usb Controller Board...](https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32846084988.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.677768c3zGdt9j&algo_pvid=6865ecb2-8299-4719-99ad-a0a3fc4c995c&algo_expid=6865ecb2-8299-4719-99ad-a0a3fc4c995c-1&btsid=2100bdf116145212323937088ef577&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_)** > > Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/11 "2021-05-04T20:35:21Z")
I’ve finished it! YEEEHAAA 🤠 🤠 [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/6/0/6008337f097f616cd05d1a5026372193549ef07d.jpeg "FROM TOY TO DRUM MACHINE | part 2 | advance circuit bending") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4sJ_f4VZs0) ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/12 "2021-05-04T23:51:53Z")
Great work! Oh hey, video comments say > WEBSITE: [https://www.jwotto.com/​](https://www.jwotto.com/%E2%80%8B) but Chrome says > LOL no 404 … ah, I see, there’s some non printing characters in the URL. ---
**Author:** ![jwotto](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/jwotto/32/1932_2.png) [@jwotto](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/jwotto)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/from-toy-to-drum-machine/3044/13 "2021-05-05T01:16:51Z")
Thank you! thank you for noticing that! I’ve changed it immediately.