PIC up the rhythm with our MIDI finger drum!

The Bongo Box is for budding drummers everywhere who like to tap out a rhythm with their finger ends on any available surface. This project is guaranteed to make such individuals even more annoying to any partner, parent or pet in the vicinity!

In fact, the Bongo Box could be of serious use to anyone involved in playing or recording music using MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) controlled instruments. Any box or enclosure can be turned into an electronic drum by placing this design inside it. The response of the device is rapid, and drumming your fingers on the box causes a series of drum sounds to be played in quick succession.

This is a great improvement over the usual situation where a MIDI keyboard is used to trigger sounds – normally it is not possible with a keyboard to mimic the quick “rolls” that drummers play. The Bongo Box makes this technique possible, without having to go to the expense of buying an electronic drum kit!

The Bongo Box is designed to be connected to a computer that has a MIDI input and is running software that can send MIDI information to a sound module or a sound card, or has in-built sound facilities. Most computers now have this ability.